University transitions to new primary wireless network
The university began the transition to eduroam as its main wireless network Jan. 3, according to a Dec. 9 email from The Office of Information Technology (OIT).
Eduroam is an international roaming Wi-Fi service with over 10,000 hotspots at universities and academic institutions globally. St. Joe’s students, faculty and staff can access these hotspots using their St. Joe’s credentials, wrote Philip Ichinaga, chief information security officer and senior director of network and telecommunication services for OIT, in an email to The Hawk.
“Not only does Eduroam allow seamless connectivity between locations, but it also offers the added benefit of enabling members of our community to connect effortlessly to wireless networks at thousands of participating universities globally, an important advantage in today’s interconnected academic and professional environment,” Ichinaga wrote.
Eduroam has been available for the Hawk Hill campus since 2022, for the University City campus since approximately 2016 and was implemented on the Lancaster campus in August 2024, Ichinaga wrote.
The sjuwireless, SJU and SJU-Students networks remain functional at this time, although they are hidden from the list of available networks to encourage the transition to eduroam, Ichinaga wrote.
All three of those networks will be fully retired by early summer 2025, according to the Dec. 9 email from OIT.
Amidst the transition, some St. Joe’s
students have experienced issues with their Wi-Fi connection.
Jhanille Hancel ’27, who has been using eduroam since spring of 2024, said she switched after having connectivity problems with sjuwireless. While the new network was initially faster, it has not been without its own problems, especially now that it is the main network, Hancel said.
“Now that they’ve made the switch for the entire campus to use it, I recognize how it has slowed down a bit. Oftentimes, there is no network,” Hancel said. “Sometimes it kicks
me off and connects by itself, which can be an inconvenience at times, especially when you’re trying to make a deadline.”
Unreliable network connection has also been frustrating for Anneliese Ashley ’25, who began using eduroam Jan. 13. Ashley said it took her three hours to connect her devices to eduroam due to the connection dropping.
“It wasn’t great because I was trying to organize myself for the first day of classes and get textbooks and everything, but there’s only so much you can do when it’s not working,” Ashley said.
According to Ichinaga, connectivity issues such as these can be attributed to numerous factors, including “device compatibility,networkavailabilityorsaturation during peak usage times,” particularly with MacBookdevices.
Ichinaga added that the Technology ServiceCenterhasreceiveda “naturalincreasein support requests” that is typical following theintroductionofany newtechnology.
This just ‘Zyn’: Nicotine pouches remain popular with college students
likely to be over the age of 21 and male, according to a study included in the National Library of Medicine.
Designed for on-the-go convenience, Zyns and other nicotine pouches appeal to users as a low-profile alternative to vaping.
Nicotine pouches are designed to be placed in the gums. As they moisten, they release nicotine into the user’s bloodstream.
From 2018 to 2023, Zyn shipments grew from 6 million to 334 million cans annually, an increase of over 5,000%. This rise has positioned Zyn as a leading nicotine alternative for those looking for smokeless, tobacco-free options, fueled by advertising that promotes Zyn as a cleaner alternative to smoking and vaping
Smoke shop employees near the Hawk Hill campus have noticed a steady rise in Zyn sales, especially from younger customers, according to Sweet Air Vape & Smoke employee Aaron Dawkins.
“They tend to grab them because that’s what they see,” Dawkins said. “I’ve seen advertisements on TikTok saying, ‘Grab a Zyn.’”
Zyns are sold in containers holding 15 pouches, with nicotine levels of three and six milligrams. They can cost anywhere from $5 to $7, depending on where you buy them.
Chris Mann, an employee at Haze City Smokes & Convenience on City Avenue, said most of his Zyn customers are men. Nicotine pouch users are more
A 21-year-old St. Joe’s student, who asked that his name be withheld, said he began using Zyns as an alternative to vaping, as he believed they were more discrete and seemingly healthier than using a vape.
“I played a club sport, which is very much a cardiovascular activity, and at the time I was vaping, so I needed an alternative,” he said. “So, I switched to Zyns, and then after that was like, ‘I don’t need the vape anymore.’”
The anonymous student said he also uses Zyns because they help him concentrate.
“Whether it’s in the classroom or just doing work outside of the classroom, it helps me narrow my focus onto what I’m doing in that moment and cut out distractions,” the student said.
The student is among 2.9% of adults in the United States who have used nicotine pouches at some point, according to a 2022 study cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2024, 1.8% of middle and high school students said they currently use nicotine pouches.
Eileen Bevilacqua, RN, director of the Student Health Center, said the dangers of nicotine pouches are not fully understood because they are a new product.
“There are no safe tobacco products,
including nicotine pouches. This is especially true for youth, young adults, and people who are pregnant,” Bevilacqua said.
Early data suggest that nicotine pouches can cause side effects like mouth irritation, nausea and increased heart rate. The long-term health impacts are not fully understood, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues warnings about using synthetic nicotine products regularly.
A study from Johns Hopkins University indicated that repetitive use of nicotine pouches might lead to gum damage or recession, particularly if placed in the same area of the mouth over time.
“I assume that there’s a possibility of
damaging your gums, which I justify in ‘I’d rather damage my gums rather than my lungs,’” the St. Joe’s student said.
There’s also the danger of addiction.
“Using nicotine during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control. Adolescents who use nicotine may be at increased risk for future addiction to other drugs,” Bevilacqua said.
Dawkins said a lot of customers start buying Zyns after trying to quit their addiction to vaping and smoking cigarettes.
The Student Newspaper of Saint Joseph’s University
Preston Thomas ’28 discusses climate change denial amid recent enviromental
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
A Zyn tin with nicotine patches inside. PHOTO: ZACH PODOLNICK ’26/THE HAWK
HELENA SIMS ’25
Special to the Hawk
LIV BIELAWSKI ’27
Assistant News Editor
‘It’s a pipeline that will never end’
"ZYN USAGE" FROM PG. 1
“It’s a lot more people coming from vapes trying to quit it, but probably because they quit cigarettes going [to] the vapes,” Dawkins said. “It’s a pipeline that will neverend.”
Nicotine dependency can lead to mood changes, irritability and withdrawal symptoms.TheFDAhasexpressedconcern over the lack of comprehensive data on
synthetic nicotine products, warning that the long-term impacts on physical health, particularly in young users, are still unknown.
In a Jan. 16 news release, the FDA authorized marketing 20 different Zyn products after concluding they had greater benefits — particularly in helping adults quit or cut back on more harmful nicotine products — than risks to the population. While youth consumption of nicotine pouches remains low, the FDA announced
Q&A with Kelly Bersett
VINCENT KORNACKI ’25 Managing Editor
Kelly Bersett, MBA ’16, was promoted to the role of associate director of Residence Life Jan. 6. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature from St. Louis University, where she was involved with Residence Life as a student worker, and earned her Master of Education in college student counseling and personnel services from Grand Valley State University. Bersett worked in Residential Life at Valparaiso University before arriving at St. Joe’s in 2008 as assistant director for housing operations. The Hawk spoke with Bersett to learn more about her life and her time at St. Joe’s.
What led you to work at St. Joe’s?
I went to undergrad at St. Louis University, which is a Jesuit institution … [Later in my career] there was a position open at this university in housing operations. I thought, ‘I could go back to a Jesuit school, that would be really amazing,’ because I really enjoyed having that kind of mission and those values being the core of my undergraduate education. And so I came to campus, fell in love with campus. Just like you hear first-year students saying, ‘Oh my
gosh, I just came to campus and fell in love with it,’ I experienced that in my professional career and have been here ever since.
What is your main goal as associate director?
I, our whole team and really all of Student Life look at our roles on campus as, students are here to get an education. They’re going to walk away with a degree from their academic program, and what they have learned in the classroom. We represent the education outside of the classroom … Residence Life is really a 24/7 operation. [Students] are coming here after class, and we want to continue to supplement that education, but also make it fun and really create an environment where students can build their own community with our support.
What are you most looking forward to in this role?
Connecting with students in a different way as the leader of an office is really cool. I want to keep continuing to build on the successes that we’ve had in the past, but also finding different ways to connect. Every year is a different student population coming in, and [I’m] continuing to find ways that we can adapt to best connect and make a
they would continue to monitor it.
In their release, the FDA also stated that marketing authorization does not mean Zyn products are considered safe or ‘FDA approved,’ and that the FDA would continue to study Zyn’s marketing and usage.
The anonymous student said there are also health risks associated with other common behaviors on college campuses, like binge drinking, but that they don’t negate the potential risks of using nicotine.
“When you’re using any nicotine product, you have to weigh the cost-benefit analysis to see if you’re willing to do it,” the student said.
positive experience for everybody.
What is one fun fact about you that might surprise other people?
Outside of my day-slash-night job, I am
Department of Public Safety reports (Jan. 13-24)
Jan. 13
Public Safety notified of a drug abuse violation in McShain Residence Center. Incident was investigated. Community Standards was notified.
Public Safety notified of a theft at the O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center. Incident was investigated. Community Standards was notified.
Jan. 14
Public Safety notified of a theft at Hagan Arena. Incident is under investigation.
Public Safety notified of a theft at the Ann and Emmett Cooper Building (Lancaster Campus). Incident was investigated. Human Resources was notified.
Jan. 15
No incidents to report.
Jan. 16
Public Safety notified of a theft at the O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center. Incident was investigated. Community Standards was notified.
Public Safety notified of a theft at the O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center. Incident was investigated. Community Standards was notified.
Public Safety notified of a theft at the O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center. Incident was investigated. Community Standards was notified.
Public Safety notified of a theft at the O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center. Incident was investigated. Community Standards was notified.
Jan. 17
Public Safety notified of a drug abuse violation in LaFarge Residence Center. Incident was investigated. Community Standards was notified.
Jan. 18 No incidents to report.
Jan. 19 No incidents to report.
Jan. 20
Public Safety notified of a liquor law violation on City Avenue. Lower Merion Police Department responded and a report was taken. Community Standards was notified.
Public Safety notified of a theft at Simpson Hall. Incident is under investigation.
Jan. 21
Public Safety notified of a theft at the O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center. Incident is under investigation.
Jan. 22 No incidents to report.
Jan. 23
Public Safety notified of a theft at the O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center. Incident was investigated. Community Standards was notified.
Jan. 24 No incidents to report.
involved in community orchestra. I play the violin and the viola.
Kelly Bersett, associate director of Residence Life at St. Joe’s, poses in front of the Office of Residence Life sign, located in LaFarge Hall, Jan. 27. PHOTO: MADELINE WILLIAMS ’26/THE HAWK
Editorial: Fear and joy on Inauguration Day
Inauguration Day historically has been a quadrennial affair symbolizing national unity and the fulfillment of voters’ Election Day decisions. It has been an occasion for those on both sides of the aisle to come together and demonstrate their dedication to placing the nation’s interest above specific ideologies.
This year feels different. Gone is the widespread commitment to set aside partisan rancor to support the beginning of a new administration. The exact reason for this breakdown in civic unity is debatable; both sides of the political spectrum will point fingers at the other. It is undeniable, however, that while there is a clear sense of jubilation from many at the dawn of a new — or arguably repeat — era in American history, there is also a palpable
sense of fear as a result of the executive orders and policy reversals of President Donald Trump’s administration.
For many members of the St. Joe’s community, the array of new policies will have a profound effect on their lives and livelihoods. With the cost of living becoming increasingly unaffordable for many Americans, the administration’s approach to inflation and wages will be a key determinant in how St. Joe’s students are able to navigate off-campus life. St. Joe’s students may also be affected by the Trump administration’s reversal of student loan debt cancellations and protections for LGBTQIA+ students in the classroom. And for many students — whether they are immigrants themselves, have loved ones who are immigrants or just care
about the cause — Trump’s pledge to enact mass deportations has a chilling psychological effect.
Over the next four years, St. Joe’s students will have various opportunities for political involvement in response to the new administration. President Trump deserves to be judged on the merit of his actions and goals, rather than on preconceived expressions of support or opposition. While the cause of national unity is important, it is just as vital to protect and safeguard the fundamental rights of every American. To expand on a Jesuit maxim: Both the student body and the president should care not only for the whole person, but for every person.
The Trump presidency: Act II
ANASTASIA KUNICKA ’28 Columnist
We all were sitting somewhere Jan. 20, contemplating our uncertain futures and caught in a moment of stillness.
Do I watch?
Do I take it with a grain of salt and swallow a hard pill?
To half the country, the second act of the Trump administration feels like a coronation. To the other half, it’s a waking nightmare and a sequel more terrifying than the first. The question looms: How do we brace ourselves for what’s next?
President Donald Trump knows the art of commanding a room and, by extension, the nation. Any attention, good or bad, is attention to him nonetheless. He grabs everyone’s focus with some sentences carefully crafted to electrify and divide.
Like a comedian who thrives on the laughter from an audience, he leans
into the crowd’s reactions to guarantee headlines from every newspaper in the country.
Trump has never needed to be ‘good’ to stay relevant. He has already spent a lifetime playing to the cameras and has turned the presidency into his latest and most ambitious production.
Whether or not you cast your ballot for him, America got exactly what it was anticipating.
The right wing got the selfproclaimed guardian they craved the past four years, and the left wing got the embodiment of discord.
Dread, worry, despair.
Elation, surprise, wonder.
The second act tells the story of a nation that has split down the middle, but one thing is clear: Trump’s “Golden Age of America” begins now.
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
New year, same thing: Reevaluating resolutions
CARTER KARPINSKI ’25
Columnist
As of writing this, we are over three weeks into the year of our Lord, 2025, and honestly, nothing has really changed since covid-19. We’ve just been kind of coasting since then. Yet, every year we make a big deal over New Year’s. It’s like a birthday for everybody at once, so we’re all simultaneously reminded of the inevitability of death. We reflect on everything we’ve done, feel sad that it wasn’t enough, then overpromise on goals we’ll
never accomplish in the coming year.
But if we have to wait for an entire new calendar year to make certain changes, clearly we don’t want to. So, let’s fix New Year’s resolutions. Firstly, never do anything you don’t want to do if you have a choice. That’s just stupid. That’s like doing an optional reading for class! What, do you just want… to learn? Obviously, everyone should eat healthily, but you shouldn’t need the date to end in a new number to start doing that. A New Year’s resolution should be more meaningful. Start complimenting yourself every day, do random acts of kindness or get back into a
hobby you used to love.
A resolution shouldn’t be something you’re forcing yourself to do. If it’s going to make you unhappy, why are we starting it Jan. 1? You have the entire year to be unhappy, and we decide to start annoying ourselves as the clock strikes midnight? Stick to something more joyful, and move the dumb stuff to, like, June 1.
Now, I would like to propose a new holiday: “Okay, But For Real Day.” On Feb. 1, we start a legitimate, meaningful resolution, but for real this time. January
The trap of ‘temporal delusion’
The value of present mindfulness
SAHR KARIMU ’26 Hawk Columnist
Stepping into the new year, I’ve found myself, like many others, reflecting on the former chapters of life and thinking forth to the pages that lie in wait. The last book, 2024, was a curious tale. There were many twists and turns, in the world and in my own life. There were lessons learned and stories unfolded. Now, there’s 2025, 2026 and so on. Graduation will come at a moment’s notice, and graduate school will follow suit. Then my career and then my life?
In my thinking, I caught myself in a dangerous trap. I call it “the temporal delusion”: the act of dwelling too much on the past that you break your neck trying to look 180 degrees, or looking too far forward into the future that you’re trying to sculpt your life with clay that doesn’t yet exist. I’ve found that this “temporal delusion” comes from a lack of mindfulness and is only a loan for stress — a loan you will pay back with much-accrued interest.
This piece is not anti-reflection or
planning by any means! Those things are essential to learn and to take hold of what is to come. But your past and your future are helpful in as much as you learn from them for present application. So, what practical benefits does present mindfulness have to one’s life?
Studies suggest focusing on the present will have positive impacts on both our mental and physical well-being. It is a helpful way to combat daily stressors and help individuals stay more grounded in navigating life.
There are multiple strategies for being present, but I practice this by meditating on God. My meditation doesn’t have to be formal. I simply remind myself of God’s presence in my life. Psalm 46, a famous song in the Bible, speaks about God’s protection over His people. Verse 10 of this song says this: “Be still, and know that I am God...” When recognizing the dangers of “temporal delusion,” I bring myself back to this verse. I become still; I rest in God’s presence, knowing I am with Him.
doesn’t really count. We’re supposed to stay sober after seeing our families and throughout the inauguration of President Musk? First of all, unrealistic resolution. Secondly, terrible timing. February is good though; it’s short, and there’s only one mid-tier holiday. Stick to one resolution that whole month, then on March 1, you can celebrate “Now For a Ten Month Break Day” to reward yourself.
My New Year’s resolution: Fail
ABBY COUNIHAN ’25 Features Copy Editor
Am I good at painting? Not particularly. Am I the best at crocheting? Not really. Am I the world’s best baker? Nope, I’m always making mistakes. And yet, I continue to do these things all the time. Pursuing a wide variety of creative activities allows me to develop my skills and try out new things. But most importantly, they let me fail. It’s been so important for my self-growth to allow myself to fail, especially in these low-stakes
and controlled environments.
Every time I fail, I learn something and become better on the other side of it. Failing helps me feel prepared to take the bigger risks in life and know that I will be alright if they don’t work out. No matter how spectacularly I fail in my life, I know that I’ve exposed myself to failure so many times before and came out unscathed.
It’s nice to do something not because it’s going to be perfect but because I want to challenge myself. As a perfectionist, it’s hard to do something and not feel the need for it to be 100% amazing. However, it’s still worthwhile if it’s 95% amazing, or even 80%. Making something 40% of the
way still teaches me 40% more than if I had just done nothing.
As we enter into a new year and new semester, it can be tempting to think of all the ways you’re going to become perfect this time around. All the things you’re going to fix about yourself or get right this time. You might make resolutions to work out more, eat healthier, read some books or learn a new language. But I encourage you to add one more thing to that list, one thing that you can actually accomplish and grow from: Allow yourself to fail this year.
In 2025, I will continue to make bad paintings and mediocre crochet cardigans
because everything doesn’t have to be perfect all of the time. I just need to have fun and learn from my mistakes.
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
CAROLINE TRIMBLE ’26
Hawk Columnist
The FBI considers the Jan. 6 insurrection an act of domestic terrorism that left around 140 police officers injured and threatened the very existence of democracy as we know it. Although this is a dark stain on our nation’s history, President Donald Trump remembers it fondly, referring to the occasion as a “day of love” and praising its participants as patriots. In his official order pardoning the rioters, Trump referred to the convictions as “grave national injustice[s]” that were
Why don’t
PRESTON THOMAS ’28 Columnist
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA 25/THE HAWK
necessary to overturn.
Trump campaigned on the promise to release the “hostages” serving prison sentences for their participation in the insurrection on Day 1 of his second term. He stayed true to his word, offering full pardons to all those “convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol” Jan. 6.
Trump’s decision to pardon these individuals does not come as a shock. Not only does the act fulfill a campaign promise, it also reinforces the importance Trump places on loyalty. By granting pardons to these rioters in thanks for their proven allegiance to him, Trump
What the Jan. 6 pardons reveal about the president’s priorities
demonstrates a behavior seen throughout his career: the prioritization of personal loyalty over justice or merit. This leadership style is also seen through his political appointees and campaign employees, many of whom earned their nominations through loyalty or a familial relationship.
Pardoning the Jan. 6 insurrectionists on the first day of his administration is just one of many campaign promises Trump intends to enact. Though he did not end the war in Ukraine in the first 24 hours of his presidency as promised, an end to the war remains a pledge of the administration that many hope Trump can keep.
However, many of his promises would be better left unkept, including abolishing the Department of Education, revoking the Temporary Legal Status of Haitians, and adding a 60% tariff on imported Chinese goods. It remains unclear how quickly Trump intends to address his campaign promises, but if the pardoning of Jan. 6. rioters is any indication, his priorities will likely be rewarding loyalty rather than policies of positive change.
some people believe in climate change?
begun and believe global warming is due to human actions.
The recent snow storms across the East Coast, along with the wildfires raging across Los Angeles, made me wonder why some people do not believe in climate change. No matter how much research is presented to them, they refuse to acknowledge the cause of the extreme weather occurring around them. Why is that?
About 15% of Americans do not believe in climate change or its effects on the Earth, according to a study from the University of Michigan. Some may choose to ignore its existence or effects due to their position on the political spectrum. While climate change is not inherently a “political issue,” many have made it one. President Donald Trump famously called climate change “a hoax” and recently withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement. This agreement negotiated for countries across the world to cut greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to limit global warming and slow down climate change.
Trump has managed to build a loyal following of supporters, to whom he spreads unfactual rhetoric about the climate crisis. Studies and polls show that Democrats are significantly more concerned about the issue, believe its effects have already
Climate change being human-made is another reason deniers do not believe in the climate crisis’ impact on our world. Many people who challenge the legitimacy of climate change believe all changes in the Earth’s temperature are caused by the natural cycles of the planet. However, this thought process is flawed and misleading. While
the planet does have cycles of changing weather, human activities like the emission of greenhouse gasses or the overuse of fossil fuels directly impact the planet’s cycles by altering patterns and progressively heating the earth.
Whether it’s ignorance due to political ideology or ignorance due to false beliefs, the denial of climate change contradicts facts and science. A vast
majority of Americans believe in the crisis, but those who don’t are typically inspired by bad actors in high positions of power, directly reflecting how Americans can be easily persuaded by our leaders and politicians.
‘Drill, baby, drill’
Trump administration rolls back climate protections
TAYLOR STECH ’25
Columnist
Although it has only been just over a week since the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, he has already taken several actions to reverse the Biden administration’s climate policies and enter a new era of federal involvement. One area that has received attention has been climate and energy policy. In his inaugural address, he emphasized his slogan “drill, baby, drill” yet again, citing a need to unleash
American energy. In the first few days of his second administration, Trump has made his position on national and international agreements to address the climate crisis clear. He directed the United States to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, a global cooperation between over 190 countries aiming to prevent global temperatures from increasing over the 1.5 C tipping point above pre-industrial levels that would result in irreversible environmental consequences. The executive order signed Jan. 20 justifies this decision by claiming the agreement does not reflect American values and is not a beneficial use of
taxpayer dollars. This decision displays a lack of global cooperation to address the climate crisis, which not only poses a threat to Americans but also to people across the world.
Additionally, Trump has taken other actions to limit climate protections within the U.S. He signed executive orders to increase drilling, mining and logging in Alaska and to limit offshore wind projects, a source of renewable energy. This can potentially increase non-renewable energy use and harm the habitats of animals like wolves and bears. Offshore wind farms are relatively new implementations that have raised concerns about harm to ocean life such
as whales and birds, but there has been little evidence for these occurrences. Offshore wind has been a reliable and inexpensive renewable energy source, and Trump’s alleged concern about wildlife has not been reflected in his other commitments to “drill, baby, drill.” Trump’s climate policies demonstrate a reversal in commitments to advancing environmental protections, and while many Americans are drawn to his claims that these policies will lower energy costs, there is a much greater threat to the near future.
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA 25/THE HAWK
The last ‘poo-sade’ One man’s quest to find the best St. Joe’s bathrooms
LUKE SANELLI ’26 News Editor
We’ve all been there. One minute, your body is at ease. The next, a wave, starting in your stomach, ferociously makes its way through your lower intestines.
You feel primal fear, and as cold sweat dribbles down your forehead, you know you need to use the bathroom. Now.
But where? The truth is that bathrooms are not all created equal.
With this conundrum in mind, I made it my personal crusade (or “poo-sade”) to find five of the best single-user restrooms on Hawk Hill, based on bathroom atmosphere, privacy, cleanliness and convenience.
Now, when the wave strikes you, you’ll know where to go — if you can get there fast enough.
Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CID), Campion Student Center, second floor
By and large, Campion’s bathrooms are not ideal for a stomach-curdling catastrophe. Many are located in areas with plenty of foot traffic, meaning your dignity will be completely at the whim of the sounds your body decides to make. Yet within the CID, there are single-stall restrooms that are as comfortable as they are important to the students who call the CID home.
A pristine, shining toilet adorns each of the CID’s single-user bathrooms. Period products stocked by HawkHUB’s Operation Tampon — which supplies free period products in bathrooms across the Hawk Hill campus — and Bath & Body Works lotions to apply after handwashing are also provided.
Vianna Gendraw ’27 said the bathrooms in the CID are good and quiet.
“You don’t have to be disturbed or worried about anyone coming in while you’re peeing,” Gendraw said.
Maguire Wolfington Welcome Center, all floors
Contrary to popular belief, the Welcome Center houses more than the Office of Undergraduate Admission and Hawk Hosts. It also holds some of the finest single-stall bathrooms on campus.
After opening a rich, mahogany bathroom door, you will be greeted by glowing waves of sunlight rolling gently through a large window onto a retro black-and-white tiled floor.
The bathrooms are loved by the staff of the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Casey Clemetsen ’21, assistant director of admission, said she has preferred bathrooms for different occasions.
“My favorite poop bathroom is the first floor one, as it’s away from many people’s offices, desks,” Clemetsen said. “I believe it’s the most soundproof one.”
The greatest downside of the Welcome Center’s restrooms is their inconvenience. Reaching the Welcome Center requires walking up a long, winding road, unsuitable for a sudden colon crisis. Additionally, the building requires swipe access, though most admissions staff will let you inside to use a bathroom if you’re locked out.
Barbelin Hall, first floor, left side
This bathroom pick won’t surprise anyone. In a building where classrooms and offices are hidden inside a 97-year-old maze, this stall is a landmark the St. Joe’s community can rely on.
This bathroom’s perks are undeniable. Its high ceilings make it too big to feel cramped, it is illuminated with natural light, and its convenience is unmatched. If an intestinal emergency strikes in Barbelin, this bathroom is your obvious choice. That is, if you can remember which corner it’s tucked into.
Katie Harper ’25 said this bathroom is one of their top single-user options.
“All the bathrooms in Barb just feel fancier,” Harper said.
Its biggest drawback is its location, as its convenience makes it frequently occupied. Even if you manage to secure it for yourself, someone still may knock on the door or turn the handle, ruining your post-Dunkin’ bathroom break’s zen.
O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center, lobby, right side
At first glance, you wouldn’t even know these bathrooms exist. Two single-user restrooms sit tucked at the end of a short, black hallway, away from the prying eyes of passing gym goers.
Like the rest of the newly-renovated building, these bathrooms are updated, chic and modern. Their dark gray tiled floors and aesthetic lighting are as fit to take a picture of your post-workout pump as they are to light up your post-workout dump.
The downside of these bathrooms is the vigilant O’Pake front desk workers. They’ll see you as you check into the building, disappear into the hallway and reappear half an hour later (visibly lighter), leaving little to the imagination as to what “crap-pened” in there.
The Wolfington Center for Ministry, Faith, and Service, second floor
This may be the holy throne on Hawk Hill.
Located in the home of Campus Ministry, the bathroom comes with a gorgeous, gleaming white vanity and a clean, wide mirror. The window to the toilet’s left provides lovely natural light, and small potted plants decorating the restroom provide divine tranquility.
Kate Malley ’27, a Wolfington Hall student worker, said this bathroom is her favorite in the building.
“It’s very much like a house,” Malley said. “It feels very comfortable.”
“Comfortable” is an understatement. Walking into this bathroom feels like a breath of fresh air (and it’ll smell like it too, thanks to the adjustable windows and can of air freshener).
Even if you’re across campus, this bathroom is worth the hike. If you have the sphincter strength to make the trek, you’ll be rewarded with a bathroom experience fit for a saint.
St. Joe’s has 40 gender-inclusive restrooms across its Hawk Hill and University City campuses.
Luke Sanelli ’26 works in the Office of Undergraduate Admission as a Hawk Host.
O’Pake Fitness & Recreation Center
Barbelin Hall
Wolfington Center for Ministry, Faith, and Service
Center for Inclusion and Diversity
Powering e-commerce with ‘shoppertainment’
The rise of TikTok shop
CARLINA HERSHOCK ’26
Special to the Hawk
With the fate of TikTok still hanging in the balance, so is the profit made by the users and businesses who have helped build TikTok’s popular e-commerce arm.
After first launching in September of 2023, TikTok Shop quickly became a fast and easy way for users and creators to buy and sell products through the app. Since then, the number of people who shop on the app each month has nearly tripled.
TikTok Shop sells a wide variety of products, such as clothing, beauty and skin care products, accessories, shoes, home decor, tech accessories and more.
In July 2024, monthly gross sales exceeded $1 billion, contributing to TikTok’s goal of reaching $17.5 billion in gross sales for TikTok Shop in 2024.
TikTok Shop is the ultimate “shoppertainment” experience, said Morgan Bryant, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing.
“Users can discover products while scrolling through entertaining videos, reducing friction in the shopping journey,” Bryant said.
For Olga Lopez ’27, seeing others post about certain products and checking the
reviews before buying is what influences her purchasing decisions on the app. Almost every item she has purchased was influenced by seeing the product through another user’s video or review.
“I never want to buy anything without a review because I don’t want to get something that’s not worth it,” Lopez said. “People are always making good videos, and it helps me visualize it.”
TikTok distinguishes itself from other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat by integrating entertainment with advertising — a concept also known as “advertainment,” said Natalie Wood, Ph.D., associate dean and professor of marketing.
“Engaging with TikTok content initiates a feedback loop where the algorithm curates similar material, leading to repeated exposure to specific products,” Wood said.
“This repetition fosters a perception of popularity and desirability, encouraging users to consider purchases.”
Bryant said it also adds to TikTok’s sense of community by encouraging users to create and then share content about what they buy.
“This user-generated content acts as social proof and promotes virality,” Bryant said.
A few months after TikTok Shop launched, users began being able to earn commission by reviewing products they bought by registering as an affiliate in the Affiliate Program. While age and follower count are considered before users are accepted into the program, many ordinary users can use their affiliate status to grow their accounts while also making money as a side hustle. This is different from the often full-time job of TikTok influencers, whose main strategy is to work directly with brands.
One of TikTok Shop’s most valued attributes is the price of most of its products. Many content creators who advertise products emphasize the affordability and convenience of buying from TikTok Shop. Creators with a larger following can influence or use clever selling strategies to convince their viewers that they “need” the product.
Esma Uysaler ’28 was influenced into buying from TikTok Shop through ads and word of mouth. Uysaler has bought items
such as clothes and accessories, spending no more than $15 for a single item.
“I was influenced through ads as I scrolled through TikTok as well as hearing my friends talk about what they have bought for so cheap,” Uysaler said.
Four Philly hot chicken spots for loaded fries that pack flavor
JEFF SMITH ’26
Special to the Hawk
While hot chicken is a phenomenon all over the United States, Philadelphia has become a major player in the hot chicken industry. Hot chicken, which originated in Nashville, Tennessee, involves marinating chicken in hot sauce and buttermilk, coating it in flour, deep-frying it and then covering it in a cayenne pepper sauce.
One staple of hot chicken restaurants is their loaded fries: french fries topped with chopped chicken, cheese and a house sauce. Whether you’re already a fan of hot chicken or looking for fun new food, here are four of the best places near St. Joe’s Hawk Hill and University City campuses to try hot chicken loaded fries.
Asad’s Hot Chicken
Address: 16 S 40th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Price: $13.99
Asad’s Hot Chicken is a popular spot with 11 restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia area. The front of the store is filled with colorful wall art, followed by a small interior with their logo on the wall. Asad’s Hot Chicken is considered “Philly’s First Hot Chicken Joint,” according to their Instagram. Their menu has all the staples, including loaded fries, a slider combo, a tenders combo and even a tender wrap combo.
Their loaded fries look the part, smell the part and taste the part, with a savory house sauce and chicken seasoned to perfection. The chicken has solid breading and very tender meat with a hint of spice from the seasoning. The fries are crispy on the outside, with a soft inside made even tastier by the sauce.
Hav Khan, an employee at Asad’s, said he believes Asad’s quality and variety set
them apart from the competition.
“[It’s] the uniqueness about the sauce and the spice,” Khan said. “We do quality milkshakes, smoothies, a lot of customers ask for that.”
Hot Clucks
Address: 10 W. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144
Price: $11.99
Hot Clucks, a rapidly growing member of the Philadelphia hot chicken scene, is full of flavorful options. The restaurant has no seating, instead offering a window-operated service where everything is takeout. This location sells the expected options for a hot chicken restaurant, but it stands out with their loaded fries.
The portion sizes are on the smaller side, but the sauce is absolutely delicious with a smooth texture and a spice level that adds immensely to the flavor. The breading of the chicken is tasty and falls off the meat, with fries that are crunchy and mix perfectly with the sauce.
Hot Clucks has the fewest locations, with only two, compared to many of the major chains taking over Philadelphia, proving to be a diamond in the rough for the hot chicken scene. Visiting this restaurant is a must-do for those interested in hot chicken.
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings
Address: 175 W. City Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Price: $11.95
Located across the street from Lannon Hall, Hangry Joe’s is the most accessible place to get hot chicken near St. Joe’s Hawk Hill campus.
Hangry Joe’s chicken differs from
the usual hot chicken style, as they also use Korean marinade and seasoning techniques. This adds an extra kick to the chicken, making it spicier and tangier. Their menu consists of chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, Korean chicken nuggets and the hot chicken favorite, loaded fries.
While the style of their chicken strays away from the norm, their food is rich in flavor. Additionally, their chicken is juicy and not shy in portion size. Their crunchy waffle fries with melted cheese on top also add a unique twist to their loaded fries. With its proximity to campus and its variety of options, Hangry Joe’s is a great option for St. Joe’s students.
In fact, Khuzaima Adil, the owner of the Bala Cynwyd Hangry Joe’s, hand-picked its location for its proximity to St. Joe’s.
“Our whole business model was to cater to the students,” Adil said.
Nanu’s Hot Chicken
Address: 6151 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128
Price: $12.72
Based in Philadelphia, Nanu’s is a rapidly expanding chain that just opened a new restaurant in Roxborough. The store has a similar setup to Asad’s, with the inside filled with wall art and a menu sign featuring their delicious meals. The menu consists of the usual loaded chicken fries, sandwiches and tenders, but it also includes a shrimp-loaded fries option, unique to Nanu’s.
Nanu’s loaded fries have a great portion size, with a savory house sauce and an option for cheese whiz on top. The chicken is tender and cooked well, with crispy french fries and a whiz that complements them both well.
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
Currently in Pop Culture: The life of Molly-Mae
Features Columnist
Who is Molly-Mae?
A famed UK influencer and entrepreneur, 25-year-old Molly-Mae has been in the spotlight since 2019 when she appeared on the fifth season of the dating reality show “Love Island.” Before her rise to fame, she gained a following on YouTube, where she posted daily vlogs, life updates and clothing hauls. She is also known for her collaborations with various brands, such as her role as creative director for PrettyLittleThing, a UK-based fashion company.
After her time on “Love Island,” Molly-Mae did not take her fame for granted. She leveraged her fame to create multiple businesses of her own, including her clothing brand, maebe, and fake tan brand, Filter by Molly-Mae. She is someone many find relatable, as she shares her experiences with motherhood and mental health online. Molly-Mae has become one of the most famous influencers in the UK and has created a name for herself globally.
Her love story
During her time on “Love Island,” Molly-Mae met her now-ex-fiancé, British pro-boxer Tommy Fury. The couple ended the series as runner-ups, missing out on the $50,000 prize. But they both left with something more valuable: love. After their time in the villa, the two moved into their first apartment together, where they endured the ups and downs of each other’s lives and supported each other’s up-and-coming careers.
As time went on, the pair began to struggle in their relationship, leading to their decision to call off their engagement. This split shocked many people and put Molly-Mae into the public eye even more than she was before.
Documentary
Most recently, Molly-Mae released a documentary on Amazon Prime Video, offering fans and the world behind-the-scenes footage of her life. “Molly-Mae: Behind It All” reveals a side of her she has not shown
before — one that is vulnerable, real and complex. The documentary shows how she adapts to the challenges of motherhood with her two-year-old daughter, Bambi, while balancing a fresh breakup and the release of the maebe brand, her biggest business venture to date.
The first three episodes of the docuseries are now on Amazon Prime Video, with the remaining three launching in the spring of this year.
CROSSWORD: Government jargon
CARTER KARPINSKI ’25
Columnist
Across
1. A type of citizenship for all children born within U.S. territory regardless of parentage, which is currently being challenged by President Donald Trump’s administration.
4. Each state is guaranteed two by the U.S. Constitution.
5. President Donald Trump signed 26 of these on Day 1 of the second term of his presidency, more than any previous president.
8. To manipulate district boundaries for political advantage.
9. The acronym for the United Nations agency responsible for global public health, from which the U.S. recently withdrew.
Down
1. A political action supported by both sides of the aisle, like Biden’s infrastructure law, for example.
2. The presidential power to reject bills, or the reward for winning competitions on the reality show Big Brother.
3. Official forgiveness; Dr. Anthony Fauci received one from former President Joe Biden.
6. In 2024, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were considered this type of state.
7. U.S. Department of Defense headquarters; a five-sided symbol of U.S. military power.
Winter on campus
Returning to St. Joe’s campuses has brought a breath of fresh air to students. Or maybe it’s just because the average temperature is below 30 F. The snowfall and chilly weather invites nights inside, curled up in the warmth of our homes. When stepping out into the freezing cold, play these songs to embrace the winter wonderland.
“Winter Weather” – Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee
Start the day with “Winter Weather,” a classic jazz song recorded and released in 1941. This upbeat swing song will help you romanticize the crisp air, reminding us of the magic of the winter. The combination of saxophone, trumpet and trombone solos brings an energetic tune to the song.
“Winterlude” – Bob Dylan
“Oh darlin,’” Bob Dylan has just the song for you. Recorded on his 1970 album “New Morning,” “Winterlude” is a country-waltz song that prompts us all to cozy up by the fire. The song title refers to an annual winter festival in Gatineau and Ottawa, Canada, that honors Canadian culture in the winter season.
“Winter Winds” – Mumford & Sons Often debated to be a Christmas song, this single encapsulates a chaotic relationship, during which Marcus Mumford fought and lost a battle of love. The “Winter Winds” themselves refer to feelings of cold and loneliness. The moving lyrics bring an ache of emotion to the audience, gaining popularity every year around wintertime.
“Winter” – Khalid
R&B singer Khalid delivers “Winter” with his smooth vocals and introspective lyrics. He explores the feeling of emotional coldness through his song, using the winter season as a metaphor for isolation and longing. The song’s mood is upbeat, but its lyrics provide a deeper meaning to the listener.
“White Winter Hymnal” – Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes wrote “White Winter Hymnal” with a melody inspired by Walt Disney’s “Snow White.” Lead vocalist Robin Pecknold felt influenced by a time in middle school when his friends left him, a memory that brings him back to his childhood days. The tune provides a wintertime ambiance to the listener, perfect for a cold day on campus.
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: CARA HALLIGAN ’25/THE HAWK
KILEY O’BRIEN ’25
Assistant Features Editor
OLIVIA GASPARRO ’27
GRAPHIC: STEPHANIE SAVELA ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: MIA MESSINA ’25/THE HAWK
COMPILED BY: MONICA SOWINSKI ’26/THE HAWK
Eagles bound for Super Bowl, St. Joe’s students celebrate
The Eagles won th
the Kansas City
Fans walk toward City Hall to celebrate, Jan. 26.
PHOTO: CONOR PORTH ’24, M.A. ’26
A fan climbs up a pole in Center City, Jan. 26. PHOTO: DEVON REING ’25
‘It’s the same game’
How language bias furthers inequality in sports
MIA MESSINA ’25 Sports Editor
Inequality in sports isn’t always reflected in something as large as pay disparity, a lack of media coverage or inadequate facilities and resources. Sometimes, it comes down to a single word: women’s.
In sports, as in life, language tells a story of bias. Women’s sports are often “marked,” framed as deviations.
“Marked’ means it’s out of the norm,” said Elaine Shenk, Ph.D., professor of Spanish and chair of the languages and linguistics department. “It’s not what you think of normally. So, if you take a noun like ‘basketball’ and you don’t add any adjective that modifies that, then that becomes the standard by which other things are judged.”
In other words, “basketball” means men’s basketball. “Women’s basketball” means women’s basketball.
“The person feels that they have to add ‘women’s’ basketball to mark that,” Shenk said. “It’s saying that that’s a different thing than the truth, than the noun itself. So, adding that adjective, or adding ‘women’s’ on there, means that the person is marking that as out of the norm.”
For women in sports, that adds up to a long history of linguistic othering.
Consider professional sports leagues. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is regarded as the norm, while the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) takes the marked term. In golf, there is the Professional Golfer’s Association (PGA) and the Ladies Professional Golfer’s Association (LPGA), or the U.S. Open Golf Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship.
“Everything goes back to how we have been socialized around sports, whether it’s watching sports or talking about sports,” said Stephanie Tryce, J.D., assistant professor of sports marketing. “Most of us still are socialized to watch men play sports, to encourage young boys to play sports, and aggressively. We have to ask ourselves, ‘How is the way we speak about women in sports shaped by how we’ve been socialized around sports from a young age?’”
In 2019, Division III became the first division in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to move to gender-neutral language in their policies, procedures and formal correspondence on the recommendation of the DIII Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC).
The NCAA released an Inclusive Language Guide three years later, in 2022. That same year, the organization also expanded the term “March Madness” to refer to both the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament. It also was the first time they introduced the word “men’s” into the men’s Final Four logo, giving both tournaments a marked term.
Shenk said to effectively combat gender discrepancies in language, this type of approach is necessary.
“If you’re going to mark it for one, you should mark it for both,” Shenk said. “If you’re not going to mark it for one, then you shouldn’t mark it for the other.”
Renie Shields ’82, senior associate athletic director for student experience and a former basketball player herself, has been a part of the St. Joe’s administration for over 30 years and serves on an advisory board that studies diversity, language use, signage and accessibility among students. During that time, Shields said she has dissected what it means to be inclusive within these guidelines.
“I think St. Joseph’s is ahead of the curve when it comes to that,” Shields said. “Our athletic director, [Jill Bodensteiner, J.D.], is always challenging us to do better in many areas, and one of them is to be openminded and to really critically think. We’re not just going to think in terms of, ‘Oh, well, that’s a female, and that’s a male.’ It’s more of, ‘What’s the identification of that male, female, and how do we support them the best way we can?’”
The SJU Athletics website uses the marked term when talking about women’s or men’s teams for every sport in which both are offered. Women’s soccer. Men’s soccer. Women’s golf. Men’s golf.
Training and language guidelines,
such as the ones released by the NCAA, are important in shifting the conversation. Tryce said these guidelines should be implemented with deliberate and conscious choices in mind so that women don’t continue to be minimized through these changes.
“We’re not going to talk about ‘the Hawks’ when we’re talking about the men’s team, and then talking about ‘Lady Hawks’ when we’re talking about the women’s team because it’s a way to reinforce the normalization of men in sport,” Tryce said.
Most universities have moved toward dropping the “lady” marking for their women’s team, but not all. At the University of Tennessee, all teams are the Volunteers after the “lady” differentiation was dropped in 2015. Only the women’s basketball team remained the Lady Volunteers as a nod to their storied tradition. At St. Joe’s, both men’s teams and women’s teams are referred to as Hawks.
“There was probably a second back in the day when they refer to the women’s team as ‘Lady Hawks.’ I don’t think that took at all,” Shields said. “We’re basketball players. That’s who we are.”
In the early 1970s, issues of The Hawk refer to the women’s basketball team as “Hawkettes.” Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the term “Lady Hawks” was used off and on in The Hawk’s coverage.
But issues with language surrounding gender in sports go deeper than marked terms. It’s also about the way athletes of different genders are described.
Hannah Prince, head coach of the St. Joe’s field hockey team, said she intentionally uses specific diction when speaking to and about the players on her team.
“I constantly try to use words like ‘strong, physical, feisty, gritty,’ as a way to, one, remind them that that’s what I see in them, and then two, describe them in that way to give them confidence,” Prince said. “Also, I think we’re at our best when we are playing with those characteristics, so I’d say that’s something that I try to define them as.”
Prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Olympic International Committee (IOC) issued the third edition of their Portrayal Guidelines for Gender-equal, fair and inclusive representation in sport.
First issued in 2018 and created at the
recommendations of the IOC Gender Equality Review Project, the guidelines inform media covering the Olympic Games how to do so in a way that fosters inclusive language and reporting while dismantling stereotypes in reporting. These guidelines include a list of rules from avoiding defaulting to male pronouns to not focusing on the appearance of a woman athlete.
“When commentators speak of the name of the rugby player, [Ilona Maher], instead of saying ‘She looks masculine’ or ‘She looks like a man,’ how about ‘That’s one way an athletic body looks,’” Tryce said. “If we could disabuse ourselves of this notion that muscle means masculinity or something that’s manly only, we can get a little bit further in how we are speaking about women in sports.”
This conversation extends to how achievements are described as well. Oftentimes in women’s sports, a woman athlete’s achievement is met with language of shock and surprise rather than celebration.
“I just think to Caitlin Clark and how even with her becoming so popular, some of the hype was constantly still talking about the fact that she’s a female and it’s women’s basketball,” Prince said.
Still, “women in sports” is a broad term.
“I don’t want to forget about the intersections,” Tryce said. “How do we talk about lesbian women in sports, and are they ignored more? How do we talk about women of color in sports? There’s a difference, and it goes back to these entrenched stereotypes.”
While the language surrounding gender in sports has begun to evolve over the years, there is still progress to be made. Shenk noted that the conversation will continue to shift as societal norms change and women’s sports gain momentum, as they have in recent years. It will also require intentionality.
For Shields, it shouldn’t take much effort.
“As far as the sport, I don’t look at differentiation at all,” Shields said. “I think it’s the same game. We all have the same goals, and we all compete as hard as we can.”
This article is the second story in a series focused on women in college sports media and the issues they are facing.
GRAPHIC: MIA MESSINA ’25/THE HAWK
GRAPHIC: MIA MESSINA ’25/THE HAWK
Field hockey head coach Hannah Prince offers encouragement to fifth-year Lily Santi during a game.
PHOTO: MIA MESSINA ’25/THE HAWK