THE HOFSTRA
HEMPSTEAD, NY VOLUME 87 ISSUE 3
CHRONICLE
TUESDAY October 5, 2021
KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935. NEWS
Oct. 1 marks Poser’s inauguration
By Roksana Amid
Alexis Friedman / The Hofstra Chronicle
President Poser delivers inaugural speech on Friday, Oct. 1.
the University’s first female president. The inauguration ceremony was held on Friday, Oct. 1, in the David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex.
To commemorate the inauguration, Hofstra hosted events such as the Jones Beach Clean Up and the Roar Rally, which showcased the many talents of Hofstra students. Many athletes attended the inauguration to show support and welcome Poser. “I think it’s a pretty historic moment in Hofstra’s history. It’s kind of cool to see a president come in and be a part of it. There’s a lot of support for her being the first female president in our history at Hofstra,” said Katie Kelly, a community health junior and athlete from the women’s lacrosse team. “She has a lot of support from the athletic department and we’re [here] to
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Hofstra club sports practices delayed
By Madeline Armstrong NEW S E D I TO R
Several of Hofstra’s club sports teams reported that they have had difficulty holding official practices and games this semester due to a delay in the University paperwork that appoints the teams’ coaches. Many teams, including both the men’s and women’s ultimate frisbee teams, the tennis club, the ice hockey team and the women’s rugby team, have experienced setbacks in holding official practices due to the delay. Max Underhill, a senior television production major and one of the co-captains of the men’s club ultimate frisbee team, said the team submitted their practice request form at the end of August, and it was not approved
NYT journalist delivers keynote on racism and allyship By Megan Naftali
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Two months after starting her role, Susan Poser has been officially inaugurated as the ninth president of Hofstra University; Poser is
NEWS
until the last week of September. Underhill reached out to his supervisor to inquire why there was a delay. The response he received was that the human resources department had not filed or processed the paperwork. “It’s hard to understand what that means,” Underhill said. “I just wish there was a little more communication ... If they’re having trouble processing our paperwork, just be upfront with us and tell us what’s happening [and] if there’s any way we can help speed up the process.” An official statement from Karla Schuster, the assistant vice president of University Relations, said, “Because of the additional [COVID-19] protocols, approval of clubs
sports practice and competition schedules has taken a little longer than expected in some cases. In addition … many teams had to hire new coaches, who must undergo a background and vaccination check before teams begin operating.” Giselle Rodas, a junior criminology major and captain of the women’s club ultimate frisbee team, had a somewhat similar experience to Underhill. Her club planned to have the same coach as the year before and she was unaware that they needed to re-approve the coach. “They emailed me almost a month into the semester saying that [we] needed to re-request her as a coach,” Rodas said, who added that their coach still
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A SSISTA NT N EW S ED ITO R
Charles M. Blow, a New York Times columnist and CNN commentator, appeared at Hofstra University on Monday, Sept. 27, to deliver the keynote Photo courtesy of University Relations address and kick New York Times journalist Charles Blow off the presidential spoke to Hofstra about racial issues in the United States. inauguration week the streets,” Blow said. “They symposia at the John Cranford were mostly young, mostly Adams Playhouse. white, [asserting] that Black Blow covered the theme of lives matter and to demand the symposia, “Building and police accountability and bridging our future together: reform, as well as racial justice Hofstra University and our and equality.” communities,” by discussing the There were about three times limits of allyship. as many white protestors than “In the summer of 2020, after there were Black protestors and the murder of George Floyd, as soon as protests began to billions of people who had up dwindle, national progress did to that point been confined to as well, according to Blow. their homes because of a deadly “People were forced to pandemic and because of a stalled economy poured into CONTINUED ON A5
A&E
Fall Fest returns to Hofstra’s campus By Victoria Bell A RTS & EN TERTA IN M EN T ED ITO R
entered were required to provide proof of vaccination. For many Hofstra students, this was in the
After a year-long hiatus, the Hofstra University Fall Festival Concert & Carnival sprung back into full swing on Saturday, Oct. 2. Beginning at 2 p.m. on the North Campus Intramural Fields, the fun-filled day Photo courtesy of University Relations featured carnival Hofstra students gathered in front of the stage attractions, games, to see T-Pain perform at Fall Fest. food and live onstage performances for students, form of their online PridePass, alumni, family and friends. which granted them free admisAlthough masks were not sion as well. required at this event, all who
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NEWS
A2 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
THE CHRONICLE
Health care workers speak on moral distress during pandemic
By Darian Kukral
S P E CI AL TO T HE CHR O N ICLE
203 Student Center hofstrachronicle@gmail.com
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The Chronicle is published on Tuesdays during the academic year by the students of Hofstra University. The Chronicle is located in Room 203 Student Center, 200 Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y. 11549. Advertising and subscription rates may be obtained by calling (516) 463-6921. The Chronicle reserves the right to reject any submission, in accordance with our written policies. All advertising which may be considered fraudulent, misleading, libelous or offensive to the University community. The Chronicle or its advertisers may be refused. The products and opinions expressed within advertisement are not endorsed by The Chronicle or its staff.
During the Presidential Inauguration Week Symposia, there was a panel discussion dedicated to “An Ethical Approach to Moral Distress During COVID-19” on Thursday, Sept. 30, in the Guthart Cultural Center Theater. Renee McLeod-Sordjan, professor of nursing and chair of the graduate nursing program; Mary Lemp, assistant professor of nursing and Walter L. Markowitz, assistant professor of health professions, organized the event for students and faculty. At the beginning of the panel, speakers shared their personal experiences when living through the COVID-19 pandemic as health care workers. “I was involved in a critical care unit that was converted into a COVID unit,” said Dr. Jerome Weiner, a critical care physician and clinical assistant professor. “We had 20 patients and all of them were sedated, paralyzed and had no family by their side. It was truly frightening and hellish.” As the health care workers look back on the pandemic, there is no forgetting the fear of scarce resources.
“When I was reviewing for today, I realized that I didn’t have to write anything down because it is just what the reality was,” said nurse practitioner Elyse Isopo. “I could look at a patient and say they cannot get off the ventilator, but to tell the patient that they would not get a ventilator was a totally different experience.” Not only did resources continue to decrease, but acquiring assistance throughout the hospital was also difficult. “I spent a few nights covering in the hospital,” Weiner said. “You could hear the loudspeaker go off every 20 minutes calling for assistance, something that never happened in an institution before, while all the patients continued to deteriorate.” Alec Sheridan, a freshman physical education major, attended the panel and was touched by their experiences. “The thought of making that decision of who would get possible life-saving care over another person must have had a huge mental impact on them,” Sheridan said. Students found value in hearing the health care workers’ experiences to better prepare for
the future. “I think it is important how we handled the pandemic as a whole because it’s possible that we could face one in the future,” said Shalin Madan, a freshman BS/MD biology major. “If we look at these situations that happened during the pandemic, we can learn to be better prepared for the future.” Lemp spoke from the perspective of the ethics panel rather than the perspective of being on the frontlines. “[The pandemic] was something that I have learned a lot from personally. I have learned a lot about the resilience of our students, colleagues and our patients and their families,” she said. “With the support and with collegiality, and to know that you are valued and respected and loved, I think people can get through almost anything.” President Susan Poser asked a question to the panel about how health care workers will practice general care once the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over. “I think we learned humanity and resilience lives not in the
machines to keep humans alive but the people who help to keep them here,” said McLeodSordjan. “I hope that we learned that the people are more important than the technology.” Lemp also touched on the positive outcomes that COVID-19 brought to the health care community. “I think one thing that has revolutionized us is the advent of telehealth,” she said. “They could be doing a visit from their home and be able to give good advice and it would really make a difference in the turning point for that particular patient.” Students were inspired by the ethics panel’s positive discussion of the pandemic, despite the hardships that the world has faced. “They were able to find the silver lining in a stressful situation,” said Varun Sridhar, a freshman BS/MD biology major. “That showed me that there are different ways to positively look at this crisis.”
weekend, but we had to cancel because Hofstra couldn’t approve our coach in time,” Underhill said. He added that
Some teams are still waiting for approval from the University to host official practices and games.
being hired by the school,” said Alyea Wood, president of the club tennis sports team. “So, we are unfortunately unable to have official practices.” Most of the teams had their coaches approved as the month of September ended, allowing them to hold official practices and tournaments. However, some still feel frustrated with the University for not signing the paperwork sooner. “We care greatly about our sports and being a team,” Underhill said. “It’s unfortunate that Hofstra is having trouble recognizing that.”
Club sports practices approved after prolonged wait
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came to practices, but was not receiving payment from the University. Even though many of the club sports teams were not approved to have official practices until recently, some of them have been unofficially practicing on the intramural fields. According to Underhill, this has been challenging without a coach and without field lights. “We’re all practicing and when it gets dark out, we have to wrap up,” Underhill said. “It’s hard to practice these sports in the dark.” Underhill said that the team also had to miss a tournament because they were not approved to go. “We were planning on going to a tournament and play games against other schools this past
Jacob Lewis / The Hofstra Chronicle Hofstra’s ultimate frisbee club has waited a month to officially practice.
the teams typically play about four tournaments each semester but will only be able to do two or three because of the delay.
“Our club is having the same experience as other club sports teams and we share similar frustrations about coaches still not
THE CHRONICLE NEWS
By Megan Naftali
Hofstra hosts Roar Rally talent show
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • A3
ASSISTA N T N E W S E D I TO R
As part of inauguration week for Hofstra President Susan Poser, Roar Rally showcased on- and off-campus talent to celebrate Hofstra students’ talents, identities and unity the night of Thursday, Sept. 30. Black Student Union (BSU) and the Division of Student Affairs collaborated on the event, according to Lauren Wood, a senior dance education major and vice president of BSU. “BSU usually does a unity showcase, which is like a talent showcase, but because it is inauguration week[,] we wanted to speed it up a bit because it is usually at the end of the semester,” Wood said. “We wanted to partner so that it was
a lead-up to Fall Fest and the inauguration and have a good week.” Among the wide variety of student performers, Roar Rally also included a performance by Kamilla Kockman, resident drag queen at Fire Island bar Cherry’s on the Bay. Dina Massery, a Hofstra alumna who graduated in 2010, hosted the event and announced that the first place winner would be given $1,000; second place would be given $750 and third place would win $500. Additionally, all winners would be granted $500 each to donate to a charity of their choice. Massery introduced the judging panel, which consisted
Photo courtesy of University Relations Dina Massery, a Hofstra alumna and host, alongside the Black Student Union at Roar Rally.
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see what she has with the future of this place.” Parents who attended the event were also at Hofstra for Parents & Family Weekend, an annual event that starts the Fall Fest festivities. “It’s great and exciting to have a new president in, and I’m looking forward to getting to know her better,” said Yvonne Linney, here for parent weekend with her freshman son. Staff members shared their excitement to be in attendance at the inauguration. “I feel like being a part of this was super special, you know. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Jackie Hulse, a communications assistant
of Adrienne Kravitz, associate director of campus recreation, Darlene Johnson, director of external relations at the Center for Career Design and Development and Ginny Greenberg, director for University Relations. “You could see that [the student groups] put a lot of time and thought into their performances and they rallied the students behind them,” Greenberg said. “It made me feel good to be here and to see them perform and see the students cheer each other on.” The Hofstra Dance Team came in first place, second place was TranscenDANCE and the Hofstra Dutchmen took third. “This is the first time we have been able to perform on a stage in front of such a large crowd in a while,” said Christopher Morgan, a junior computer science major and singer for the Dutchmen. “We were really excited to be here and we will take any opportunity we can to perform for our adoring fans.” The Dutchmen enjoyed being able to perform live again as well as the monetary benefits of their win. “It feels like we have just paid off the debt we incurred to make an album,” Morgan said. The Dutchmen’s new album, “At Home with the Dutchmen,”
is available on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube Music, according to Morgan. Audience members also enjoyed the performances, especially in light of the pandemic.
Photo courtesy of University Relations Hofstra dance team performing after their first place win.
“I thought everyone here did a really good job,” said Kellie Smith, a junior political science and economics double major. “It really exposed me to how much talent there is on campus, especially because last year everything was shut down.” Emma Husk, a senior English
Susan Poser inaugurated as new president
at University Relations. “To see the first woman president inaugurated is something you don’t get to see very often. To be a part of Hofstra’s history is something I couldn’t pass up.” Among the speakers at the event was someone from Capitol Hill who sent a prerecorded video to welcome Hofstra’s new president. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addressed Poser and the Hofstra community. “I’m sorry I can’t be with you all on campus today, but there are a few things going on in Washington these days,” Schumer said. “That said, I wouldn’t dream of missing the opportunity of this wonderful,
wonderful occasion.” As part of her inaugural introduction, Poser selected academic leaders and scholars who have known her throughout her career to speak. Daniel E. Dawes, JD, a former student of President Poser, spoke about the impact she has had on him throughout his career. “[To] me and many others, she has always been a light to which many have been lit. A shining light, that no one would dare, or could, dim. I count myself very fortunate among them,” Dawes said. “[During] my time at Nebraska Law, one professor in particular pushed me like no other. This professor was able to use her light to illuminate
education major, shared a similar sentiment. “I loved it,” Husk said. “You could tell that everyone on the stage really wanted to be there.”
the dark crevices of my mind and push the boundaries of my knowledge.“ Noting Poser’s negotiation and mediation skills, Harvey Peerlman, JD, shared his firsthand experience of her using her skills while off the clock. “I can confirm your president’s composure and judgement in resolving a heated conflict,” Peerlman said. Peerlman shared an anecdote regarding a car accident in their neighborhood. “A car, driven by a notentirely sober woman from the neighborhood, had braked to avoid hitting a cat. She failed,” he said. The identity of the struck
cat was in question. Peerlman concluded his personal anecdote by telling the Hofstra community how Poser arrived and handled the situation. “At this point, Susan Poser arrived on the scene in her nightgown, covered by trench coat, and negotiated a settlement,” he said. Peerlman’s comedic tone throughout his story was met with laughter from the audience, including Poser. “I was very humbled by what was said about me; it was way over the top,” Poser said after the ceremony. “But I’m just happy to be here and really looking forward to the future.”
NEWS
A4 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
THE CHRONICLE
House of Representatives passes legislation to protect abortion rights
By Dickinson-Frevola
ASSISTA N T O P I N I O N E D I TOR
Legislation that protects access to abortion services and guards citizens against abortion restrictions was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday, Sept. 24. The vote came almost a month after the abortion ban in Texas went into effect. The Women’s Health Protection Act, originally proposed by House Democrats from California, Massachusetts, Florida and Texas in 2013, passed with 218 Democrats voting yes and 210 Republicans voting no. Two Democrats, Reps. Cuellar and Lawson from Texas and Florida, voted no and abstained, respectively. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. “I worry that if the Women’s Health Protection Act doesn’t pass through the Senate, there will be more laws like the one in Texas passed throughout the country,” said Dani Ruiz, a senior film studies and production major. “Legislation like this isn’t the way to stop abortions from happening, but it does make safer abortions harder to come by.” Ruiz isn’t the only one concerned about the implications of the ban. May McMullan, a junior philosophy and political science major, stated, “Should
A doctor defying the Texas abortion ban passed earlier this month is being sued by two former attorneys seeking to challenge the constitutionality of the new law, according to ABC News. Dr. Alan Braid published an op-ed in The Washington Post on Saturday, Sept. 18, admitting to providing an abortion for a woman in her first trimester, citing his duty to ensure her “fundamental right to receive this care.” The Texas legislation (S.B. 8) bans abortions after six weeks, essentially overturning the protective precedent established by Roe v. Wade almost 50 years ago. The ban, which went into effect on Wednesday, Sept. 1, makes no exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape, abuse or incest, according to The Washington Post. The U.S. Supreme Court failed to block the law earlier in the month, with Chief Justice Roberts dissenting with Justices Breyer, Kagan and Sotomayor. Sotomayor penned a scathing dissent of the conservative majority, saying, “Presented with an application to enjoin a flagrantly unconstitutional law engineered to prohibit women from exercising their constitutional rights and evade judicial scrutiny, a majority of Justices have opted to bury their heads in the sand.”
to Planned Parenthood. Doctors opposed to anti-abortion legislation have argued that the “heartbeat” present at this time cannot exist outside the womb, according to The Washington Post. The law also allows citizens
Biden administration issued a press release criticizing the Supreme Court’s ruling. “For the majority to do this without a hearing, without the benefit of an opinion from a court below and without due consideration of the issues, insults the rule of
Photo courtesy of Vanity Fair Protestors gathered to rally against the abortion ban in Texas.
to sue abortion providers and anyone providing transportation or financial assistance to those seeking abortions. According to the Texas Tribune, the state is prevented from enforcing the law, instead allowing private citizens to enforce it through suing practitioners and anyone else involved with
law and the rights of all Americans to seek redress from our courts,” said the administration. President Biden tasked the Gender Policy Council, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice to launch an effort by the federal government to respond to those in need of
“‘Texans deserve the freedom and power to control their own bodies, their own decisions and their own lives.’” the Texas law stand, and the Supreme Court rebut Roe v. Wade in the process, I am extremely fearful about the future of the country and for the safety of both myself and those affected by these violations of rights.”
The ban, passed in May earlier this year, seeks to bar abortions as soon as cardiac activity is detectable – around the sixweek mark, before many people know they’re pregnant. For context, that is only two weeks after a missed period, according
ban’s impact on electoral politics. “Because this issue is very important to [young voters], I think it’s going to mobilize more people to come out to vote in support of abortion rights.” “Gender equality, supporting victims of abuse and women’s
an individual getting an abortion. Sources say that this is an attempt to circumvent constitutional precedent by “enlisting private citizens to do what the State could not,” wrote Sotomayor. On Thursday, Sept. 2, the
reproductive care who “suffer while courts sift through procedural complexities.” “Youth turnout was at record highs in 2020 for the first time ever,” said Hofstra political science professor Rosanna Perotti when asked about the
rights are extremely high on my priority list and I’ll cast my votes accordingly,” said Rebecca Blum, a junior finance major. “I hope we as women are brave and powerful enough to stand up to our own rights and autonomy over our own bodies.” Abortion clinics in surrounding states are reporting influxes of people seeking reproductive care outside of Texas, according to The Guardian. Those seeking out-of-state care must consider the logistics of accessing abortion providers while also dealing with the immense cost of the procedure. “Texans deserve the freedom and power to control their own bodies, their own decisions and their own lives,” said CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Alexis McGill Johnson. “Planned Parenthood will never abandon our patients, and we will do everything in our power to restore and protect access to abortion across Texas and the rest of the country.”
THE CHRONICLE NEWS
Journalist Charles Blow speaks on racial allyship
Public Safety briefs
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consider whether many of the people who marched and carried signs were truly committed to Black lives or whether some deprived of rites of passage, parties and proms, had simply developed a cabin fever racial consciousness,” Blow said, “using the protests as a congregational outlet.” The cause became less about social justice for Black lives and more about a battle for freedom of speech and the right to assemble, according to Blow. “In some cases, white allies began to center their own maltreatment while protesting, rather than the fundamental issue at hand,” Blow said. “[Blow’s] speech was very well done. I like how he talked about allyship and the roles that allies play,” said Kayla Stadeker, a junior global studies major and secretary of the Black Student Union (BSU). “It was great that they brought him out as the keynote speaker for inauguration week. It was a great way to kick off the week.” Blow further explained why it is so difficult to combat racism with an analogy. “It took centuries for America to hone its instrument of oppression. Every time part of it failed, it simply re-emerged in a more elegant form,” Blow said. “Battling racism in this country is like cutting the head of a hydra. Cut off one head and two more emerge from the wound.” Blow shifted from his speech to a question-and-answer dialogue with Hofstra President Susan Poser, who asked him various questions on how to enrich and improve our community. “It is important to suss out for everyone that opposition to cruelty is not the same as being a cheerleader for equality,” Blow said. “When [Blow] talked about sitting on the sidelines and trying to be anti-cruelty, [it does not] necessarily mean you are being anti-oppression,” said Jack Halsted, a junior sports journalism major. “A lot of social media is ‘stop doing this, stop doing that,’ but there is nobody
actively trying to stop it themselves.” After delivering the keynote address, Blow attended a small gathering in the News Hub of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication with a group of select students and had a lunch meet-and-greet with the executive board of the BSU. “I went there as an advocate for Black Leaders Advocating for Change (BLAC), so we explained to him things that we are doing on campus, things that we accomplish, our relationship with administration and how they are helpful,” said Lauren Wood, a senior dance education major and vice president of BSU. BSU talked to Blow about his profession, technology and social media and how it affects him, according to Wood. “[Blow] had a really great personality, it was really endearing to us,” Wood said. “He seemed to support what we want to do on campus. It was a great experience.” Blow shared personal anecdotes along with advice for aspiring journalists. “People are constantly saying to you they do not like you or you are not good enough,” Blow said. “You have to decide that you believe in your talent, but more important than believing in your talent, you believe in your capacity to add to your knowledge base.” According to Blow, you cannot let fear be a debilitating factor. “If you are afraid of failure, you will never succeed,” Blow said.
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • A5
Compiled by Megan Naftali
On Sept. 23 (NTG), a Hofstra student went into the PS office to file a report for documentation purposes only. The student reported feeling concerned about someone contacting them through Snapchat and TikTok. The student wants no further action. On Sept. 23 at 3:09 p.m., a fire alarm was activated in Vander Poel Hall due to moisture in the ceiling. The Uniondale Fire Department responded and the situation was resolved. On Sept. 24 at 8:40 a.m., a Hofstra student reported feeling uncomfortable while participating in an on-campus student group. The student became uncomfortable when sdfjs;dlfjk;sldkfj;aldfjk another individual spoke to her in a strange manner. The matter is under investigation. On Sept. 26 at 2:45 a.m., an Uber driver reported that there was an individual unconscious in a vehicle on campus. PS was unable to wake the individual up and
On Sept. 28 at 2:15 p.m., a Hofstra student reported seeing an aggressive driver on the east side of campus. The area was searched with negative results. The witness did not see the license plate.
the individual was taken to NUMC. On Sept. 26 at 2:50 a.m., PS received an anonymous call stating that someone was setting paper bags on fire in an area on the north side of campus. The student was issued a referral to the Office of Community Standards. On Sept. 27 (NTG), PS observed an individual swiping another person into an area on the north side of campus. The individual received a summons for failing to comply with community standards. On Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m., a Plant personnel reported that they injured their right hand while working in a building. They signed a medical release form and received an ice pack. On Sept. 27 at 11:52 p.m., PS responded to an area on campus where two students accidentally collided during dance practice. An ambulance was dispatched.
On Sept. 28 at 10:15 p.m., a grey backpack was found left behind in the Student Center. There was drug paraphernalia within the bag. The student who owns the bag has been identified and they were referred to Community Standards. On Sept. 28 at 11:15 p.m., PS received a notification that there was a person smoking marijuana by the HofUSA tent. The person was given a referral to Community Standards. On Sept. 29 (NTG), a Hofstra student reported feeling nauseated after taking too much NyQuil. An ambulance was notified and the student was taken to NUMC.
Key PS: Public Safety NUMC: Nassau University Medical Center NTG: No Time Given
Alexis Friedman / The Hofstra Chronicle
A6 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
FEATURES
THE CHRONICLE
Personal essay: Students are sick of Hofstra’s isolation housing By Elisabeth Ford SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Recovering from an illness alone was very hard to deal with, as I am used to being fed soup by my mom whenever I do not feel well. But I think that my 10 days in Hofstra’s isolation housing would have been relatively easy if the amount of stress that came with the tedious back-and-forth I had with a few of Hofstra’s departments was not so immensely discouraging. To preface, I do believe that Hofstra University’s Student Health Services (SHS) and Office of Resident Life were doing as much as they could considering the circumstances. However, some issues need to be fixed within these departments to make isolation more comfortable for sick students. On Friday, Sept. 3, my suitemate tested positive for COVID-19 after feeling unwell the previous couple of days. Apart from the fact that she had to buy a rapid test for herself because SHS would not give her one, her isolation period seemed to go smoothly. Since we were with our suitemate the whole time she felt sick, my roommate and I were convinced that we had the virus as well, but the SHS refused to give us a PCR test the next day because we were asymptomatic – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines suggest that you only need a test when you start showing symptoms. So, we had a friend buy us two (expensive) rapid tests at CVS. As a broke college student, I was hesitant about spending almost $50 on a test, but the guilt of getting anyone sick was a motivation to purchase it since the school would not give me access to rapid or PCR tests. Turns out, we were right with our assumption. My roommate tested positive that Saturday and went straight into quarantine. If we had not purchased those tests, she would have gone about her day normally and put many other students at risk.
With no surprise, I tested positive the next day and had to go into isolation. When I called SHS three times and got no answer, I called the Public Safety non-emergency line to tell them that I needed quarantine housing. They told me I would be greeted by an officer who would show me to my room, which somewhat put my mind at ease knowing someone experienced with the protocol would be there to help me. However, when I got to the quarantine buildings all the way in the back of Colonial Square with four huge bags in my hands, no one was at the door. Luckily, my roommate, who was in the same quarantine building, accidentally left the door propped open from the hour before when I went to drop off a cup of coffee. I ran all through the building
ing being alone for that long, and from personal experience, I feel more vulnerable than normal when I am sick. But, most of the reason that I cried was due to my frustration with the minimal care I received from Hofstra. My first day waking up in isolation, I set my alarm for 8:30 a.m. to prepare myself for a call with SHS about getting a PCR test, as I had heard that the at-home rapid tests could occasionally be inaccurate. On the off chance that I was negative, I wanted to give myself that one sliver of hope that would keep me sane. I called right as the clock turned 9:05 a.m., and each time someone would pick up the phone, ask my situation, put me on hold, then hang up the phone. When a nurse finally spoke with me, she said that they would not give me a PCR test because
blood pressure. As a 19-year-old who already takes medication for high blood pressure, my mind went straight into a bit of hysteria. Regardless of my self-diagnosis and pre-existing health problems, I was never contacted by a nurse nor was I ever checked up on by any Hofstra staff. The only communication I had with someone from Hofstra was the single email I made every day to the exceedingly kind person who brought me my meals. With no one checking up on me, they had no way of knowing if I had virus symptoms. The worst part about being in isolation, though, is the feeling of being completely secluded from the rest of the world. In addition to loneliness, the absence of warmth from the people I talked to in Health Services
“Hearing that a student would rather risk getting others sick than be forced to go back into quarantine is disheartening, but considering the circumstances, it is understandable. ” trying to find my room, crying over my situation and the fact that my arms felt like they were going to fall off due to how much I was carrying by myself. When I finally found dorm 1315, the keys were just hanging on the door. There were two sets of keys: one for me and one for the room adjacent to mine. I had to leave one set hanging on the door in case I got a roommate, so I would sometimes feel weary when going to bed at night knowing quite literally anyone with access to the building could walk right in while I was sleeping. During the 10 days of quarantine, not one day went by without my eyes swelling with tears every now and then. Some of the reason is that it is very depress-
they were convinced I had COVID-19. She said that it is “probably” the virus since I had two roommates in isolation who tested positive on the PCR tests. I understood her point. However, as someone who was hoping it was just a false positive, probability was not good enough. As the days passed, I got much worse. I had major congestion, a fever, aches, loss of taste and smell and every other COVID-19 symptom in the book. I knew at that point that I had the virus, and if I did have a PCR test, it would have come back positive. Besides my COVID-19 symptoms, a quick internet investigation taught me how extreme solitude can negatively affect the mind and body, leading to high cholesterol, heart failure and high
made me feel like a prisoner, like I did something terrible to end up there. I think one of the biggest disruptions to my life while in isolation was the fact that I could not go to classes. My one real wish coming out of this would be to keep online classes an option at the university – at least as an option for students in isolation. It felt very disorienting to recover from being sick (especially with the intense symptoms of COVID-19) while also juggling five classes that have vastly different focuses. Even recording the lectures so students can go back and watch them on their own time is something to be taken into consideration. If I had been able to spend those 10 days sitting in bed and watching my
lectures from my laptop, school would have been the least of my worries. With the stress that came with being in isolation, I have no doubt that many students are feeling the same way that I do. I briefly talked with a girl who was in my same situation. She said that one of the people she had close contact with was extremely hesitant about taking a test because he did not want to go back into isolation at Hofstra, as his last experience was so emotionally distressing. Hearing that a student would rather risk getting others sick than be forced to go back into quarantine is disheartening, but considering the circumstances, it is understandable. I will say that some effort has been made by the school after the fact, I assume to make up for their lack of help during my actual isolation. A couple of days after release from quarantine, my roommate and I each got a call from the counseling center checking up on us. Their attempt to reach out made me more comfortable to talk with them in the future. Additionally, the Project and Case Manager in the Dean of Students Office, Kristen Klein, reached out to me, and we had a Zoom meeting to work through my grievances. She was very understanding of my frustration and assured me that my feedback is a sure way for them to make positive changes in how they deal with these circumstances. This made me feel heard. If I end up testing positive again, I am going home for my 10 days of isolation. It is encouraging, however, knowing that the students can talk openly to staff about what they believe should change without the door being slammed in their face. My hope is that momentous change comes for the students in isolation because I now know first-hand how it feels to be locked up in a room with no one to take care of you but yourself.
THE CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • A7
FEATURES
T h i s Ho f s t r a L i f e :
Alex Orford
By Anna DeGoede ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR
When most people think of theater, they do not think of an acting class held in a hallway of Hofstra’s Mack Arena. But for sophomore drama major Alex Orford, monologues interrupted by athletes running through the hallways were a frequent occurrence. “It felt like I had signed up for something in a back alleyway and slipped some dudes five dollars to put me in there,” Orford said. Despite an unconventional first experience with Hofstra’s drama department, Orford, who came into their freshman year undecided, ended up declaring a drama major in spring 2021. “At the end of the day, drama was my first love. Always has been, always will be. And there’s nothing that can replace it,” Orford said. For Orford, part of the appeal of the major is its relatability and opportunities for escapism. “It’s comedy. It’s tragedy. It’s joy. It’s sadness. It’s everything ... even if you’re not a drama person, there is drama out there that is made for you.” Live theater comes with an element of surprise that other forms of acting, like movies, do not have. “You could see the same show 10 different times, but every time will be a different performance,” Orford said. “That’s one of the things I love about live theater. It’s unpredictable. It’s wild, and you’re in for a new experience every time you go.” Orford’s relationship with theater is not always easy. As someone who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, Orford wrestles with their gender identity and what it means for their future in the entertainment industry. They initially came out as queer when they were 13, unsure of how to label themselves at the
Alex Orford, sophomore drama major.
time. Then, during the Trump administration, Orford said, “I went back into the closet. I was like, this is not worth it. I can’t deal with this. I’m not going to get any roles, none of that.” During that time, Orford grew out their hair and “played the part of a straight girl.” After arriving on Hofstra’s campus for their freshman year in August 2020, they started feeling more comfortable with their gender identity. “I saw that I wasn’t the only one ... and that was really inspiring to me,” Orford said. “I felt
Photo courtesy of Alex Orford
comfortable coming out as early as two months into my first semester here, which was freeing.” However, Orford continues to wrestle with how their gender identity fits into their professional future.
image.” The pressure to conform to gender norms stems, in part, from stereotypical work attitudes in the theater community. Orford says that they are concerned about the effect their gender will have on roles they are offered. “I’m afraid that being nonbinary in the context of my career is going to make people think that I can only play one type of role. ‘They’re nonbinary, they’re mysterious or they’re the queer best friend,’” Orford said. Despite those fears, Orford finds inspiration in figures like
“In the future, Orford hopes to change how nonbinary people are perceived both inside and outside the theater industry.” “I debated going back into the closet after college,” they said. “I’ve debated deleting my social media and erasing any trace of my identity so that I can pass as the stereotypical Hollywood
Neil Patrick Harris and Sir Ian McKellen, who challenged stereotypes about being queer in the entertainment industry. Harris portrayed Barney Stinson in “How I Met Your Mother,” a character who Orford says is “as far from a gay man as you can get on television.” McKellen, on the other hand, came out as gay during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. Since then, he has gone on to earn honors such as knighthood, seven Laurence Olivier Awards and a Tony award. “I sort of think if he can do it, if he can overcome all those obstacles ... why can’t I?” they said. “Even now we’re seeing the first nonbinary actor to ever be nominated for an Emmy walk the red carpet ... we are turning so many corners in the entertainment industry and that is beautiful to me.” While Orford says it is difficult to predict what the future holds for discussions surrounding gender in theater, they look forward to returning to the stage at Hofstra. They are currently scheduled to perform the roles of murderer and Menteith in the University’s upcoming production of “Macbeth.” In the future, Orford hopes to change how nonbinary people are perceived both inside and outside the theater industry. “Queerness is pretty average. There is nothing out of the ordinary about being queer, being a queer actor, [being a] queer engineer or [being a] queer mathematician,” they said. Above all, Orford hopes “to bring a little bit of f---ing decency towards nonbinary actors specifically ... I would love to just sort of stand up and say: ‘Hey, let me show you how it’s done, because Jesus Christ, we are not props. We are actual people and believe it or not, we’re talented, too’ ... I’d love to bring a little bit of controversy and a little bit of decency.”
FEATURES
A8 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
MAN ON THE UNISPAN
What do you think of President Poser?
THE CHRONICLE
Overheard
at
hofstra
By Audra Nemirow and Anna DeGoede FEATURES EDITOR & ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR
“Bestie, the world is temporal.”
“My biggest problem right now is my marshmallows sticking together.”
“I’m drunk but I still know I hate her.”
“I don’t have any definitive opinions about her yet. From what I’ve learned about her and what I’ve talked to her about, she seems pretty interesting. She seems like she has Hofstra’s main goals in mind and I feel like she’ll be able to handle COVID-19 really well.”
“There’s a book I’m reading that explains stuff.”
-Alia Ervin, senior
“When I was in high school, I used to try to overdose on melatonin.”
“A picture’s worth a thousand words. A moving picture though? Priceless.” “I don’t know much [about President Poser].” -Brian Jung, first-year graduate student
“What’s the most platonic part of the body? The shoulder.”
“You literally just said verbatim, ‘When I’m drunk, I like to run away.’”
“I’d like to see a white person for a change.”
“Honestly, I really like Susan Poser. I was at the inauguration ceremony and she seems like someone who’s deeply invested in the student body and uplifting student voices and really connecting with each of us on a personal level, as opposed to having that sense of distance that I feel like, with all due respect, our last president had. So I’m excited to see that shift.”
“I’m so excited to see him when we’re both walking through the streets of hell.”
-Tori Bogacki, junior Audra Nemirow / The Hofstra Chronicle
Spread by Audra Nemirow
THE CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • A9
FEATURES
Mystery mascot: The forgotten legacy of the Hofstra Duck By Daniel Cody OPINION EDITOR
Long Island is home to upward of seven million people. From its sprawling towns and cities to the cold, windy, flat campus many Hofstra students call home, this place is riddled with absurdity. The highways don’t make sense, everything is expensive and it’s impossible to know where the border between Queens and Nassau County is. But the most shocking revelation – while it is certainly jarring – is sure to fill the incredulous void within the modern college student’s heart, a void they didn’t even know existed. This is the Long Island Duck – Hofstra’s long lost, but now rediscovered, mascot. The Duck is not well-known by most Hofstra alumni or professors, but it is as integral to Hofstra’s history as the beloved Kate and Willie (with the added benefit of intense
By Micaela Erickson
artistic value). The Duck raises many questions. Why do its piercing eyes evoke great philistines like Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and other Italian classics? How do its legs, slender and contoured, support such a bulky and righteous chassis? The utter awesomeness of the Hofstra Duck is lost to the sands of time, as it seems its prime has waned. Evidence of the Duck is scattered, and its beauty is gone from public memory. A Hofstra Chronicle article from 2014 detailing the history of Hofstra’s many mascots featured the only remaining – easily accessible, rather – photo of the Duck and the tragic story of its untimely demise.
and set it ablaze. Thus, the Duck perished. Such tragic history seems foretold as though it came from the mouth of Aristotle himself – how could nobody know about the Duck?! “By the time I arrived at Hofstra, as a faculty member in our economics department, Hofstra Ducks were not a prominent part of the identity of our University,” said Herman Berliner, ex-provost of Hofstra. “Therefore, I am not in a position to answer Duck-related questions.” The Hofstra Chronicle The current adminisApparently, Long Island was tration appears to have once home to many duck farms, missed out on the Duck, as other and Hofstra had kindly decided higher-ups echoed Berliner’s to endow students with homage statements. to its aviary past. Those students, Neil Donahue, a professor in so distraught with the outright Hofstra’s Department of Combeauty of the Duck, stole its head parative Literature, Languages
and Linguistics was only aware of the Minor League Baseball team the Long Island Ducks. While the Long Island Ducks bear a similarity to Hofstra’s previous mascot, students are keen to recognize the Duck’s appeal. Swinging back from a pandemic is hard, and there’s a Duckshaped hole in every Hofstra student’s heart. Some, perhaps with more of a creative flare, enjoy this feathered representation of school spirit. “I think it would be a very unique influence on the Hofstra community,” said Sarah Rodes, a senior mechanical engineering major. “I like the Duck. I think it’s great. I mean, if you compare it to the lion now – lions are basic.”
Chron Cooks ft. Micaela Erickson: Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1 ¼ cup flour
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
1 ¼ cup oats (preferably rolled)
2. Finely dice an apple of your choosing. I used honeycrisp.
½ teaspoon baking soda Dash of cinnamon (measure with your heart) ½ cup salted butter, melted
Micaela Erickson / The Hofstra Chronicle
It’s finally fall! Ring in the best season of the year with a cozy autumnal treat. Pumpkin desserts usually reign supreme throughout this season, but don’t forget about the joy an apple or two can bring. Get your favorite kind of apples and get started on making this simple, delicious cookie. (Recipe adapted from Cooking Classy.)
¾ cup brown sugar (dark or light) 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large apple, diced Caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
3. Mix your dry ingredients together (flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon). 4. Melt the butter and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. 5. In a separate bowl, mix your cooled butter with the brown sugar, egg and vanilla extract. 6. Combine wet and dry ingredients. 7. In another bowl, combine apples with caramel sauce. Add caramel apple mixture to dough mixture. Don’t overmix! 8. Chill dough for approximately 30 minutes. 9. Form dough into balls and place on an oiled or lined baking sheet. 10. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Hofstra comes together for Fall Fest 2021 Hofstra kicked off the season with Y2K: A Millennium Party and T-Pain at Fall Fest. This marked the first Fall Festival Concert & Carnival for many underclassmen, as Hofstra didn’t host a carnival or concert last year due to the pandemic. Students and parents alike attended and got to enjoy music from the 2000s, T-Pain songs, many rides and getting to be together again at Hofstra.
Photo courtesy of University Relations
Alexis Friedman / The Hofstra Chronicle
Alexis Friedman / The Hofstra Chronicle
Alexis Friedman / The Hofstra Chronicle
Photo courtesy of University Relations
Photo courtesy of University Relations Photo courtesy of University Relations
Alexis Friedman / The Hofstra Chronicle
Photo courtesy of University Relations
Photo courtesy of University Relations
Photo courtesy of University Relations Spread by Jacob Lewis, Adam Flash and Alexis Friedman
Arts and Entertainment
VOL. 87 ISSUE 3
Fall Fest returns to Hofstra’s campus
B2
Courtesy of University Relations
A&E
B2 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
THE CHRONICLE
Fall Fest returns to Hofstra’s campus
CONTINUED FROM A1
The day was filled with performances including student rap groups WYA (Where You At) and Yung Vil and DonLoui. WYA, a male rap trio, hyped up the small crowd with a lineup of their original songs. Following WYA was Yung Vil and DonLoui, who got the slightly larger crowd jamming out to their music. The tunes stayed blasting between sets through the speakers courtesy of Spynfo, who DJed the event. Spynfo’s way of catering to the audience’s taste was taking song requests via Twitter. After a mix of music played by the DJ commenced, Hofstra class of 2010 alumna and emcee Dina Massery took the stage to welcome the 2021 Pride Court. From there, each member gave a brief introduction before the four Pride
By Mark Herron STAFF WRITER
CW: Sexual assault Robert Sylvester Kelly, known as R. Kelly, was finally convicted in federal court on Monday, Sept. 27, of racketeering and eight counts of sex trafficking. Accusations against him go back as far as the 1990s, but he was not charged until 2019, the same year that the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” was released. The criminal proceedings began in August and lasted about six weeks. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court saw testimony from more than 45 witnesses and the jury deliberated for nine hours
such as Alicia Keys, Paramore Royalty winners were announced. and Jay-Z. The band comprised of Seniors Amudalat Ajasa, Andrew bass, guitar, drums, vocals and a Giovinazzo, Justin Shah and Mia DJ. They were thrilled to hit the Natalizio wore the crowns and stage, as this was their first show took home the coveted titles. since the start Next up of the COVIDwas Y2K, 19 pandemic. the 2000s Closing with cover band. “Empire State of Bringing Mind,” the audiback hits ence belted along from the passionately. beginning Stepping of the 21st away from century, music, Hofstra the crowd basked in Photo courtesy of University Relations dance group TranscenDANCE the nostalgic T-Pain is a two-time Grammy award winner. opened for the bops of the headlining act, iconic era. T-Pain, with a dance medley. The The group of six reminisced with the throwbacks of that time, featur- high energy performance included upbeat hip-hop and jazz styles. The ing an eclectic selection of artists
R. Kelly: Convicted
before the verdict was announced. A web of manipulation explains why it took so long for Kelly’s abuses to finally come to light. Prosecutors detailed how his managers, security guards and other entourage members assisted in his criminal activity. One of the prosecutors, Elizabeth Geddes, said he “used his henchmen to lodge threats and exact revenge,” blackmailing women with embarrassing photos and secrets to keep them quiet. They touched on the “settlement factory” that kept his accusers quiet, providing evidence of Kelly’s payments to his accusers in exchange for their silence. Prosecutors even accused Kelly of paying witnesses to not coop-
Photo courtesy of Bloomberg Cable network Lifetime produced the six-part docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly.”
erate with authorities during his 2008 trial on child pornography charges, in which he was eventually acquitted. Eleven sexual abuse survivors, nine women and two men, testified during the trial. The victims said Kelly locked them in hotel rooms, controlled when they could eat and forced them to perform sexual acts. Legal documents further showed they were not allowed to use the bathroom without his permission, he decided what clothes they wore and he made them call him “Daddy.” One of those survivors, Azriel Clary, previously defended him in a 2019 CBS News interview with Gayle King. She stated she had “learned to normalize” the abuse she endured because of his assistants, security and other women around him justifying his actions. She said Kelly was in the room during the 2019 interview and had been coaching her to answer the questions how he wanted. Gloria Allred, a lawyer representing many of the victims, said, “I’ve been practicing law for 47 years ... Of all the predators I have pursued, Mr. Kelly is the worst.” Kelly’s defense team depended greatly on victim blaming, a tactic they have used for years. NBC News reported that the legal scholars they consulted said lawyers “use language that blames accusers to reduce the perception of respon-
10 dancers were made up of the executive board, senior and graduate student members. The crowd grew massive in size as the main musical act of the day, T-Pain, was set to take the stage. The set began with an introductory video, which included photos and testimonials from other celebrities about the famous artist. The king of autotune made a bold, lively entrance on stage by screaming, jumping and dancing, enthusiasm which was reciprocated by the audience. Singing both classic and more recent works, T-Pain had fans going wild during his set. A fireworks show by Grucci closed the eventful night on Hofstra’s campus. The 2021 Fall Festival Concert & Carnival was a success.
Quick Hits
Courtesy of Vanity Fair
Netflix’s “Squid Game” has reached No.1 in 90 countries and is expected to become the platform’s most watched original series.
Courtesy of The New Yorker
Mitski is releasing music on Tuesday, Oct. 5, for the first time since 2018.
sibility the defendant has in the situation.” In a July 2019 letter to a New York judge, attorney Douglas Anton referred to Kelly’s many accusers as “groupies.” During the proceedings, attorney Deveraux Cannick again claimed that Kelly’s accusers were “groupies” and that Kelly “didn’t have to recruit women” to have intercourse. His defense argued that no one was ever forced to do anything against their will and stayed because of expensive perks, claiming, “He gave them a lavish lifestyle. That’s not what a predator is supposed to do.” In the closing remarks, the defense flat-out said the testimony from several accusers was false. In response to his verdict, many of his victims expressed relief and happiness. An anonymous woman, identified in court only as Sonja, said, “I’m ready to start living my life free from fear and to start the healing process.” Clary said she was “happy because [she] felt like this person no longer has control over [her].” Kelly is scheduled to be sentenced on May 4, 2022. He still faces other sexual abuse charges in Minnesota and Illinois as well as child pornography and obstruction charges in Chicago. He will likely spend decades in prison.
Courtesy of The New Yorker
Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blidge, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar will perform at the 2022 Super Bowl.
Courtesy of People
“SNL” returned for season 47 on Saturday, Oct. 2, with guest host Owen Wilson and musical guest Kacey Musgraves.
Courtesy of Twitter
NBC announced that a new installment of the original “Law and Order” series was greenlit.
THE CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • B3
A&E
Jamie Spears has been removed as Britney Spears’ conservator By Lauren Ballinger STAFF WRITER
A hashtag, a movement and now a reality, the #FreeBritney campaign on social media, as well as Britney Spears herself, received a massive victory when the courts suspended her father, Jamie Spears, as her conservator on Wednesday, Sept. 29. This decision brings an end to the 13year period in which Jamie Spears had complete control over both Britney’s person and estate. Britney Spears has made multiple public announcements and legal attempts at speaking out against the conservatorship and specifically her father’s role in it. Although it was Jamie Spears who initially filed the petition to remove himself this go-round, Britney’s legal team immediately filed to concur. Not only was Jamie Spears removed from his position as conservator but Britney Spears also stated in court that she plans to press charges against him for the abusive behavior she endured as the conservatee. Britney Spears
herself has been psychologically evaluated multiple times by the court and her team, and she now intends to have her father’s behavior investigated as well. Her legal team is hopeful to hold another hearing within the next two months to make the final decision to end the conservatorship altogether. In the meantime, Britney Spears’ legal team has appointed John Zabel, a public accountant, to be the temporary conservator of her estate. Zabel will preside over her finances for the time being. Britney Spears stated that she wishes Jodi Montgomery, the current conservator of her person, to remain until further notice. This is the largest milestone that the case of her conservatorship has ever reached, and fans on social media were celebrating the monumental moment. Britney Spears’ fiancé, Sam Asghari, posted on his Instagram story: “Free Britney! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!” and “She did this. Her fan base is called the army for a reason.” The news comes just one day after the release of the latest Brit-
ney Spears-related documentary, “Britney V. Spears,” on Netflix. The film follows journalist Jenny Eliscu and filmmaker Erin Lee Carr as they investigate legal documents and Britney Spears’ medical records and interview multiple sources that have all been influenced in some way by her conservatorship. While there have been multiple documentary-style films and series to have been released on the subject, “Britney V. Spears” is arguably the best that has ever been done. Both in its format and content, the documentary submerges audiences into the experience of solving the mystery and tragedy that is Britney Spears’ conservatorship. Both extremely compelling as well as informational, the documentary follows the chronological progression of the conservatorship and looks to the future of Britney Spears’ life and Jamie Spears’ involvement in it. Instead of exploiting Britney Spears’ previous struggles with mental illness, the film pulls back the veil surrounding the case and
Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Netflix released the documentary “Britney V. Spears” on Tuesday, Sept. 28.
shines a light on the injustice, inconsistency and inhumane aspects of the conservatorship. One of the creators of the film, Eliscu, was part of a covert attempt at freeing Britney Spears from the conservatorship. While the attempt failed and its existence was swept under the rug by her team, Eliscu has also covered Britney Spears as a journalist before. This personal and professional insight drives the plot of
the documentary and lends to conveying the intensely emotional aspects of the case. For the creators of the show, her fans and herself, the events of yesterday were a long time coming. As Carr and Eliscu show the recent timeline of her conservatorship at the end of “Britney V. Spears,” it will be interesting to keep an eye on the shape the conservatorship takes in the future – and if it exists for much longer.
Governors Ball proves to be a home run By Jacob Lewis MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
The Governors Ball Music Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in style and extended hot girl summer to the end of September. This year, the three-day festival, traditionally held at Randall’s Island in early June, took place on Sept. 24-26 at Citi Field. Over 60 acts performed across four stages and drew tens of thousands of attendees, leaving no doubt in people’s minds that festival culture is back in full swing after the over one-year-long hiatus due to the coronavirus. Almost every performer made a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic during their sets. Billie Eilish was met with roaring cheers and applause when she told her audience to “Give [her] all that you’ve been saving up this past year and a half,” and she maintained that energy throughout her performance despite microphone troubles which made it difficult
to hear her vocals. However, not breathing exercises before the sphere. Phoebe Bridgers brought every artist was as successful as start of her set and created a sense her trademark melancholy and Eilish after months away from the compassion to her show, leading of tranquility that was not felt stage. A$AP Rocky, in particular, the crowd in sing-alongs and stop- anywhere else at Citi Field. had a rocky perAlthough the exciteformance, failing ment of live music to get more than coming back in a major a timid response way was a draw for from the crowd and many people, the 10th yelled in vain at Governors Ball was security to “open by no means perfect. up the f---ing mosh The new venue, chosen pit” on several ocby organizers because casions. they could set up stages Many people in a circular fashion to bought tickets to prevent sound bleed, see the top-billed was hard on the feet Eilish, Rocky and and poorly lit at night. Post Malone, who The patches of artificial stood out most at turf, strategically laid the festival. Other down near the prohibiJacob Lewis / The Hofstra Chronicle tively expensive food big names such An estimated 50,000 people attended each day of the festival. trucks, were beeras Megan Thee soaked and only marStallion and Young ginally better than sitting on the Thug commanded raucous crowds ping mid-performance to point out the medical staff on-site if asphalt. The trash strewn across while the more indie performers someone needed assistance. the ground became treacherous in provided a much-needed escape Twenty-two-year-old R&B the packed crowds where space from the intoxicating but ultimately overwhelming festival atmoartist Umi led her fans through was a precious commodity.
On the first day, performances started on time but by Saturday, the schedule started to slip. 21 Savage came on stage over half an hour late on Sunday, resulting in pushing back multiple artists – even those not performing on the mainstage – that resulted in headliner Malone being told to cut his set short. However, most everyone was simply happy to be there. No outfit was too outrageous and no music was too loud. Although some attendees opted to wear masks, fears of the coronavirus were generally abated by the mandatory proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test. At each of the four stages, at all times of day, fans were singing along to every word from their favorite artist – making it impossible to not feel the positive energy that live music instills in people. New York City is back, and Governors Ball is here to stay, 10 years later.
B4 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
A&E
THE CHRONICLE
74th annual Tony Awards: Better late than never unfortunately left the night with zero wins. Although the last few shows were held at Radio City Music Hall, this year’s production took place at the Winter Garden Theater due to the smaller venue size. Viewers were able to stream the awards from the comfort of their own homes as long as they had a Paramount+ subscription and access to CBS for the post-awards concert titled “The Tony Awards Presents Broadway’s Back!” Photo courtesy of Mashable The award portion of the event The first annual Tony Awards aired on April 6, 1947. took place on Sunday, Sept. 26, shortened period resulted in 18 By Kayla Blonigen at 7 p.m. and the concert aired shows being eligible but only ASSISTANT COPY CHIEF on CBS at 9 p.m. The concert 15 receiving nominations. In included musical numbers from After COVID-19 put a damper comparison, the 73rd annual Tony multiple Broadway stars and a on the world, Broadway included, Awards had 25 shows nominated. performance from each producthe 74th annual Tony Awards Although “Jagged Little Pill” and tion nominated for best musical: were postponed for over a year. “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” With shows now opening back were up for 15 and 14 awards, “Jagged Little Pill” and “Tina – up, so have the Tonys. The last respectively, “Jagged Little Pill” The Tina Turner Musical.” Tony Awards were held on June left with two wins and “Moulin Six-time Tony Award winner 9, 2019, and since Broadway Rouge! The Musical” claimed 10 Audra McDonald was the host went into lockdown on March awards for the night. “Slave Play” for the first half of the night. She 12, 2020, the eligibility period became the most nominated play gave the audience the welcome for nominations was from April in Tonys history with 12, but it back to live theater that everyone 26, 2019, to Feb. 19, 2020. This
needed. With shows opening back up again, the producers of the Tony Awards felt it necessary to remind everyone how much more intimate a live production is than sitting at home watching a movie. “Broadway is back and better than ever,” McDonald said during her opening speech. She expressed how important it is to give back to the arts, and throughout the night they had advertising for both long-running and up-and-coming Broadway shows. When McDonald passed the host baton over to Leslie Odom Jr., he could not help but begin with an energetic opening number to get everyone out of their seats dancing. This original song reflected on the past year and a half of quarantine, and he even used the medium of song to convince viewers at home to get vaccinated. Throughout this portion of the event, they had performances, tributes and the big three awards of the night: “Best Revival of a Play,” “Best Play” and “Best Musical.” After taking home nine wins thus far, it was no surprise
for “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” to end the night with winning “Best Musical.” Before ending the evening, there were a few more performances left. One of them was an outstanding reunion of Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, the original Glinda and Elphaba in “Wicked.” They sang an overly emotional rendition of “For Good,” which left the audience in tears. Although that by itself would have been a remarkable ending to the 74th annual Tony Awards Show, there were still a few numbers to go. The ending performance was a unique improvisational musical number performed by the cast of “Freestyle Love Supreme.” This starred Lin-Manuel Miranda alongside his talented castmates and they left the audience exiting the venue in a light and happy mood. There is no set day yet for the 75th Tony Awards, but since it will be the first one with nominations from the post-lockdown period, viewers can expect an extravagant production.
Big Brother makes history with season 23 finale
By Frankie DiCalogero SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Reality show “Big Brother” has finally made history by crowning Milwaukee attorney Xavier Prather, its first-ever Black winner in its history. The show plucks 16 contestants from their couches to take part in a social experiment where competitors are isolated from the outside world and must interact with people from different backgrounds, ideas and beliefs. Back in November 2020, CBS vowed to have at least 50% BIPOC casts across their reality series. The move was wildly accepted across all communities, with “Big Brother” being one of the main targets in this move. CBS reality shows typically had only four contestants of color and sometimes as few as one contestant of color. After controversial seasons back-to-back in seasons 21 and 22, consisting of racist remarks and all-white alliances dominating the game, it was finally time for a change. This season was rightfully a
more balanced cast – specifically, six Black contestants took part. Dating back to day one of a grueling 85-day experience, an alliance entitled “The Cookout,” comprised of Azah Awasum, Derek Frazier, Hannah Chaddha, Kyland Young, Tiffany Mitchell and the winner, Prather, had one goal in mind – to enable the first Black contestant to win in the games’ history. All six houseguests set their individual game plans and close relationships with other houseguests aside in the quest to be the final six and guarantee a history-making win. Those six houseguests, despite the arguing, the manipulation and having strong friendships with the other 10 people in the house, managed to make it to the final six. Once that dream of making history became a reality, the game turned on its head, as “The Cookout” had to start targeting each other. Finale night loomed dramatically with three houseguests left standing. Prather went home with the biggest prize in the show’s
history at $750,000. Prather would eventually choose to bring along his number one ally in the house to the final two, making Frazier this season’s runner-up. Frazier ended up with a $75,000 prize. Finishing in third place was Awasum. Prather also became the third person to ever win unanimously in the regular version of Big Brother, defeating Frazier by a vote of 9-0 by the jury of previously evicted houseguests. To top it off, Mitchell took home $50,000 for being voted America’s Favorite Houseguest. Tiffany was the creator and mastermind of “The Cookout” alliance. Season 23 of “Big Brother” was a terrific one. It had an overall great and likable cast, with
amazing gameplay, heartbreaking betrayals, blindsides and, of course, the greatest alliance in the history of the game. All it took was a fair and diverse cast to equalize the playing field and eventually crown the first Black winner. This is a new era for the
“Big Brother” franchise as the show looks to build off the success of a historic and fun season.
Photo courtesy of Distractify
The 23rd season finale of Big Brother reeled in 3.5 million viewers.
A12 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
OPINION
THE CHRONICLE
The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of The Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.
Want to decolonize? Start with your disordered eating habits By Jessica Zhang When white Christians arrived at America’s shores, they did not stop at inflicting suffering upon the Indigenous people already there. They also brought with them the belief that they, as God’s Earthly messengers and warriors, were duty-bound to conquer whatever they encountered in this “new” land. The conquering was bound up with the idea of salvation. Converting the “heathens” was a sign of piety and a step toward reaping the rewards for their efforts after they died and ascended to the kingdom of heaven. Any violence during conversion was done in service of and therefore sanctioned and justified in the eyes of God, so it was not a sin. They saw the defiant Indigenous people as pitiful savages trapped in the Plato’s cave of their unenlightenment. Once there was nothing left worth conquering and the new white order had been sewn into this nation stitched together by
subjugation, the only frontier left was the self. Just like how the land and its inhabitants were seen as resources to extract and use up, the body also came to be viewed as a means to an end, not something to be valued in its own right. After all, only the immortal spirit hosted within the body would be able to reach God in the heavens. However, God did make humanity in His image. Why would He not want to have His followers do their best to emulate Him in his perfection? A pure body was therefore the natural extension of a pure mind. The white Christians could have kept this to themselves. But hegemony must be spread; this last step had to become everyone’s problem. As a capitalist system fueled by these beliefs became the dominant force in American society, the “ideal body” changed over time, but its core tenet was its unattainability. Because that same ethic of hard work could be turned
upon the inherently “flawed” body, there was always room for improvement. Today, society has convinced us that if we have enough willpower, we can contort our bodies into conformity. We recognize that focusing on what
“There is nothing good in this violence against the self. Attaching a self-esteem level and a warped sense of discipline to something that can change day-to-day is an endeavor destined to fail.” we eat is insufficient, so we also control how we eat through disordered eating habits disguised as things like “intermittent fasting.” These habits are born out of a desire to control, not out of a lack of access. The internet exacerbates the problem by providing a space
for like-minded people to congregate. The hellscape that is #edtwt, the eating disorder side of Twitter, not only promotes and encourages disordered eating behaviors but also mercilessly shames anyone who falls outside their narrow conception of a “goal weight.” The body is reduced to a soulless numbers game that anybody can play; those who refuse to are weak in both morality and mind. The superiority that #edtwt cultivates is dangerously reminiscent of the moral high ground that the white Christian colonizers took to justify their actions. The superficiality of fixating on outside appearances is excused through society’s approval of the intended result and the reasoning behind it. There is nothing good in this violence against the self. Attaching a self-esteem level and a warped sense of discipline to something that can change dayto-day is an endeavor destined to fail. There is no salvation in it and
there is no reward for doing that level of damage, no matter how many compliments you get. It says nothing about you except how dedicated you are to hurting yourself in the name of purity and conquest. Unlearn the patterns born from the influence of American Christian morality – you are not a bad person for letting your mind and your body be equals.
Jessica Zhang is a senior publishing studies and mass media major from New Jersey. She currently serves as Managing Editor of The Chronicle.
Joe Manchin: The Democrats’ corporate pick-me By Daniel Cody The fiscal irresponsibility callout is a specter that constantly haunts the American left. Shakespeare might as well have written “to spend, or not to spend.” The reallocation of resources to best fit society, as many rightly believe, should be done with the best interests of the masses and, as such, the government should ensure the public ownership of industry and the redistribution of wealth. In that scenario, we would build ourselves up and assume a new period of governance bound to the common good, moving on from a chaotic and exploitative history. This is not something that will happen seamlessly. In all likelihood, it’s not something that will happen soon. Yet politics roll
on and we are forced to pander to Joe Manchin’s accusations of frivolous spending. Manchin is a conservative Democrat from West Virginia whose largest single-firm campaign contributor is Tellurian Inc., a Houston-based gas company. Manchin also took a pretty penny from Capital Group, Pfizer and Goldman Sachs, some of the largest and most bloodthirsty pharmaceutical and financial entities in the country. He has been embraced by many liberals for his keystone position in Congress, narrowly completing the Democratic majority in the Senate. To them, he was a saving grace from Trump-maggedon. As Democrats would have you believe, Manchin is not a conservative but a warrior defending the castle walls, skewing
our government in slight favor of the Democrats, placing us on a path which leads not into Trump’s second reign of terror but delivers us from apocalypse. For those who think this, you are wrong. Imagine, for a moment, that you are where I spent most of my adolescence: South Central Pennsylvania. Rolling, green countryside that careens into the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, bordering northwest Maryland and not terribly far from the Monongahela Forest of West Virginia. You likely don’t stay plugged into the media, and you don’t care about political theatrics. Trump grabbed your attention with the promise of radical change, and after four years of nothing more than obscure media moments,
there’s nothing much that’s different. This is a place unlike affluent suburbs in the New York metropolitan area. Most people don’t have the upper middle class privilege that a lot of private university students – including myself – enjoy. There’s no yellow brick road leading to enlightenment at big-name colleges or companies. There’s your community, family, friends and years of labor and toil. Politics is the last thing you think about and, even if people do vote, they become party-liners, disinterested in politics and fearsome of strong ideas or ideologies. Manchin, although he’ll never admit it, knows he is in the perfect position. A swingstate senator with no party allegiance, lobbyists line his
pockets with cash, effectively buying his vote. Conservative interest groups want his contrarian tendencies, and the Democrats want a majority in Congress. Manchin is the epitome of a cash cow. It’s easy to take advantage of people you view as meek and even easier to do so when only half the state turns out to vote. But most of all, it’s easy to lecture about fiscal irresponsibility when the largest corporations in the country power your career with blood money. Daniel Cody is a junior journalism major from Dallas, TX, and Carlisle, PA. He serves as an Opinion Editor at The Chronicle.
Looking to contribute to the Opinion section? Email us at huchronicle.op.ed@gmail.com
THE CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • A13
OPINION
Climate strikes are what we need By Kirsten Wheeler On Friday, Sept. 24, thousands took to the streets in New York City to demand climate justice to combat the increasingly intense and apparent threat of climate change. The strike was organized by the New York City branch of Fridays for Future, a youthled global movement inspired by climate activist Greta Thunberg’s School Strike for Climate held in 2018. This strike’s purpose served not only to push back against corporate and government inaction, but also to protest the disproportionate effects of climate change on BIPOC communities. The strike reached its peak when participants convened in Battery Park after having marched from City Hall, and young speakers of various backgrounds shared their experiences with climate change and their propositions to prevent it. The heartfelt and impassioned words of these youth leaders emphasized why we should put a concerted
effort toward restoring the planet. Their rhetoric expanded beyond the simple statements of global warming and pollution’s harmful effects. Fourteen-year-old climate and animal rights activist Genesis Butler spoke on the extreme yet underdiscussed damage caused by industrial animal agriculture. Seventy percent of deforestation in the Amazon is a result of cattle ranching, destroying thousands of homes for residents. This industry is so harmful that even if all other sources of carbon emissions were completely cut off, the global climate would still increase. Students for a Free Tibet leader Tsela Zogsang brought attention to the climate crisis in Tibet. Under the occupation of China, Tibet is being destroyed by harmful mining practices and state infrastructure projects, risking the crucial supply chains of many countries that rely on Tibet for fresh water. The damage has caused the region to warm three times faster than its
natural rate and risks the loss of at least two-thirds of the Himalayan glaciers. The Chi-
“For years, climate change has been an undeniable threat to our livelihood. This strike has only made it more evident.” nese government has hidden this devastating environmental blow from the public eye outside of Tibet. Other topics discussed included the demolition of minority neighborhoods to expand infrastructure, the billions of our tax dollars going into the fossil fuel industry, climate change’s disproportionate effect on Black and Indigenous people and the deliberate ignorance of politicians who continue to support and profit from environmentally harmful industries.
For years, climate change has been an undeniable threat to our livelihood. This strike has only made it more evident. The scope of what most people know about climate change extends only to what is presented in the media. There are numerous climate crises all over the world that are left uncovered – or deliberately hidden – which leave the planet ravaged to an unimaginable degree. What many people don’t know is that climate change is just as much of a social justice issue as an environmental one. Lower-class minorities are the first to be evicted from their homes to make room for infrastructure projects, and the first ones to experience devastation from climate-induced natural disasters. It is imperative that facts discussed at the climate strike are more widely taught so that people understand the full extent of the climate crisis and are roused to join in the fight. It is only in unity and assembly that there is any hope
of reducing the detrimental impacts of climate change.
Kirsten Wheeler is a freshman drama major from the Washington, D.C. area.
The pandemic causes perpetual burnout
By Yashu Pericherla
It has been over a year since the pandemic began. The time for pretty words and pats on the back has long passed. Painting superhero-like portraits of essential workers and sharing quirky political cartoons of Zoom life got old very quickly. It’s been over a year and enough time has passed to reflect on a glaring question: Who the hell asked for this? The pandemic, for all its tragedy, has made the severity of global wealth disparities abundantly clear, especially in the United States. While the majority of the U.S. was coping with the “new normal” regarding life with COVID-19, social media has shed a light on the cushy lives of the rich. We are at a point in time when your Twitter timeline can have GoFundMe and Change. org campaigns back-to-back
to celebrities and rich elites shitposting about how they miss going to Hawaii – or, if they are particularly tone deaf, vacation photos with maybe a follow-up disclaimer detailing how they’re taking precautions. But that was at the pandemic’s height. Now, we have vaccinations and better testing procedures, and we get to celebrate a “return to the new normal,” whatever that’s supposed to mean. Once again, it’s the people who have no social obligations to change and fit into the “new normal” who congratulate us for persevering. But let’s take a step back and look at our new normal. What does that truly mean? Well – masks. Personally, I don’t mind the mask mandates and recommendations. Although The U.S. adopted the practice of mask-wearing to combat COVID-19 transmission, it’s shown
to be effective in stopping other airborne pathogens as well! Also, it is an awesome accessory that is both gender nonconforming and isn’t restrictive to body types. I am definitely on board with masks. Secondly, Zoom seems to be staying. Well, not in all academic settings – cough, cough, Hofstra – but many professional workplaces have enjoyed the transition to online meetings and even indefinite stay-athome work. Third of all, permanent burnout. Phrases and language like “Keep up the good work,” “Thank you for persisting in these trying times” and “Return to how it was before” serve to remind us of how being commercially productive in a capitalist hellscape is exhausting. Even a global pandemic could not stop the mass-production machine that is the American workforce. Sure, some of us got
stimulus checks for a little bit, but most of us still had to work, maintain GPAs or prove in some fashion that we still could offer something to the one-percenters who are in charge of our employment status. The mental repercussions of this pandemic are still being investigated and a year later we are starting to see the cracks materialize. Many articles and studies have been done in the past few months regarding COVID-induced burnout. Everything points to late-stage capitalist dystopia – we are praised for killing ourselves over money and shamed for wanting wellness. Now that school is back in session for most of us, and most establishments are trying to come back to ubiquitously in-person classes, the stress is packing on. Any leniency granted in the past year does not seem to apply anymore, even
though we’re still reeling from the effects and aftermath of “unprecedented times.”
Yashu Pericherla is a senior English major from Texas. She writes primarily about pop culture and politics.
A14 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
OPINION
THE CHRONICLE
Comic courtesy of Dickinson-Frevola
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THE CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • A15
SPORTS
Pride Performer of the Week
Anthony Roberts / The Hofstra Chronicle
Hofstra earns best start in program history with win at Delaware By Josh Sager STAFF WRITER
The Hofstra men’s soccer team won their sixth straight match on Saturday, Oct. 2. The Pride beat the University of Delaware Blue Hens 4-1 at Grant Stadium in Newark, Delaware. With this win, Hofstra is now 9-1-0 overall, while they move to 3-1-0 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
play. Delaware is now 1-7-1, with a CAA record of 0-4-0. In the all-time series, the Pride are 22-12-2 overall and are 8-0-1 in the last nine matches with the Blue Hens. This win also made history for Hofstra’s men’s soccer program, as this is their bestever record through the first 10 matches of the season. The previous high was set in 1996 when the Pride went 8-1-1 in their first 10 games. Hofstra scored first at the 31:07 mark of the first half when Ryan Carmichael headed a pass from Matthew Vowinkel into the back of the net. The Pride kept that lead going into the second half, and they didn’t take long to score their second goal. Carmichael got a cross from Hendrik Hebbeker and put it in at the 47:25 mark to get the
brace. A penalty kick at the 51:37 mark by Storm Strongin extended the Pride’s lead to 3-0. Delaware got a lifeline from Josh Hesson, who scored at the 65:24 mark, but that was the only goal that the Blue Hens could muster, as Hebbeker sealed the deal with a goal of his own on a free kick from 18 yards out at 76:04. The Pride’s six-match winning streak is the longest such for the program since the 1993 season in which Hofstra won 11 consecutive matches. Carmichael and Hebbeker are both red-hot right now. The two goals scored by Carmichael were his fifth and sixth goals in the last three games, and Hebbeker has seven points over his last three matches. This win also moved Hofstra
head coach Richard Nuttall closer to another milestone, with this win being the 299th of his career. The Pride won’t get much rest ahead of their next game,
as they will return home on Tuesday, Oct. 5, to host the Columbia University Lions at Hofstra Soccer Stadium, with the match beginning at 7 p.m.
Jacob Lewis / The Hofstra Chronicle Carmichael has scored six goals in the last three games for the Pride.
A16 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
SPORTS
THE CHRONICLE
Martinovic, Pride roll past Delaware on Saturday
By Eddie Gardner
SPORTS S O C I A L M E D I A E DI TOR
The Hofstra volleyball team defeated the University of Delaware in four sets on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Carpenter Sports Building, with set scores of 27-25, 25-22, 20-25 and 25-20. The Pride was led by Ana Martinovic and Athina Dimitriadis, who each racked up 10 kills in the match. The win improved Hofstra’s record to 9-7 overall on the season and 3-2 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. Delaware continued their struggles and dropped their eighth consecutive match. Hofstra struggled out of the gate in set one, going back and forth with the Blue Hens several
times, but they came away in the end for a close 27-25 victory. The Pride allowed Delaware to go up by three points multiple times throughout the set, but they rallied back each time and prevented the Blue Hens from breaking away. Hofstra’s biggest scoring run was only two points, which they did seven times, but the defense was stellar and prevented Delaware from going on large runs of their own. After Martinovic gave the Pride set point at 26-25, an attack error from the Blue Hens’ Savannah Seemans put Hofstra ahead 1-0. Hofstra continued the momentum into the second set and won another closely contested battle 25-22. Both defenses were strong once again and prevented each other from breaking free, but Hofstra finally caught fire in the end. After Delaware scored five consecutive points to take a twopoint lead, Hofstra responded with a 4-0 run of their own to go back in front. At 24-22, another costly error from the Blue Hens cost them a set, putting Hofstra up 2-0 in the match. This one was committed
by Lauryn Richardson, with Martinovic and Damla Tokman recording blocks on the play to help Hofstra win the set. Delaware avoided the sweep by defeating the Pride 25-20 in the third set, fueled by four kills from Richardson and three from Seemans. The Blue Hens started off strong and controlled for much of the set both offensively and defensively while preventing Hofstra from taking the lead at all. After trailing by seven points early on, the Pride fought back to within one several times but just couldn’t get over the hump and take back control. With the score at 21-20 in favor of Delaware, the Blue Hens won the next four points to make it a 2-1 match. Delaware failed to carry the momentum and replicate their epic 2-0 comeback that they completed in the 2019 CAA tournament against Hofstra and dropped the fourth set by a score of 25-20. Hofstra played its best volleyball of the match in this one, as they erased an 11-8 Delaware lead and took that momentum all the way to the
Hofstra Athletics Martinovic had 10 kills in Hofstra’s win over Delaware.
end. Once they went back in front, the Pride won three consecutive points four times and prevented the Blue Hens from fighting back in it. At match point, Florencia Wolkowyski finished it off with her ninth kill and gave the Pride its ninth win of the season. Following the weekend trip to Delaware, Hofstra will return
home to the David S. Mack Physical Education Center on Saturday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 10, to take on the College of William & Mary at 1 p.m.
Volleyball falls to Delaware to split weekend doubleheader By Andrew Allegrini STAFF W R I T E R
The Hofstra volleyball team fell short to the University of Delaware Blue Hens 3 sets to 0 sets, on Sunday, Oct. 3. The Blue Hens were led by Savannah Seemans, who ended the game with nine kills, three aces and three assists. The first set was a very close ending with a 25-23 Delaware win. Hofstra started off the set with a commanding 4-0 lead, starting the run off with a kill
by Damla Tokman. After that, Delaware went on a 3-0 run which began with a kill from Lauryn Richardson. From that point on, the set was neck and neck. Both teams were trading points and, at one point, Hofstra was leading 20-15. The Blue Hens would not back down, as they continued to battle back throughout the set. Toward the end of the set, it was all knotted up at 22, but the Blue Hens would not let up as they finished the set with a 3-0 run. The second set was similar to the first as both teams competed in back-and-forth fashion trading points, as neither seemed to gain much of an edge on the other until late in the set when it was all tied up 20 to 20. Delaware then proceeded to go on a 6-0 run to gain a 2 set to 0 set lead. The run was highlighted by Seemans who was a major contributor in what
seemed to be every play. Hofstra battled and played Delaware tough throughout the whole match, but the Pride could not seem to finish the Blue Hens off at the end of the sets. The third set ended in, as you can guess, very close fashion with a final score of 25-23 in the Blue Hens’ favor. This one started off back and forth right from the jump. Delaware would go on to have a dominant 7-0 run which included three straight kills. Seemans and Richardson were huge factors in Delaware’s victory. The pair seemed to be in every play disrupting Hofstra’s rhythm and putting up points for the Blue Hens. Hofstra’s Ana Martinovic had herself a solid match, ending with a stat line of eight kills, one ace, one assist and 10 digs. Hofstra now moves on to its next matchup against the
College of William & Mary on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. As for Delaware, it looks to ride
this momentum into next week against UNC-Wilmington at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Hofstra Athletics Hofstra sits in the middle of the CAA standings at 3-3 in conference play.
THE CHRONICLE
SPORTS
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • A17
Second half surge sends No. 11 Hofstra past James Madison By Max Edelman STAFF WRITER
Despite falling behind early in the game, the No. 11 Hofstra women’s soccer team used a second half rally to take down the Dukes from James Madison University (JMU) on the road 2-1 on Sunday, Oct. 3. It took over an hour for Hofstra to find the back of the net, but both Miri Taylor and Ellen Halseth found the twine in the final third of the match to give Hofstra its second league win and 10th win overall. Things did not start well for the Pride. The Dukes’ Aïmy Diop
scored the first goal of the match in the final 10 minutes of the first half, which was also the first goal that the Pride had allowed since their 3-1 victory over the University of Pennsylvania nearly a month ago on Sunday, Sept. 5. Despite Hofstra having more shots on goal than the Dukes in the first half, the Pride was unable to get the ball behind Alexandra Blom. Hofstra finally broke through in the 61st minute when a beautifully placed through ball by Lucy Porter was knocked home by Halseth to the left of the keeper to knot the game up at one apiece. As the Pride has done on so many occasions this season, it was a beautiful pass that led to the goal. With just under 10 minutes to go in the game, Jordan Littleboy perfectly placed the ball into the box where the Pride’s leading goal scorer, Taylor, knocked it into the net. Taylor’s goal was her 11th goal of the season, and her sixth in her last five games.
Hofstra’s defense played its part in the final 10 minutes of the game, holding onto the lead, and by the time the final whistle was blown, Hofstra was once again victorious. Despite the early struggles, Hofstra was able to grab victory. The Pride totaled 15 shots in the match with 10 being on goal. JMU totaled seven shots with only two being on goal. Blom recorded eight saves for the Dukes while Hofstra keeper Skylar Kuzmich made one. No. 11 Hofstra will now begin to prepare for two crucial Colonial Athletic Association games this week. Their first match will be at home this Thursday night, Oct. 7, with the Blue Hens from the University of Delaware. On Sunday, Oct. 10, the Pride will travel to Wilmington, North Carolina, to take on UNCWilmington. Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle Halseth scored the equalizing goal against James Madison.
SPORTS
A18 • OCTOBER 5, 2021
THE CHRONICLE
Volleyball freshmen trio fueling Pride in breakthrough season By Eddie Gardner SPORTS S O C I A L M E D I A EDI TOR
For most young teams, growing pains and struggles are inevitable. For the Hofstra volleyball team, one of the youngest teams on campus, that has certainly been the case so far this season. But despite their up-and-down start in 2021, one that has seen both a thrilling upset against the usually unbeatable Towson University Tigers and a sweep from the lowly University of Delaware Blue Hens, the future looks very bright for the Hofstra Pride. Since the end of the 2019 season, Hofstra has struggled to find consistent replacements for two of its all-time greats in outside hitter Laura Masciullo and setter Luisa Sydlik. The Pride also said farewell to its senior libero Juliana Vaz after last season, leaving yet another hole to be filled. However, three freshmen standouts this year have shown that they can be the new leaders for the Pride and propel them back to the top of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in the years to come. Those freshmen are libero Chiara Cucco, setter Beatriz Alves and outside hitter Florencia Wolkowyski. All three have played big roles in the nine Hofstra wins this season and are already forming an incredibly strong bond on and off the court. “It’s been wonderful to have
them here,” said Hofstra head coach Emily Mansur. “Cucco really takes a lot of pressure off of other players on the back row, she has a great presence, and [Alves] got here late and has really been running a great volleyball match.” Cucco has served as Hofstra’s defensive specialist and currently leads the CAA with 328 digs and 4.97 digs per set. While putting up those strong numbers, Cucco has been fulfilling her lifelong dream of coming to the United States from Italy. “For sure it has not been easy because it’s a completely different reality, school, volleyball game and a different style of life,” Cucco said. “But honestly it has been my dream since I was two years old to come to the U.S.” For many international student athletes, adjusting to life in a new country can be tough, whether it’s on or off the court. For Cucco, one of the more difficult parts about playing at Hofstra so far has been the difference in the libero position between the United States and Italy. “Here, the libero serves a lot. In Italy, the libero doesn’t serve at all, so for me it was completely different because I have never served in my life,” Cucco said. “Now that I’m here I have to serve all the time so this shows we can always learn something.” Despite having no experience
Hofstra Athletics Alves is the Colonial leader in assists with 599.
in one of the most important skills of the game, Cucco has been learning on the fly and has adjusted very well. In her 17 matches this season, she has 10 service aces. “It’s just all about practice. I know that here I have to serve, so if I want to play I have to do that,” Cucco said. “I just have to keep practicing as much as I can and I will be okay.” On the offensive side, the Brazil native Alves has been one of the best in the conference at her position, leading with 599 assists, while Wolkowyski, coming over from Spain, has racked up 125 kills, good for third on the team. “I think Alves needed a little more time to get settled and adjust to the crazy life of a student athlete, but since we have gotten closer to the tournament, she has been ready to roll,” Mansur said. Alves was one of the last members to join the team this year, but that has not stopped her from dominating the position and becoming one of the best young setters in the conference. She also ranks fourth in the CAA with 9.08 assists per set, fourth in total service aces with 25 and sixth with 0.38 service aces per set. It’s been a strong start to her Hofstra career, but she too had some difficulties adjusting to life on Long Island, especially with her late arrival. “At first it was hard when I got here because I was late,” Alves said. “It was hard because I’m a setter too because of the different languages, different timing and different players. Now it’s been better this last month and we have improved a lot.” One of the main factors to her success this season has been her bond with her teammates and coaches, especially fellow Brazilian Mansur. This helped Alves recently give one of the best performances of her short career against Northeastern University, where she totaled 47 assists, seven kills and 13 digs. “It’s good that [Mansur] is Brazilian too, so for me it’s easier when I struggle with English and she can explain to me in Portuguese and that helps a lot,” Alves said. “I think being
Hofstra Athletics Cucco leads the CAA in digs and digs per set this season.
a team is important, and in that last game against Northeastern we had a lot of energy as a team that pushed everybody together.” While Hofstra’s lead attacker this season has been graduate student Ana Martinovic, another freshman who also had a huge impact on the offense is Wolkowyski, who currently sits third on the team in kills and second in kills per set with 2.66 and points per set with 2.89. Her best performance came in Hofstra’s biggest win since their 2018 championship season, where she racked up 15 kills in their upset win over Towson. Since then, she has totaled nineplus kills in every match and reached double digits twice. Once Martinovic departs in just a few months, Wolkowyski will most likely move into an even larger role on the offense and could become one of the most powerful outside hitters in the CAA. If she can clean up the errors, something she and this team has struggled with a lot this season, Wolkowyski can lead the Pride’s offensive attack to great success. Before she leaves after five successful seasons with the Pride, Martinovic will continue to provide strong leadership to all the underclassmen this season, which has also been a huge factor in their success.
“[Martinovic] was the first person that I met when I came here and she’s very nice,” Cucco said. “I think she can be nice when she has to be nice and tough when she has to be tough, so she pushes me to always get better and improve myself.” Hofstra is 9-8 overall on the season and 3-3 in CAA play. They have pulled off some great wins against other top teams in the conference, including Northeastern and Towson. But they have also suffered some incredibly tough losses, such as blowing a chance at a fifth set in their second match against Towson and falling in a sweep to the eighth-place Blue Hens. The young Pride understands a lot more work needs to be done to reach the ultimate goal. With the strong play of Cucco, Alves and Wolkowyski, plus the veteran leadership from Martinovic, Mansur and other seniors like Maddie Appleton and Sheryl Matthew, this could just be the beginning of a championship-level core. “For this season we hope to win the championship,” Cucco said. “I think it would be really, really great to win the championship my first year, but I just hope everything keeps improving and getting better in the future.”
THE CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • A19
SPORTS
Kuzmich and Speel: The ‘saving grace’ for Hofstra soccer
By Anthony Roberts SPORTS E D I TO R
As the last line of defense, the pressure often mounts when foes break through to test your strength. Hofstra soccer’s last lines of defense, the goalies, however, don’t skip a beat and have been the backbones for their teams’ successes thus far this season. Led by Skylar Kuzmich and Wessel Speel of women’s and men’s soccer, respectively, Hofstra’s defense has been nearly impenetrable this year, and the two are showing no signs of slowing down. From a young age, both Kuzmich and Speel have been serving teams as that last line of defense. Soccer has been imbedded in both of them with Kuzmich growing up on the field with her mother, a Division III soccer coach, and Speel playing across the pond in the Netherlands; their paths to becoming goalie, however, took different terms. “When I was about nine, I had a sit down with my doctor and he said that I wasn’t able to run up and down the field like everyone else,” Kuzmich said. “I was sick all the time when I was little because of my asthma, so he said I either have to play soccer without running or play a different sport, so I went into goalkeeping.” “Around seven or eight [years old] I was rotating between striker and goalie,” Speel said. “I remember that being goalkeeper went well for me as I was getting a lot of saves and lots of compliments, so at one point my club then needed a goalie and I signed up for it.” A determination to play collegiate soccer at the Division I level, along with other aspects, led both Kuzmich and Speel to play for Hofstra. “My mom and I put together a list of all the Division I schools because I knew I wanted to play Division I soccer. We crossed off schools based on location, level [and] how big or small the school was,” Kuzmich said. “I was left with a list of 20 [schools] and it was up to me emailing and calling different college coaches. I went to a clinic at Hofstra my
sophomore year and they said they were interested, and we kept communicating and I committed.” “The main thing [was] playing soccer. Playing here [at Hofstra] and playing a lot of matches was a priority for me,” Speel said. “Also, getting an education, learning a new language, meeting new people and being close to New York City were all benefits for me, as well.” Speel’s first and Kuzmich’s second season with the Pride came in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the teams played during the spring season with a shortened schedule. A quick turnaround from a shortened spring season to a regular fall has shown both
go in [to] every game strong, and we didn’t realize that we wouldn’t be handed the game.” The men’s team went 5-2-3 and earned a trip to the CAA Championship match where they faced James Madison University (JMU). For the third consecutive year, the Pride fell to JMU on penalty kicks, ending Hofstra’s season. This year, the Pride will welcome James Madison to Hofstra with a chance for vengeance. “It’s definitely a game we look forward to, and seeing them at home is a big chance to show them who we are and avenge the previous years,” Speel said. A key part of the competitiveness for both programs comes behind the
super understanding and he keeps things going.” This season, Hofstra soccer has been unstoppable, posting a nation-best combined record of 19-2 to start the season, with the women’s team at 10-1 and the men at 9-1. The Pride has been outscoring opponents 30-5 on the women’s side and 24-8 on the men’s. “We had a tremendous preCAA season and that’s going to put a target on our backs,” Kuzmich said. “Even if teams aren’t at our level, they’re going to give 100%, because if they beat Hofstra it’s going to [be] great for them. I think we need to just go into every game strong. We were a little off in the Towson [University match] but I
Anthony Roberts / The Hofstra Chronicle
benefits and challenges for players. “Obviously, it’s more intense,” Speel said. “We are playing more games now – sometimes two games a week – so it’s pretty tough on the body and I’ve definitely been learning about my body more.” “It was definitely weird because usually we have half a year to ready for next season, but I kind of liked it. But, then again, I’m not running up and down the field all the time,” Kuzmich said. The women’s team went unbeaten during the shortened 2020 regular season, but were denied their fourth-straight Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship after Elon University upset the Pride in the semifinals. “I think all of us were expecting to win CAAs last year and we shouldn’t have done that,” Kuzmich said. “We should
scenes with the cultures built by head coaches Simon Riddiough and Richard Nuttall. Riddiough, in his 16th season as head coach of the women’s soccer team, has amassed five CAA Championships and zero losing seasons. Nuttall is in his 33rd season with four CAA Championships and is the program’s winningest coach. “There’s a very good culture with the men’s soccer program and it starts with the upper classmen who welcome you like it’s home,” Speel said. “Coach Nuttall plays a big part of that and he is very focused on the human side, and he tries to have lots of conversations with you and the players for him to understand us, and that’s a big thing for us players.” “When I got injured [Coach Riddiough] was super understanding. I was injured until two or three weeks into preseason,” Kuzmich said. “He’s
think that was a learning lesson.” The women’s team has played seven shutouts this season, including one on the road against then-ranked No. 22 Princeton University. Kuzmich has posted the lowest goals against average in her career, allowing .41 goals per game, down from 1.03 goals per game last season. “There’s a huge difference between my playing this year and the past few years. I think getting used to college soccer has been part of that. It shouldn’t have taken me this long, but I think [of my] confidence level, I wasn’t very confident as a freshman,” Kuzmich said. “Now, as a junior, my confidence level is much higher so I’m able to direct my team to prevent less shots on me. As a whole, our defensive backline has gotten significantly better and is a huge reason why I look better too.” With 26 saves this season thus far, Kuzmich has surpassed last
season’s total of 14 and is just under halfway toward career high in saves. “[Before matches] I listen to music and I talk to my mom. She likes to give me a pep talk. Then I get in the zone,” Kuzmich said. “I like to visualize different saves I have to make before the game. I go through crosses, breakaways, point-blank shots and things like that. I visualize myself making them so that if it happens in game it’s like muscle memory almost.” Both teams are breaking barriers this season, the men off to the best 10-match start to a season in program history at 9-1, while also receiving votes to be nationally ranked. “We are in a good spot. I think that [is] because we know how dangerous of a team we can be when we play according to our identity, which is working hard,” Speel said. “This year we have lots of talent as well, and with those two together we can be really dangerous. I feel like we can beat any team in the nation when we play like that.” The women’s team continues to climb the national polls, currently sitting at No. 11 in the nation, the highest ranking in school history and highest in the CAA since 1999. “I think the most important thing for all of us is building a name for Hofstra,” Kuzmich said. “I know when I committed, not a lot of people [had] heard of Hofstra, so building our playing level and winning more games and accolades will build our program up and make it more recognizable for future years. That way, our program can be better for years to come.” While in the midst of historic seasons, both teams have one goal: winning the CAA Championship. “The end goal for the team is obviously [to] win the CAA. That is a big one for us because last year we were so close,” Speel said. “We want to win the CAA,” Kuzmich said. “I think we need to work on smaller goals as well. We need to keep up on our shutouts and our defensive play. If we don’t give up any goals, we aren’t going to lose.”
THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE SPORTS Oct. 5, 2021
JM-WHO? Women’s soccer wins seventh-straight after second half rally at James Madison.
Evan Bernstein / The Hofstra Chronicle