Equinox 4.2.15

The Equinox Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

The student voice of Keene State College

Vol. 67, Issue #21

Thursday, aprIl 2, 2015

[ KSCEquinox.com ]

silence speaks

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION / PHOTO EDITOR KYLE BAILEY

BRIEF

SKYLER FRAZER

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News editor Keene State College President Anne Huot held a press conference Friday, March 27, to open a discussion regarding last year’s investigations of Eugene “Gino” Vallante and two other KSC coaches.

Skyler Frazer can be contacted at sfrazer@kscequinox.com

PART 1

PART 2

Profanity progresses along with MACKENZIE CLARKE

seNior reporter

SKYLER FRAZER

News editor

2006 Unravelled Continued from Part 1: The controversy surrounding Vallante didn’t end in 2005, though, as -

-

More than 33 interviews were done for this report alone, includ-

» PART 1, A2

MORE COVERAGE INSIDE

» PART 2, A2

READER’S NOTE: Readers will find many references Information on the Charles Beach and Pete Thomas Reports can be found in the Sports section on B10. More information on the ‘Gino’ Vallante Reports can be found on B5 & B6.

Follow Us >>

Index >> Section A: News ...................1-3 Opinions ............4-5 Student Life ......6-10

to Jane or John Doe in these reports. These are witness names redacted for privacy concerns. Each reference differentiated by a number is a different person.

Additionally, a John Doe in the Vallante Report is also a different witness than a John Doe in one of the Beach or Thomas reports.

Section B: A&E ................................1-4 Vallante Reports............5-6 Sports..............................7-10

Section C: Spring Break 2015 ...........1-12 facebook.com/kscequinox @kscequinox

Contact Us >> Newsroom: 358-2413 Executive Editor: 358-2414 Advertising/Business: 358-2401 Newsroom: Questions? Contact jcoughlin@kscequinox.com or bricciardi@kscequinox.com

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Black News / A2

CAMPUS SAFETY report log

Week of: March 23 Monday, March 23 10:15 a.m. Alumni Center: Report of subject hanging around the Alumni Center and he was gone when our officer arrived.

12:11 p.m. Owl’s Nest 9: Theft of cash Tuesday, March 24 11:39 a.m. Trestle: Student reporting a “sketchy” guy on the trestle drinking a beer.

5:20 p.m. Keddy Hall: Check cashing scam Wednesday, March 25 1:54 p.m. Science Center: Strange odor that complainant can’t identify. Maintenance advising that contractors are brazing one of the air handlers on the roof.

2:08 p.m Madison Street: Vehicle struck fire hydrant by commuter lots 6:44 p.m. Holloway Hall: Resident reported an intoxicated male throwing up in a room.

Male transported.

8:44 p.m. Carle Hall: RD Reporting there had been a fight in the building. EMS checking one of the females involved.

Officers provided victim ride to Winchester Lot. 10:00 p.m. Holloway Hall: Checking to see if roommate of individual transported to hospital earlier is home. Individual was not at home.

10:14p.m. Mason Library: DTZ employee having allergic reaction Thursday, March 26 10:09 a.m. Mason Library: Students complaining of an intoxicated non-student in rear stairwell. Unknown description from library staff. Individual not intoxicated. Asked to leave for the day.

8:18 p.m. Carle Hall: Check cashing scam Friday, March 27 11:33 a.m. Morrison Hall: 65 year old female with head injury 11:41 a.m. Carle Hall: Wants to report receiving suspicious check from scam Saturday, March 28 3:05 p.m. One Butler Court: Campus Safety and Keene Police for a reported large party on the third floor 11:33 p.m. Carle Hall: RD called regarding a student who may have been assaulted, bleeding from above his eye Sunday, March 29 2:17 a.m. Carle Hall: RA requested assistance with visitors disrespecting them

ThursdAy, April 2, 2015

[ KSCEquinox.com ] (Cont. from A1)

Café and Student Center; former basketball players coached by Vallante at NEC; and members of the KSC community, in person and by telephone,” according to the report.

The report also noted that NEC refused to cooperate with the investigation and “denied access to any current or former NEC administrators or employees.”

The timeline of allegations, with Vallante bouncing between numerous colleges and job titles, dates back over ten years.

The college years and after graduation: 19931999 Vallante attended KSC in 1993 and graduated in 1997 with a BA in Social Science and a minor in Psychology. He didn’t play basketball at the school, but was always interested in basketball and was eventually hired as an assistant coach in 1996 while still a student.

During his initial stint at KSC, though, Vallante was already overstepping his boundaries. “How often do you masturbate?” Vallante asked one of his roommates one night after a party.

This roommate of Vallante is referred to as KSC John Doe 1 in the with Vallante and two other people in his senior year.

These late night phone calls were a regular occurrence, with many players on the KSC basketball team also being asked sexually-explicit questions by Vallante. Doug Jenkins played basketball at KSC in the 1990s and recalled the “shit show” when other players discussed the content of Vallante’s late night calls.

Jenkins is currently the assistant basketball coach at KSC. Jenkins said that he had been warned of Vallante’s behavior by some of his peers.

Vallante stayed a coach for the basketball team until 2000 when he left KSC to become the NEC Head Men’s Basketball Coach. According to the report, “KSC has no records of any formal or informal com-

plaints made against Vallante as a sistent and frequent. NEC Student student or recent graduate in the 1 found out that he wasn’t the only 1990s.” one getting these phone calls. Other players on the basketball team recalled similar conversations with Head Coach at NEC: Vallante and openly discussed the 2000-2002 content of these phone calls.

According to the report, Vallante Vallante coached at NEC from inappropriately touched NEC Stu2000-2002. He was hired as a head coach even though he had little occasions. Vallante placed one hand actual coaching experience and no on the student’s thigh and one on head coaching experience, accord- his shoulder, massaging with both ing to the report. Three students hands. gave descriptions of misconduct “Vallante’s ongoing victimization that Vallante displayed during his of NEC Student 1 led NEC Student 1 time at the school. to break down crying during a class NEC Student 1 became well- in the spring of 2002,” page 24 of the acquainted with Vallante while he report reads. “After NEC learned of was trying out for the KSC basket- Vallante’s pattern of sexual harassball team in 2001. He and Vallante ment, NEC never interviewed NEC saw each other regularly through Student 1 about his experiences or mutual friends saying that, “Vallante was an open, warm person,” ued. according to the report.

Another former NEC basketball When he stopped going to try- player, referred to as NEC Student outs Vallante proposed that he 2 in the report, said he too received transfer to NEC and play on the inappropriate phone calls from Valteam. lante. The phone calls would begin NEC Student 1 transferred in in relation to basketball and transithe second semester of his 2001- tion into a more sexual line of ques2002 year. Soon after he began play- tioning. ing for Vallante.

Vallante would often ask quesVallante, again, overstepped his tions related to masturbation and boundaries. Before he was even on pornography. Vallante persisted the team NEC Student 1 remem- with this line of questioning even bered one phone call when Vallante when the student made it clear he asked, “whether he had sex with was uncomfortable. any girls and for how long he could According to the report, NEC last during sexual intercourse.”

These conversations would start former NEC players who experienced similar conduct. more explicit.

NEC Student 3 was also interJust like Vallante’s early years at viewed in the report. He said that KSC, these phone calls became con- Vallante would call him about twice a week after 9:00 p.m. As in other cases, NEC Student 3 soon discovered that other players were receiving late night calls from Vallante.

Eventually, NEC Student 3 confronted Vallante on the subject matter of his phone calls and told him to stop. Soon after, Vallante would barely talk to NEC Student 3.

His playing time on the team plummeted.

“There were times where I went entire halfs or even entire games without stepping foot on the court,” -PAGE 24 OF THE VALLANTE NEC Student 3 said in an email REPORT READS he sent to Joe Patrick, former NEC

“Vallante’s ongoing victimization of NEC Student 1 led NEC Student 1 to break down crying during a class in the spring of 2002.”

(Cont. from A1)

professor of Education and Psychology in the School of Professional & Graduate Studies at KSC. In a follow-up conversation after KSC Jane Doe described the sexually-explicit content of Vallante’s phone calls to NEC Student 2, Fleischer told her that Vallante had denied all allegations. During the investigation, Fleischer did not recall speaking to KSC Jane Doe in 2006.

In the fall of 2006, Susan Theberge, the coordinator of the School Counseling Program at KSC, noticed some patchy information in applicant Vallante’s background. She asked to sit down with Fleischer and Vallante to discuss his experience. Theberge asked Vallante about his departure from NEC and according to the report, Vallante said he left NEC in good standing and everything was Fleischer noticed Vallante appearing to be “too casual and comfortable in his own skin,” according to the report. Fleischer felt he and Theberge needed more information from NEC. Theberge contacted KSC’s Director of Human Resources, Kim Harkness regarding Vallante. Theberge and Harkness discussed the rumor that Vallante had left NEC due to accusations of harassment. Harkness asked oral permission to contact NEC. Vallante emphasized to Theberge that he had contacted a lawyer with respect to the sexual harassment allegations. “My concern is that I am being forced to deal with an

Runksmeier, Director of Athletics

people were, ‘do you get aroused when you kiss a girl,’ ‘are you hard right now?’ ‘When you go to the showers after games, who’s the biggest and who’s the smallest,’ and ‘how big are you? Get yourself hard and go get a ruler.’ Over the next day and a half, the team met many times trying to decide what to do.”

The conversations were getting worse and more inappropriate with time. The players decided to call Vallante in for a private meeting in the spring of 2002 to confront him on his conduct. NEC Student 3 said Vallante made excuses in the meeting and said the conversations were an attempt to connect with the players. Vallante agreed to resign days ther investigation.

Return to Keene State: 2005 From 2002-2005, Vallante worked at Bank of America in Keene. Vallante also streamed games for the athletics department on the internet while working for Fast Break Broadcasting [FBB] starting in 2004.

In 2011 Vallante became the owner of FBB and had his own contract to stream games for the athletics department.

Just months after Vallante began broadcasting KSC basketball games for FBB, KSC Director of Athletics January of 2005 from NEC Student 3 that expressed his “disgust” at the rehiring of Vallante at KSC. “For many of us, our ‘experience’ with Gino was one of the worst times in our lives . . . I was afraid at the time that not enough was being done to make sure he was never allowed to be near young college athletes again, and apparently my fears have been validated. How long until he gets another coaching job and is allowed to do what he did again?” a section of the email reads.

or Vallante’s supervisors.

Student 3’s emails in 2005 discussing his mental anguish, the report stated. ing to go into detail about what Vallante had done at NEC and stating that Vallante should not be allowed in college athletics.

Vallante withdrew his application for obtaining a Master’s Degree in School Counseling at KSC. In the report, Harkness said she could not recall making reports to her boss, former KSC President, Helen Giles-Gee.

Boudreau turns a blind eye: Steven Boudreau was a KSC basketball player while Vallante worked on campus and is a current Assistant Basketball Coach for KSC. According to Boudreau, NEC Student 2 described Vallante as “weird” but was

stay

Colbert called Boudreau to consult him about NEC Student 2’s email. “Boudreau denied he had been subjected to any conversations that mirrored the accusations in the email,” the report stated. Colbert did not reach out to any other NEC alumni copied on NEC Student 2’s email. Boudreau withheld information about Vallante asking about penis size.

After a follow-up email sent to Colbert by NEC Student 2, Colbert responded saying he “[felt] very odd speaking about this on any further basis,” according to an email in the report. The report states that the former NEC basketball players felt it was Colbert’s job to address the problem.

When NEC Student 3 found out about Colbert’s neglect to take action, the student immediately communicated with Colbert himself. NEC Student 3 was an assistant basketball coach at a well-known private high school, according to the report, and hoped his complaint against Vallante would be taken seriously.

Colbert did not request any of NEC Student 3’s documentation of Vallante’s sexual Colbert continued to withhold this information from his assistant coaches at the time.

Memory fades for Colbert

-EMAIL FROM NEC STUDENT TO KSC DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JOHN RATLIFF

On June 30, 2005, Vallante was hired again at KSC to a full-time position as Manager of the Night Owl Café in the student center, where he hired, trained and supervised around 30 students. about Vallante in the report said they liked him and the student center didn’t receive any complaints about him while he served as manager of the Night Owl Café.

The report says that Vallante and a former basketball player he coached, NEC Student 4, remained in contact for years after Vallante left NEC. The student said while he was playing for Vallante there were never inappropriate conversations.

When Vallante was back at KSC, though, his conversations with NEC Student 4 followed suit with the others — questions about masturbation and sexual relationships.

The student asked Vallante to stop with the phone calls and the two haven’t spoken in about a decade.

A former NEC basketball player contacted current KSC Director of nothing happened.

More former NEC players contacted Robert Colbert, current basketball head coach in 2011, but nothing happened.

Vallante continued to coach and continued his involvement with KSC students and employees for ten years, spanning from his start broadcasting with FBB to becoming one of the basketball coaches.

The signs were there. The stories were there. But there wasn’t anyone to listen.

“According to Striffolino, Colbert did not tell him what the anonymous communication was about, and Striffolino did not ask him about it.”

- THE VALLANTE REPORT READS

was really bothering him. Following the conversation with KSC John Doe 1, Colbert made a comment to Vallante to “cut the shit” and Colbert did not receive any further complaints regarding Vallante.

Exposure of 2011: Roughly three years ago in 2011, Colbert rent director of the student center and assisWhile casually talking, Colbert mentioned receiving anonymous communication about Vallante. tell him what the anonymous communicanot act on the comment because he felt that it was “far removed, involved basketball, and took place over ten years ago.”

Colbert told investigators that his contact

- to 2011. The report stated that Colbert felt cussing the NEC alumni complaints from it was another school’s issue. “Colbert con2011. Both “provided inconsistent information to Harkness about their discussions in Vallante in 2005, and had no further conversa2011,” the report said. Harkness interviewed they both discussed the nature of NEC Student 2 and NEC Student 3’s complaints in In the summer of 2012, a KSC basket-

A group of former NEC basketball play- Assistant Coach Matt Adams about “weird During the investigation, Adams could not recall his conversations with KSC John Doe 1.

Adams reported the matter to Colbert, who wanted to speak with KSC John Doe 1 about the issue. “Colbert recalled KSC John Doe 1 told him about one comment Vallante had made about KSC John Doe 1 having the biggest penis on the team,” the report said.

Colbert did not report or document the conversation he had with KSC John Doe 1.

After talking, Colbert told KSC John Doe on the phone after the email was received.

NEC Student 2 told him Vallante should not 1 to “go back” and let him know if something

encounters with Vallante and decided to put together an email to express their complaints.

The email to Colbert wrote: “My teammates and I have gotten together and 8 years later and we are still disturbed by this and feel it is time we let you know about it. Ask any of your players in private about the conversations they have with Gino . . . I can guarantee this is still happening to your players and potentially your recruits.”

“For many of us our ‘experience’ with Gino was one of the worst times in our lives.”

Skyler Frazer can be contacted at sfrazer@kscequinox.com

student’s email.

lante. be coaching around students at KSC. The report suggested that Harkness could have done more with the investigation by Boudreau and Colbert communicating with KSC Jane Doe, which hush: would have connected her to NEC Student 2.

also stated that Boudreau agreed Vallante was weird and shared a rumor that Vallante asked questions about penis size while he was a student at KSC. NEC Student 2 claimed he gave Boudreau a “quick overview” of the types of sexual comments Vallante had made to the NEC team in 2001-2002. “Boudreau agreed Vallante was a weird guy, and although Vallante had never spoken to Boudreau inappropriately, Boudreau knew current KSC players that were for a sexual harassment charge,” Vallante experiencing the same conduct NEC Student 2 had described,” the report stated. said in an email to Theberge.

Boudreau did not identify the KSC players involved in the same behavior regarding Denial and miscommunica- Vallante. After learning from Boudreau that Vallante worked at KSC again, NEC Student 2 tion: took measures into his own hands.

Harkness wanted more. According to the report, she contacted NEC Director of AthNEC students take action:

ther of them would talk to her about Vallante.

“It is very frustrating to me that New England College would choose to not disclose information regarding an employee who worked closely with students and may have put NEC students at risk,” Harkness said in an email to Runksmeier and Bateman. Runksmeier responded saying she was unable to speak in regards to Vallante’s employment at NEC and Harkness implied Runksmeier was unwilling.

After NEC refused to cooperate with Harkness as part of KSC’s investigation, she did not take any further action regarding Val-

in 2002. “All the while when I was being ignored, my teammates, the freshmen in particular, were getting it much worse than they had in the past,” his email to NEC administrators continued, “Among things

2014 complaints spark KSC investigation: In late January 2014, NEC Student 1 contacted the Keene Sentinel, the KSC President’s This sparked the College’s attention and “the also provided its recorded interview of NEC Student 1 to KSC,” the report states.

KSC began their own investigation and Vallante was removed from campus on Febreport says, “KSC terminated Vallante’s employment” on March 7, 2014.

MacKenzie Clarke can be contacted at mclarke@kscequinox.com

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Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Thursday, april 2, 2015

News / a3

[ KSCEquinox.com ]

College works to accommodate handicap students on campus SAVANNA BALKUN

Oosterman said he was in a car accident only four years ago

Equinox WritEr

and reading to walking on campus is challenging Oosterman explained.

However, Oosterman added that KSC is an easy campus

Keene State College’s Director of Disabilities Services said they have done their best to accommodate students of all needs, but KSC students may not agree.

The Director of Disabilities Services at KSC, Jane Warner said, “Keene has been very planful in terms of our campus with new buildings and any kind of changes and adaptations of buildings, really thinking about physical access to these buildings.”

Warner explained that she only thought there was one building on campus that wasn’t accessible for handicapped individuals and that was the Blake House, because there is no elevator to classrooms in the basement.

KSC also has many technological installments such as tablets and SMART Boards within the classroom setting to help those with disabilities learn what they need to, according to Warner. Warner then went on to explain improvements KSC is making.

“One of the improvements that has been ongoing is updating our website, which has been an important their websites redone so that when a visually-impaired person clicks on it they have the text that is able to be read to them from their computer,” Warner said.

She also said the new residential halls that are to be built are going to be looked at by KSC disability services to reassure their accessibility for handicapped individuals.

“One of the concepts the campus has embraced is universal design. So it means that we’re designing a campus that has access built into it so whether you’re pushing a stroller or you’re in a wheelchair or whatever your disability is, that you can access and get around and it looks natural,” Warner said.

She added that she thinks the grounds crew has always done a great job making sure the main pathways on campus are cleared and very responsive for people with mobility and visual problems.

In regards to administration, Warner said, “I will say that the administration has always been very support-

of friendly people in the KSC community that he feels he could ask for help anytime he needed. He said that he uses familiar landmarks, sun direction, and noises to manage his way around campus.

Oosterman said he feels the grounds keepers are great and he understands when there is heavy snow, they do the best they can. accommodating him, according to Oosterman. He explained can read the material back to Oosterman. anything and they are very helpful. Like anything, there is always room for improvement, Oosterman said, but the system that the school has now for students with disabilities is great.

As far as his condition, it gets easier each day and he is still learning, he explained.

Trainer from Advocacy, Consulting and Training [ACT]

PHILIP BERGERON / GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR

with our students to make sure they have the accommodations they need to access their classrooms.”

Warner made it clear that students with disabilities -

nox, Jacob Barrett has a mobility disability. He said his biggest challenge is just getting around campus, especially with the snow because the walkways aren’t always shoveled or cleared.

“When the snow is really bad or just freshly fallen on

Motel said she’s no expert, but from her experience at the workshop and feedback from the students and faculty that participated, there is still much work to be done on KSC’s campus. The participants said there needs to be a universal design on campus, according to Motel.

She explained that not all disabilities are visible, such as learning disabilities or mental illness which she mentioned have been a big problem on other campuses concerning negative views from others. She also said there is still so much to continue learning.

There will be a wrap-up session on March 27, from 3:30 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. at KSC in the Student Center Atrium Con-

needs are so they can be accommodated individually.

According to Warner, about 450 students with dis- through the snow,” Barrett said. He said this has prevented him from going to class and the dining commons because it puts stress on him and his joints. for accommodation.

Justice will lead students and faculty in making those Carle last year and it prevented him from ever going improvements they feel need to happen.

Services job to transition students with disabilities into upstairs and hanging out with his friends. He said othKSC and out again when they graduate. erwise, KSC for the most part is accessible.

Savanna Balkun can be contacted Junior at KSC, Mark Oosterman is visually impaired. at sbalkun@kscequinox.com

‘You can’t eat beauty’ workshop praises self-love

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

KSC student Amanda Dilulis displaying a picture she colored.

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

The event last Thursday, March 27, in the Mountain View Room focused on the perception of beauty in the media and the beauty industry.

Event focuses on the importance of inner-beauty across KSC campus OLIVIA BELANGER

Equinox Staff If you could change one thing about your body, what would it be? This

explained, “Growing up in Haiti, my mother didn’t like me having my hair all wild and crazy, so she started having me relax my hair. I never liked it, but I thought that was what I had to do to be considered pretty. As a black woman, you are faced with a lot of challenges that society throws in your

and the importance of inner-beauty, the Multicultural Student Support got their message across, according to KSC student Kat Langlands. “I came to the event tonight because I am an RA and we are asked to go to certain events, but I am so lucky to have signed up for this one,” Langlands expressed, “I think that the event tonight did a really good job at framing how we feel as women in this society because what it means to be a woman is not just about looks. It emphasized that we are all the same, I always like

experience with the audience and expressed that you were born to look a certain way. The workshop was interactive, which allowed the message to be more close to home for the audience members instead of seen as a broad topic. Another member of the Multicultural Student Support, Carlos Bravo, The take home message from this event is that no one is perfect. Women helped with gathering information for the show. and men alike are the way they are for a reason, and even though you might “This topic is just so important in a college setting because it seems that want to change something about your body, as a society we need to learn to and those around us. One of the coordinators for the event and a member every girl is so insecure and only focused on their looks, when they are here for an education,” Bravo stated, “Looks are important to an extent, but harmless when you have been given the right perspective. hair and makeup that society expects women to have. they shouldn’t only focus on that. There is more to beauty than just a face.”

After countless presentations regarding body image, complexity, hair Olivia Belanger can be contacted at obelanger@kscequinox.com

The Multicultural Student Support of Keene State College and the Women and Gender Studies department teamed up to host an event on

SoundoFF Amanda Gerwien Junior Elementary Education

“The more work I can get done now frees me up for the end of the year.”

“How do you regain your focus after spring break?”

Cameron Pierce Senior Sustainable Product Design

“Going to the TDS and Mac Lab helps me focus.”

Holly Geno First-Year Elementary Education

Matthew Dragon First-Year Psychology

Compiled by: Colton McCracken

Neula Ha Sophomore Graphic Design

“I think of the fact that we only “Thinking about my family “I constantly remind myself that have a month left of school and keeps me motivated and focused spring break was a reward for that my grades need to be good.” on doing well.” what I did first semester.”

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Opinions Black

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EDITORIAL

Thursday, april 2, 2015

New reports unveil ugly truth

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION / ADMINISTRATIVE EXECUTIVE EDITOR JAKE COUGHLIN

Keene State College is buzzing with news about three former employees: Eugene "Gino" Vallante, Charlie Beach and Peter Thomas. grams and academic schools “contributed to a lack of communication and According to an article recently published in the Keene Sentinel, “these failure to share important information at key moments that would have three reports portray a pattern of alleged inappropriateness by authority Keene State College student body to take a stand and help establish a cultwo college campuses and well over a decade. They chronicle communica- ture of responsibility and accountability. There is strength in numbers and tion breakdowns, warning bells heard yet not heeded and mistakes and if the student body comes together and raises our voices we can fuel change failures both systematic and individual.” for the overall well-being of our school. Every student is a valuable member The Equinox as a student organization feels very strongly about this of this community, and each should be valued and protected. matter. We believe the “look the other way” culture is an epidemic on colIt is important to note President Huot, since her arrival in April 2014, has lege campuses all over the globe and is now hitting close to home. This is been the driving force behind completing the investigation. It is also worth a dangerous culture, and its establishment at this college has been brought noting that the college is looking to hire a full-time Title IX coordinator, to light by the recent McLane investigation and reports. We believe the ath- who would be responsible for the oversight of any misconduct and making letic department and administration needs to own the mistakes that have sure it is properly taken care of. been made and assure that they will never be made again. As college-aged While we acknowledge this to be a step in the right direction, we believe this position should have been established long ago. Current Vice President We realize the importance of respecting authorities, but we also believe ous experience as a Title IX coordinator. His biography on keene.edu states, that authorities must respect students. We cannot minimize the severity of “For the past four years, Mr. Atkins served as vice president for student Vallante, Beach and Thomas’ behavior, nor can we overlook the negative impact this behavior has had on students. We cannot be afraid to investi- Atkins provided leadership in the areas of student learning and outcomes, gate reports of sexual misconduct. We cannot sweep them under the rug.

We want to stress that we have zero tolerance for the oversight. The McLane and Title IX compliance, among many others.” Why aren’t Mr. Atkins’ Title reports detail times when victims have gone for help and were ignored. We IX skills and experience being utilized? How can we expect the college to believe no voice should be hushed when it comes to an issue of this magnitude. When students came forward with their complaints, they should have been able to trust the schools ability to take action right away. Sexual administration is doing the bare minimum in relation to Title IX protocol.

Vallante, Beach and Thomas held their coaching positions for long peri- ods of time. It is possible then, that they had been conducting things a cerciently and professionally by those in charge at this college. tain way for many years and that this behavior may have become accepted

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as “normal” by athletes and students. But students should realize that just because someone has been doing something a certain way for years, does not mean it’s right. We want any student or athlete who feels like they have been violated by a coach or professor to feel comfortable with coming forward.

The McLane report includes a great detail of information about all three in nature. It is important to note that not everyone is in agreement about the guilt of these coaches. However, that is not the point. The point is that belong. They have belonged in the forefront all along instead of sneakily ignored.

When any suspicion is raised about inappropriate behavior between a school and its ability to investigate the problem in a timely manner.

Any administration that had an idea about what was going on and didn’t immediately act upon the issue has failed to properly handle these situations. These men are being investigated years later instead of having been dealt with when the alleged misconducts actually took place. The Equinox would like to reiterate the notion that this college needs to treat the students with the care and concern that they say we deserved to be treated with.

The safety of students should be a primary concern of the college. The last thing they should be doing is hiding things for the sake of our reputation as a school. Reality is not always a glamorous thing.

Students need to be educated about where they can go when they need to report an incident. They need to know that they will be heard and that action will be taken. Students should not be afraid to seek help, nor should being a whistleblower.

Editorial Policy The Equinox is a designated public forum. Student editors have full editorial control over the entire content of the paper.

All articles and opinion pieces are assigned, written and edited by students without censor by administrators, faculty or staff.

The Equinox is published Thursdays during the academic year with dates immediately preceding and following holidays omitted. The advertising deadline is 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to publication. The Equinox reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Advertising is not accepted until it appears in the paper.

Letters to the editor must be written exclusively to The Equinox and are due by noon on the Friday prior to publishing. All letters must include name and phone number for verification. The Equinox reserves the right to edit for style and length, and refuse any letters to the editor. For clarification and additional information on any above policies call 358-2414. The Equinox business office is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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STAFF COMMENTARY

Curt Schilling proves misbehavior on social media can ruin reputations TAYLOR HOWE

Equinox Staff In today’s social media-driven society, we often post, tweet, yak and just type without even considering the consequences it might have. We’ve come to adopt a group mentality on social media — believing that what we say and do online won’t follow us or even have any impact. However, Curt Schilling, former Red Sox pitcher, has proven that group mentality to be especially faulty, and thank god he did. Maybe other social media users will learn from the example Schilling made of nine adult Twitter users.

The end of the nine Twitter users’ reputations began with an innocent tweet from Curt Schilling on Feb. 25.

Schilling tweeted a congratulatory tweet for his daughter, 17-year-old Gabby Schilling, who was accepted into Salve Regina University in Rhode Island. It’s unfortunate that these Twitter users’ lives will forever be tarnished by less than 140 characters, but I believe it is quite deserving.

Within hours, Schilling received many tweets in response. Some joked about taking his daughter to a party or out on a date, while others went to the extremes of vulgarity, even graphically threatening rape. These were adult male Twitter users threatening sexual abuse of a minor, thinking that they could tweet at a celebrity with 121,000 followers without getting noticed.

Instead of ignoring the sexually-explicit tweets, Schilling chose a direct approach, writing words that ers.

Schilling posted a 2,000 word entry on his blog,

Googling tactics, Schilling collected information on the According to the New York Post, Schilling began

by Googling their Twitter handles, their online friends, their names, addresses, high schools, colleges, sports teams, parents’ emails and more.

With persistent research and helpful blog readers, @primtime227 and @Nagels_Bagels soon turned into Sean MacDonald of Montclair State University and Adam Nagel of Brookdale Community College.

Even Keene State College students have made several “anonymous” Twitter accounts over the years, ranging from well-intentioned, like KSC Compliments to down-right rude and inconsiderate, like KSC Boobs people behind these accounts could easily be revealed with some simple research. Those people don’t realize that anonymous accounts really aren’t anonymous.

Since Schilling’s research, MacDonald and Nagel kicked out of their universities and fraternities or have also deactivated their Twitter accounts.

Prior to the now infamous tweets, MacDonald was a part-time ticket seller for the New York Yankees. Howjob.

In response, the New York Yankees Executive Director of Communications, Jason Ziller, said, “There is no place for anything like this and the Yankees have zero

TYRRA DEMERITT / EQUINOX STAFF

tolerance for anything of this nature,” according to the New York Daily News.

MacDonald was also a part of Theta Xi Fraternity at Montclair State University, an organization which soon released a statement saying, "We agree wholeheartedly that cyber-bullying is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. This is not in accordance with the values of our organization, and we assure you that disciplinary actions have begun to address his unfortunate decision and hold our member accountable." According to a statement released by Brookdale Community College, Nagel was suspended from school as a result of his vulgar tweets and released from the student-run radio show which he aired for one hour every week.

The school’s statement also said, “The Twitter comments posted by this student are unacceptable

and clearly violate the standards of conduct that are expected of all Brookdale students.” Nagel will be going through the school’s conduct system and more disciplinary action will be taken at that time.

Social media users of our generation often forget that their actions on social media can have conse-

it clear to several sources including CBS’s “CBS This Morning” that he plans to pursue every legal action

the request of his daughter.

Schilling proved that social media accounts are not anonymous. It doesn’t take a tech genius to uncover who is behind a Twitter account, no matter how anonydisappear in the news feed. Instead, that post is forever mous and secure the user thinks it is. a part of that user’s digital footprint that will never go In Schilling’s original blog post that broke the story, away. It’s time users understand that they are not anon- Schilling wrote, “This will follow them for the rest of ymous, their posts are not forgotten and their words their lives. And for some of these guys, I’ll make sure of and actions have serious consequences that can very well follow them for and ruin the rest of their lives. has already made sure of it.

According to the LA Times, Schilling has since been contacted by the FBI and local law enforcement about Taylor Howe can be contacted at pressing possible criminal charges. Schilling has made thowe@kscequinox.com

STAFF COMMENTARY

STAFF COMMENTARY

The highly anticipated Twin Peaks reboot

Berklee College of Music student releases passionate new song ARLINE VOTRUBA

Equinox Staff On Feb. 20, 2015 Joeannan released “Roll Me Under”, a Shake EP.” Instantly catchy, “Roll Me Under” brings with it promise that this is just the beginning of many excellent pieces to come from the current Berklee College of Music student.

Do not hesitate to check out

PHILIP BERGERON / GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR

SARAH ROONEY

Equinox Staff Following through on the promise she made to FBI Agent Dale Cooper in the infamous Red Room 25 years ago, Laura Palmer is coming back. We all remember when Agent Cooper had the vision of himself in the Red Room, sitting across from Laura Palmer and ‘the man from another place." It is here Laura tells Agent Cooper that she will see him again in 25 years and pated return of Laura Palmer.

Toward the end of last year, Showtime announced the revival of the beloved cult series from the early nineties. Not much has yet been revealed about the nine-episode revival, aside from the fact that David Lynch will direct all episodes and Kyle MacLachlan will be reprising his role as Dale Cooper.

These nine revival episodes are set to air in 2016, once it has been 25 years, just like Laura Palmer said. These episodes will also be set in present day. Twin Peaks has gained a lot of popularity in the past decade. Although the original series ended

in 1991 after only two seasons, its popularity has, if anything, increased exponentially. The series begins with a simple premise: who killed Laura Palmer? However, as the show progresses, Lynch slowly reveals darkness and intrigue, hidden beneath the seemingly mundane. This town, like the owls, is not what it seems. Just like the show itself, its fan base remains a mystery. Many of its original followers, who watched every week as new episodes premiered, were into it as a sort of cult series. Many newer fans seem to be avid followers of David Lynch who simply stumbled upon the series through that.

Others, it seems, were just really into the show's outlandish, bizarre and almost supernatural vibe. Whatever it is about the show, it has some of the most loyal fans out there, and this revival has a lot of hype. All we fans can do now is put our faith into the hands of David Lynch, and hope that the Log Lady makes a triumphant return.

Sarah Rooney can be contacted at srooney@kscequinox.com

song instigates foot tapping to the groove of the electric reggae beat. The chorus is easy to learn and hard to resist singing along with. The repetitive chorus is enhanced by the use of tension through the piece.

While the chorus comes often, it is used to bring us back to familiar lines in between the troubling images sprinkled through each verse such as, “Ain’t it so ugly, lost all my money, my mind like a junkies, I’m wrong.”

Unlike most pop lyrics, the

your music-hungry ears. It combines elements of rock, folk and blues to create an addict- beauty in a dark place. ing trifecta of sound.

It is no surprise that this “Roll Me Under” demon- single was released so brilstrates an artist who has put liantly polished. Years of music lessons, including private mastering his craft. drum lessons with renowned The song is both lyrically drum instructor and Berklee and musically sharp, demon- Professor Gil Graham, have led strative of the skills that the Joeannan to this point in his young artist is developing musical career. By the end of while pursuing a degree in Professional Music. composed, written, produced The serious tone of the initial 15 seconds invites you nal song, “March.” to continue listening as the The introduction of vocals is instantly satisfying to the lisplayful run down the keys. tener through the use of quick Dark undertones through- rhythmic lines. out this piece encourage you As the piece progresses it to access those dark cobweb- is evident that Joeannan has infested corners of your soul impressive control over his while nodding along to the vocals. beat. It is the kind of song The opening line “Look on you will catch yourself hum- the road, the sirens a glow, the Promotions Coordinator at WKNH Angela Scionti said, “The beginning is very heavy and it draws me in to listen further.

“I really enjoy the dark tones of the piano.” When the music transitions with the introduction of drums and guitar the

that we are all belting out.

Two minutes 40 seconds in Joeannan’s voice carefully quivers, “I’m just a fool with a dyin’ scream,” expelling emotions that give the listener a sense of the passion emanating through his vocal chords. Then at three minutes 30 seconds the song transitions into the bridge and breaks its pattern by slowing its pace down entirely.

It then rebuilds to the initial cadence with teasing vocals from Joe. Molly Mae, the female vocalist, contributes angelic pitches to the dreamy harmonies, helping to carry song. Joe’s passion is palpable as he holds notes like during

“Oh I’m going down and I won’t make no sound.”

He succeeds in delivering himself to the audience, a very challenging task for any artist. Co-General Manager at WKNH, Kerrianne Thomas, said, “The song itself is sexy and soulful.

“The vocals are really beautiful, Joe has a really great voice,” she addresses the technical side of production adding, “The engineers and recording sound very well done.”

“Roll Me Under” has been stuck in my head for days and I am not getting sick of it. If you, like myself, enjoy supporting up-and-coming artists with is enticing, especially to an genuine talent, I highly recomearly-20s audience struggling mend giving Joeannan a listen. along during this confusing period of life. At one minute Listen yourself by going to 15 seconds the song reveals https://soundcloud.com/joeurgency as Joeannan begs, “I’m annan. goin’ down, so roll me, roll me, Arline Votruba can be conunder.” By the end of the song tacted at the chorus becomes a chant avotruba@kscequinox.com

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Adjusting to elevation in Ecuador

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS / KRISTEN AGLA

KIRSTEN AGLA

between the opposite genders, to a city inundated with couples making out all over the place really confused my travel-rattled brain.

However, I have noticed one cultural similarity that these countries I am writing this article at an elevation of over 9,000 feet in Quito, Ecua- share but the U.S. does not, which is that kids tend to live with their pardor, the country’s capital, and the altitude sickness is real. ents during college and afterwards, often until they are married.

This astounded me — mostly because I can’t imagine living with my time and had to frequently take naps, but I have since adjusted and miss the parents until I’m 30. ability to eat and sleep more than the average person.

I just couldn’t do it.

Why did I choose to study in Ecuador?

Being in your late twenties or older and still living with your parents

University san Francisco QUito, ecUador

value of family.

Despite these positives, I’m still going to try my hardest to not live with my parents after I’m 23. home after a night out at 2 a.m. is considered early here, and it’s not uncommon for Ecuadorian youth to come home as late as 6 a.m. on weekends. grinding on their dance partner.

Plus, there are these things called “chivas” that started out as public transportation, but in Quito they have become brightly colored party buses with their own bar that drive around the city at night.

seen “Failure to Launch?”).

Also, one of my majors is Spanish, so that’s a no-brainer.

College study abroad students.

This is because I went to India for three weeks for the Honors Global Engagement Program, spent a day at home in which I mostly slept and then

not only improved my Spanish, but has opened my eyes to a culture that norm.

A person just entering the workforce doesn’t make a ton of money, and If you’re a Spanish major or minor I highly recommend coming to this the money that would go toward rent and food is saved instead for when country with its beautiful mountains, prehistoric jungles and temperate beaches. be put toward student loans).

Just don’t let people’s hospitality kill you.

In addition, living at home for so long demonstrates and promotes the

COMMENTARY

Eating with the Equinox How to make: Chocolate fudge ANNA GLASSMAN

ads director

Now, us “clean eaters” won’t have to ask our friends to eat an

Ingredients:

-½ cup of coconut oil Finally, we can eat fudge that -½ cup of unsweetened cocoa C h o c o l a t e . we have been depriving our- powder Need I say more? selves from.

-¼ cup of honey It is the one It’s so simple you are going -½ cup of all natural peanut thing many to wonder how you neglected to butter people crave and make it before.

-½ teaspoon of vanilla extract long for while dieting.

Plus, this fudge is vegan, Luckily, I found this recipe gluten free and paleo-friendly.

Directions: for fudge that everyone can 1) Make sure the pan is lined enjoy without feeling the least Tools Needed: bit guilty. Vicky Rehmer, who 2) Fill the blender with ½ -Blender or food processor cup of coconut oil, unsweetened State College student, gave me cocoa powder, peanut butter, ¼ this recipe. cup of honey and ½ teaspoon of

vanilla.

3) Blend in the food processor or blender until smooth. pan. solid dark chocolate chips, unsweetened coconut or any other fun topping you would like.

6) The fudge will harden after 20 minutes in the freezer.

7) Finally, the fudge is ready to enjoy and will melt in your mouth.

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

KSC students interact with representatives from nonprofit, for profit and state agencies at the KSC Career and Internship Fair.

(Cont. from A10)

coming years.”

Ewing would agree that underclass-

a resume.” Rein continued, “But since I’m only a freshman, [employers] weren’t upperclassmen. really interested."

“It’s not just for seniors. I think even "They were looking more for upperclassmen. But they seemed impressed Rein said he plans on returning to years to follow up with some employers he met.

“Since I’m a freshman, I felt like the ANNA GLASSMAN / ADS DIRECTOR

After the fudge is finished make sure to store it in the fridge or freezer so it doesn’t melt.

kind of hard to get an internship as a

Ewing continued, “All students have the chance to talk to employers and alumni about what they can be doing they have more opportunities.”

Jill Giambruno can be contacted at jgiambruno@kscequinox.com

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E-Waste recycling event encourages environmentally-conscious choices TAYLOR THOMAS

Student Life editor From March 9 through the 13, Recycling on Campus at Keene State College, known as R.O.C.K.S, and the Eco-Reps hosted a special collection event which gave erly dispose of all types of electronic waste.

Often people looking to recycle electronics have to pay a fee of $10 or more, or 25 cents per pound.

However, this event gave the KSC community the chance to recycle their old or broken electronics for free.

R.O.C.K.S handles the recycling on campus and along with Eco-Reps they aim to enhance green living the environment, according to their websites.

This event, which they called E-Waste Collection, was held in the student center and accepted “anything that has a cord or that goes into something with a cord,” such as televisions, computers, cell phones, radios, DVDs and more, according to their Facebook page.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, Americans now own approximately 24 electronic products per household.

Currently, about 95 percent of these discarded electronics are headed for disposal, not recycling, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Also according to the website, not recycling these items is terrible for the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency website added, “Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials.”

The EPA continues to say, “Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity a year.”

Heather Greenwood, the recycling coordinator for KSC, said R.O.C.K.S and Eco-Reps do e-waste collections once a year, and this is their third year hosting the event.

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF Greenwood said they usually hold the event in February or after spring break, but this year since it was From March 9-13, R.O.C.K.S and Eco-Reps held an on-campus event which encouraged members of the KSC community to recycle their electronics instead of throw them away.

the outcome of the event.

In the past two years the e-waste collection table had collected around 8,000 pounds of electronic waste, but this year they only collected 3,700 pounds.

He said that all of the waste they collected was recy-

Peirce said their goal of this week-long collection was to beat the weight of the waste collected last year, which was 8,000 pounds, but unfortunately they did However, this year she said she saw a lot more stu- not reach this goal. dents recycling their old electronics, such as cellphones “It’s extremely important [to recycle] because a lot and phone chargers, compared to past years. of these [electronics] can have certain toxic chemicals KSC Senior Cameron Peirce is involved with R.O.C.K.S and Eco-Reps at KSC. into our water systems and the ground,” he explained.

Peirce explained that the groups set up a table in the He continued, “It’s really not good. Also there are student center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect electronic precious metals in here that can be recycled so less has waste from anyone that wanted to recycle it. to be mined in the future.”

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

Students, faculty and staff were able to recycle TVs, computers and phones for free, something that would usually cost them $10 or more.

He said people brought their cell phones, printers, laptops and old charges to recycle during the event.

Peirce advised the KSC community to bring “basically anything that doesn’t have coolant, so no refrigerators, but microwaves, toasters, TVs, cell phones; anything that’s electronic pretty much.”

Greenwood explained since the culture has changed to everything being more disposable, it is important to remember to recycle.

“People aren’t used to the idea of ‘Okay what am I going to do with this now?’ after only a few years because people used to keep and have electronics, like TVs, for much longer and now they’re going through things more quickly,” she said.

She said it is also important to remember the materials that go into making these electronics are still valuable and can be reused.

Taylor Asher, the president of Campus Ecology, said unlike Pierce, who was at the table during the week, she didn’t recycle this week. However, she said she has recycled plenty in the past and believes this event was very important to hold at a college campus.

Campus Ecology is a group at KSC that aims to establish environmentally sound practices on campus by promoting leadership, awareness and action, according to the group’s website.

Asher said she’s taken old cell phones and chargers and even old laptops to be recycled multiple times, so she had nothing she needed to recycle during the time of the event. Asher said she believes it is very important to recycle electronics.

She said, “Sometimes people forget that things like laptops and cellphones can be recycled, but all those things are made from resources that come out of the planet.”

She said these are resources that are very limited, especially for the number of people that use them.

When it comes to the KSC campus “going green,” Asher said she thinks they do a pretty good job.

She said she sees that R.O.C.K.S and Eco-Reps do what they can, but as far as plastic water bottles go, she is not impressed.

“We do a good job with recycling, but I think what needs to happen before recycling is education about how bad the water bottles are,” Asher said.

One project Asher said Campus Ecology is doing is going around to all the dorms and collecting all the recycled water bottles.

In one weekend she said the group filled over 12 trash bags of recycled water bottles, which wasn’t counting all the plastic bottles used by students that were not recycled.

She said for Solar Fest, an event Campus Ecology will hold in the spring, “We are packing them all up and showing the kids how many water bottles they use.”

Asher said she hopes this will show students that it’s good to recycle, but even better if we can avoid the issue from the start by not using plastic water bottles.

She added, however, that KSC has a contract with Pepsi so there is no way plastic water bottles will stop being sold at Hoot and Scoot and other places on campus.

Another way Asher said she tries to encourage people to recycle is by making games for her residents in Pondside 3. She explained the games and challenges she comes up with have a point system and whenever her residents do different things they get different points.

For example, when she does room checks before breaks, if residents have their wires unplugged and are saving energy, they get a point. If she catches her residents recycling they also get points. Greenwood said a lot of recycling events are held each semester as a combined effort between R.O.C.K.S and Eco-Reps.

“We’ve done Recycle Mania, pledges, office cleanup competitions and other programing with games,” Greenwood said.

She said it is always important for students recycle, which is something she believes is especially important when it comes to students moving out of their housing.

Greenwood said students who live on campus who are moving out need to remember to recycle their items.

Bethany Ricciardi contributed to this story.

Taylor Thomas can be contacted at tthomas@kscequinox.com Bethany Ricciardi can be contacted at bricciardi@kscequinox.com

Film majors show off their work at Music Video Night JILL GIAMBRUNO

I felt like a celebrity,” he said.

equinox Staff on Wednesday, March 11, for the annual Music Video Night.

The event was organized by KSC Productions Professor Lance Levesque, who also served as executive producer for all of the videos.

-

videos, there was also commentary from the producers after the video.

at KSC, were three such students who had a role in some of the music videos that were showcased that night.

see the audience’s reaction to a video that I’ve put my heart and soul into.”

“Money, time, blood, sweat and tears, so much has gone into making this video and seeing people react is the best part of it,” he explained.

He continued, “It took a great deal of work and commitment.” ent schedule.

He said another challenge was working on spending as little of their own money as possible.

“We also had to spend a lot of our own money on props, costumes and equipment,” he explained.

of time and hard work, they also said they enjoyed the experience. feel like school work at all. The project was very mentally and physically taxing: having late night meetings, lugging heavy equipment across town, and having to edit and re-edit over and over again.”

He continued, “Despite all of this work, I enjoyed every second of it and COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

Oblon, who helped to create, produce, direct and even star in one of the music videos, considered the night a huge success.

Oblon said, “I think it was a pretty impressive turnout.” video, agreed with Oblon.

attending in the future.”

After each music video was played, the producers of the video would talk a bit about the process that went into making it all come together.

same thing happened with the music video night,” Oblon explained. nervous the entire day. None of us had ever had our work showcased at an Oblon said, “It reminded me that this is why I do what I do. It’s the best event like this before.” feeling in the world.”

While the night highlighted the music videos, there was also a huge Jill Giambruno can be contacted at emphasis on all of the students who were involved. jgiambruno@kscequinox.com “When we arrived, we had our pictures taken by student photographers.

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alumni group that would be great for students to join.”

Since LinkedIn is a networking site, she said it is important for students and alumni to present themselves professionally. A big part of this, she said, is having a presentable and professional picture.

Ewing advised, “Take a nice picture where you’re wearing professional clothing with a nice backdrop. Don’t use pictures that aren't professional, where you’re not the only one in the picture, you want to be thinking ‘What’s the professional face I want to put forward?’”

She added on April 7 a KSC professor will be taking pictures on campus so students can get a professional headshot for job hunting.

Ewing said another way students can also network is by putting the word out to everyone they know.

“Let everyone you know, such as family, friends, professors and alumni, that you’re gathering career information and you would like to She also said Facebook is a great way to reach out to people to let them know you’re interested advice and suggestions. Ewing said that although it may seem strange to ask people for advice instead of for a job, that is the way students will know if this area will be right for

SEAN CRATER / WEBMASTER

“Eighty percent of jobs are found through networking, so you want to spend eighty percent of your time building your network, but the other twenty percent you want to look at websites, but that isn’t where you want to sit.”

“It takes time,” she said, “In the process of gathering information about a job to decide what are the titles and careers out there that you’re interested in, the other person is getting to know you and maybe they know of opportunities that they might think they should let you know about.”

She continued, “They may refer “Getting a job or internship will you to other people that would be also help with networking and getgood for you to talk to. Sometimes ting the insight you need about the it is in that second and third level necessary steps to take to go about getting a job in the future,” she said. jobs.” She added that recruiting She also explained that not only costs an employer a lot of money, will these experiences help her with networking and learning more being recommended they are usually willing to take that risk. experience that she wouldn’t have “A lot of time jobs become avail- learned in the classroom. able that don't get posted on the These experiences, she said, also board because it’s happening in look good on her resume to potenanother way,” she said. tial employers. “I’ve had my preKrystyna Melahn, a KSC senior ceptorship in the medical-surgical and nursing major, said that she unit which lasts for a semester and found out about a job she recently the rest of my clinical rotations have applied for by word of mouth. Since been in geriatrics, pediatrics, psyKSC requires all nursing majors to chology and medical surgical units.

These were each vital to gaining graduation, Melahn said this has actual experience and building conhelped her make connections in the

-LOUISE EWING KSC CAREER ADVISOR

Ewing explained that it is great to be able to make connections though jobs or internships that could lead to a career opportunity. However, she explained that students can also be looking for open jobs on websites.

“Jobwise is an active database where employers post internships and jobs, because want to reach out to KSC seniors and alumni,” she said. Ewing suggested students to also look on Craigslist, Indeed. com, local major newspapers, Usajobs.gov for government jobs, Idealist.org and chamber of commerce member directories to find the businesses in the area they will be after graduation.

She explained Indeed.com is a good source because gives students a geographic location to choose from and the opportunity to see what companies are hiring, even if it isn’t

the exact position they are looking for. Ewing advised, “Avoid places like Monster.com, it’s not very active, it’s not worth the time. It may be tempting to post your resume and hope that employers will find you, but employers aren’t going to look there and instead you’re going to get spam by employers you don't want.

If you post your resume somewhere you open yourself up for potential identity theft.”

The most important part of starting to apply for jobs Ewing said, is having their resume complete. “It’s a document where you are marketing your skills, your education and knowledge, your experience paid and unpaid, your accomplishments as they all relate to the particular employer and job you’re applying for,” she explained.

She explained a resume is not a

static document, it is always being changed to fit each position and each company.

“Employers get a ton of resumes and they make take only twenty or thirty seconds to decide if it’s going into the yes pile or the no pile, and if it gets in the yes pile, they’re going to send more time on it,” she explained. She continued, “So it needs to be written in a way where information is clear, relevant, balloted or any way to make what that student has to offer stand out to that employer.”

Although Wynot said she hadn’t written a resume until the fall of 2013, she took a courses named Transition into the Workplace and Business and Professional Communication at KSC. She said these courses really helped her shape and build her resume and taught

her how to write professional documents that are necessary when applying for a job. She said writing her resume also helped her realize she wanted more experience in the field. “Now,” she said, “Resume building has become a critical part of my experience here at KSC. I took my resume building to the next level and began making appointments at Academic and Career Advising, another tip I recommend to all KSC students because they offer great advice and constructive ways to improve your resume for potential employers.” Wynot said resumes allow students to critically think through their experiences and break them down into valuable resources for potential employers to view them through. She explained, “For example, because I am the Coordinator of Alternative Breaks here on campus, making sure my ‘volunteer and leadership’ section of my resume is very important. This is where most of my professional experience will come from. This is the chance for all students to individualize their resume and reflect back on their professional and academic experiences as students, employees and individuals,” she explained.

On the Academic and Career Advising website there is a sample of 19 resumes from a range of majors which are available for students to look at as guide to look at format and organization. Ewing said, “Every student here has skills and experiences they can be marketing and a lot of times they just don’t realize it.”

Although this can be overwhelming, Ewing said students should have a back up plan so they can reduce their anxieties with this process. “If students are just starting now, they should have a ‘plan b.’ They should think about what would they like to be doing after graduation. Maybe it’s doing temporary assignments, maybe it’s a summer job while you work on building your networking,” she said.

She recommends students to visit the Academic and Career Advising Center for help or advice on a variety of topics when it comes to applying for jobs.

She said students can make an appointment to practice interview techniques, work on how to network, write or edit their resume and search for jobs among many other things.

The Academic and Career Advising Office is in Elliot Center on the first floor. Students can call 603-3582500 to set up an appointment.

Taylor Thomas can be contacted at tthomas@kscequinox.com

Trying to finish spring semester strong (Cont. from A10) JESS BYRNE

Equinox Staff With summer break just around the corner, many Keene State College students say they are preparing

“I always have trouble focusing on school in the spring because there’s so many fun things to do in Keene during this time of year.”

Students say they came back strong, have fun and get ready for the summer ahead.

Junior Julie Flynn said she returned from her spring break trip to Cancun and is ready to get back into the swing of things.

Flynn said, “Spring break was an awesome time and it was nice turn my focus back to school.”

She continued, “It’s always hard in the spring because when it’s sunny out I don’t like spending my days in the library.”

“I always feel crammed with work around this time because teachers make so many assignments due the week after spring break and I still need to get back into the swing of things,” Flynn stated.

Flynn also talked about spring weekend.

“The spring concert is always something I like to attend in the semester and I really can’t wait to go see Big Sean,” she said.

“He’s one of my favorite rappers and I can’t believe [Social] Activity Counsel was actually able to get him at our school,” she said.

As for spring cleaning, Flynn said she is looking forward to being able to open her windows and get fresh air into her apartment, but said she isn’t too worried about packing up her things.

“I’m not really focused on moving out,” Flynn said.

“I’m in the same house next year and will probably keep most my on the weekends,” she explained.

She continued, “I work at home

-CAITLIN LEHMAN KSC SENIOR

during the summer but spend a lot of time with my friends in Keene.”

Some seniors say they are viewently than Flynn is, such as senior Caitlin Lehman.

“This is a sad time for us,” she said.

“Our entire college career is coming to a close and we don’t really know what’s going to happen next,” Lehman said.

For now, Lehman said she is trying to focus on the time she still has at KSC, but is also looking forward to the future.

“I always have trouble focusing on school in the spring because there’s so many fun things to do in Keene during this time of year,” Lehman admitted.

“Plus, knowing it’s my last few weeks is only going to make it tougher to focus on classes,” Lehman said.

However, Lehman said she

terms with the fact that she will not be returning in the fall.

Senior Linnea Henry said she has similar feelings about leaving KSC, and is also trying to stay focused on her school work. strong and leave on a great academic note, but it’s so hard knowing that it

that we continue the events that get a positive reaction and raise the most money.” LaFleur said that the overall goal for such events, activities and ANAD week as a whole is to spread awareness for self-love and love for others, especially when it comes to the “Since ANAD week is all about raising awareness, we felt that Mirrorless Monday was a good place to start since a lot of people can relate to it,” LaFleur said.

Pirtle added that Mirrorless Monday and ANAD week as a whole aims to help encourage students to not only love themselves, but spread that love onto others as well.

“We hope that students will become more aware and comfortable with themselves,” Pirtle said.

“In addition to encouraging students, I also hope that ANAD week raises more money for our sorority, we are at almost $800 so far for this semester, and continues to paint Fraternity and Sorority life in a

TAYLOR THOMAS / STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

Delta Phi Epsilon covered mirrors in bathrooms of the student center Monday March 23 to show people they are more than what they look like.

positive light since our philanthropies are such a major part of our creed,” LaFleur said.

Brogan Wessell can be contacted at bwessell@kscequinox.com

with our best friends,” Henry said.

“As a nursing major I have some big decisions to make, like where I want to get my nursing license and where I’m going to live,” she explained.

“It can be overwhelming at times,” Henry stated.

Henry said she plans to balance her academics and friends and leave school with great memories.

She said, “I’m so excited for these next six weeks, as much as I am sad.

I can’t wait to make these the best ones yet.”

“I plan to get all my homework done during the week so I can spend my weekends doing all the fun ming at Dort Road and Goose Pond.

Those are my favorite spots when the weather gets warmer,” Henry explained.

The warmer weather may be coming but all three students said they plan to manage their fun and

strong and is going to try her hardest to stay focused on her classes while still making time to see friends.

Lehman also talked about the months ahead.

“The futures kind of a mystery for me right now,” she said.

“I’m not about to bring my things home because I haven’t accepted the fact that it’s almost time to leave,” Lehman admitted. on a strong note. “[KSC] has become my home over the last four years,” Lehman said.

Jess Byrne can be contacted at Lehman said it is hard to come to jbyrne@kscequinox.com

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Student Life

INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR THE STUDENT LIFE SECTION OR HAVE A STORY IDEA? CONTACT TAYLOR THOMAS AT TTHOMAS@KSCEQUINOX.COM

Where in the world is the owl?

Find out on A7!

Thursday, april 2, 2015

[KSCEquinox.com]

sTudenT life / a10

Getting ready for the real world TAYLOR THOMAS

Student Life editor With commencement less than 40 days away, Keene State College seniors admit they are starting to become more worried about their lives after graduation.

Louise Ewing is a career advisor in the KSC Academic and Career Advising Center in the Elliot Center on campus.

Ewing shared advice she said all Ewing also said that seniors

should be starting to apply for jobs for after graduation and should be working on building their resumes and connections.

“I would say if you’re starting to see positions you want that are open now, you should go ahead and start applying because on your resume students should have their expected graduation date so employers will know when you’re available, and the hiring process can take time,” she said. She explained that this is the perfect time for seniors to start applying and if the employer

sooner they will, but they may wait.

However, Ewing explained, “Eighty percent of jobs are found through networking, so you want to spend eighty percent of your time building your network, but the other twenty percent you want to look at websites, but that isn’t where you want to sit.”

She explained LinkedIn is a great website to make connections.

She said the purpose of networking on LinkedIn isn’t to ask people for a job, but it’s more about asking them advice, information about working

forming connections with potential employers by simply having a conversation.” For students that don’t have a LinkedIn or don’t know how to operate the website, Ewing said Students.linkedIn.com has great videos and tips on how to use the - website. She explained, “It does zational sites, get recommendations a really great job at getting you from my supervisor at my intern- started, such as how to create a proareas I see for employment,” she ship and send emails to potential explained. employers,” she explained. do career research…”

She said that LinkedIn has She continued, “This form of She added, “There’s a KSC helped her start her job search for networking is subtle because you » JOB SEARCH, A9 post-graduation. However, she said are actively showing interest and

their job search.

KSC senior Katie Wynot said she has a LinkedIn and believes this is a valuable tool for the “modern day networking world.”

“I have been able to connect with students, professional employers, companies, trending groups for tips

she doesn’t expect to just be handed a job and realizes the importance of persistence.

“Beginning with LinkedIn and following up with job sites for my

Career and Internship Fair draws more than 80 employers

Sorority encourages KSC students to be-YOU-tiful BROGAN WESSELL

equinox Staff Delta Phi Epsilon put on ‘Mirrorless Monday’ as part of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders [ANAD] week starting March 23.

On Mirrorless Monday sorority members covered some of the bathroom mirrors on campus to help remind students to accept themselves and others as they are instead of judging from appearances.

Vice President of Programming that every year the sorority dedicates a week during each semester to eating disorder awareness and promoting a positive body image in honor of their philanthropy ANAD. was the idea of the DPhiE philanthropy chairs Megan Pirtle and Sara Jane LaFleur.

LaFleur said the idea was a great start to ANAD week because it is a somewhat subtle way to get attention for the cause and can also make a positive impact on certain people who see it.

“The point of Mirrorless Monday is to make people realize that their outer existence does not matter and to accept themselves and others as they are. We did this by covering up some of the bathroom mirrors in the student center with information about Mirrorless Monday and Pirtle said that the event was all about loving yourself and not rely-

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

The Keene State College Career and Internship Fair was held on March 27, in the Spaulding Gym. With 84 employers, this was the biggest turnout for this fair to date.

body and with your own self,” Pirtle said.

JILL GIAMBRUNO

equinox Staff Career and Internship Fair, almost 250 students were in attendance.

The fair, which was held on Friday, March 27, was noted to be the largest job fair ever hosted at KSC. KSC Career Advisors Louise Ewing and Beverly Behrmann were eager to explain the success that the growing Career and Internship Fair has had over the last several years.

“The career fairs started here about eight years ago, and were hosted in the Rhodes Atrium because of how small they were,” Behrmann explained.

“Attendance of employers and students has nearly doubled in three years,” Behrmann continued.

“This is the largest career fair that Keene State [College] has ever hosted,” Ewing added, explaining that this semester’s fair had to be hosted in the Spaulding Gym to accommodate the 84 employers in attendance.

“Coordinating an event like this was exciting, to say the least,” Ewing said.

Sprinkled throughout the crowd of prospective employers were several KSC alumni, who returned to campus to

LaFleur said, “By covering the mirrors we are encouraging people to be good to themselves and their bodies, which is the main idea behind Mirrorless Monday as well as most of the other events we put on during the same week.”

“Something we really tried to focus on this year was not the idea of looking good or bashing the products of society that tell us how to look, rather we tried focusing on what makes you feel good about yourself and becoming more com-

internships and jobs, meet employers but also to network and practice their interviewing skills.”

LOUISE EWING KSC CAREER ADVISOR

“It’s exciting to have [the alumni] back here as well,” phone and email prior to the fair in a proactive attempt to be Ewing said. more memorable.

Though the Career and Internship Fair hosted at KSC was She continued, “It’s a really great opportunity for stu- ship hunt was going relatively well for her.

“I feel like it’s organized really well. Personally, I’m a little to network and practice their interviewing skills.” overwhelmed,” Cavanaugh admitted.

Ewing agreed and added, “It’s really important for students to be coming to these kinds of events.”

Shannon Cavanaugh, a junior at KSC, attended the fair in “I’m mainly going around trying to connect faces with names and put my name out there a little more,” Cavanaugh explained.

Cavanaugh said she had contacted several employers via

“I could use an internship, or even a better summer job,” Rein said, “I think something like that would look good on

» CAREER FAIR, A7

to Mirrorless Monday, they also put on other events and activities throughout ANAD week to help students love who they are.

Monday night, gave out free hot chocolate on Toasty Tuesday saying ‘you’re hotter than this hot chocolate,’ Women Crush Wednesday for inspirational women who make a positive impact on society, Trash Your Insecurities Thursday where people wrote something they don’t like about themselves and throw it out and Feel Good Friday where people wrote down something that they love about themselves,” Schaffrick said.

LaFleur added, “Although ANAD week happens twice per year, we are always mixing up the activi-

» ANAD, A9

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Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Check out The Equinox weekly playlist on Spotify @ kscequinox

Arts & Entertainment Turn to B4 to try our newest crossword puzzle!

events on B2!

Thursday, april 2, 2015

a&E / B1

[KSCEquinox.com]

Night Owl Café gets a taste of coffee REBECCA COSTANZO

ture was the gift of a free mug with attendance.

Equinox Staff The clatter of the keyboard and the sweet

and on social media with the appeal of two upand-coming singer/songwriters as stars of the pro-

the week for several Keene State College students. the singers were discovered at this year’s National This entertainment was provided by the Student house event.

The conference is used as a tool for student activity councils across the country to learn tips Trade Club, took place last Sunday, March 8, in the dents coming in and out of the event.

Young — both of which provided a half set that complimented the other in tone and enthusiasm. possible mid-semester woes. Sophomore student Marsh is a native of New Jersey but when she New Hampshire because of a family summer to have a cool vibe while hanging out and listening to music.”

She spent part of her set playing the keyboard to This cool ambiance was created by the use of accompany her vocals and also used a ukulele she thoughtful decorations, such as covering each table surrounding the stage with paper and proTori Tine said she liked Marsh’s anecdotes to viding markers for audience members to doodle -

» NOC COFFEEHOUSE, B2

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

Brett Young plays the guitar and Lauren Marsh jams on the piano during an on-campus event at the Night Owl Café. Students sat and drank coffee while enjoying the live performances and coffee house feel.

STAFF COMMENTARY

Band ‘Screaming Females’ echoes eclecticism in new punk album SARAH ROONEY

Equinox Staff

is how much of the punk rock spectrum it covers.

Songs such as “Ripe” and “Criminal Image” show the band’s ability to write and play harder

Screaming Females, a punk rock trio formed are more mellow and contemplative. Other studio album, “Rose Mountain,” in February.

Consisting simply of three instruments and one vocalist, Screaming Females has managed to punk side of the spectrum. secure a place of its own in today’s esteemed top The song for which the album was named, lists of Pitchfork, Stereogum and other notable “Rose Mountain,” begins with a minute long independent music Internet publications. intro, intense and hard, but the mood it sets is immediately shattered once Paternoster begins song in which Paternoster is able to truly show to sing. The song itself is almost a love song, or at - least as close as this band has ever gotten to writpassed only by the unmistakable undertones of anger, accompanied by an impressive guitar the chorus of the song, in which she repeatedly solo. While reminiscent of previous Screaming sings “I’m nothing like the others; I was made Females albums, “Rose Mountain” has a more just for you.” The song itself serves as a sort of polished sound to it, something that can only paradigm for the band. It begins like an average be accomplished by a talented band capable of hard rock song, transitions into a more catchy repeatedly outdoing itself. alternative rock song and ends with a seemingly One of the greatest things about this album

» ROSE MOUNTAIN, B3

Robert Moses’ Kin dance company brings experience to the stage in Redfern Arts Center performance SARAH ROONEY

Vietnam War, and the use of media during the war, among other things.”

Founded in 1995, Robert Moses’ Kin is a contemporary On Wednesday, March 25, Robert Moses and his dance dance company founded by Robert Moses, who said that company, Robert Moses’ Kin, came to Keene State College. he, as the choreographer, uses dance as a medium through

Equinox Staff

Center on Wednesday night. Moses also took time to discuss his art with interested students.

One of the dances, “Speaking Ill of the Dead,” was about

-

education student who attended the event.

“Say I am 6 feet 2 inches and I want to reach something on a shelf that is made for people who are 6 feet 3 inches. That is performed, the phrase “we are sorry to inform you” continuously played over the speakers. about that struggle, that frustration.” Moses said that the “The men were lifting the women and throwing them in dances he choreographs and the themes he chooses to cover the air, a little like a cheerleading stunt, but way better and depend on what he wants people to get out of them.

Robert Moses’ Kin consists of 11 members. One of the She went on to comment that “the intentional lighting and costuming for this piece was genius because the audience was literally left in the dark, much like citizens during member. He said that Moses will simply choreograph and a war.” teach the moves, but as a dancer the gravity of the perfor-

» ROBERT MOSES, B2

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mance as a whole isn’t appreciated in the same manner.

He explained that as a dancer he just does what he is told, learns the dance and performs. The experience of dancing,

The audience was also treated with some unique cover

the experience of the audience.

The audience’s perception and response is how Moses knows whether or not his

-

ing projects.

The crooner also sang a mixture of covers and origi-

Moses said. cult it is to send a straightforward message

he said. He explained how all of the art he even commented on man’s attempt at con-

He said that he would never write a -

Sarah Rooney can be contacted at srooney@kscequinox.com

JORDAN CROWLEY / EQUINOX STAFF

Audience members wait for the Robert Moses’ Kin dance company show to start in the Redfern Arts Center.

Rebecca Costanzo can be contacted at bcostanzo@kscequinox.com

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KSC Movie Channels Check out these titles playing this week!

Don't miss local upcoming events Events starting April 2 through April 9

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misplaced piano part. The song, like the band, is eclectic and catchy and still rocks pretty hard.

Generally, the band sticks to the basic format of drums, bass, guitar and vocals.

The fact that they are able to incorporate this into their music without jeopardizing the sound they have worked so hard to establish simply goes to show how much this band continues to

song, Paternoster’s full voice shouting over the harsh sounding guitars and drums. But, somehow, they make it work. Piano in a particularly hard rock song is something only Screaming Throughout the entire album, there are recurring themes to the songs. Several of the songs begin quietly, Paternoster showing she can sing any way she wants.

a&E / B3

Her voice and the music eventually build up into the wailing, rocking chorus. It’s like the Screaming Females song formula and it’s perfect.

Screaming Females have been around nearly ten years and each album they put out brings something new to the world. They are, quite possibly, the greatest contemporary punk rock band and this new album only goes to further prove that statement. Buy Rose Mountain today.

Sarah Rooney can be contacted at srooney@kscequinox.com

Check out The Equinox’s weekly playlist on Spotify @ KSCequinox PHILIP BERGERON / GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR

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Thursday, april 2, 2015

STAFF COMMENTARY

Second film of ‘Divergent’ series fails to live up to franchise standard

MATT BILODEAU

Equinox Staff When “Divergent” came out, it got swept under the rug because it was mainly seen as cess of “The Hunger Games” series. I went in with the lowest expectations possible and came out pleasantly surprised. Shailene Woodley was one of those actresses to watch out for at that time and for good reason; personality. “Divergent” had its fair share

“Insurgent” on the other hand, was a big step down.

Three days after her escape from Erudite Leader Jeanine [Kate Winslet], Divergent Tris [Shailene Woodley] is still on the run with her boyfriend Four [Theo James]. In this world, Divergents are seen as threats to the entire faction system. These people really come into play when Jeanine discovers a box.

This box contains a message from the ancestors outside the wall of Chicago and can only be opened when a Divergent passes all of its simulations. It’s then up to Tris to decide whether she should turn herself in or kill Jeanine to stop the bloodshed.

“Insurgent” feels like a part two in every way. It takes place only moments after “Divergent” and feels like the second half of

calm and collective, Miles says whatever is on his mind and Jai might as well be a bad guy in an 80s action movie.

Then actors like Theo James and Ansel Elgort take over, leaving dedicated actors like Octavia Spencer and Naomi Watts in the dust. Theo and Ansel don’t have much of a character because they didn’t matter one way or another. There’s a plot, kind of, but no story to back it up. The movie transitions from scene to scene with no real structure. The entire second half of “Insurgent” is Tris engaging through a bunch of tests in a dreamlike environment. It looks nice, but that’s all there is to it. into two movies and, because of this, the ending sets itself up where a sequel is inevitable. I’m interested to see where it goes next, but I’m not exactly looking forward to it.

I was hoping that this could have been

a three-act structure. The glue that held it together was Shailene Woodley once again.

She does the best she can with what she’s given and, in some moments, got really emotional. One of her best scenes is when she’s it felt more like a prolonged set-up than a put on trial in the Condor faction. Otherwise, she plays the role just like last time, save sequences and a few decent performances, some developments towards the end of the “Insurgent” doesn’t live up to its predecessor.

The other stand-outs are Kate Winslet, Miles Teller and Jai Courtney. They are all clearly having a good time playing these vil-

Rating: C Matt Bilodeau can be contacted at mbilodeau@kscequinox.com

PHILIP BERGERON / GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR

Remake film of classic fairytale worth the ticket price MATT BILODEAU

Equinox Staff Most generations know the story of Cinderella.

Whether it’s through the classic animated movie events usually remains the same. Over the years, some people have labeled the lead character as unrealistic expectations. That being said, Direchis interpretation of the classic fairy tale and he succeeded.

Once her mother [Hayley Atwell] passes away,

and then passes away while on a business trip.

This leaves her stuck with her wicked stepsisters [Sophie McShera and Holliday Grainger] who only treat her as dirt and a slave, giving her the demeaning name of Cinder-ella. While on a horse ride in the country, she runs into the Prince [Richard Madden] with whom she has a genuine moment. From there, you know the rest of the tale, including her transformation for the ball acter. You see early on that Ella’s father gives more attention to his daughter than Tremaine. and beyond.

Did this story need to be retold yet again? Not brewing early on. Where is her happy ending?

Aside from a few twists and turns in the story, it This is the question Tremaine asks herself when pretty much plays out like you think it would. she looks at her stepdaughter.

All I have to say about the stepdaughters is that they are completely over-the-top and look to the relationships between the characters.

Ella feels the impact that her father’s death leaves on her and it doesn’t help when her only remaining family treats her like she’s nothing.

You feel for her because Lily James is enchanting. direction here.

From “Downton Abbey” to this, she embodies a sense of hope, wonder and innocence that makes thought did a great job was Richard Madden. her a marvel even before she dons the famous Instead of the vain Prince Charming that we’re dress. as an apprentice. He makes it clear that he wants gives an interesting take on the stepmother char- someone to love him for who he is, not what his title is. The best part about all of this is that he’s

PHILIP BERGERON / GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR

very charismatic and you buy the romance. The has next-to-no personality, something that was changed for the better in the reimagining. to look immaculate and Shakespearian. Watching “Cinderella” on an IMAX screen only enhanced the detail that he put into the production design.

It’s almost worth the ticket price just to see the sets and the costumes.

Yes, “Cinderella” has its missteps but, for the most part, I found this to be a charming retelling of the classic fairy tale.

Matt Bilodeau can be contacted at mbilodeau@kscequinox.com

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Conclusions and recommendations of the Vallante report

TIM SMITH / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

President Anne Huot speaking in the Main Theater of the Redfern Arts Center on Friday, March 27, 2015. The open forum was meant to create discussion on campus about the recent reports.

Consistent lack of communication among faculty and administration SKYLER FRAZER

Colbert and doesn’t believe it occurred. In fact, NEC told [Charlie] Beach in approximately 2003-2004 that Student 4 did receive sexually explicit phone calls from Vallante should not be working with college students.

Vallante, leading him to end his friendship with ValBeach denies receiving this warning, and does not lante.

McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton places blame recall hearing any rumors about Vallante. Colbert conon KSC faculty for failing to follow up on numerous complaints regarding Eugene “Gino” Vallante. “Poor because Vallante had acted inappropriately with a stu- and Colbert and expressed concern that Vallante is decisions by administrators and coaches are apparent,” dent,” the report reads. again working with college students. The complaint page 58 of the report reads.

Though Beach said he never received a complaint The report refers to the failure to follow up on mul- from a source at NEC, Director of Human Resources Colbert violated the obligation in KSC’s sexual tiple complaints about Vallente as “a series of missed Kim Harkness and KSC’s Men’s Basketball Coach harassment policy that states, “Any employee who opportunities,” allowed Vallante to continue his work Robert Colbert both said they remembered Beach men- receives information that discrimination or harassing with college students. tioning something. Colbert did initially follow up with behaviors may have occurred must report the informawhat he heard from Beach and talked to NEC Student tion to an appropriate administrative contact,” at least to deals with poor communication with NEC students 6 and NEC Student 4 who he knew through basketball who were sexually harassed by Vallante in 2001-2002. summer camps. failed to comply with KSC’s reporting requirements Former NEC basketball players contacted members of Both were former players of Vallante’s at NEC and regarding sexual harassment. The report said it is likely the KSC community regarding their former coach but said Vallante never did anything inappropriate. The their opinions were ignored. two former players said it was probably “a small group 2011.

- of disgruntled NEC players” making such claims. After talking to these students, Colbert stopped looking into weaknesses and gaps in KSC’s procedures and struc[Robert] Colbert’s failure to make substantive inquiry the matter. “Colbert did not speak to Vallante, he did tures for handling complaints of suspected sexual regarding their collective experiences with Vallante, not contact NEC, nor did he report the conversation to harassment…” that contributed to the poor handling of and the failure to respond to the former NEC student athletes’ concerns in a meaningful way,” the report The report adds that “… Colbert lacked a basic adequately trained to deal with sexual harassment comreads. understanding of what conduct constitutes potential plaints and overall communication between adminisThe school also had numerous complaints regarding sexual harassment or harassing behavior.” trators was poor. “The human resources department Vallante’s conduct between 2003 and 2005.

NEC Student 4 doesn’t recall this discussion with and Title IX coordinator were not uniformly informed

News editor

and involved in reviewing complaints of sexual harassment,” the report reads.

KSC wasn’t the only college that blame was place more forthcoming with KSC about Vallante’s history of sexual harassment, KSC would have been in a better position to evaluate complaints and eliminate the risks posed by Vallante at KSC.” As said in Part 1 of the Vallante story, NEC administrators refused to cooperate in the investigation for these reports and “denied access to any current or former NEC administrators or employees.”

The report gave a list of recommended steps KSC focus on to strengthen its procedures regarding instances like this. President Anne Huot referred to some of the changes suggested in the report in her open forum last Friday, March 27. Huot said the school had these suggested changes. multiple requests for comment but the KSC spokesperson Kelly Ricaurte indicated she would act as their spokesperson.

All reports on Peter Thomas, Charlie Beach and Eugene “Gino” Vallante are available at keene.edu/ president.

Skyler Frazer can be contacted at sfrazer@kscequinox.com

ACCORDING TO THE VALLANTE REPORT

• evaluation of KSC policies related to reporting of off- ous or undefined job descriptions for KSC employees percampus sexual misconduct and past incidents of sexual forming official duties; misconduct that implicate KSC employees who work with Investigative counsel recommends that KSC continue • a continued commitment to promote bystander interto focus on the following steps to strengthen and improve students; vention techniques across campus and student awareness applicable governance structures and reporting proce• centralization of systems for tracking and handling of options and strategies for effectively reporting concerns; dures: complaints of sexual harassment; Page 69 of 131 Redacted to Protect Student Privacy Pages 69-70

• enhanced training for administrators, faculty and staff • additional resources for handling personnel investiga- • enhanced communication among administrative to recognize, properly document, report and investigate offices, athletics programs, and academic schools regardcredible and serious complaints about sexual harassment tions involving administrators, faculty, and staff; ing compliance with sexual harassment reporting protoand threats to student safety and wellness; • uniform procedures to ensure due diligence related cols; and to reference checks and background checks during hiring • improved online resources to facilitate compliance and • better cooperation among New Hampshire colleges and awareness regarding campus policy on sexual harassment processes; universities to share information about former employees and reporting obligations; • enhanced policies or procedures to eliminate ambigu- who present safety risks to students.

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Timeline of significant events in Vallante’s career at Keene State College

PHILIP BERGERON / GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR

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Owls earn All-American honors in Texas KENDALL POPE

SportS Editor While many students were spending spring break relaxing on a beach or shredding snowy slopes, members of the Keene State College Swimming and Diving team were jump-

Shahar Resman, Allison Bartlett, Cole Hogg, Chris Digiacomo and Ryan Boraski traveled to Shenandoah, Texas to compete in the NCAA Swimming and

plans to focus on dry-land

Resman swam the 500 (morning and afternoon) then the 200 freestyle on the second day also twice, then competed in the 800 free relay on the third day, and the 1,650 free and the 400 All-American accolades in the 500 freestyles, the 200 freestyle, the 800 free relay,

Despite his personal achievments, Resman said that his favorite moment was winning the 800 free The Owls left the cham- with his fellow teammates pionship with four All- and having all of them American titles and two come back to Keene as All-American honorable the swim season is over at Bartlett was the only Keene, Resman plans to member of the women’s team to advance to the championship and, after “Now my focus is on my missing a chance at the open water events (10km championship last year by swimming) and I have a two spots, Bartlett proved very important race in May that will be the competi“I competed in the 50 tion determining criterion freestyle, 100 freestyle and for the World Champion- ship in the Summer and style I placed third overall that will be held in Kazan,

swam our leg of the relay as best as we could, “Due to my recent suc- we were driving back to cess, all I want to do is keep the hotel and each one going so that I can continue of us was laughing and improving so that I can having fun as if there was nothing that could better than I could possibly we had come together He continued, “For as a group to the utmost swimmers and most other extent at that moment,” competitive athletes like myself, we do not have an ued, “This years NCAA - trip was my favorite by far but I know that the mental break from all the KSC swim team and I hard work and pressure will work hard to send that we put on ourselves to a much larger group to NCAA's next year in Although these swimmers were working hard while others were relaxing become my favorite they still had some time to have some fun and enjoy Kendall Pope can be “When our relay had a contacted at great swim and we each kpope@kscequinox.com

I also broke the KSC team work in front me because - it is not going to be easy,” can was a huge honor and I couldn't be more excited,” Along with Resman, junior Cole Hogg also made Bartlett explained that his third appearance at the having a strong mental- NCAA Championships this ity, staying calm and being focused were key aspects of At the race Hogg competed in the 200 medley She continued to relay, 200 free relay, 400 free explain that some advice relay and 800 free relay and she got before the race was events like the 200 freestyle “Racing at NCAA championships is a rare opporHogg earned All-Amertunity so it is important to ican honors by placing sevenjoy every minute of it,” enth as a part of the 800 free relay and received Unlike Bartlett, junior All-American Honorable Shahar Resman has not mention in the 200 and 400 only competed in the completion multiple times but Next year Hogg will be CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY ALLISON BARTLETT also earned his seventh All- a senior and as way to keep American title in Texas this his success going strong he Alison Bartlett puts on her goggles and prepares for her 50 freestyle event.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY SHAHAR RESMAN

Left to right: Coach Fabian, Shahar Resman holding his All-American award next to his assistant coach Dan.

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Intramural basketball provides an outlet for non-student-athletes JEFF LUNN

Equinox Staff Intramural sports are a large part of any college and Keene State College has a large number of students in basketball.

Coordinator of Intramural Sports and Sports Clubs, Nick D'Amato, who has been at this position since July 2014, said, “Basketball is probably our most competitive sport.”

He explained that people generally come into this league with the most experience out of any other “It is pretty similar to a high school level depending on team and level they sign up for,” D’Amato said.

In addition, sophomore at KSC David Dunham said the competition varies and that a lot of teams have former high school players, so the competition is good. In contrast to D’Amato, he explained that the skill level is probably one step below high school varsity, probably closer to junior varsity status.

“I think it’s a great program for kids who used to play high school basketball and who don’t play in college,” Dunham said.

Another point made by KSC sophomore Peter Pesano said, “There wasn’t much competition in our division, but in the other division there was pretty good competi-

thurSday, april 2, 2015

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Men’s Lacrosse works for LEC wins

“It’s a nice way to work a popular sport into both semesters.”

-NICK D’AMATO COORDINATOR OF INTRAMURAL SPORTS

just something thats always been apart of him.

“I really like basketball, I’ve played it my whole life and it’s something to do and keep me busy,” Pesano said. ketball leagues that the Intramuin the fall and a 5-on-5 league in the spring. According to D’Amato.

5-on-5 is standard basketball rules, half of the court and play up to a certain number of points or time limit, “The rules are adjusted to make each team bring the ball over the three point line,” D’Amato said.

Along with that, D’Amato said it’s students to get practice and get use

“It’s a nice way to work a popular sport into both semesters,” D’Amato said. He continued that this league is played at end of fall semester when a lot of collegiate and professional basketball is beginning so it’s fresh in people’s minds.

According to Dunham, he likes He said it’s not nearly as com- how it’s organized, unlike pick-up, petitive as high school, at least the with the refs and the scoreboards varsity level. He continued that he and statistics recording. thinks the intramural basketball “It’s good how organized it is for program is good and well orga- an activity.” Although, he explained ent reasons for competing in these he’s accustomed to as a former high leagues for Dunham it brings him school player himself. back to his high school days.

He further stated, “I wish the “I just play because I used to play season would be a little longer, we in high school and it’s fun. I’m play- only play seven or eight games,” ing with a lot of kids I used to play Dunham said. In comparison to with or against in high school. We other sports, D’Amato said, “Basketall play on the same team now so it’s fun to play with them,” Dunham He explained that teams can sign said. He also explained that it’s def- up for competitive or recreational initely a way to keep busy as well, leagues. and said he probably wouldn’t be He stated that he could not doing much else if he didn’t play remember the exact number of intramurals. teams or players but that this year For Pesano playing basketball is

He explained that for the most part divisions are made at random.

D’Amato, former graduate assistant at Western Kentucky University, said, “At most schools, basketball is going to be the most popular sport.”

He further explained that, at WKU, they would get a little over 100 basketball teams.

With this number of teams comes planning. D’Amato explained that “IMLeagues” does a lot of the scheduling. IMLeagues.com is a site ing and team information.

According to D’Amato, they try to plan around team’s availability and hope that at most one game is outside the player’s preference.

“For the bigger sports, I try to schedule the games based on team availability, ”D’Amato said. He further stated that when teams play

site is what organizes the schedule.

In relation to the popular sports, Pesano said that basketball is better and more fun than those other intramural sports he played.

“I think basketball players, in general, like the intramural basketball better than the other sports,” Pesano said.

D’Amato said that the intramuactivities and sports to play.

He explained, “I would like to see smaller sports get recognition.” He further stated that KSC is right up there with the rest of New Hampshire in their intramural sports programs. In addition to basketball, Dunham said he also participates in bowling, softball and dodgeball for fun.

Along with Dunham, Pesano said he played indoor soccer and

TIM SMITH / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Men’s lacrosse player Robert Hart, sophomore attackman battles a defender.

JACOB BARRETT

Equinox Staff

“I told my team the other day, ’We’re now 0-0 in conference so it’s time to role’,” Therisault said.

A slow start doesn’t always translate to a lost game of the season after defeating rival UMass Dartseason, just ask the Keene State College Men’s mouth in a double-digit 18-6 victory on March 28.

Lacrosse team. to Florida during Spring Break. The team played two games, splitting the two game stretch 1-1. Teammates game against Tufts University, the 2014 Division III were able to bond and connect during this time as Champions. well.

These games were scheduled in order for head “I think it helped us out a lot because you’re living coach Mark Theriault to get his players reading for with kids you’re not normally living with and you’re Little East Conference play. While playing such high level teams does bring with it the risk of a loss, Coach to see the younger kids and the older kids hanging Theriault said his team has shown their potential out more and growing as a team,” sophomore defensive man Brandon Charney said.

“I think we’re close. I think sometimes we have Expectations, according to some players, remain spurts of some greatness,” Theriault said. Players high, so much so that fans can expect a sweep of conhave seen the potential early on in the season, and ference opponents. are focusing on areas where the squad could improve.

“We went into it with a lot of expectations. I think we’ve seen a lot of positives, but a couple negatives the best team in the conference and I think we just too. We’re not quite where we need to be yet but need to prove that to everyone else and ourselves,” we’re making strides to get there,” sophomore midWhile the Owls are averaging over fourteen goals scored each game, they are also giving up almost the taste of last season. same number of goals per game as well, along with “Hopefully [we] make some noise in the [NCAA] - tournament,” Charney said.

Charney continued and said he hopes that he and his team are able to push through this year’s reguseemingly have made strides compared to this time lar and postseason and deep into the NCAA tournament, a feat they hope to repeat, and accomplish after games.

Despite his team’s troubles in the early parts of the season, coach Therisault is optimistic about the beginnings of Little East Conference match-ups.

STAFF COMMENTARY

Student wants to see support in Canadian Women’s Hockey League controversy MARC APESOS

Equinox Staff The Boston Blades defeated the month in the 2015 Clarkson Cup fessional Hockey League’s (C.W.H.L) version of the Stanley Cup. The game featured fast-paced play, great saves and an impressive display of skill — the amount of intensity that is to be expected from a Boston versus Montreal championship hockey game.

Janine Weber of the Boston Blades scored the winning goal shortly into overtime. “It’s the biggest goal I’ve ever scored. It happened so fast I didn’t even realize what was happening,” Weber told CWHL.ca, “I saw an opening in the top right glove side and I took it.”

Two days after the Weber’s winning goal, Laura Veharanta, Weber’s former Providence College teammate tweeted, “[Weber] was given the [opportunity] to donate her stick to the Hockey Hall of Fame, leaving her with one stick for the World Championship tourney w/team Austria in April. Can any hockey equipment company help out this CWHL rookie who has to pay for her own equipment?”

What Veharanta is saying is Janine Weber will not have a backup stick playing for team Austria in the Nationals this year, because she donated her previous stick to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

It is hard not to ask oneself; how could somebody who achieves so much in hockey not earn the salary it takes to buy a hockey stick?

The NHL does not recognize the CWHL as a professional hockey league. Frank Brown, the vice president of communications for the

of their evaluation of the CWHL as Times, “While it was determined the overall development of woman’s hockey at the grass-roots level throughout the college level isn’t at a point where a professional league is viable, we believe in the importance of the woman’s game, but it’s going to take some more time.” ated with the WNBA, both widely recognized professional basketball leagues equipped with prominent sponsors and television network deals. Both of these basketball tively popularizing the sport for both men and woman around the world, why isn’t hockey, a sport desperately trying to become prominent in America, following suit?

Individual NHL teams such as the Montreal Canadiens have made equivalents. Last Friday the Canaship between their organization and the Montreal Stars, giving the Stars full access to their training facilities and marketing expertise.

Many C.W.H.L. players believe that the individual actions of teams are not enough. Blades forward Denna Laing voiced her opinion about the Boston Bruins organization’s lack of involvement, “It’s kind of crazy that we’re supposed to be their male version,” she told the if our team was seen as a professional team, like we’re supposed to be seen.”

Bampton Thunder forward Jocuntil the entire league recognizes them as well, “They call it a professional league, but really we’re not paid and that’s a big misconception,”

Other NHL teams have not made any deals with their CWHL counterparts.

“They call it a professional league, but really we’re not paid and that’s a big misconception,” said Jocelyne Larocque, who plays for the Thunder and the Canadian national team.

“It’s kind o crazy that we’re supposed to be their male version,” Blades forward Denna Laing said.

“When we were there with them, hope someday we get there. I’d really like it if our team was seen as a professional team, like we’re supposed to be seen. It kind of felt like they were talking to a youth team.”

“They call it a professional league, but really we’re not paid and that’s a big misconception,” said Jocelyne Larocque, who plays for the Thunder and the Canadian national team, “Was given the [opportunity] to donate her stick to the Hockey Hall of Fame.. Leaving her w/ 1 stick for the World Championship tourney w/ Team Austria in April. Can any hockey equipment company help out this CWHL rookie who has to pay for her own equipment?”

It was two days after the Blades won the Clarkson Cup when a tweet from Weber’s former Providence College teammate, Laura Veharanta brings into perspective the reality of being a CWHL player.

“It’s kind of crazy that we’re supposed to be their male version,” Blades forward Denna Laing said.

“When we were there with them, it someday we get there. I’d really like it if our team was seen as a professional team, like we’re supposed to be seen. It kind of felt like they were talking to a youth team.”

AP PHOTO/TT, CLAUDIO BRESCIANI

Canadian players celebrate after Brigitte Lacquette ,hidden, scored the opening goal, as Finland';s goalkeeper Eveliina Suonpaa, left, and Anna Kilponen, right, looks away during the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship group A match between Canada and Finland at the Malmo Isstadion in Malmo, southern Sweden, Tuesday, March 31, 2015.

There is no question that the pas- w/ Team Austria in April. Can any sion for the sport of CWHL play- hockey equipment company help out this CWHL rookie who has to their male-counterpart in the NHL; pay for her own equipment?” but why is it that the NHL refuses to acknowledge the CWHL’s existence? by Seth Berkman earlier this month As the an older and more estab- described the struggles CWHL playlished hockey league isn’t it their ers face in terms of drawing fans responsibility to lend a helping and keeping the league alive. hand to a woman’s hockey league Players have to pay $150 to enter “was given the [opportunity] to the leagues draft and each team donate her stick to the Hockey Hall of Fame.. Leaving her w/ 1 stick for eral Manager Aronda Kirby told the the World Championship tourney

tickets to games to help raise the appropriate amount of money.”

CWHL players do not earn league salaries — so many work full time jobs while playing hockey seven months out of the year.

The NHL does not recognize that any professional woman’s hockey league exists. Is it important that these two organizations support each other?

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Hennessy even said “ life changing” and Former Coach 3 stated she would have not stayed at KSC if it wasn’t for the

Mcloughlin stated she could not remember when in the season Jane Doe 1 was cut but that it was usual before the regular season games so that the player could transfer without losing athletic eligibility and remembers that day them face to face or that he might put his arm around a players shoulder as he coaches her and does not believe

a “1,2,3 hug” indicating three taps on the back and that McLoughlin was picking up with the girls and did not many accounts of who and who didn’t receive contact Jane Doe 1 is a bad softball player, just not as good as the -

While other players did their jobs McLoughlin said it -

Jane Doe 1 could have played better but that she did show

-

Jane Doe 1 did not make good plays and made errors that

beach to be aware of his actions and that it was not appro-

Carrah Fisk Hennessy is currently the interim softball

Harkness that Robinson was not treating it as a complaint -

She continued to explain that players are cut in the Fall on a rolling basis , particularly walk-ons and that when

Former Coach 3 coached Jane Doe 1 for a year and also had

knowledge of the 2003 complaint and has no recollection bert but was redirected to Spokeswoman of the college,

Former Coach 3 believes that Jane Doe 1 might have had “culture shock” going to KSC because Jane Doe 1 was

Kendall Pope can be contacted at kpope@kscequinox.com

that when she was a better player on her high school team

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

Students argue same team, same rules MARY CURTIN

Equinox Staff Getting women involved in sports in the 21st century is as easy as ever and the intramural sports program at Keene However, there are rules implemented in this program to ensure that women are One rule that is set in place is two points for every one goal scored by a female meant to allow females to participate more intensely within is to encourage teams to get females involved in the game ticipation comes from co-rec activities, and in some sports we don’t have enough interest to run women’s only leagues, so we want to make sure that our female participants are getting an opportunity to play,” Coordinator of Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs,

“I think that points should be equal regardless of gender.”

-NOAH MACRI MALE INTRAMURAL SPORTS PLAYER

score more than the boys in stand those skills and would the league,” female participant get them involved regardless of goals being worth extra It is a common rule at several other colleges, according often, but students do have a chance to provide feedback at From a female’s perspective, the end of each season though an online system, according to that the rule is unfair because women can play just as well, if “Maybe an alternative could not better than, some men in be that points are awarded However, from a male participant’s perspective, it is “We’re always looking at unfair that a goal for a female how rules are working and how rules are applied by our “I think that points should be equal regardless of gender,” male participant Noah Macri female participants are just as skilled, but intramural sports

the league is coed and should be treated as such and that no one would base point scoring

However, there is also to encourage female partici- the issue that men may try to “It should be changed to a pants, there is some push- have more women on the team, back from some of the league’s or pass them the ball for the is no reason a team should sole purpose of getting more get another point because “It could be argued that of the person who scored it,” the rule is in place to encour“I certainly understand age girls to play and there is that there are a lot of females always a lower turnout for who participate in our activiMary Curtin can be congirls, but there are also many ties who are skilled enough tacted at girls in the leagues that can and whose teammates undermcurtin@kscequinox.com

SARAH MORRISON / EQUINOX STAFF

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Sports

Interested in writing for the Sports section?

Email The Equinox Sports Editor Kendall Pope at kpope@kscequinox.com thurSday, april 2, 2015

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Investigation into athletics reveals new information on coaching conduct

SCOTT MCPHILLIPS / EQUINOX STAFF

KENDALL POPE

SportS Editor

KENDALL POPE

SportS Editor JACOB BARRETT

Equinox Staff The circumstances regarding the departure of a former veteran Keene State College Softball Coach Charlie Beach have been revealed.

Despite the investigative teams research and testimonies they revealed Beach to be of no threat to his tile environment existed on the softball team at KSC, administration still decided to not renew a coaching contract with Beach.

To many the decision not to renew Beach’s contract was a shock. Beach had been with the KSC softball program for 29 years and was loved by many of his athletes.

However, In March 2013, a student-athlete’s mother

After the complaint Beach was required to attend counseling and mandated classes on sexual harassment to reinforce the college’s policies of coach-to-athlete relationships. Yet, just one year later, another complaint the same types of sexual harassment violations.

When interviewed for the investigation Beach did not disclose these prior complaints and exhibited an duct and sexual harassment training.

Beach described his sexual harassment training as degree of insensitivity about the value of faculty and

According to the report, “ Beach’s inability or unwillingness to approach these students concerns in a more considerate manner appears at odds with the colleges goal to advance the well- being and development of its students and to foster an environment that is respect- ful and responsive to the concerns and sensibilities of cial reports released from the McLane, Graf, Raulerson its students.”

In regards to Beach’s treatment of Jane Doe 1 during & Middleton Law Firm said her daughter was being tryouts , Beach, Jane Doe 1, and other interviewee’s had sexually harassed by Beach.

Jane Doe 1 had tried out for the team and was cut shortly after expressing discomfort with Beach’s practices and the manner in which she was cut from alleged inappropriate touching of her waist. Jane Doe the team.

Jane Doe 1 describes that she felt Beach humiliated 1’s mother added that other women on the team were her by the manner in which she was cut. Jane Doe 1 also being “felt up” by Beach.

After learning this, the investigators dove deeper said she was cut after an intra-team scrimmage, on the into claims against Beach, many claims explaining that Beach made derogatory comments against women, one parents. including Beach claiming he has a reputation of liking “blonde women.”

During the formal investigation of the matter, inter- a personal setting appropriate to the softball environviews were conducted with Jane Doe 1, her mother, ment which was corroborate by witness’s , assistant - coaches, and a player.

Assistant Coach Meghan McLoughlin stated that Beach, his wife Deb (also a coach) talked about cutting players on a weekly basis.

McLoughlin stated that Jane Doe 1 was in competiyears ago in 2003, Beach was subject to investigation after a student made similar complaints about inappro- tion with another player for the same position and that priate behavior involving jokes and humor that crossed Jane Doe 1 was not as good as the competition in the the line.

» BEACH, B9

“It’s just Pete,” was a statement made in the recent reports of the investigation of former Head Coach Peter Thomas of the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track programs here at Keene State College.

This statement reinforces that the culture of a team was so accepting of a coach’s behavior that athletes and employees began “looking the other way,” now with evidence to prove it.

As part of the conclusions to the investigation of Thomas, conclusion letter “G” states that, “The training protocols and reporting structure at the college were insufof ‘looking the other way’ where Coach Thomas’s behavior was concerned.”

In an interview with President Anne Huot on March 27, 2014, she was asked what she was going to do to change this culture among student-athletes and sports teams.

Given the example of Jane Doe 5’s account in the report where she mentioned that the upperclassmen didn’t “warn” her of Thomas’s behavior President Huot responded, “So, I think what happened there was that the behaviors were more broadly known than is apparent. I think student athletes tried to compensate for that behavior by providing counseling to new young athletes about how to engage in the environment that they were entering. That’s totally unacceptable. Totally unacceptable.

It should never be the case that students feel they need to explain to other students on how to protect themselves from an employee.”

Other conclusions of the investigation found that “Coach Thomas has engaged in behavior which rises to the level of sexual harassment in that he made unwelcome sexual comments and engaged in unpermitted touching of at least some student-athletes.”

This conclusion was established based on the reports of several female athletes and alumni, who all reported being touched

by Coach Thomas in what they felt

was an inappropriate way.

Along with those claims, both male and female athletes reported a variety of inappropriate sexually-charged commentary from Thomas that was not appropriate in an educational setting.

Some of these sexually-charged comments were made about certain parts of women’s bodies and being “overly familiar” with students’ personal lives, dating and sexual relationships. In one claim in particular Thomas was said to have advised a student not to take birth control pills. Another conclusion was a widely known behavior of giving leg massages to female athletes. According to the reports, “Nearly all of the current students,

the cross-country and track teams.

The investigation found that students would not report behavior that made them uncomfortable for fear of retribution by the coach, other athletes and alumni. Several reports claimed that early in their careers as cross country and track athletes they were told to disregard certain behaviors. For example, John Doe 4 stated that, “It’s just Pete” was passed down from upperclassmen to lowerclassmen.

He gave the example of receiving a hug from Thomas and feeling awkward about it until an upperclassmen told you, “It’s just Pete,” and he would get used to the behavior. This culture resulted in student-athletes becoming desensitized to behavior they otherwise may have thought was inappropriate if the upperclassmen did not reassure them.

The last conclusion explained that the coach’s behavior went unchecked for many years, which lead to creating a culture in which the behavior became natural and accepted. According to the report many witnesses reported that alumni, upperclassmen, members

states that they had seen Thomas give leg massages to athletes. ”Thomas did not deny that he gave leg massages. Thomas stated that the massages were always related to an injury and after referring athletes to the training center some would come back and ask him to massage their leg as well.

However, those claims are disputed from several people who were massaged and felt uncomfortable. department were aware of ThomIn February 2014, Director of as’s behavior and that in their eyes this behavior was acceptable in campus-wide email saying that education. coaches were to stop giving masSome even say they did not sages. report anything because they Thomas replied, “OK.” thought that nothing would be The next conclusion explains done if they complained. the imbalance of power between Huot later explained that new Thomas and his students, further- leadership models in athletics and ing a culture that divides a team. better orientation for student ath“His power extends over those letes and the student population at who revere him and those who despise him,” stated the report. datory training for anyone that Evidence in the report explains works at the college – will be a that Thomas had the ability to part of making students aware of manipulate athletes by favoritism. their resources. The desired result In the report Jane Doe 9 gives the is to eliminate these “responsibiliexample that Thomas had bought ties” on students and student-athshoes for the faster runners and letes and to eliminate cultures and even bought shoes for an athlete behaviors evident in the Thomas who was going to quit as a way to investigation. entice her to stay.

All reports on Peter Thomas, Charlie Beach and Eugene “ Gino” that “favorites” were treated dif- Vallente are available at keene.edu/ ferently and that Thomas held president. grudges if an athlete had a bad race or workout. The next concluKendall Pope can be contacted sion comes back to the culture of kpope@kscequinox.com

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SPRING BREAK

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CAROLINE ALM / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

C2 / Spring Break 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015

New Orleans, La. Students restore magic back in its place

Sec12

Black JESSICA FRENCH

turners. United Saints Recovery Project has been around since Hurricane Katrina, and focuses on the community of New Orleans and rebuilding what — almost 10 years New Orleans is known for its awesome party scene after the fact — still needs help. Being on Alternative and its crime but it is much more than that.

Break allowed Keene State students to not only work with A team of nine Keene State College students dedicat- an amazing organization, but it allowed them to truly see ed their spring breaks to driving over 26 hours all the why New Orleans is such a magical place that deserves way to New Orleans, Louisiana, to work with the United to be restored. Throughout the week, we were able to acSaints Recovery Project. Keene State has a great relation- complish many ship with the United Saints and the organization is State became emotionally attached always happy to see reto was painting Dr. Veronica Lewis’s house. As we completed her house she came out and called us her angels and

Contributing Writer

changed my perspective on life and the city of New Orleans. As a team we were able to experience not only the city, but the people. A woman who told us her Hurricane Katrina story stated how important this city is to her. She had seen the devastations of the horrible storm but decided to come back because of the people and the great sense of community. She had lost everything and almost everyone, but came back. Her passion for her city and community empowered us all and reminded us of the work we were doing and why we were doing it.

New Orleans is full of amazing people, stories and life.

Being able to work with the United Saints and the eight

we were just painting her house, but of the best experiences of my life. I advise as many peoto her and her family, it was so much ple to experience Alternative Break when you have the more. chance, because it will honestly change your life. Team I could honestly go on about this NOLA 2015, thank you for all your hard work, I love you trip forever, and I know the eight all to the moon and back!

2015 TEAM NO L A! CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS / JESSICA FRENCH

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Spring Break 2015 / C3

Immakolee, Fla.

Volunteerism finds small centers giving mighty oppurtunities HANNAH ELLIOT

Contributing Writer lucky enough, an impact monumental enough to bring back home with us. Immokalee’s Alternative Break proved itself just that.

On the way down to Immakolee, Florida, the usual car bonding ensued. In getting to know one another we also discussed our expectations of the trip, knowledge of the community partners and the experience we were hoping to leave with on Saturday.

This trip ended up being more than what we thought we were getting ourselves into. It was an opportunity not only to look through the lens of a culture completely

RESPECT Hope Dignity CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS / HANNAH ELLIOT

On Hannah Elliot's trip to Immakolee, Florida, her team worked at the Guadalupe Center (middle) and the Coalition of Imokalee Workers (top and bottom photos).

sought to get more corporations on board for the Fair Food Movement. This movement ensures all that was listed above by having corporations only buy tomatoes from farms that adhere with the farmers' rights.

It was inspiring to be around such passionate and empowered people pushing nate enough to be there during a time of their annual parade for the Fair Food Movement. We were able to take part in the art-making process by painting a parachute inscribed with the words: Respecto, Esperanza and Dignidad — Respect, Hope and Dignity. No better group of words could illustrate the movement and its people more clearly.

From the soup kitchen to the coalition, the farmers and people of Immokalee truly embody a quote I happened to pass hanging on the wall of the Coalition, “We have lost many, but we have lived the most." Their resilience to injustices and hardship demonstrates the beauty of the human spirit and the power to overcome. Every member of the community builds together, heels together and looks forward together. No shortage of love and knowledge was shared during our time there for Alternative Break. We couldn’t be more grateful for our stay and volunteerism opportunities.

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many community partners and people we met along the way.

One of the community partners we were able to learn from and work alongside was the Guadalupe Center. This center is a safe place created for the largely migrant farm-worker population, usually spanning all levels of legal status and poverty. Although the center is small, it is mighty. It provides food, clothing and a multitude of social services among them, including immigration documentation help.

The disadvantages of some people we were able to meet through sitting in with clients waiting to receive their meal tickets was impactful. These people were facing issues from immigration, low income, little education and corrupt rent and living conditions; it was humbling. Some of these people, with all that lay ahead of them, had already accomplished so much and had the determination and will to push forward to create a better life for themselves and their families here in the states.

Another community partner we were able to work with was the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. This group was a powerfully charged group of farm workers and

C4 / Spring Break 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Kilmarnock, Va.

Owls assist with health care

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EMILY TABER

Contributing Writer Health care: “The maintenance and improvement of physical and mental health, through the provision of medhealthcare and typically what most people think of when they hear the term. To say the least, there is so much more Nine of Keene State College’s Alternative Break members packed our bags and set out to Kilmarnock, Virginia, where we would then volunteer at The Northern Neck Free Health Clinic [NNFHC]. The excitement was evident and energy was high as we set out on this trip, an experience none of us would never forget.

Because the NNFHC is a free clinic and primarily run by volunteers, the communication and organization was lacking — no one seemed to be on the same page as to what was going on and what needed to get done, which made astonishing to me: that a place so important and relied on by so many could be so unorganized and confused. Then

of shouldn’t be a privilege, but a right that every human being has.

Once the screening was over and the patient left, the accustomed to whipping out our insurance cards and not person conducting the screening then made a very racist having to worry about it. For those of us who have health comment as if it were nothing and went about their day insurance and doctors who treat us with respect, we are completely not phased. Although I knew racism still haptruly privileged. pened, being born and raised in New Hampshire, I have The second day we were there four of us got to go to the never really encountered it personally — I was taken back. town over in Middlesex, Virginia, where they had screen- Not even one minute after the patient left the room, judging and pharmacy pickup set up in a church for patients ments and racist comments were being placed on them who were unable to get to the actual clinic. While there, we sat in on an eligibility screening — this was where every- ing. thing I had heard about the health care system really became a reality for me. is true, it is simply not that black and white — it is many As I was sitting there watching the screening take place and learning how to do it, the person across from me was sitting there waiting to see if they were eligible or system truly is. So many of us take for granted the things not. When I reversed roles and thought about how I would we have and are available to us, yet there are others in the feel if I was in their chair and not mine, I realized how world who would love to be in our shoes. scared and nervous I would be — yet these people swalYou can hear and learn about health care and how it low their prides and acknowledge the fact that they need help in order to take care of themselves and their families. understand it until you’ve experienced it or observed it diThey sit there answering every question cooperatively and rectly. That is when things come to light and the light bulb it was run because it was not something we all experience

have ever seen before. It doesn’t have the means and endless resources sitting there ready for the taking; it doesn’t everyone to see. Getting health care and being taken care have the luxury of consistency like other health care of-

rather than simply talking about it.

PHOTOS BY CAROLINE ALM / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Spring Break 2012 / C5

Kilmarnock, VA.

Northern Neck Free Health Clinic: healthcare with a heart CAROLINE ALM

Arts & entertAinment editor Imagine coming from a working class background, living with a chronic illness in a rural area without health insurance and the closest hospital is almost two hours away by car. For the people of Kilmarnock, Virginia and its surrounding counties, this description is too often a reality.

Thankfully, the Northern Neck Free Health Clinic [NNFHC] exists.

NNFHC is an independent community 12,500 patients since its conception in the That really opened up access to care for them, especially when our patients have continued, “Gas got to be very expensive.

Some of them would just not come because

car. So we would bring everything to them explained that medicaid has currently not been expanded in Virginia, but if it was, it would cover approximately 400,000 Virginians across the state and provide them with medical care.

“They now have to go through a free health clinic system, and the free health clinic system works well, but they [free health clinics] are dependant on grants and counties have better fundraising capabilities than others due to the demographics in those areas.

“I see that there will always be a need for that kind of thing [free health clinics].

There will always be somebody who just falls outside of the boundary lines for any kind of care. We tend to guide our patients very closely through the medical system which can be very daunting to people,” Gifford concluded.

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provided $75 million in health care in the “This just gave me the realization that, last 20 years.

The Kilmarnock location and its out- okay, what you’re doing is worthwhile,” reach locations serve the area’s most vul- LaRhue concluded.

For Dental Clinic Coordinator, Tracey nerable citizens, according to NNFHC’s website. These patients include those who Jones, her impact on her patients is what makes her job worthwhile. “The patients. I love the patients; yes ma’am,” Jones contininsurance and 70 percent of patients have at least one chronic condition. NNFHC sur- ued, “Everybody has a story.”

“They get excited when I remember their vives on volunteer support and is funded by donations. Regular volunteer, Ida LaR- name. When they come up to the window - and I go, ‘Good mornin’, sweetie!,’ and I say ence at NNFHC. “You can touch someone their name, they’ll be like, ‘Oh my Gosh, even on the telephone about picking up how do you remember all these names?’”

Jones continued, “Yeah, that puts a smile their medicine,” LaRhue said. on their face.” Jones began as a pharmain and learn everything and getting to talk cy technician volunteer at NNFHC before to people,” LaRhue continued, “And then it being hired as Dental Coordinator for the was like, from one Monday to the next; I’m clinic in 2011. getting tired. I’m like, ‘God, is there a reapharmtech,” Jones continued, “And I am a son I’m doing this?’”

LaRhue was born and raised in Virginia, pharm[acy] technician here at the Northern and after retiring from a longtime career in Neck Free Health Clinic. And then the job computer science with United Healthcare became available for the dental coordinator in Baltimore, Maryland, she moved back on the dental clinic side and I was asked if I to Virginia. LaRhue has been volunteering wanted that job. So I started August 2, 2011 her time every Monday in the health clinic here as the dental coordinator.” since September 2014.

“I had this one particular patient that I also began working at NNFHC in 2011. Gifhad been calling for three weeks to pick his ford became involved with Northern Neck Free Health Clinic in 2000 as a volunteer afhim,” LaRhue continued, “He was telling ter moving to the area from southern New me he was in the hospital at that time and Jersey.

“One of the things that I was involved that he couldn’t come and get his medicine and that his son was supposed to be pick- with from the very beginning was our ing up his medicines. He had just had an outreach in Westmoreland County. Those operation and he was like, “Pray for me.” people [Westmoreland County] used to alAnd then he started crying and then we’re ways have to come down to the clinic to praying with each other and he was crying get screened, get their medicine, see the doctor and we brought the clinic to them. and I was crying.”

American, two percent Hispanic and two percent other. The clinic provides medical, mental health, dental, specialty and pharmacy services to its patients.

For KSC Junior and health science major, Siobhan Fuller, connecting with the people of NNFHC was the most memorable part of alternative break. “I think my favorite part was the relationships that we made throughout the week,” Fuller said.

“One thing that we did was screenings.

So we had to make sure that patients were eligible for service at this clinic and there were cases where patients were working multiple jobs, crazy hours a week and still fell below that percentage mark that they needed to get healthcare and it was just amazing for me,” Fuller explained.

“I felt out of place to be that person in the cial standing, but at the same time it was kind of nice to know that they were comfortable with you in some cases,” Fuller continued, “You got to make a slight connection with them even though I have remotely no idea what it’s like to be in their shoes, but they were willing to let me take a step into them for a second and that was really cool. To be able to help them to get to where they need to be was an amazing experience.”

“Some people weren’t as open as others, and some were so open and so grateful that we were here which was also very rewarding,” Fuller described.

“They were like, “Oh, you came all the way from New Hampshire! What the heck are you doing here?” But they were very appreciative that we were taking our time to help them out and it’s nice to know,” Fuller reiterated. Jones, who recently applied to be a foster parent, expressed where she would like to see the clinic grow to in the future, “I want the clinic to be here to be able to grow to accept medicaid so that we can see Sec15 the adults that do have medicaid and the children that do have medicaid, so we can be here to provide the service for them for that.”

“If I could just help one person, if somebody can remember just one thing that I tell them that will help them throughout their

of working at NNFHC is interacting with teers.

NNFHC’s patient population is current- emphasized. percent male, with 50 percent of the population being Caucasian, 46 percent African

Caroline Alm can be contacted at calm@kscequinox.com

CAROLINE ALM / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

C6 / Spring Break 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Memphis, Tenn.

"I think that was the best lesson I could have learned — that through everything, you should always remain happy."

- KELSEY JACKSON ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK PARTICIPANT

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KELSEY JACKSON

Contributing Writer journey to Memphis, Tennessee with nine other participants.

Of course, I was excited, nervous and everything in between to dive into a state and opportunity I had never experienced before. Little did I know, this trip would change me forever.

The purpose of this ASB trip was to work at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, located in the heart of Memphis.

Le Bonheur is an amazing hospital with hundreds of volunteers, and patients ranging from having asthma to brain tumors.

On Monday morning I walked into the hospital side-by-side with my team, with the biggest smile on my face.

Throughout the week, emotions ran high, but that smile never left my face. girl that I held almost every day, and an The whole week my team and I were given tasks varying from pushing have met and played Uno with on the last day. simply asking parents if they needed a We all gained strong relationships break. with some of these patients and it was You never really realize how lucky you are until you see a parent’s face light it was them being discharged and ready to go home, or us ending our volunteer shampoo or some time to themselves to work for the week. get some fresh air or a meal.

I went into this trip thinking to myThere was one day when we had the opportunity to bake cookies for patients was here to impact kids’ lives in one posiand families. Another day we helped tive way or another. with a teddy bear event, where patients I never thought that the impact these were able to pick a teddy bear, name it kids made on my life would be some- thing greater than I have ever imagined. tions.

Yes, I may have put many smiles on I was fortunate enough to have inter- many patients’ faces, but the smiles and acted with patients of all ages. memories they gave me is something in-

describable and more importantly, unforgettable.

Listening to patients’ stories was something that I will also be forever appreciative for.

It taught me that life is too short to complain about anything, and that nothing should be taken from granted.

Some of these kids had nothing but a hospital bed and a few toys, yet still were some of the happiest kids I have ever met.

I think that was the best lesson I could have learned — that through everything, you should always remain happy.

So, Tennessee, I thank you.

I thank you for allowing me to experience your beautiful culture, the Le Bonheur family and the best barbeque I have ever eaten.

But most importantly, I thank you for giving me the best week of my life.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

C7 / Spring Break 2015

Myrtle Beach, SC

Ultimate frisbee club competes in High Tide Tournament

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F

E E B R IS TIM SMITH

senior PhotogrAPher

multiple teams and clubs playing, practicing and overall enjoying their sports on the mate Frisbee Club. However, this past week the club traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to compete in the High Tide Ultimate Frisbee Tournament.

Ultimate Frisbee (often shortened to Ultimate) is a touchdown-based game heavily reliant on teamwork. Teams focus on throwing and passing the disc down the boundaries of their respective end-zone.

The main challenge is that the player holding the disc (the ‘handler') cannot move, they can only pivot in place while being covered or marked by an opponent.

The handler has 10 seconds to release the disc, or else position is given to the opposing team.

With no referees, Ultimate relies on the

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS / TIM SMITH

spirit of the game and honesty of the players to follow the rules.

The KSC Ultimate Frisbee Club is open to any interested student, regardless of previous experience or athletic ability. New players don’t need to worry about learning the game or rules, as any and all veteran players will gladly teach them during the weekend practices. The KSC team participates in tournaments and scrimmages hosted by neighboring colleges, as well as tournaments hosted by USA Ultimate, a national government organization for the sport of Ultimate. Members of the KSC team are encouraged and recommended to participate in the tournaments, although attendance is not mandatory.

One tournament spoken highly of amongst the team is the High Tide Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. The High Tide Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, often shortened to High Tide, is a national tournament hosted over the month of March. The tournament is open to any collegiate team in America and is broken up into several weeks to accommodate for the varying spring breaks that schools have. Ulti-

mate Frisbee teams are invited to spend gather together to enjoy their sport. In the their spring break week at this tournament. rare times that a player is injured, there will High Tide understands that Ultimate play- always be help, even going so far as to cartravel to the tournament and have focused ment close by to popular beaches. This past year’s High Tide tournament was held within 2.7 miles of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The KSC Ultimate team has participated in High Tide for the past several years, regardless of travel time and expenses. This past year’s travel took 16 hours of driving and the long distance only strengthened the team’s bond.

The travel time was spent sharing stories, learning more about each other, sharing plans for the break and at times, singing. A fair portion of expenses are covered by the club’s funding but personal purchases such as food and souvenirs is paid out of pocket per player.

From the time we spent traveling to the cost of the trip, I can say it was worth it all.

The team bonding during the travel is only

been formed amongst the players are only strengthened when downtime is spent tossing a disc on the beach or unwinding after a long, active day. Finally, with these bonds and community, mistakes are always corrected and skills are always sharpened as teams cheer their players on.

There is also a standard registration charge per player, covered by the player.

However, planning for High Tide is often started at the beginning of the school year, leaving ample time for each player to plan their trip.

The fees each player pays is in their best interest, as the money goes to registration for the tournaments, transportation and supplies for the team, and living space during the week. This past High Tide, KSC spent their week comfortably in their beach.

Tim Smith can be contacted at tsmith@kscequinox.com

C8 / Spring Break 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Kissimee, Fla.

Owl teams fly far A D I R FLO

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Baseball team ends trip with 6 wins 5 losses awhile for games to start in the LEC Conference and the New England, it is important equinox stAff to get games in whenever possible.

The Keene State College baseball team ing the baseball team on this trip. just returned from a trip to Florida, where I enjoyed this trip thoroughly because it made the transition from basketball much the season. easier and allowed me to work out probThis spring training trip allowed our lems I had been having on the mound — team to get outside and actually play games mainly pitching mechanics.

JEFF LUNN

These games count toward our team record, but they also help us prepare for the upcoming season and work out any problems or “kinks” we may have.

Along with this, it provides the coaching perform on the diamond.

Up until this trip, our team had been stuck inside, so this outdoor experience was important for when we came back to New England. Even though it may take

games and pool time.

This night brought the team together as a whole and greatly strengthened what was already a close group of players.

Other nights, players would get together in groups and go play basketball or relax by the pool.

Another advantage of going to Florida for spring break is that it gives these student athletes time to forget about the stresses of school and be, in a sense, professional athletes.

The reason for this is because they are just around to play the sport they love.

Besides not being paid, these athletes turn into professional athletes when school is removed.

The KSC Owls ended the trip with a six

loss in the front half of a doubleheader to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, but found our form in the second game of the doubleheader.

The rest of the trip came with wins against Western New England University, Colby-Sawyer, Lesley College and Keuka losses to Western New England, William Patterson, Clarkson and the College of New Jersey.

Now that the team is back in New Hampshire, we were scheduled to have three games this week, but the game against Fitchburg State on Monday, March

go down to a warmer climate and actually play games without having to worry about games getting canceled. It is helpful for all schools that choose to go to Florida.

Not only was this time important for skill development, but it also helped However, there will be a game today Thursstrengthen team chemistry. At the resort, there were multiple pools, a basketball court, hot tubs and volleyball. a number of teams like the College of New For team bonding, we had a team cook- Jersey and Colby Sawyer College. jlunn@kscequinox.com out one night where we enjoyed great food,

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Spring Break 2015 / C9

Kissimee, Fla.

during 2015 break FLORIDA Sec19

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The Owls softball team bonds at typhoon lagoon loaded all of our gear onto the buses to head to the airport.

Contributing Writer Upon our arrival at the Orlando Airport, the team packed into two separate vans Over this past Spring Break, the KSC and drove to the place we would be staying softball team traveled to Clermont, Florida for the next week. This year our team was split up into two houses that were about a National Training Center.

Only a short time after arriving at the colleges and universities from across the houses, we were changed and ready to country.

The Spring Games Tournament is open in order to get warmed up for our season to all divisions and gives teams a chance to openers the following day. kick-start their season after a long winter of preparation. Our team’s journey began excitement and jitters, as we were going at 2:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, as we against two of the best teams in the country.

CAROLINE MCSHERRY

One of those teams was Tufts Univer- games, we still had time to do some team sity, who won back-to-back national cham- bonding.

Our team ended up falling to both teams that day, but we knew what needed to be worked on and were ready to come back the next day for some more competition. Throughout the week our coach was constantly switching up positions to see how players (especially the rookies) hanWe have eight rookies this year, so it was awesome to see what some of them

so we chose to spend the day at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. We plummeted down down the lazy river. On our last day at the game against Chicago. which we were pretty happy with.

All together, I think we showed what

and we’re excited to begin our regular team this season.

Though our schedule consisted of 12 Wednesday.

C10 / Spring Break 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Clearwater, Fla.

KSC students lend a hand for habitat JUSTIN MAHAN

struction, and always did so with a smile on his face and some joking around from time to time.

Many students go to the southern In order to qualify for a Habitat states to soak up the sun and swim in the home, individuals must invest sweatocean and party, but not these particular equity hours in building his/her home ten Keene State College students. They spent their spring breaks with the Al- payment, make timely mortgage payternative Break program assisting Habi- ments and attend homeowner educatat for Humanity in Florida through the tion classes. Each home takes about Keene State College Community Service three months to construct and is completely built by volunteers.

They were sent to Clearwater, Florida, The group spent a full week helpto help Habitat for Humanity in any way ing construct a house and the amount they were asked to. “We’re here making of work the team provided, helped bring the house up to speed in the KSC student Sarah Bean said. Bean was construction process with the house one of the members of the group who next door, a house that was started traveled over 1,400 miles to help with three weeks prior to this one. the construction of a Habitat home in a The students are sad to be home and wished they could have continue all of which were built by volunteers. their services, but they are glad for the Their site leader was named Jack and was a Habitat homeowner himself. "I've passionate about Habitat for Humani- ty," Bean said. “I'm very happy that we ing all the way around. It's been fantas- came somewhere warm but I would tic," said Jack. He helped the students have done it even if we were in Canwith whatever they asked during con- ada.”

Contributing Writer

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS / JUSTIN MAHAN

FLOR

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

IDA

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / HANNAH ELLIOT

CAROLINE ALM / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

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VIRGINIA

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / KELSEY JACKSON

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

SPRING BREAK

2015

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