A Field Guide to Hopkins
Letter from the editors Congratulations new Blue Jays! We at The News-Letter — one of the oldest continuously published weekly student newspapers in the nation — are excited to welcome you to the nest and introduce you to Hopkins life and Baltimore history.
Decoding Hopkins lingo....................................3
Getting to know the history of Charm City....................15
The truth about Hopkins stereotypes..........................4
Finding a new home at Hopkins.............................16
Advice from a senior to a freshman.............................5
Roommates 101: A survival guide..................................18
Our favorite places to eat in Charm City..........................6
Exploring the neighborhoods of Baltimore..........................19
The best class I’ve taken at Hopkins...............................8
A brief overview of student groups................................20
Here is our survival guide of sorts for first-year and transfer students. Within this collection of lists, interviews and personal narratives, you’ll learn how to be a roommate, a student, an athlete, an artist, a volunteer or an activist. How accurate Hopkins stereotypes are (read: whether everyone is really a pre-med). How to create your own nest. How to #liveyourbestlife in the Hopkins and Baltimore communities.
How I found my major.......9
Why we joined The News-Letter................21
— Rudy Malcom & Karen Wang Magazine Editors 2018-2019
Baltimore’s hidden gems.....13
You’ve probably already absorbed a lot of information during Orientation Week that will prove useful as you embark on your time at the University. But the editors (meet them on page 22!) felt the heavy burden on their older azure wings to teach you so much more about what Hopkins and Baltimore have to offer. They’ve recommended their favorite places to eat off-campus for when you decide to take the first steps beyond the Fresh Food Cafe (FFC) on your culinary adventures, and they’ve given their advice for navigating both the city and the classroom — as well as the library.
A special to thanks to our sponsors
Our best tips for navigating Brody and MSE..................10 Meet the editors..........................22-23 A transportation guide for getting around the city......12
Student activism spotlight..............................14
The Cover-Letter is a special publication of The Johns Hopkins News-Letter, the student newspaper of Johns Hopkins University. For general inquiries or information on how to join, email managing@jhunewsletter.com or find us at the Student Involvement Fair on Sept. 7 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Rec Center. The News-Letter can be found online at jhunewsletter.com, in print every Thursday during the school year and on the social media sites below.
2
JHU News-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
The Cover-Letter
@jhunewsletter
@jhunewsletter August 30, 2018
By JEANNE LEE Cartoons Editor
Before you kick off the school year, there is some essential Hopkins lingo you’ll need to learn to call yourself a real Blue Jay. So hop on over and let’s get started!
Welcome back to school Blue Jays! Are you ready for the new semester?
The Hopkins bubble is an imaginary but all-too-real bubble around Homewood Campus that students stay within to isolate themselves from Baltimore. We encourage you to pop that bubble and explore our city!
The Beach is a grassy green field located behind the Hopkins sign on North Charles Street. Apparently it got its name from the sound of passing cars mimicking the waves of an ocean.
The JHMI, pronounced as “Jimmy,” is a bus that goes between the different Hopkins campuses, including Homewood, Peabody and the med campus.
Hopkins Memes for My Lost Hopes and Dreams on Facebook is where students meme endlessly on all sorts of Hopkins-related topics. It’s the perfect way to get a good laugh!
CharMar (Charles Street Market) and the FFC (Fresh Food Cafe) are the places to go when you’re hungry. CharMar serves delicious savory crepes, and the FFC has an all-you-can-eat buffet. Brody (Brody Learning Commons) and MSE (the Milton S. Eisenhower Library) are the two buildings that make up our library. MSE opened in 1965, and Brody opened in 2012. Though Brody is open 24/7, we encourage you to sleep in your dorm room.
The Cover-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
August 30, 2018
3
No fun and no humanities?
Your Hopkins stereotypes, debunked
By JAE CHOI For The News-Letter
D
uring my first days at Hopkins, I was incredibly anxious about how I would fare and whether I would be happy. But after forging meaningful relationships with friends from diverse backgrounds and getting a taste of the undergraduate experience, I learned that the negative stereotypes concerning Hopkins are based more on fearful speculation than actual experience.
Let’s debunk some myths, Blue Jays!
Seeing the school’s true face made all the difference for me and significantly improved my experience here. In the end, we shouldn’t dwell on these stereotypes but understand why they happen and do our best to make our university the best place it can be, regardless of our preconceived notions. Here I’ll break down some of the most common stereotypes you’ll hear during your time at Hopkins like “Is everyone here really on the pre-med track?” or “Are students crazy competitive in their classes?” Where do these stereotypes come from? Are they true? And what can we do about them?
Stereotype: Students are over-competitive and cutthroat
Stereotype: Everyone is pre-med Although many students come into college with the goal of eventually entering the medical field, some students change their minds throughout their time here. According to numbers from the Pre-Professional Advising Office, for the class of 2015, 403 undergraduate students applied to medical school from Hopkins, and assuming these applicants graduated from the class of 2015, that would constitute 23.51 percent of undergraduates. Though this might still seem like a sizable amount, it is far less than what people think.
Stereotype: There is little time for fun outside of academics Due to the heavy workload from classes, students may worry that there is little time for hobbies, relationships or really anything outside of schoolwork. True, the schoolwork can be quite heavy, but it can be managed with effective planning. And who’s to say that schoolwork itself can’t be a source of happiness? Explore new avenues while registering for classes. Study what you are interested in and cultivate your passion. Above all, try to strike a balance between studying and recreation in a way that they come to mutually enhance each other. There are over 350 student groups on campus, many of which aren’t academically-oriented. While I was trying to adjust to my first year here, my club activities were a way for me to take a break from school work and relax. On Monday nights, I would rehearse with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra; on every other Thursday I would go to an activity sponsored by MAAP (the Mentoring Assistance Peer Program). After going to the student involvement fair, I joined a club that translated medical documents as a way to practice my language skills, and just last semester I attended a News-Letter meeting on a whim and have been involved in the organization ever since.
4
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
BY JEANNE LEE
It is no lie that Hopkins is an academically challenging place. However, many students come in with the preconception that the academic environment is not only challenging but also competitive and cutthroat. I’ve met people who would ask me if I was only taking Intro Chem to get an easy A, badger me about how I scored after every single exam or always talk about beating the curve. However, I’ve also had plenty of friends who didn’t let the stress of academics lead them to active competition with their peers. These are the same friends that I depend on the most and who inspire me to work hard and do my best while keeping my stress in check.
Stereotype: STEM students are prioritized over those in the humanities Because of the University’s reputation as a robust scientific research institution, there is a prevailing attitude among students that STEM majors have more resources and work harder than humanities majors. This preconception may stem from the inability to see the humanities as practical, challenging or worthy of study. As a student double-majoring in Neuroscience and English, I can confidently say that my English courses take as much, if not more, time and effort than some of my STEM classes, sharpen my capacity for critical analysis of ideas and have been vital to my experience at Hopkins. Humanities students interested in pursuing an independent research project or seeking out an internship can access resources provided through the University — those aren’t limited to STEM majors! And with smaller classes and tight-knit departments, humanities students often form close bonds with their peers and professors. No matter what your field is, there are opportunities here at Hopkins.
The Cover-Letter
August 30, 2018
Advice for freshmen: embrace failures and new friends By DIVA PAREKH News & Features Editor
I
’m writing an article called “Advice from a senior to a freshman.” Has it really been that long? It doesn’t feel like that long ago I was walking onto Homewood for the first time, standing in the middle of the Gilman Quad utterly and completely lost. I don’t think I’m ready to leave yet. During my three years here, I’ve only been away from this campus for a total of maybe three months. I’m an international student, so I don’t go home a lot. I’ve spent Thanksgivings, spring breaks and summers here. This campus was where I saw my first fall, where I went sledding down a snowy staircase on a lunch tray for the first time, where I ate my first deep fried Oreo. And as clichéd as it sounds, this place has really started to feel like home. I don’t want to accept that leaving is so close; I don’t want to accept that this is ending. Because even with every stressful night, every tear, every setback, these have been the three best years of my life. When I first stepped onto this campus, I was terrified. Here I was in a new city, a new country, with my family so far away that there were maybe a total of four hours a day when I was awake at the same time as them. I came from a high school with a graduating class of 100 people, so walking into the Orientation kickoff celebration with over a thousand of my classmates was one of the most overwhelming experiences of my life. I had no idea how I would even begin to find a completely new set of friends, so I did what a lot of freshmen do: I latched onto the first group
of people I met and convinced myself that we were going to be friends forever. Now I’m not saying that those friendships won’t last — they might — and for some people, they do. But that definitely wasn’t the case for me. During the time between freshman fall and spring, as I started to feel more secure here, I started to explore, to talk to more people in my classes, to talk to people on my floor who I didn’t actually meet during my first week, and that’s how I found the people I’m still friends with now. So maybe you will stay friends with the people you meet during Orientation, maybe you won’t. But no matter what, don’t close yourself off to meeting new people, because you never know when you might meet someone who you can’t imagine going through college without. The summer before my freshman year, though, having to meet new people was something I wished I didn’t have to do. While I was saying my goodbyes to my high school friends, we promised each other nothing would change, that we’d always keep each other updated on everything that happened in our lives. But when you don’t see each other every day, it’s very difficult for it to stay the same. Slowly, we started to realize we really didn’t know all that much about each other’s daily lives, that our friendships really were changing and that things weren’t going to go back to normal again. That homesickness really hit me when I got sick freshman year. I went to HelWell, but they just gave me soup that I was allergic to, so I wasn’t doing that great health-wise. I just kind of laid in my bed watching Netflix and thought about how
Because even with every stressful night, every tear, every setback, these have been the best three years of my life.
much easier this would be back home where I had someone to take care of me. But then my roommate came in with a can of soup from CharMar and yelled at me to stop watching Netflix and either get some rest or do my homework, and the homesickness went away just a little bit. Your first semester, it feels like everything is do or die, like that first test or that first friendship will determine the course of the rest of your time here. Some people might tell you that in the end none of it matters, but it does. When you fail your first test and get your first B or C, it’s not going to ruin the rest of your life like you’re afraid it will. But you will learn from it. You’ll know what you did wrong, and most importantly you’ll know to stop beating yourself up over every setback. Because here’s the thing: There will be setbacks. You’ll fail, and you’ll come up short, and there will be so many opportunities around that no matter what you do, you’ll feel like you’re missing out on one. But through it all, the people you meet
and the experiences you have will help you come out a better person. There will be times when you’re freaking out about something, and your friends will literally come running; when you’ve been studying non-stop for your two midterms and wake up that morning to find a bright pink note above your bathroom sink saying “you’ve got this;” when your friend just shows up outside your door because she knows you had a rough day and wants to make sure you’re okay; when the place where you grew up is two oceans away and you feel like you don’t have roots anymore, but then your friend’s family makes you feel like part of theirs. And then after a while, you’ll get older, and you’ll meet a freshman who thinks you’ve got it figured out and wants your advice. I know advice was what I was supposed to give you, and I don’t know how much of that was useful to you, but all I know is I’ve got one more year. I intend to enjoy every single second of it. You’ve got four.
COURTESY OF DIVA PAREKH
Parekh was able to find a family at Hopkins by leaning on friends for support throughout the years.
The Cover-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
August 30, 2018
5
Charm City Food Guide: A quick rundown of Baltimore’s good eats the popular Cinnamon Bun Latte. Towson Hot Bagels (THB) Even New York bagel snobs admit that THB serves delicious bagels. Consistently ranked as BalCOURTESY OF ROLLIN HU Carma’s Cafe serves comfort food like grilled cheese and tomato soup. timore’s best bagels, THB serves a wide By SARAH Y. KIM variety of freshly made bagels and Opinions Editor bagel sandwiches. A popular menu item to try is their famous chicken CHARLES VILLAGE FAVORITES salad on a bagel, panini or kaiser Boz’s Burger Bistro roll. You can also enjoy omelettes, This casual burger joint will be coffee, smoothies, muffins and othyour go-to for quality burgers, fries er breakfast items. and hand-spun milkshakes. For fast food, it’s not quite fast; fresh and BEYOND THE BUBBLE handmade burgers can take as long as 20 minutes. But it’s worth the Chopstix Gourmet wait. Try unique varieties like the Chopstix is a bit isolated and a litspicy kimchi burger or the decadent tle ways away — about a 20 minute Saint Paul burger, filled with chipo- drive from campus — but this Chitle aioli, caramelized onions, Swiss nese restaurant in Rosedale is great cheese and applewood bacon. If for lower-budget special occasions. you’re not craving burgers, you can You can’t go wrong with their popopt for their quesadillas, salads or ular dim sum, but if you’re feeling ciabatta sandwiches. more adventurous, try dishes like their chicken feet or stinky durian. Carma’s Cafe This cozy, vegetarian-friendly Grano Pasta Bar spot is a local favorite and appropriYou can build your own pasta ate for any time of day. Their grilled and watch chefs prepare it at this cheese is ooey gooey heaven, and snug nook in Hampden. Using seayou can pair it with tomato soup sonal and locally sourced ingrethat’s vegan yet impossibly thick dients, Grano offers classic pasta and creamy. You can also indulge sauces, including carbonara and in a variety of other sandwiches, bolognese, as well as more unique which come with a side of greens, varieties like calamari vesuvio. chips or cold sesame noodles. Car- Several options are vegan and ma’s also serves frittatas, bagels, gluten-free. Pair a sauce with one scones and some of Baltimore’s best of six noodles and order a side of cookies. Keep your eyes peeled for artisanal bread with olive oil and their daily specials, which include roasted garlic. If you’re still hungry
6
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
after your meal, order a classic Italian dessert like tiramisu or cannoli.
You can also opt for a stir-fry or get spring rolls on the side.
Jong Kak When I’m homesick and craving Korean food, Jong Kak hits the spot. If you’re feeling self-indulgent, you can get authentic Korean BBQ, cooked in front of you over a grill. Or if your wallet’s feeling a little light, you can sit away from the smoke and choose from an endless list of Korean dishes. I usually get the bibimbap — rice with vegetables, beef and a runny egg in a hot stone pot — and share pajeon — a green onion pancake — with a friend.
Pete’s Grille There aren’t many diners in the City, but thankfully this classic nofrills diner in Waverly is just a few blocks from Homewood. Considered one of Baltimore’s best breakfast spots, Pete’s is bar seating only and gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Get a huge omelette with heaps of toast and several pats of butter, a mountain of popular home fries and free refills of freshly brewed coffee — all for $14. Pete’s is also famous for their blueberry pancakes and for being a favorite with Michael Phelps.
The Local Fry This casual fusion spot has locations in the Rotunda and Federal Hill, and they serve a variety of banh mi, rice bowls, chicken wings and cheesy fries. The kimchi fries are packed with flavor, topped with sauteed kimchi, sriracha mayo, scallions and lots of shredded cheese. For your wings, choose from as many as 19 different flavors.
Sam’s Canterbury Cafe Not only does Sam’s serve delicious coffee, breakfast and lunch, but they also have a unique mission: to give individuals with autism meaningful employment. Owners Michael and Jennifer Myers opened the cafe so that their son Sam, who is on the autism spectrum, could pursue his dream to work in the hospitality industry. Since opening last year, Sam’s has quickly established itself as a community favorite, and Baltimore named them the City’s best breakfast spot this year.
Mekong Delta Cafe Indochine or Pho Viet are reliable and more well-known Vietnamese joints, but try stopping by this unassuming booth tucked away in the Charles Plaza food court. This hidden gem offers a variety of authentic pho, including pho ga and pho tai gan, and Southern Vietnamese noodle COURTESY OF ROLLIN HU soups (hu tieu). Jong Kak in Station North is great for big groups and your KBBQ cravings.
The Cover-Letter
August 30, 2018
The best class I’ve taken at Hopkins By ESTHER HONG Sports Editor
Julia Pacitti, Senior
Major: Writing Seminars Favorite Class: Introduction to Fiction and Poetry I “I took it [during the] fall of my freshman year because it is the first class required for the Writing Seminars major. I enjoyed it because a lot of the students in the class aren’t in [this] major, so it gave me the opportunity to meet people from outside my major, a few of them even becoming some of my best friends over the past three years.” COURTESY OF JULIA PACITTI
Jacqueline Tang, Sophomore
Major: Public Health Studies; Minor: History Favorite class: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology “The class was about how the mind is actually a computer. The whole time we were learning about the similarities between our brains and a computer — the concept is called computational theory of mind. That was a pretty radical theory, and I don’t know if I even believe it, but it was cool to learn about it. This class was also special because of the engaging professor, Professor Flombaum, who seemed to genuinely be interested about the material and care about his students. He tried to make class fun by using funny examples and making entertaining comments and jokes. I also appreciated how he was always so welcoming and friendly during office hours.” COURTESY OF JACQUELINE TANG
Tim Kutcher, Senior
Major: Computer Science Favorite class: Compilers and Interpreters “It was the first time I really took an upper level CS class, and it was designed in a way to foster a lot of creativity. Essentially, the whole course was a bunch of assignments that always built off of the previous assignment — you would take your code from homework one and add to it for homework two, and so on. By the end of the course, you’ve built a larger piece of software than in any other class, and it is really rewarding to have everything come together. It was awesome to get to pick your programming language and be creative in how you design your program. It really opened me up to a passion for programming languages and general software design.” COURTESY OF TIM KUTCHER
AJ Ferrara, Sophomore
Majors: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering Favorite class: Balancing Freedom and Security “My favorite class was Balancing Freedom and Security, which was my expository writing class. I particularly enjoyed this class because it allowed me to expand my learning beyond engineering. Being one of the only engineers in the class, it was interesting to hear ideas from students of other backgrounds and for me to bring a more analytical approach to writing. I love the idea that Hopkins is a place where I can explore multiple passions, ranging from engineering to politics. I plan to pursue politics and law after college, so the class was a great first opportunity for me to take an engineering approach to national political issues.” COURTESY OF AJ FERRARA
Sasha Novack, Junior
Major: Physics Favorite class: Introduction to Digital Video Production “My favorite class at Hopkins has so far probably been Introduction to Digital Video Production. It was an extremely special and fun class due to how it required the class to think. As a STEM major, I often find myself following strict rules or sets of equations, not really doing anything creative. This class, however, requires that creativity. The professor was absolutely hilarious and encouraging, and the projects (films, in case the class title didn’t hint at it enough) were enjoyable to make and even more fun to watch with the rest of the class.”
8
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
The Cover-Letter
COURTESY OF SASHA NOVACK
August 30, 2018
The long, yellow brick road to finding the right major at Hopkins By KATHERINE LOGAN Voices Editor
A
mong the go-to questions that you’re bound to be asked, not only as a freshman but throughout your years at Hopkins, are the ever-daunting “What’s your major?” or “What are you interested in?” I think part of what makes the opportunity to define yourself a simultaneously exciting and overwhelming prospect is that you have a clean slate. Free from any high school cliques or reputations that once clung to you, here you can choose to be exactly the same — or someone completely new. Of course, as Superman taught us, with great power comes great responsibility, and the pressure to make the most of your time at Hopkins and to start knocking out credits for a specific major, gearing up for that longterm life plan, can be intense. I’m here to tell you to close your eyes, take a deep breath and recognize that (as cliché as it may sound) you don’t need to have the entire road mapped out in front of you. In fact, if my experience is any indication, it just might be more fun if you don’t. I came into Hopkins with a passion for writing, as well as a budding interest in psychology. Throughout my freshman year, I took courses in both the Writing Seminars and Psychological & Brain Sciences departments. Then, in the fall of my sophomore year, I tried taking the first statistics course I would need in order to pursue a psychology major. As predicted, the results were not pretty. I dropped the course and, along with it, my desire to major in psychology. Besides, I had already been
questioning whether I really wanted to deal with other people’s stresses and traumas on a daily basis anyways. Had you asked me my freshman year, I would have told you that nothing could detract me from double-majoring in Psychology. Yet, still, from where I stand halfway through my time at this academic institution, Intro to Forensic Psychology with Professor Raifman is one of the best classes I’ve had the opportunity to take. I do not regret the time I invested in studying psychology at all; it widened my perspective and made me a more interesting, well-rounded person and writer. Sometimes the best classes you take have nothing directly to do with your major. They’re whimsical and fun and interesting, and your genuine desire to be there engaging with the material drives you in a unique, refreshing way. It’s more than okay if this doesn’t happen, but who knows, you might find a new major or minor that you want to pursue this way or meet a faculty member willing to mentor you, whose insights and support you would’ve missed out on if you didn’t take a risk. For instance, it was only after taking classes in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality department that I fully realized my passion for studying gender equity and decided to minor in the subject. Similarly it
was only through taking a Freshman Seminar — I highly recommend you take at least one your first year here — whose title caught my eye that I took a course with Professor Refini. Cut to my junior year, he continues to serve as a great resource and is currently advising me on my thesis on fairy tales and feminism for the Honors Program in the Humanities. From the start of your career here to your last days on campus, whether you’re feeling completely overwhelmed or simply need a subtle push in the right direction, your academic and faculty advisors are here for you. I promise you that even if you initially feel intimidated going to them, solidifying a relationship with them is worth it. I know it may be easier
said than done, but you should never feel like you are “bothering them.” It is their job to help you, and chances are that they will be genuinely happy to do so. Without my academic advisor, I would have missed out on a variety of key opportunities (from research to invaluable internships) that have been some of the highlights of my time as a student here. Don’t fret if you don’t see a perfect yellow brick road laid out in front of you with a degree and the career of your dreams at its end. Like Dorothy and her friends, use your intellect, follow your heart and muster your courage. Know that you were chosen to be at this intense but wonderful place for a reason, and if I could find my way, you can too.
You were chosen to be at this intense but wonderful place for a reason, and if I could find my way, you can too.
The Cover-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
9
JEANNE LEE/CARTOONS EDITOR
August 30, 2018
Our best tips for navigating Brody and MSE By ARIELLA SHUA Your Weekend Editor
Y
ou’ve no doubt noticed the interconnected buildings behind the Beach, one older and shorter, the other newer and sleek. They’re empty now but they won’t be for long. These are MSE and Brody. If you’re a typical Hopkins student, they’ll become your second home. The Milton S. Eisenhower Library (MSE) has been the flagship of the Sheridan Libraries since 1964 with over four millions volumes on the shelves. The Brody Learning Commons, which opened in 2012, is a sociable study center. Side by side, it’s easy to spend an entire day going between both buildings. Brody and MSE are central to any student’s weekly, if not daily, routine. This guide will give you a jump start on mastering the Brody and MSE lifestyles.
Librarians
Before exploring the libraries themselves, it’s worth mentioning who make Brody and MSE run so smoothly: the librarians! Dozens of librarians, each with different roles and specialties, are available as resources to students. Jennifer Ditkoff, Student Engagement and Information Fluency Librarian, explained some of the resources available to studens in an email to The News-Letter. “I teach library workshops, run programs for students, partner with offices all over campus and staff the research consultation office,” she wrote. And yes, they want to offer help — you can even text them if you need it! The librarians offer ways to be involved with the library, such as through the paid Freshman Fellows program, the Student Advisory Council or working in Special Collections. Ask them about what’s going on, and you might find some-
10
thing that works for you. Librarians can also help you find books for your classes and research projects. Need a book that isn’t available? If the library doesn’t have the item or if the item is currently checked out, you can request if from the Borrow Direct service. And if you need an article from a source that isn’t stocked, the Interlibrary Loan staff can get it to you for free.
Brody Café
Want a hot cup of coffee, a chocolate muffin and an airy study area? Head to Brody Café. The Daily Grind sells much-needed treats and drinks here. The café is the perfect place for a quick catch-up with friends while you grab a latte. Plus, you’re bound to see familiar faces making their way through, as Brody Café leads into Brody proper. During finals week, the café has free coffee after midnight. It’s a gift unlike any other while cramming for that early morning test.
The Reading Room
Sometimes you need to study in silence while surrounded by hundred-year-old artifacts and plenty of natural sunlight to boot. Sounds impossible, but the Reading Room checks all these boxes. Walk through the wooden doors on Brody’s top floor. You’ll enter another world, one in which silence reigns with a side of sophistication. The tables are often full, but there are cozy armchairs by the windows too. This is one of librarian Heidi Herr’s favorite spots in the library and for good reason. She mentioned the “plethora of curiosities” displayed in the room, such as a Mark Dion art installation and a Victorian-era fan made from a parrot. If you want an atypical study zone, the Reading Room is perfect.
Study Rooms
You’ve probably seen the floating blue room near the top of Brody. You, too, can one day study there, where the walls are white boards and friends can be seen waving from
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
COURTESY OF ROLLIN HU
Constructed in 2012, Brody is a popular study spot with group study rooms and a yummy cafe. across the library. There are 18 Brody and 20 MSE study rooms, and all can be reserved on the library website. You can book rooms a day in advance, and you absolutely should. Otherwise you’ll probably be kicked out by someone with a reservation. We’ve all kicked people out and been kicked out ourselves. It’s practically a Hopkins rite of passage.
The Atrium
As the lowest level of Brody, this open-air study zone is full of comfy chair-desk hybrids, white boards and students pretending to work while actually catching up with friends. Come during the day and you’ll see people hanging out between classes. Come late at night and you’ll see frenzied last minute studying, often accompanied by tons of snacks. Bring the longest charger you’ve got. There are outlets on the Atrium floor, but unless you want to bend over your phone for an hour, it’s easier to just use a cord that’s a few feet long.
M/A Level
Off Brody’s stairways are the first floors of the library. The stereotype of MSE being for silent work isn’t true of M and A Levels. Both encourage group studying, with tables in addition to desks. If you want to get work done while catching up on the latest drama, head to M or A.
The Cover-Letter
MSE floors generally decrease in volume as you go down. But that’s not always the case with M and A Level. M is usually quieter, while A Level is as much of a party as problem sets and projects can be.
B/C Level
Head off the Atrium or keep going down Brody’s stairs and you’ll hit the serious part of MSE. B and C Level are silent zones, but B is more relaxed than C. Noises from the Atrium and whispered conversation keep the atmosphere more casual. C Level, on the other hand, maintains a constant quiet throughout. Both B and C have small rooms along the walls with the doors shut. These rooms can be booked but are often empty, making them ideal for impromptu group study sessions.
D Level
Dead silent. D Level is truly the place where fun goes to die. If you’re the kind of person who likes to study in a place where even breathing is muted, this is the ultimate study space. If you must come down here, don’t you dare wear flip flops, have a cold or keep your ringtone at anything louder than silent. You could be killed — or worse, get a disapproving glare from an engineer who hasn’t emerged from the dungeon in way too long.
August 30, 2018
Visit our website at eatTHB.com THB Bagels + Deli in
CHARLES VILLAGE 3208 St. Paul St.
WELCOME BACK BLUEJAYS! We've got all the bagels you need to boost your brain this semester! Study hard with THB! Hopkins Hometown Bagel! VOTED BALTIMORE’S BEST BAGELS! Download the #myTHB App to Earn Rewards, Free Swag + Access to Special Promotions!
Your guide to getting around Baltimore
By DANIEL LANDY Sports Editor
A
s a new member of the Blue Jay nest, it is important for you and your new friends to spread your wings and fly beyond Homewood Campus. Apps, such as Uber and Lyft, are certainly viable options for transportation. But Hopkins and the city of Baltimore also provide a number of options that are 100 percent free of charge, allowing you to escape the Hopkins bubble while also being cost-effective. However, these options will only be useful if you know which ones you can take to which destinations. Luckily for you, we have prepared a cheat sheet that will help you effectively navigate the City and its surrounding areas without breaking your bank account.
Homewood-Peabody JHMI The JHMI is your best option if you are trying to get to Pennsylvania (Penn) Station, the Peabody Institute or the med campus: three places that are frequented by Hopkins students. The JHMI goes up N. Charles Street and back down St. Paul Street, while stopping at several convenient locations that are in close proximity to the Homewood Campus. You likely already know about Peabody and the Hopkins Hospital, but in case you
are unfamiliar with Penn Station, it is Baltimore’s primary train station and the hub from which you will board either Amtrak or MARC trains. Amtrak trains are the most timeefficient way to travel between major cities in the Northeast, such as Philadelphia and New York. MARC trains are a popular and inexpensive option for traveling to both Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) Airport and Union Station in Washington, D.C. The costs to ride the MARC to these two locations are only $5 and $8, respectively.
Blue Jay Shuttle The Blue Jay Shuttle serves as a form of night transportation for students traveling between locations that are near Homewood. The shuttle has designated routes, as well as an on-request Night Ride option. After 5:30 p.m. students can request a shuttle to transport them between any two specific locations. If a shuttle is not available, fear not! A Lyft, free of charge, will be sent instead. Keep in mind that the Blue Jay Shuttle primarily exists to provide students with a safe way to travel near Homewood at night, when they may otherwise feel uncomfortable walking on foot. If you are planning on requesting a shuttle, be sure that you are within the shuttle’s range, which only extends a few minutes past the confines of the campus. To keep track of the schedules, stops and realtime locations of both the JHMI and the Blue Jay Shuttle, download the TransLoc Rider app. In order to order a Blue Jay Shuttle, use the a for e me nt io n e d app or call (410) 516-8700. Other information is also available on jhu. edu, under Transportation Services.
Pro-tip: Download the Rider, NextBus and Transit apps to track buses in real time and find stop locations.
12
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
Charm City Circulator The city of Baltimore operates a shuttle called the Charm City Circulator, which has four routes throughout the city — Green, Orange, Purple and Banner. The Circulator comes approximately every 15 minutes but you can track it using the NextBus or Transit apps to get a more exact time. The Purple route is the only one that goes near the Homewood Campus. It stops on E. 33rd Street between N. Charles Street and St. Paul Street, right across from Charles Commons. The Purple route will take you to a number of locations south of campus, including Penn Station, Mount Vernon, the Inner Harbor and Federal Hill. If you are already in downtown Baltimore, you can ride the Green or Orange routes to neighborhoods such as Fell’s Point and Little Italy.
There is no doubt that Hopkins will keep you busy with plenty of activities both inside and outside the classroom. However, Baltimore has so many areas beyond the Hopkins bubble that are just waiting to be explored. With all of these free transportation options taking you just about anywhere you’d possibly want to go, cost should never stop you from experiencing everything that Charm City has to offer.
C ol lege t ow n Shuttle Last but not least is the Collegetown Shuttle, which will take you to a number of other colleges in the area, such as Loyola University Maryland and Towson University, or to the Towson area, either to the Towson Place Shopping Center or the Towson Town Center.
The Cover-Letter
August 30, 2018
Charm City’s hidden gems: five spots off the beaten path By AMELIA ISAACS Arts & Entertainment Editor
W
hile the Fresh Food Cafe (FFC) will probably be the place you go to most often for food, and the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) the place you go to most often when you need to feel like you’re doing something cultured, there are plenty of hidden treasures in Baltimore — if one only dares to pop the bubble. I know it can be more than tempting to just find your comfort spots within a 10-mile radius of campus and stick to them, but I can promise you that you’ll be rewarded if and when you choose to venture off the beaten path. Although I strongly encourage you to find your own favorite hidden spots in Baltimore (please don’t steal my go-to off-campus study spots), here are just a few of mine to get you started...
COURTESY OF KELSEY KO
Pitango Gelato in Fells Point serves a variety of flavors of artisanal gelato and vegan sorbet.
Trohv I stumbled across Trohv by accident, and it really is a trove (short for treasure trove), which is defined as a “store of valuable or delightful things.” To be honest, I don’t think this store could have a more fitting name. I could truly spend hours wandering around this shop and probably not see everything that they have to offer. Everywhere you look there’s something different and quirky but not in a way that’s overwhelming. Pop in when you’re in Hampden; I’ve found that the ideal time is before or after your relatives take you for a meal at The Food Market or Golden West Cafe...
HandleBar Cafe If you happen to find yourself one of roughly a dozen people that end up staying on campus over spring break, you will realize that you’re essentially forced to explore life outside the Hopkins campus (mainly because there will be no life on the Hopkins campus). Discovering HandleBar Cafe was possibly one of the highlights of my freshman break — trust me, I realize how sad that sounds. But this restaurant/bar/café/bike shop is one of the most eccentric and unique places that I’ve found in Baltimore so far.
Opened in 2017, HandleBar Cafe is Baltimore’s first “Bicycle Cafe” and, located in a renovated warehouse in Fell’s Point, it describes itself as a “magical combo of food, drink, bikes & fun.” Although I can’t vouch for their handmade wood fired pizzas (which looked incredible), their live music was fun and different, and the atmosphere was just great. I’m a sucker for a quirky restaurant, and HandleBar Cafe definitely fits that bill. Make sure to try the fries. #notspon
Pitango Gelato Fells Point Pitango Gelato offers 24 flavors of gelato and 23 flavors of dairy-free sorbet (though, obviously, not all of them are available every day). That’s 47 flavors in total! Maybe I’m easily impressed because I can’t have dairy, and my sorbet options normally consist of lemon, strawberry and sometimes, if I’m really lucky, mango (!), but 23 options is pretty exciting for me. While I can’t speak for the ice cream, every flavor of sorbet that I’ve tried — and the employees are more than happy to let you try different flavors before you buy — has been delicious. It definitely isn’t as cheap as buying a tub of Ben and Jerry’s from CVS, but I guarantee it’s worth the occasional splurge when you decide to venture out to Fell’s Point.
Sherwood Gardens I only found out about Sherwood Gardens during my last month of freshman year, and I wish I had found out sooner. Just a six-minute drive (or 25-minute walk) from campus, Sherwood Gardens covers six acres of North Baltimore and is bursting with beautiful flowers throughout the spring and summer. Despite being free of charge, the gardens are almost unknown to tourists, which makes it a great spot to go to when the Beach doesn’t fulfill your need for flowers and greenery.
Baltimore Center Stage
COURTESY OF KELSEY KO
HandleBar Cafe combines bicycle repair and retail with a full breakfast to dinner menu.
If you’re interested in theater and in getting the best seats (or, in fact, any seats) in the house for just $15, take a look at Baltimore Center Stage in Mount Vernon. I saw two plays there last year — Shakespeare in Love and Animal Farm; they were both fantastic. They have some really interesting shows, and each only runs for about a month, so chances are you’ll find something you like. Coming up next is Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
The Cover-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
August 30, 2018
13
Stand up, be heard: a spotlight on student activism at Hopkins By EMILY MCDONALD News & Features Editor
Courtesy of emeline ArmitAge
Emeline Armitage is the former co-president of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a social democratic student activism movement, and the former president of Voice for Choice, a pro-choice group. She stressed the importance of first finding a cause that you are genuinely passionate about. “I just kept showing up,” Armitage said. “It’s not like Model UN or a debate thing where you can have another mark on your resume, it has to come organically.” Although activism often involves reacting to injustices, it is important for incoming freshmen to remember that it is possible to take proactive political action as well. Armitage explained that although both SDS and Voice for Choice were created in response to events such as the Baltimore uprising and campaigns pushed by Hopkins Voice for Life, her most memorable forms of participation included voluntarily raising money for the Baltimore abortion fund. “[In order to] raise money for an abortion fund, we would do bake sales, fundraisers [and] speaking events,” Armitage said. “It’s great because it’s something proactive we’re doing, we’re not just reacting to something.”
Courtesy of mirA WAttAl
14
Clarissa Chen, president of Refuel our Future, explained that one thing she learned from her efforts to persuade Hopkins to divest from fossil fuels is the unique ability of Hopkins students to sway the University. She reminded future student activists to recognize and use this. “Students actually hold a lot of power. In collective organizing we have more power than Ron Daniels does, because if we come together and demand [some]thing, and this is something that is important to the University’s public image, then they’re going to move in that way,” she said. Chen also stressed that something as simple as showing up and voicing your support at protests or rallies can have a profound impact. “Even if you don’t want to be actively involved in the planning or the organizing around that, it’s just showing up that’s so important,” she said.“It’s a very simple political action to take.”
Courtesy of JoHn guess
Courtesy of ClArissA CHen
Senior Chisom Okereke is the president of the Black Student Union (BSU), a group that has taken a number of actions that successfully fostered change. Notably, the BSU presented the University’s administration with a list of demands which advocated for an increased recruitment of black professors and later led to the foundation of the Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion. For future student activists, Okereke emphasized the importance of persistence and creating accountability. “Persistence has really been something that has helped us get to where we are now [through] being loud and vocal,” Okereke said. “I think that one of the best ways to get administration to work with you is to establish accountability, so if you’re talking about it and people know about it, they know that it’s not something that can be pushed under the rug.”
Junior Mira Wattal is an active member of Students Against Private Police (SAPP), a coalition of 11 different student groups who oppose the creation of a private Hopkins police force. For incoming freshmen interested in getting involved, Wattal explained that a necessary first step is gathering input from members of the community and always considering the potential consequences of their actions. “Obviously, I wouldn’t recommend that students walk into Baltimore City and just pretend like they know what the issues are and how to fix them,” she said. “If you’re not a Baltimore City resident and you don’t know the City’s struggles, you will actually do more harm than good even if you have good intentions. It’s not about intentions, it’s about what the impacts are.” She also recommended spending time building relationships with one’s peers, both on and off campus. “One thing I really learned just from being around a lot of great student organizers or city organizers is just that community is really important, so cultivating those relationships... that’s what’s going to drive a sustainable movement,” Wattal said.
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
The Cover-Letter
August 30, 2018
Historical facts to help you win Charm City trivia By MEAGAN PEOPLES News & Features Editor
MOMENTS IN HISTORY The General Assembly of Maryland established Baltimore in 1729. It was named after Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, in the Irish House of Lords, who was the founding proprietor of the Province of Maryland. Closer to large Midwestern cities than any other harbors on the East Coast, Baltimore soon became a trade hub and was the second-busiest port of entry for immigration. Shipping mainly happened out of Fell’s Point, Locust Point and Canton rather than the Inner Harbor. Charm City is also home to the B&O Railroad, the country’s oldest public railroad. Built in 1830, B&O was one of the first companies to use an American-built steam engine. The city also played an important role during the Revolutionary War. In response to high taxes from the British, many merchants within the city signed agreements to not trade with Great Britain. This was particularly impactful in light of Baltimore’s role as an import route to the Midwest. Baltimore’s most famous historical moment occurred during the battle of 1812. Maryland-born lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. Later, inspired
by the sight of the American flag still waving above the fort at dawn, Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the poem that would later become our national anthem.
FAMOUS LANDMARKS
Lexington Market is located in West Baltimore. It is the oldest market in the U.S. and almost as old as the country itself. Founded in 1782, by the mid-19th century it was unquestionably the largest, most famous market in America. While it started as an outdoor collection of stands and carts, the market is now located within two large buildings and is considered a Baltimore icon. The Washington Monument is the first monument to honor the first president, George Washington. Construction on the monument began in 1815 by the same man who would later build the National Mall and the Washington Monument in D.C. The ground floor contains a gallery featuring the history of the Mount Vernon area and the accomplishments of George Washington. The tower has a total of 227 marble steps which lead to a great view of the city. Phoenix Shot Tower is one of Baltimore’s first National Historic Landmarks. When it was constructed in 1828 near Inner Harbor, it stood at 234 feet and was the tallest building in the U.S. Molten lead was dropped from the top of the tower and poured through a sieve into a vat of cold water in order to create ammunition for rifles and cannons. Even after this method of creating ammunition became obsolete, residents raised $17,000 in orCOuRTEsY Of mEAGAN PEOPlEs der to buy the Over 80 vendors offer their wares at the historic Lexington Market. monument and
keep it from being demolished. The city officially took ownership of it in 1925. Later, in the 1960s, the building was used as a bomb shelter.
PEOPLE Edgar Allan Poe was born EDA INCEKARA/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR in Boston, but The Washington Monument in Mount Vernon stands at almost 179 feet. later moved and eventually died in Baltimore from first five inaugural members to the causes that remain unknown. Poe Baseball Hall of Fame, many people was acclaimed for his macabre writ- consider Ruth an American icon for ing and is perhaps most famous for his time as a Major League Baseball his poem “The Raven.” Poe is also player. Two of his batting records recredited with inventing the detec- main unbroken in 2018. tive story contributing to the invenIrene Morgan was a civil rights tion of science fiction. activist and Baltimore native. Morgan Born in Baltimore, Thurgood Mar- sued the Commonwealth of Virginia shall became the first African-Ameri- after refusing to give up her seat on a can Supreme Court Justice in 1967. He Greyhound bus to a white passenger. also founded the National Association Though she was seated in the colored for the Advancement of Colored Peo- section, the driver pulled over and ple’s Legal Defense and Educational had her arrested when she refused to Fund, which focuses on litigation and give up her seat. The case eventually advocacy for people of color. In his role made it to the Supreme Court, which at the Defense Fund, Marshall repre- ruled in her favor, declaring racial sented Donald Gaines Murray whose segregation in interstate transport to application to the University of Mary- be unconstitutional. This occurred land School of Law was rejected be- more than a decade before Rosa Parks cause of his race. This case ultimately made her famous stand against racial made it to the Supreme Court, which segregation in Montgomery. ruled in favor of Murray. This case set Frederick Douglass was brought the precedent for making segregation to Baltimore at just seven or eight to illegal in Maryland. be the companion of a young white Babe Ruth was born in 1895 in boy. After escaping from slavery, Baltimore and was signed to the Bal- Douglass became a leader in the abtimore Orioles directly from a reform olitionist movement. He wrote sevschool for boys in West Baltimore. Ru- eral books and actively supported mor has it that he was sent to this in- suffrage. He held several political stitution, where he acquired valuable appointments and became the first life and baseball skills, after breaking African American to run for Vice windows while playing streetball. The President, as part of the Equal Rights media gave Ruth unprecendented at- Party ticket. Douglass later returned tention for both his record-breaking to Baltimore and built row houses for games on the field and his scandalous African-American families which womanizing off the field. One of the still stand in Fell’s Point.
The Cover-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
August 30, 2018
15
How I found an unexpected home in Baltimore didn’t know what to expect from Baltimore and, frankly, I didn’t care. I planned to be in and out in four years. At least I was getting out of Texas. And for the first few months, I didn’t let myself settle down. Baltimore wasn’t home, but Texas wasn’t home, either. I made no effort to explore the city and, as much as courtesy of alyssa wooden I missed my Took found a home in Baltimore after getting involved in the community. mom and my dogs, I didn’t particularly want to return to TexBy JACOB TOOK as during breaks, either. Managing Editor But in the spring of my freshman hen I’m in Balti- year, my mom decided to move to more, I say I’m Kansas. And that move made me realize from Texas. When I’m not in Balti- that as much as I suffered through more, I say I’m high school, as much as country life from Baltimore. Texas is a good place doesn’t suit me and as many reasons as I have to hate Texas, I have a lot of to be from, not a good place to be. There aren’t many things I miss nostalgia for the state. I miss the park where my friends about Texas. We have beautiful sunsets. I love sitting down in any res- and I would go when we skipped taurant and getting a sweet tea. I class. I miss Mr. Chopsticks, our wear cowboy boots and I say y’all favorite restaurant. I miss driving (with relish). But growing up in a through endless pastures blasting deep red state with unbearably hot old Lady Gaga and feeling the wind summers and an unhealthy obses- in my hair. And those memories sion with high school football, I was remind me that Denton, the town I was so ready to leave behind, will alquite excited to get out. I didn’t apply to a single school in ways be my hometown. Of course, I left all that behind Texas. I didn’t visit Baltimore when I made my college choice, but as far when I came to college. I never as I was concerned it wasn’t Texas, planned to go back. But I never so I was happy to make the move. planned to put down roots in BaltiMy journey to Hopkins is a long sto- more, either. That changed when my ry, but suffice to say it was not my mom moved. Leaving Texas, I had a choice. I first choice. Disenchanted after failing to se- could either call Kansas home or recure a spot in my dream school, I consider Baltimore. And suddenly
W
16
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
the city I didn’t care much about, borhoods, meeting its residents and the city that I didn’t plan on settling learning more about its past and its in, took on a new importance to me. present. It’s called Charm City for a When I started talking to my reason. It really saddens me that so friends about Baltimore, I realized many students miss out on that. how many people are loath to settle And when I think about the reain the city. They are here for school. sons I love the city, all the memoThey go home during breaks (some- ries I’ve made here and all the ways times even on the weekends). When I want to help Baltimore, it’s hard they graduate, there is no question to believe that two years ago the that they will move away, whether city meant almost nothing to me. home or somewhere unknown. Back then, I planned to leave in And I started to realize that four years. Now, I want to spend many Hopkins students don’t care my life here. about the city. Hopkins students are For better or worse, Denton will poised to do a lot of good helping always be my hometown. It’s where Baltimore, a city which has some I grew up and where I made my first undeniable problems. lifelong friends. I don’t plan to move I’ve seen students and com- back, but I look forward to going munity leaders come together to back and sipping a sweet tea while energize people and create real I watch the sunset with my friends change. But a lot of students miss from the patio of Mr. Chopsticks. out on that, sheltered on HomeBut Texas isn’t my home anymore. wood where they can ignore the And Kansas isn’t my home, either. I city around them. don’t even know my mom’s address. I started to question how I could On breaks I don’t “go home,” but inlive in this city for four years and stead I “go visit my mom.” When I engage so little with its community. go, I stay in a guest bedroom. How could I not be enraged by BalI didn’t want to at first, but eventimore’s corrupt tually I let myself police force? How settle down in Balcould I not want timore, and that to help give a voice You might be was the best thing I to the city’s under- surprised by what you could have done to represented commake me feel more munities? How find and by how your at home in college. could I sit back and This city has so watch Governor college experience much to offer, so Larry Hogan de- changes when you much more than stroy the city? you can find takSo I started embrace the city. ing an Uber down to call Baltimore to Inner Harbor. home. I registered Please, follow a local to vote and started paying attention newspaper on Twitter. Find a new café to Maryland politics. Through re- to study in before finals. Yell angrily porting for The News-Letter, I met lo- about what the Mayor is up to these cal organizers and other community days even if you aren’t quite sure what leaders. I learned more about the that is (probably something shady). city’s history and about the current And Baltimore may not become issues important to residents. your new home. But you might be The problems Baltimore has are surprised by what you find and by not the reasons I love the city. I love how your college experience changBaltimore because it has such vibrant es when you embrace the city. You’re character. Baltimoreans are resilient, here for at least four years, so you creative, determined and warm, wel- might as well make the most of it. coming people. Baltimore is my home, and I would I love exploring the city’s neigh- love to share it with you.
The Cover-Letter
August 30, 2018
Roommate Survival Guide
1
By KATIE TAM Copy Editor
Roommates. A quintessential part of the College Experience™. Who your roommate is can have a big impact on the rest of your life — I mean you are living with this person for a year in pretty tight quarters. So if you don’t want to end up hating the person you’re living with two months into the semester, keep reading for roommate do’s and don’t’s.
Do’s
Don’ts
Outline some boundaries to start the year off in the right direction. Sit down and talk with your roommates about rules you’d like to establish. Doing this now helps set a routine and can hopefully save some headaches down the line. Be open about what you are and aren’t comfortable with and be willing to make reasonable changes to your own lifestyle as well.
Create a schedule for shared housekeeping chores. This includes cleaning the bathroom (if you’re not in the AMRs) and taking out any shared trash cans. If one person cleaned the bathroom last month, the other should clean it this month. If one person took out the trash this week, the other should take it out next week. Common sense, right? But when classes really start to pick up and you forget a couple times, having a schedule helps keeps things organized.
3
Get to know each other! Invite your roommate to have dinner at the Fresh Food Cafe (FFC) or R. House, or go explore Hampden together. You’ll both be in the same boat coming into Hopkins, so your roommate can be one of the first friends you make on campus.
Communicate when you have problems. This is probably the most important tip I have. No amount of praying or ranting to your friends back home will magically change anything. This can be hard, especially if you don’t like confrontation or if you’re afraid of ruining a friendship. But again, nothing will change if you don’t speak up. This includes speaking to your RA too if you can’t get through to your roommate; they’re there to help!
18
2
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
4
1
Don’t try to sneak in animals. I mean, you should know this already because it’s against housing policies, but I just wanted to remind you. Not speaking from personal experience or anything (cough, cough), but don’t do it.
Don’t invite people over to your room without letting your roommate know in advance. A quick text is all you need. I’m sure no one wants to come back to their room ready for a nap only to find a group of people hanging out there. This includes significant others! As much as you may love having them around all the time, your roommate probably doesn’t feel the same.
3
Don’t be too loud when the other is trying to study or sleep. Self-explanatory, but this is especially important as classes start getting busier and the endless cycle of midterms begins. Understand that your roommate will probably have different sleep and study habits than what you are used to. Learning to accept this and compromise when these habits may not line up with your expectations is especially important as you both get busy with classes and clubs.
You and your roommate don’t have to be best friends. And to be honest it’s unlikely that you will be. But you are sharing a space and should be respectful of each other’s boundaries. Most of these tips seem pretty straightforward, but when you’re living with someone else, habits you’ve developed over the years that seem completely fine to you may be annoying to others. Learning to compromise while also being respectful is something you’ll learn through trial and error. Your College Experience™ will be so much better if you do.
The Cover-Letter
2
4
August 30, 2018
Charles Village Distance: 0 miles Transportation: Walk Attractions: Restaurants on St. Paul Street, Baltimore Museum of Art, Waverly Farmers Market Bonus fact: The iconic Charles Village row houses are a result of a 1998 contest offering up to $3,000 for the best porch or front door.
Hampden Distance: 1 mile Transportation: Blue Jay Shuttle Attractions: Hampdenfest, Trohv, The Charmery, cafes and vintage stores on The Avenue Bonus fact: The houses on 34th Street are lit up with lights and decorations every holiday season in a tradition known as Miracle on 34th Street.
Inner Harbor Distance: 4 miles Transportation: Charm City Circulator Purple Route Attractions: National Aquarium, Dragon Boats, USS Constellation, The Gallery Bonus fact: Held every April, the Light City festival features music, food and luminous art installations. Fell’s Point Distance: 5 miles Transportation: Charm City Circulator Purple Route Attractions: Fell’s Point Farmers Market, views of the harbor, Chesapeake Bay cuisine Bonus fact: Frederick Douglass lived here as a slave. He returned after escaping to freedom to build housing for African Americans.
Federal Hill Distance: 4 miles Transportation: Charm City Circulator Purple Route Attractions: American Visionary Art Museum, Cross Street Market, Federal Hill Park Bonus Fact: Fort McHenry, birthplace of the national anthem, is located at the edge of nearby Locust Point.
Baltimore’s Neighborhoods By ALYSSA WOODEN Managing Editor
Towson Distance: 7 miles Transportation: Collegetown Shuttle Attractions: Town Center, Kung Fu Tea, Towson University Bonus fact: There are over a dozen restaurants within walking distance of the shuttle stop, including The Melting Pot, Sushi Hana and the original THB.
Station North Distance: 2 miles Transportation: JHMI or Charm City Circulator Attractions: The Charles Theater, Penn Station, JHU-MICA Film Center, outdoor murals Bonus fact: Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival, is held every summer. The festival hosts local vendors, art installations and food stalls.
Mt. Vernon Distance: 3 miles Transportation: JHMI Attractions: George Peabody Library, The Walters Art Museum, Ceremony Coffee Roasters, The Bun Shop, Koffee Therapy Bonus fact: The Baltimore Pride parade used to take place in Mt. Vernon but was moved in 2018 due to traffic congestion.
The Cover-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
August 30, 2018
19
Student Involvement Fair sneak preview: Hopkins club spotlight By BRIANNA DANG For The News-Letter
T
here are over 400 student groups at Hopkins, many of which will be at the Student Involvement Fair on Sept. 7. We’ve highlighted a small selection here. Tutorial Project seeks to provide a supportive environment for elementary school children through one-on-one tutoring. “Tutorial is the only place on campus where I can be doing work one moment and then be in the middle of a cartwheel contest the next.” James Yu, 2019.
COURTESY OF ASTROJAYS
AstroJays compete in rocket design. AstroJays is a student-led rocketry team that competes in the Spaceport America Cup. “I first joined the AstroJays because of my interest in aerospace, but I soon learned that high-powered rocketry is a lot more than just building something vaguely rocket-shaped and strapping propellant to it. It involves a wide range of disciplines, from the design and manufacturing of engines to the programming of the electronics that control flight. I’m getting hands-on experience I don’t typically get in my classes.” Annika Torp, 2021.
20
Hopkins Women’s Rugby Football Club is a competitive rugby team. “I joined Women’s Rugby freshman year because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and try something new. Joining the team has given me a fun, athletic outlet to escape academic stress, along with a group of friends who I know will have my back both on and off the field.” Cassie Oranzi, 2021.
Hopkins Quidditch is a fast-paced game welcome to people of all athletic abilities. “I joined the club because when I walked past their practice, I saw them running around and laughing and it just looked like a ton of fun. I’m not a Harry Potter fan at all, but that really didn’t matter. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you like, or what you can do physically or intellectually, everyone will accept you. We’re just a bunch of weirdos playing a madeup game at the end of the day. I guess that acceptance is what I like most about Quidditch.” Jon Judd, 2020.
Notes of Ranvier is the only co-ed community service acappella group on campus. “The Notes of Ranvier has given me an unforgettable musical experience and a family for the next four years. From cosplay enthusiasts to Olympic athletes, Notes is a salad bowl of diversity. It pushed my comfort zone in a way no other experience on campus could.” Justin Huang, 2020.
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
COURTESY OF ECLECTICS
Eclectics is a student dance group. Eclectics Dance Group is a co-ed student-run dance group that works with a variety of styles. “After spending a year with Eclectics, I can say that it honestly exceeded my expectations. I’ve learned so much, and it’s done wonders for my stress levels during the academic year, but I would say the most impactful thing about joining Eclectics was becoming friends with the kind and passionate people that make such a student organization possible.” Julia Zeng, 2021.
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha (SIA) is the only Latina-based sorority on campus. “When I joined SIA, I was looking for a community that I could relate to in terms of my Latinx cultural heritage. After joining my precious and rare sisterhood, I found myself receiving more than I expected. I gained inspiring sisters, a strong sense of community, leadership skills and confidence in my abilities.” Kimberly González Davalos, 2019.
COURTESY OF SIA
SIA is a Latina-based cultural sorority.
The Cover-Letter
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (oSTEM) is a national organization that provides services and support for LGBTQA students in STEM. “As a queer person pursuing a career in STEM, it can be daunting to seek out job and internship opportunities where I can be sure that my identity will be accepted. Being part of oSTEM has provided me with a community of queer STEM-oriented people to learn from and support, even as I go into work that has a stereotype of being competitive, cis-straightmale-dominated and unsupportive to queer identities.” Sonomi Oyagi, 2021.
COURTESY OF CIRCLE OF WOMEN
This club addresses female illiteracy.
COURTESY OF CCSL
Circle of Women aims to provide women access to education through fundraising for the construction of safe schools in areas with low female literacy rates. “I spearheaded Circle of Women as [a] sophomore after discussing the global nature of female illiteracy. From that moment to now, it’s been a remarkable journey empowering our team members with unparalleled opportunities in leadership, as well as empowering girls internationally with access to schools and life skills curriculums.” Samavia Khan, 2019.
Charm City Science League (CCSL) aims to increase academic performance in Baltimore middle schools through mentoring and Science Olympiad competitions. “I joined CCSL originally because it was the only club I found that did something related to Science Olympiad, which was a huge part of high school for me. But the most rewarding thing about CCSL is having the opportunity to interact with and mentor younger students in Baltimore and eventually watch them celebrate winning medals at tournaments after a year of hard work.” Evelyn Yeh, 2019.
Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is a co-ed community service fraternity that volunteers on campus and throughout Baltimore. “Joining APO allowed me to meet so many new people and become more involved around Baltimore! My connection with and appreciation of Baltimore has been strengthened by the service projects I do through APO. I’ve also been able to form lasting friendships with people and have had so much fun at family events, fellowships or even just hanging out with my big and other members.” Sofia Ryan, 2019.
CCSL works in Baltimore schools.
August 30, 2018
Why we joined The News-Letter, and why you should too By MORGAN OME Editor-in-Chief
P
eople often say that love makes you do crazy things. During the winter break of my freshman year — still sad about the end of my first high school relationship — those crazy things included watching clips of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on loop, crying in bed for hours and rereading old messages late at night. Needless to say, I was not the most fun person to be around. Having watched enough romcoms to last a lifetime, I felt that I needed a major life change to occur. Instead of moving to a new country or chopping off my hair, I decided to email The News-Letter asking if I could join despite having no previous experience. One of the news editors emailed me back right away and told me to come to the next meeting. Two weeks later, I nervously made my way along the frozen sidewalk to The Gatehouse, the small green brick building near the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) that serves as The News-Letter office. I sat down on an old couch surrounded by strangers and signed up for my first article. Angela Davis, a scholar and former Black Panther member, was visiting campus that week, so I went to cover her talk as well as interview students. Reporting was an experience unlike anything I’d done before. I had the privilege of listening to people share their thoughts and of shaping the story. And in the midst of scribbling down notes and recording interviews, I forgot about being sad. That first article marked the beginning of my love for journalism. I’ve continued to become a writer, a layout editor and most recently, a news and features editor. Even after three years, I still marvel in the magic of producing a newspaper. It amazes
me how we take transcripts, photos and ideas and transform them into a 24-page print edition every Thursday. The News-Letter has introduced me to some of my best friends: people who are curious about the world who and ask big questions. I credit The NewsLetter for teaching me to look deeply and critically at the issues facing Hopkins students and the Baltimore community. In the last year alone, our paper has covered everything from the hidden costs of being a Residential Advisor (RA), to the push for a campus police force, to the Baltimore City Public Schools heating crisis. The News-Letter has taught me other things, too. How to churn out 1,300 words in a few hours. How to appreciate an institution, whether it be the University, the City or even this very newspaper, for its strengths, while also constantly working to make it better. I know now that love indeed makes you do crazy things. Crazy things like stay up until 3 a.m. to perfect the front page, research state legislative bills for hours or approach complete strangers and ask them to share their opinions. I may have joined The News-Letter because of a high school break-up, but what I got was a great college love story.
By KELSEY KO Editor-in-Chief
I
n high school, I was an arts kid. Theater, orchestra, choir — you name it, I did it. I also took classes in poetry and did a lot of that. To me, journalism seemed like another creative outlet that I hadn’t explored yet, and like any eager college freshman, I was itching to join new clubs the second I stepped foot on campus. So, no, I don’t have any crazy reason for why I joined The News-Letter, besides having always loved writing and knowing that I wanted to try something new. But I do know exactly why I stayed. Growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, I was so unbelievably sheltered from what was happening in the world. Being a part of The NewsLetter truly opened my eyes to the experiences of others and the injustices of the world. A breakthrough moment for me was when I interviewed a student in the LGBTQA community. She explained to me how she came to terms with being asexual, her struggles with telling friends and family, and the times she had felt excluded or misunderstood because of their identity.
EDA IncEkArA/PhotogrAPhy EDItor
Ome and Ko both joined The News-Letter their freshman year and are now the editors-in-chief.
I was astounded by her trust and confidence in me even though I was only a freshman reporter. I learned so much from those two hours spent on Brody Terrace, listening to her story. In that moment I realized how truly precious a story could be and how special a journalist’s job is. At Hopkins, where everyone is stressed and everyone has a lot on their plate and everyone is busy with things to do, it is so easy to forget the individual nature of struggle. How it feels and how it is so, so personal. The News-Letter has reminded me over and over again about how important it is to care about every person’s unique perspective and experience. Listening to others and handing them the microphone has made me a better person. More than that, The News-Letter has given me a community — people who make me laugh until my sides hurt and who care deeply about each other, Baltimore and social justice. We go to protests and talks and explore the city together. We send each other interesting articles and discuss how these ideas push us to think harder, write better and hold our newspaper to a higher standard for the Hopkins and Baltimore community. We eat gross amounts of food, make fun of each other to no end and lean on each other when we need to cry. And every Wednesday night, fueled by caffeine and our belief that good journalism matters, we stay up late in our cozy little office called the Gatehouse and make a paper. When I think of my happy place in college, it’s 7 p.m. during our weekly staff meeting, curled up on one of the too-soft couches in the Gatehouse and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow editors. We’re laughing, talking about the week ahead and reminiscing about the weekend behind us. Joining The News-Letter was one of the best decisions I’ve made at Hopkins. It could be one of yours, too.
The Cover-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
August 30, 2018
21
Get to know The News-Letter staff...
Claire Beaver ‘20 Arts Editor Writing Seminars, History of Art Spirit animal: Corgi You in three adjectives: sarcastic, tired, zesty Weird fact: I stepped on Mario Lopez’s lunch one day while interviewing him for the kids’ section of a newspaper
Sarah Y. Kim ‘20 Opinions Editor International Studies, Writing Seminars Spirit animal: Coral You in three adjectives: bleep bloop blep Weird fact: I can sing Silent Night in German
22
Jaemie Bennett ‘21 SciTech Editor Molecular and Cellular Biology, Earth and Planetary Sciences Spirit animal: Pachycephalosaurus from the new Jurassic World movie Weird fact: I’ve owned 19 dwarf hamsters in my lifetime
Elaine Chiao ‘20 SciTech Editor Molecular and Cellular Biology Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: I once had 13 dogs in my house Celebrity you’d switch lives with: Emma Watson Fave Baltimore food spot: Blue Moon Cafe
Sam Farrar ‘21 Social Media Editor Political Science
Esther Hong ‘19 Sports Editor Public Health
Most newsworthy thing Last thing that made you you’ve ever done: Got my laugh: My doge Albert high school principal fired (deservedly) You in three adjectives: I’m just hungry Celebrity you’d switch lives with: Toby Maguire Weird fact: My name because he’s not famous was Lauren for the first anymore four years of my life
Eda Incekara ‘20 Photography Editor Neuroscience, Psychology Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: Playing the drums at a venue in Italy where the Spice Girls used to perform You in three adjectives: grateful, kind, calm Fave Baltimore food spot: Cafe Gia
Kelsey Ko ‘19 Editor-in-Chief International Studies
Daniel Landy ‘19 Sports Editor International Studies
Jeanne Lee ‘19 Cartoons Editor English, Public Health
Jason Li ‘20 Chief Business Officer Neuroscience
Katherine Logan ‘20 Voices Editor Writing Seminars
Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: Meeting Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of Hamilton :’)
Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: Surviving an insanely treacherous bike trip in China
Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: I’ve changed my major at least five times
Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: Did not get hit by senioritis until after high school
Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: I perfected the Beyonce “Crazy in Love” walk
Next place you want to visit: Croatia
You in three adjectives: Last thing that made you calm, creative, sleepy laugh: My stuffed bear
Fave Baltimore food spot: Boog’s BBQ at Camden Yards
Celebrity you’d switch Celebrity you’d switch lives with: Beyonce be- lives with: Jackie Chan cause I can’t sing
Celebrity you’d switch lives with: Blake Lively (those clothes, adorable children, Ryan Reynolds, our mutual love of baking and friendship with T-Swift!)
Celebrity you’d switch lives with: Does Shawn Mendes have a girlfriend because her
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
The Cover-Letter
Amelia Issacs ‘21 Arts Editor English, Medicine, Science & the Humanities Childhood dream job: Musical theatre actress Next place you want to visit: Portugal Fave Baltimore food spot: HandleBar Cafe
Rudy Malcom ‘21 Magazine Editor Writing Seminars, Psychology Spirit animal: Meerkat fetus Weird fact: I was conceived in a Petri dish, which is, for a Writing Sems major, an arguably BME thing to do
August 30, 2018
...with this Q&A!
Emily McDonald ‘20 News & Features Editor English, Writing Seminars Last thing that made you laugh: A Friends re-run
Greg Melick ‘19 Sports Editor Economics, Applied Math and Statistics Spirit animal: Giraffe
You in three adjectives: idealistic, hardworking, quiet
Childhood dream job: Professional baseball player
Weird fact: I was terrified of Mr. Bean as a kid
Fave Baltimore food spot: THB Bagels
Katie Tam ‘20 Copy Editor Economics, English
Jacob Took ‘20 Managing Editor Writing Seminars, English, Russian
Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: Getting chased by a llama at Machu Picchu Childhood dream job: Pilot Weird fact: I don’t like chocolate
Spirit animal: Grizzly bear You in three adjectives: Gay, thicc, proud Weird fact: I grew up on a ranch
Morgan Ome ‘19 Editor-in-Chief Writing Seminars, Italian
Diva Parekh ‘19 News & Features Editor Physics
Last thing that made you laugh: “Game of Goats”
Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: Died
Spirit animal: Turtle or Gollum
Childhood dream job: Professional ice cream taster
You in three adjectives: feisty, principled, curious
Weird fact: I am part of a long line of former N-L Copy Editors who have fallen off a horse
Karen Wang ‘20 Shefali Vijay ‘21 Magazine Editor Photography Editor Molecular and Cellular Cognitive Science Biology Most newsworthy thing Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: I once you’ve ever done: Steal- snuck out of the house at ing an entire pie from 4 a.m. to pick up a friend the FFC and then getting called out on the meme Childhood dream job: Astronaut page Spirit animal: One of Celebrity you’d switch those smol boy monkeys lives with: Nicki Minaj
By RUDY MALCOM & KAREN WANG Magazine Editors
Carmen Schafer ‘21 Meagan Peoples ‘19 News & Features Editor Copy Editor Chemistry, Writing Semi- Economics, History nars Most newsworthy thing Most newsworthy thing you’ve ever done: Experiyou’ve ever done: Lived ence seven concussions through a magnitude You in three adjectives: nine earhquake Savage, sleepy, suffering Spirit animal: Sexy chipCelebrity you’d switch munk lives with: Donald Trump Chilldhood dream job: so I could return to being a celebrity and not POTUS Ninja princess
Katy Wilner ‘21 News & Features Editor International Studies, English Spirit animal: A 40-pound cat Next place you want to visit: A pig beach Weird fact: I used to be a competitive figure skater
Ariella Shua ‘21 Your Weekend Editor Writing Seminars Most newsworthy thing yo’ve ever done: Highfived 49 strangers and tied a random girl’s shoe while climbing a mountain on a hike in the desert Weird fact: I have a Harry Potter scar on my finger
Elaine Wong ‘19 Alyssa Wooden ‘20 Webmaster Managing Editor Computer Science, Writing Public Health Seminars Spirit animal: Sloth Spirit animal: Angry red panda Weird fact: I was born on the same day as Shawn Childhood dream job: The Mendes genetic engineer who invents Pokemon Celebrity you’d switch lives with: North West Weird fact: I’ve written over 200,000 words of fanfiction
The Cover-Letter The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
August 30, 2018
23
BEST BREAKFAST SPOT!
Sam’s Canterbury Café offers quality food and drink while providing meaningful employment for individuals on the autism spectrum.
SAM’s c anter uryCafé
We’re right around the corner! D EL COM IVERY ING S OON
!
b
ALL DAY BREAKFAST - EVERY DAY | WEEKEND BRUNCH | LUNCH Zeke’s Coffee | House-made Pastries | Signature Flatbreads & More Free Wi-Fi | Dog-Friendly Outdoor Patio | Book Exchange | Catering
Mon-Fri 7-5 & Sat & Sun 9-5 | 3811 Canterbury Rd @39th St | SamsCanterburyCafe.com