May 04, 2023 issue 09 Loquitur

It’s not goodbye: It’s ‘CU’ later

By Eny Martins

Staff Writer

The class of 2023 is getting closer and closer to commencement, and Cabrini’s CAP Board plans to send them off in traditional fashion, hosting multiple activities in honor of the senior class’ final days as students.

Before graduation ceremonies on May 21, this year’s “Senior Week” will take place from May 15-19, both on and off campus. Each activity will bring its own unique twist, giving the seniors a few special bonding occasions.

Detailing the week

The festivities kick off on Monday, May 15 with a Truck Fest and cap-decorating event in Grace Hall. “We will have food and game trucks, plus supplies for seniors to decorate their caps with,” said Raina Johnson, assistant director for Student Engagement and advisor of CAP Board.

May 16 will bring seniors two events: senior photos and “Painting with a Twist.”

“On Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cabrini’s own Emily Rowan will be available to take fun graduation photos of the seniors,” said Johnson. “At 3 p.m. in Grace Hall, we are bringing Painting with a Twist to campus, and everything will be provided for the

seniors.” On May 17, the CAP Board hosts a day trip to Baltimore and will also provide seniors with a list of things to do in the city. Attractions such as museums, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, and a variety of nightlife are only a few activities seniors might enjoy while on the trip.

May 18 brings the class of 2023 another trip, this one taking them to Vino Bambino for a wine blending experience. “The seniors in attendance will have a wine tasting and can create their own blend of wine that will be made and available for them after nine months,” said Johnson. “The seniors from the class of 2022 should be getting their bottles soon.”

Senior Week will commence with the senior sendoff that takes place on May 19, and it will be hosted by the Alumni Office.

From a senior’s eyes

Senior marketing major John Ameyaw has high hopes for these events as he wants to enjoy his final days with his peers as much as he can.

“Some of the people I call good friends to this day, I’ve known since freshman year, and to be able to share these moments together one more time on this campus will be an emotional yet fun experi-

ence,” said Ameyaw. Even for students who didn’t stay on campus often throughout their four years, these events can be a time to get involved with their classmates.

Senior business major Angela O’Brien also gets to relish in these final moments on campus as she hasn’t been to the majority of the events from the CAP board.

“I’ve never been one to really stay on campus during the weekends and I never got involved in clubs or anything like that, but I can’t pretend like I never walked past the buildings on campus and wondered how different students are coming together to participate in certain activities,” she said.

“It only feels right that I now come together with my fellow classmates in the class of 2023 to partake in as much of these events as I possibly can, and to just have fun and live in the moment during my final week in college.”

Not only are these events an opportunity to engage in activities that aren’t always present on campus, but it’s a time where seniors can embrace each other’s presence during the final week and can celebrate the college journey—and its many unexpected turns--they completed together.

Free speech vs. hate speech: Professor tests the limits

By Jason Fridge, Paige Bowman Assistant Podcast Editor, Assistant Managing Editor

Is hate speech protected by academic freedom? Former Cabrini professor Kareem Tannous is suing the school to find out. Cabrini hired Dr. Kareem Tannous as an assistant business professor on June 26, 2020. Tannous, a Palestinian-American who grew up in the Philadelphia area, was hired on a tenure track contract to teach business, economics, finance, and accounting.

During Cabrini’s annual evaluation of tenure-track professors, Tannous’ contract was renewed for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years. However, while he was under contract as a professor, Tannous was active on his personal Twitter account (@GenerousAdvice) criticizing the state of Israel, the ideology of Zionism, and calling Ashkenazi Jewish people “fake Jews.”

A series of tweets between March and May 2022 even made the false claim that Hitler was Jewish, that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is a “Jew war criminal,” that Jewish people are responsible for the Holocaust, antisemitism, hate crimes, and more. On February 2, 2022, Cabrini received a letter from The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia calling out Dr. Tannous’ Twitter account

and flagging his tweets as antisemitic. The letter specifically references Tannous’ tweets on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This letter and an article from stopantisemitism.org labeling Tannous as their “Antisemite of the Week” were sent to Cabrini’s administration in July 2022.

According to Tannous’ lawsuit acquired by The Loquitur, interim President Helen Drinan subsequently called for a Zoom meeting with Tannous after receiving this notice.

The July 20, 2022 meeting included President Drinan, Cabrini’s human resources director, and a representative of Palestine Legal, Amal Thabateh. After the meeting, Tannous received a letter from Cabrini on August 5, 2022, saying his employment at the university was terminated as of August 12, 2022. Tannous’ firing comes during a time when the Anti-Defamation League, ADL, reported 3,697 antisemitic incidents throughout the U.S. in 2022. This marked a 36% increase from 2021 and is the highest number ADL recorded since 1979. Pennsylvania accounted for 114 of these 2022 incidents. Dr. Ruta Clair chairs Cabrini’s psychology department and serves as

faculty advisor for the Jewish Student Union. She added insight into how Cabrini’s Jewish community is impacted by these recent trends.

“There is a cultural kind of comfort with ideas that can be viewed as threatening to the Jewish community,” Clair said. “There’s comfort with antisemitism, unfortunately.”

The line for academic freedom

A March Philadelphia Inquirer article claimed Tannous planned to file a lawsuit against Cabrini for wrongful termination. In the article, Tannous claimed his personal tweets were separate from his teaching and were an expression of his freedom of speech.

“I’m just reporting and showing the world and speaking about the atrocities going on,” Tannous told the Inquirer. “I wasn’t teaching the history of the Middle East, I was teaching accounting.” But if his political beliefs didn’t enter the classroom, they were prevalent online.

Graphic made by Pagie Bowman.

WE ARE THE

2022-2023 Editorial Staff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

VICTORIA EMMITT

MANAGING EDITOR

VICTORIA EMMITT

VISUALS EDITOR

THOMAS RYAN

NEWS EDITORS

JACOB PEGAN

JOHN RADER

SPORTS EDITOR

SANTINO TERRANOVA

LIFESTYLES EDITOR

HANNAH POGGI

PERSPECTIVES EDITOR

ISAIAH DICKSON

PODCAST EDITOR

LASHAY SMITH

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

SOPHIA GERNER

ADVISER

WENDY ROSENFIELD

MISSION

The Loquitur student newspaper and website are integral parts of the educational mission of the Cabrini communication department, namely, to educate students to take their places in the public media.

Loquitur Media provides a forum of free expression. All members of the university community may submit work to the editors for possible inclusion. Publication is based on the editorial decision of the editors.

Leading the way

By Loquitur Editorial Board

The Loquitur editorial board for the 2023-24 school has been chosen and we are looking forward to taking on this incredible leadership responsibility. As the future Loquitur Editorial Board, we are excited and nervous about stepping into new leadership roles. We look forward to honoring past traditions while also blazing our own paths as leaders at Cabrini.

Our staff plans to expand our reach on campus next year so that every student, professor, and administrator knows our names. One of the things we seek to achieve is to build stronger relationships with the Cabrini community. Student leadership on a college campus is critical to the success of the school and its students. The best leaders are those who place themselves on the same level as the ones who look to them for guidance.

A great leader is someone who can be humble and empathetic towards those who follow them. They’re someone who never gets full of themselves or demands of others what they wouldn’t do themselves. In the setting of campus organizations such as the Loquitur, these traits drive our publication.

Loquitur provides leadership

Being a part of the Loquitur means choosing what is written about on campus and in the community. Our duty as the Loquitur’s Editorial Board is to encourage decisions, influence change and shape public opinion. This year, Cabrini has been through monumental changes, and the Loquitur covered them all. Being a student-run newspaper means we have the opportunity to be the voice for every student on campus. We hope you’ll see yourselves in our coverage and let us know what we’re missing if you don’t.

The Loquitur editorial staff proves its leadership every year by discussing impactful campus topics. Some of these include “The Loquitur is free press,” “Professors battle for token retirement benefits,” “U.S. immigration’s road to nowhere,” and many more award-winning stories that shape our community and campus.

Being a part of the Loquitur can become complicated because Cabrini is small. This is why emotional intelligence is significant in leadership. According to an article from the Harvard Business School, having emotional intelligence as a leader helps build self-awareness, self-

management, social awareness, and relationship management. As a society, we have always had the idea of leadership. The Great Man Theory of Leadership, established in the 19th century, says that leaders are born, not made.

They will arise when needed and have certain skills that set them apart from others. The 20th century challenged this idea, due to the growth in behavioral science studies, and we now believe that leadership skills are taught and learned. Universities such as Cabrini integrate many of these skills to prepare students for the real world. We need empathetic and diverse leaders. Empathy bridges people together, and diversity keeps people together. Diversity is important in leadership because through it, we can recognize and achieve a plethora of perspectives, ideas, and solutions.

Diversity is key

Diversity in leadership comes in many forms and refers to having people from various backgrounds. The three main categories are gender, race, and age, but the idea of diversity has now been expanded to encompass qualities including sexual orientation, religion, economic status, political motivations, and more. According to McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, “Businesses with ethnoracial diversity practices are 36% more likely to perform better than their peers and by 2025, employees from underrepresented groups would hold 30% of leadership positions.”

Every person is shaped by their unique experiences, and diversity in these experiences create a better environment. On the Loquitur staff and editorial board, we make it a point to have everyone’s voices be heard in making decisions to ensure a wide variety of experiences be shared.

Leading in silence

Being a leader isn’t about recognition or getting praised in front of a crowd. True leadership happens when nobody’s looking. The Loquitur epitomizes leading in silence with the work that goes on behind the scenes in the newsroom every day. As journalists, we are responsible for being a reliable, facts-driven source of information for those on our campus and in the local community. As we step into our new roles as leaders, we look to make the Loquitur the best source of information it possibly can be.

Professor tests the limits

voiced any issues, he never brought his views into class. This was all done as a result of third parties.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Loquitur accepts letters to the editor. The letter should be less than five hundred words, usually in response to a current issue on Cabrini University’s campus or community area and are printed as space permits. Name, phone number and address should be included with submissions for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent via email to loquitur@cabrini.edu.

While these comments were made away from the classroom, the outside image of a professor could still affect the university. Chapter 2 Section 1.1 of the Cabrini Faculty Handbook says of faculty members:

“As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.”

However, this section also says educators “should be free from institutional censorship or discipline.” Tannous claims that he fully complied with the policy, never indicating his affiliation with Cabrini on his personal Twitter account. “I don’t think there were threatening statements [from Tannous] and Cabrini has a broad freedom of speech clause in the handbook,” said Tannous’ attorney, Mark Schwartz. “It’s important to add that it was third parties that got him fired. Students never

Some of his students echoed these claims.

“I don’t ever remember him bringing up politics in class other than talking about economic implications of the FED,” said Garrett Laraia, graduate accounting major. “I enjoyed his class. He had knowledge of economics and lead good discussions.”

However, a number of Tannous’ female students echoed the sentiments of graduate accounting major Ally Wojton who said, “He was one of the most misogynistic people I’ve ever had as a professor.”

Clair added insight into what it is like to live as a professor both in and out of the classroom. “When you are a professor at an institution, you never drop that mantle,” said Clair. “I am constantly aware that in my life, I represent myself but also my work. I publish research, I’ve been interviewed by Vice UK about my research, and in all those moments I am representing the institution as well as myself.”

Tannous claims the university violated his civil rights and ignored principles of academic freedom characteristic of higher education in America. His attorney Mr. Schwartz filed Tannous’ lawsuit on March 22, 2023, claiming discrimination under six counts, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Tannous’ lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Region of Pennsylvania and includes the Jewish Federation, two of its leaders, stopantisemitism.org, and 20 John and Jane Does. It is now a waiting game to see how the case will play out.

In response to the original letters that asked Cabrini to take action on Tannous, the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression, F.I.R.E., sent their own letter on April 14, 2023, to President Drinan calling for Cabrini to reinstate Tannous by April 28, 2023, and requesting a response.

As of the publishing of this article, Cabrini has not responded to this request. Cabrini’s administration and the other defendants all declined to comment due to the ongoing lawsuit.

Photo by Unsplash.

The limits of academic free speech

By Chris Perrri

Assistant Editor-In-Chief

Academic free speech, specifically extramural speech, is always a hot topic, but right now it’s hotter than usual.

Extramural speech is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as being “outside the walls of a town, college, or institution.” In the case of Cabrini, that extramural speech came from Dr. Kareem Tannous, a business professor terminated by the university in August 2022. Tannous has since filed a lawsuit against the school.

The lawsuit

The grounds for Tannous’ termination appeared to be a series of antisemitic tweets from his personal account, which spread hateful rhetoric and misinformation about Jewish people and Israel. His employment officially ended on Aug. 12, 2022.

However, in his lawsuit, it is stated that “At no time, did [Tannous] use Cabrini software or hardware to originate his tweets, nor did he indicate in his tweets that he was affiliated with Cabrini. Further, at no time did he bring his political views into his classes and at no time did any students raise questions to him about the subject of the tweets.”

Controversies around speech don’t always come from outside an institution. Consider the case of University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax, who garnered severe backlash for her controversial remarks on race.

In this case, the main difference is that the speech in question was intramural speech, or speech that came from inside the university, and took place in a classroom setting. Wax is also a tenured professor. The University of Pennsylvania defended her, with law school dean Ted Ruger stating in an email to students, “All faculty and students here will remain free to express their views. And all students and faculty are entitled to a law school that welcomes them equally as individuals.”

The dilemma

Tannous’ case against Cabrini raises a different question: should professors be held accountable for what they say outside of school? And if so, to what extent, and where is the line?

Cabrini’s social media policy states that social media users may publicly identify themselves as Cabrini faculty or staff. However, it advises them to be clear with the user’s audience that their views and opinions are theirs alone, and don’t reflect those of the university.

Additionally, the policy forbids the use of Cabrini’s logo or image on personal social media accounts, as well as the use of Cabrini’s name to endorse a product, cause, or political party. It also states that “Cabrini has the right to dismiss any employee who posts (privately or publicly) threatening, hateful, and/or any type of information that puts the university, its students, or other employees at risk.”

Cabrini’s faculty handbook states on page 54 that “Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter that has no relation to their subject.”

The handbook also states on page 86 that faculty can be terminated “due to malfeasance or conduct not meeting University ethical or other professional expectations applicable to Cabrini University faculty.”

In an article for the American Association of University Professors, Dr. Keith Whittington, a professor of politics at Princeton University, argues that “cultivating a professoriate willing to speak its mind on any topic and in any forum is a necessary precondition for intellectual progress. Extramural speech might not contribute much to that progress, but failing to protect such speech might well hamper the kind of advancements in human knowledge that we most care about.”

Regardless of whether or not extramural speech should be protected, what professors say, inside or outside of school, has an impact on others. “I think everyone should be held accountable to a certain extent because it does hurt other people,” said Ashley Grant, freshman criminology major. “Even if it’s your own personal beliefs, they can endanger other people.”

Studying abroad is more than an experience

By Kyleigh Brunotte Assistant Perspectives Editor

This spring, Cabrini University sponsored its 14th short-term study abroad trip to the San Lucas Tolimán Mission in Guatemala.

Dr. Jerry Zurek, emeritus professor of English and communication and Dr. Raymond Ward, director of Cabrini’s Wolfington Center organized the trip. From Feb. 25 to March 4, 2023, Cabrini students and alumni joined Zurek and Ward, traveled together to Central America.

Briana Walsh, junior early education major, agrees with Zurek. “I believe that students should participate in short-term study abroad opportunities because they can experience another person’s culture and way of life,” Walsh said. “The experience opens one’s mind and heart as they apply their knowledge from class to real life.”

A day in Guatemala

The group made the most out of each day in Guatemala. “Get up at 7 a.m., have breakfast with students from other colleges … 9 a.m. to noon we usually [went] to a work site where we might be building houses, making stoves … Then we would come back to [base camp] for lunch,” Zurek said. In the afternoons, the group learned skills used in the everyday life of Guatemalans.

“One afternoon we learned how to make tortillas … We learned how to carry water on our heads, carry wood on our back,” Zurek recalled.

After a bit of rest, the group ate dinner and washed dishes. Afterward, the group reflected on their day, what they learned, and what they hope to do with what they learned when they returned to the U.S. The trip is not all labor-based. Throughout the trip, the group played games of soccer with local residents, as well as bonding with and caring for those around them.

Puja Neopaney, M.B.A student, international business major, said, “My favorite memories from the trip are going shopping in the markets and bargaining because it’s the culture there to haggle.”

think are the two qualities necessary for becoming a global citizen … This immersion experience has helped me develop a more global perspective,” Neopaney said.

Similar to Zurek’s opinion, Mendick believes a lot of people in the U.S. are unaware of what is going on in other countries and how others live their lives.

This immersion trip was Mendick’s second time going overseas and learning more about local communities and cultures. Her senior year of high school, Mendick went to Mexico and helped build over 30 houses.

To Mendick, the Guatemala trip was “a very humbling experience: being able to see people with so little and see them at their happiest. I would argue they’re happier than people in America, and the big thing is it will really teach you money can’t buy happiness.”

After the experience, Walsh said, “Something I learned was the sheer contrast to the life I live in comparison to people experiencing poverty. The only difference between people in poverty and people in the U.S. is the lack of money. We have the same dreams and goals.”

Why study abroad?

Statistics show that studying abroad offers numerous benefits for students and their futures. Professor Ann D. Servey, accounting program coordinator, developed Cabrini’s first short-term study abroad course for academic credit in 2009.

“Americans, in general, don’t go out of the country very much,” Zurek explained. “If we go out of the country, we often go to resorts where we live in a ‘little America.’”

“Rarely do we go to what are known as poorer countries … This is an opportunity for students to see what three-quarters of the world is like: how they live, what they do, what kind of people they are, without all the stereotypes we have of people in other parts of the world,” Zurek said.

Zurek has been to Guatemala 14 times and genuinely enjoys his visits. On the trip, the group sees the process of making products that are exported to the United States, such as coffee, vegetables, and fruits.

“We would not live the lives in the U.S. if it weren’t for all of these people around the world who are doing such excellent work,” Zurek said.

Both Neopaney and Walsh’s favorite memories were hiking the base of a volcano at four o’clock in the morning. The group drove 20 minutes to hike the base of Volcán Tolimán, a stratovolcano between Tolimán and Atitlan.

Bringing home “a gift”

Zurek values the chances each trip brings to build relationships with individuals outside of the U.S. “When we do go, what we see are people who are extremely smart, capable, hard-working, and just absolutely wonderful people,” Zurek said. “We also learned that this was a gift given to us … Few Americans have this kind of an opportunity.”

However, Zurek wants his team to keep thinking about Guatemala. Instead, he wants the experience to inspire a better future.

“We thought a lot about what we’re going to do now that we met these people and saw their lives,” Zurek said.

“I would say this immersion trip to Guatemala has benefitted me more than I benefitted the San Lucas community,” Neopaney said. “I learned a deep understanding of the language and culture of the Mayan and Guatemalan people.”

“I have gained greater empathy and cultural sensitivity, which I

Zurek believes the experience is a call to action. He asked his students, “Are you going to be more appreciative for what you have? Are you going to use your voice here in the U.S. to educate other people? Are you going to advocate on behalf of people who have much less than we have when we get back? Are you going to try to help the Guatemalan economy by buying Guatemalan products, by going to Congress and telling Congress that we should support countries like this to a greater extent?”

The short-term study abroad trip to Guatemala occurs every spring semester. Those interested in participating can contact Dr. Zurek or Dr. Ward in the Wolfington Center.

Photo by Dr. Jerry Zurek.

Photo by Dr. Jerry Zurek.

Lifestyles

Women break barriers in the workforce

By Lashay Smith Podcast Editor

Women hold some of the top positions in companies today, often running their own businesses and dominating their fields. The three following women hold jobs as dental assistants, business owners, and the Interim President of Cabrini University, inspiring younger generations not to be discouraged by statistics. 47% of the global workforce is women, and only roughly 27% of women are in leadership positions.

Fashionista to Philly-based nail tech

Zania Stotts, owner of Nails By Bouj, is a nail tech and business owner based in Philadelphia. She grew up dancing and playing in makeup, but she never knew being a nail tech could become a job she would love. It’s a career that brings her an income while also allowing her to be creative.

“I was planning to go away for college in the fall,” Stotts said. “At the time I didn’t have a school selected but I knew wherever I went, I would still have to work to have my own money. I’ve always loved the beauty industry, and I’ve tried my hand in many different beauty and fashion-related things through middle and high school.”

Stotts started her nail tech journey in 2021, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. She began practicing in her house with an acrylic hand. Today, she is almost three years in as a Philly nail tech. This journey was important to Stotts because there weren’t many nail techs that looked like her and she wanted to change that. Her services include nail art ranging from Cookie Monster themes to glitz and glam birthday sets in various nail shapes.

“It started as a hobby that I knew I could make money from but I definitely never anticipated myself to still be doing it for this long,” she said.

As a business owner, Stotts spends more than 30 hours a week maintaining her business. She has more than 10 clients a week and when not doing nails, she works to find ways to promote her business, build partnerships, and motivate young girls to pursue careers that they love.

She’s proud of her success and advises others, “Times are beginning to change. Women are beginning to break down barriers when it comes to entrepreneurship. Women in business were something that not many people supported, especially in earlier times. I think a

lot of women have been becoming entrepreneurs, especially young girls and I recommend it.”

Big smiles from a dental assistant

Shaniyah Williams is a dental assistant at Quality Community Healthcare, located in North Philadelphia. She’s a recent graduate of Manor College, and six months after receiving her associate’s degree, she jumped into her career. Not only is she proud of the work that she does, she continues to put her best self forward while making her patients comfortable and happy with their results.

She explained, “During a typical day for me as a woman dental assistant, I take multiple X-rays, participate and aid in all sorts of procedures such as fillings and extractions along with the responsibilities of cleaning, setting up, sanitizing and sterilizing all instruments and rooms all to ensure the best quality of care.”

in this career choice. It feels like I am making such an impact on little girls that look like me.”

Williams says her advice to women working more than the average full-time hours is to drink water and practice self-care. She advised, “Get plenty of rest and prepare your mind and body for what is ahead of you. A refreshed mind and body will be able to get everything that needs to be done, done.”

Cabrini is female-dominated

The total percentage of women employed at Cabrini University is 56%, while men who are employed at Cabrini is 44%. Women at Cabrini hold positions as coaches, professors, heads of departments, and even president.

Last year, Helen Drinan became the interim president of Cabrini University. Before landing her position, she was the President of Simmons University for 12 years, retiring in 2020. Over her years of working, she introduced strategic plans to help universities out of financial troubles and was an advocate for women’s education and empowerment.

“I was a president for 12 years and the numbers were about 15% to 20% of college presidents were women as opposed to men. I worked in other positions before I was a president of a university and it was not unusual for me to be in an environment where women were the typical leaders. Having those experiences made my experience being president easier, even though it is not a female-dominated field.” Health challenges and the pressure of being a college president led to Drinan’s retirement. But she soon returned to doing what she loves.

“As I was getting through the tail end of my treatment, after being diagnosed with a chronic immune disease of the eyes, I was asked if I would take a short consulting assignment,” she said. “It was virtual but it really gave me the confidence to get back in.”

College prepared Williams for the dream that she is currently living, but the one thing that keeps her going is adding to the number of Black women in the field of dentistry. “To be a woman and to have such an outstanding career feels like a dream. Growing up I never would’ve thought I would’ve gone into dentistry but to be a Black woman in this field is astonishing because there are very few of us

Drinan said when the opportunity to apply for the job at Cabrini popped up, she was ready to take it. Drinan advises all women graduating and entering prospective fields, “If you have the right credentials and some experience there should be no reason that you can’t see your way to a high position.”

Eloise extinguishes torch songs on ‘Drunk on a Flight’

By Brianna Mack Staff Writer

“Oh, I know that I said you’re trash/But just in case my plane should crash, I take it back,” Eloise admits on track seven of her new album “Drunk on a Flight.” The London-based singer-songwriter explores her identity crisis after breaking out of a long-term relationship on her second studio album.

whether/We were wrong or we were right?” And on the third track she confesses, “Cause no matter what you do/I will forgive you.” Each lyric delegates responsibility, but she’s quick to blame herself.

The fifth track, “Friends Who Kiss,” categorizes her former relationship as not romantic. The switch allows her to explore other reasons why the relationship ended. She whispers her final words on an unresolved chord causing immediate tension to be released on the next track, “Therapist.”

“Therapist” turns the seatbelt light off. Ditching the acoustic for an electric guitar and the muted percussion for a drum kit, Eloise explains all the ways her ex exploited the relationship.

She hesitates to lay all responsibility on her ex, so the next track is called “I Take It Back.” That hesitation demonstrates Eloise’s songwriting gift. She’s able to manage complex emotions in simple terms over fun beats.

“Drunk on a Flight” represents the next step in returning popular music to love. Between “ICU” by “Bel-Air” actress Coco Jones debuting on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and jazz vocalist Samara Joy winning Best New Artist at the 65th Grammy Awards, music is shifting to its next chapter. Eloise is carving her path in this next phase.

The London-based singer-songwriter broke into popular music by singing Bruno Major and Billie Eilish covers on Instagram. While both stars publicly celebrated her talent, Major pursued and produced Eloise’s first two projects, including her debut album “Somewhere In-Between.”

Eloise works with upcoming pop producer Conor Albert on “Drunk on a Flight.” Albert eases Eloise fans into the album with Major’s acoustic blend but slowly builds Eloise into a relaxed pop star by the end. The track order is essential to the story she tells.

Unpacking her baggage

Eloise sings the album’s prologue over muted percussion and wades through her conflicting feelings. The rest of the album follows the confusing process of moving on after a relationship ends.

On the second track, she surrenders to circumstance, “Who cares

“In Another Year” illustrates the battle for identity. She wants the relationship to continue, but it prevents her from exploring life the way she wants to. The song builds to her decision “I’m more than terrified/To not have you to show me to the world outside,” before concluding that her future is brighter without them.

The final two tracks reflect and evaluate how she’s feeling now. “Giant Feelings” is her last chance to get all her anger out for how she was mistreated. “Tired Now” cheekily summarizes the album with “When it’s all said and done, God we had fun/But I’m tired now.” The plane lands with a new Eloise. She’s processed everything and is ready to move on.

Charting a new course

In popular music, it’s rare to find production matching deeply personal lyrics; personal may translate to a slow ballad. Thanks to Bryson Tiller in 2013, “Trapsoul” has replaced classical R&B. Eloise borrows that sound from “Vanilla Tobacco,” but immediately follows it with another confessional ballad. Contemporary R&B remains emotionally driven, but its content relies less on love and more on toxicity.

Photo by Zania Stotts.

Photo by Georgie Dallas via Wikimedia.

Photo by Schorle via Wikimedia.

Why Division III was right for me

By Kelly Kane Staff Writer

Playing five years of my favorite sport at the Division III level was the greatest decision I ever made. I owe that to all the ever– changing possibilities here at Cabrini University.

I have been playing soccer since I was two-and-a-half years old, so just about 21 years of my life has been dedicated to this amazing sport. When it came time to leave home and attend college I knew soccer had to come packing with me.

Why you should go Division III

Every kid who plays sports says how they want to “go DI.” However, “going DI” does not give you the opportunities that playing at the Division III level allows. Division III lets you stay competitive while also keeping your life. Although you are still committed, it doesn’t take over every aspect of your freedom and make every decision for you.

The difference between playing at the DIII compared to DI is that with DIII you have the most freedom. You travel much shorter distances, have a shorter off-season, and have summers off. Not to mention the more balanced college lifestyle, playing DIII allows you to continue to play your sport at a competitive level while also keeping a focus on gaining your degree.

At any level in collegiate sports, there is an intense amount of pressure put on athletes to do well in school and athletics, however at a higher level like Division I, the stress is much more. The Division I level often leads to mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and stress.

As I come to the end of my time here at Cabrini, I would not change a single thing about my decision to come here to play Division III soccer. The endless laughs, cries, and chats I have had with my teammates, who are also my best friends and will continue to be lifelong friends, will stick with me forever.

Going Division III gives athletes an opportunity others do not get when playing at a higher level. My experience may not be the same as everyone else, however, I used soccer as an escape and a place to socialize and create memorable moments, all while having fun and playing the sport that raised me.

Danielle Rooney, a teammate of mine had recently transferred here to Cabrini from playing DI soccer at Lasalle University for a better experience.

“I got more of a balanced college experience and playing at the Division I level felt more like a job and the pressure was a lot,” said Rooney.

Division III offers a place to fit in, create memories, and continue

to have a normal social life while playing the sport or sports competitively. Here at Cabrini and other DIII schools, opportunities are endless when deciding which sports you want to continue or even start playing. I knew teammates who picked up new sports such as tennis and rowing.

What I will miss the most As a DIII athlete, I have been able to travel to new states such as Massachusetts and stay overnight in cities I never visited before college, all while in the company of my best friends. During endless bus rides, I performed skits and made viral videos for our team’s TikTok account, which I have had the opportunity to run for the past two years.

I am going to miss doing my dance routine and drop splits in the huddle before every game, planning Halloween Havoc costumes and walk-out performances, and competing in the yearly talent show I have yet to win (I guess I am just too talented).

I took media day photos for my team and created YouTube videos to capture the memories of each season. These opportunities also helped me build my visual portfolio. I bet no Division I player takes their own media day photos.

I am going to miss all the Irish dancing and all the knee pain I received by doing the Rasputin dance before every game. It probably was not the best warm up, but I was having fun, and here at Cabrini, that’s what it is all about.

Yes, playing DIII is still competitive. I won two Atlantic East Championships, appeared in three NCAA tournaments and two Eastern College Athletic Conference tournaments.

Just because you compete at the DIII level of college athletics, it doesn’t mean you’re less serious about your sport. It just means you keep it in perspective. As Coach Prothero always says, “We are stu-

dents first, then soccer players.” This helps keep sports fun rather than making the team feel like a full-time job that leads to burnout or injury. Enjoy every aspect of your college years, because once you graduate, you will never get back this freedom and time.

To me, unless an athlete plans to go professional, Division I is not worth it. Putting in all these hours of training for a sport that will end after college did not seem logical for me.

A good ending

At this level, no one tries to be the star, and each player gets to bring a skill and uniqueness about them that helps make us successful. For me, this was definitely my sense of humor and good looks, but for others it was usually soccer related.

As I am about to graduate, I want to thank every person who has been on this wild crazy ride with me: every coach, teammate, friend, family, professor, and teacher who supported me and allowed me to continue playing this wonderful sport. I would not have been able to do it without you. And thank you to Division III for allowing me to continue this hobby I picked up as a kid. I will forever be grateful.

The 76ers future arena disrupts the Asian culture

By Micah Balobalo Assistant Perspectives Editor

In July 2022, Philadelphia’s Chinatown received some news that could disrupt its way of life, culture, and work.

The managing partners of the Philadelphia 76ers, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, announced the creation of 76 Devcorp, a new company in charge of building a proposed arena for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The company’s plans showed the building taking up a city block from 10th Street to 11th Street, neighboring Chinatown. The 76ers’ current arena is the Wells Fargo Center located at the southwest corner of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

When I first read about the plans of the future 76ers arena, I was filled with confusion, anger, and disagreement. All I could think about was what would happen to Chinatown and the longstanding culture within the community?

Disruption and defiance

Leading the development of the future arena is Philadelphia business leader David Adelman, in partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment. They also plan to partner with Macerich, the managing partner and operator of the Fashion District Philadelphia.

According to CBS News, Tom O’Hern, CEO of Macerich, released a statement regarding his company’s decision on partnering with 76 Devcorp:

“At Macerich, we are constantly enhancing our properties to bring greater value to our shareholders, retailers, and communities. The decision to repurpose part of Fashion District Philadelphia to include the new 76ers arena is a natural evolution of the site and a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our company. We are com-

mitted to working collaboratively with 76 Devcorp to bring to life the vision of this iconic development that will ensure Philadelphia’s vibrancy for generations to come.”

These companies are focused on development and although the plan is to build the arena near Chinatown, they don’t seem to realize the effect it will have on the area. One major effect will be traffic problems. Chinatown is very small with little parking. Game nights will flood the area with nonstop traffic and out-of-control sports fans.

According to the China-United States Exchange Foundation, over 50 cities currently have their own Chinatown districts. The most important aspect of Chinatown is the representation of culture from different Asian countries. Restaurants, marketplaces, attractions, shops, and small stands in the area teach and offer the experience of Asian-American life and culture.

Many friends and families go and explore Chinatown during the weekdays and weekends. Most of the time, it is used as a tourist spot for people visiting Philadelphia. As for myself, my family loves going there to celebrate birthdays and special occasions.

Benefits of the arena for everyone?

On March 3, 2023, 76 Devcorp tweeted:

“Market East, make our city safer, and work with community groups to invest in underserved communities.” Let’s be clear: 76 Place will benefit ALL Philadelphians. We’ll improve transit, create thousands of union jobs, revitalize.”

They claim the new arena will be beneficial for everyone. But is that really true?

Chinatown community takes a stand

Many Asian-American businesses, churches, and non-profit organizations have been furious about the proposal. They have gathered people to help take a stand and created the hashtag, #NoArenaInChinatown.

All over the walls and doors of restaurants in Chinatown are signs reading “No Arena in Chinatown.” Many people also wear t-shirts with the slogan during daily protests.

As an Asian American person, I understand the feeling when my culture, and especially my community is being disrespected. To be in a place where not many people understand Asian Americans is not a great feeling. So, I take a stand with everyone else on the Chinatown arena proposal. Our voices need to be heard and we deserve to live in a place that is respected by others around us.

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Photo by Cabrini Athletics.

Cabrini hosts second annual wheelchair basketball game

By Samantha Taddei Assistant Sports Editor

Much of Cabrini’s community is built on athletics and showcases a wide variety of athletes. But on April 17, a different kind of passion, tenacity, and dedication bloomed when Cabrini hosted its second annual wheelchair basketball game.

In memory of Katie Cabrini’s women’s basketball team took on Katie’s Komets, a Philadelphia-based wheelchair basketball program. The coed organization is for youth participants with lower limb impairments and offers the opportunity to engage in sports at a competitive level.

Katie’s Komets was founded in 1996 by Joe and Roseann Kirlin, in honor of their daughter Katie Kirlin. Katie Kirlin was a national champion wheelchair athlete who, at 12, died from astrocytoma, a rare cancerous tumor. The cancer left her paralyzed from the chest down and she spent the last two years of her life in a wheelchair. The Kirlins have supported the program for the past 25 years in honor of their daughter. The organization is now operated by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation.

By offering financial support to physically challenged athletes and their families, the Kirlins encourage wheelchair sports participation among kids in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.

Cavs meet the Komets

The event was organized by Cabrini sophomore Samantha Sturkey, a psychology major with a minor in neuroscience. Sturkey joined Katie’s Komets in October 2009.

Sturkey was born with spina bifida, a birth defect where the spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb. Sturkey explained how this affects the nerves in her legs and prohibits her ability to walk, making her a full-time wheelchair user.

When Sturkey became the manager of the women’s basketball team in 2022, she wanted to unite Katie’s Komets with Cabrini.

“I think it’s an eye-opener to a lot of our athletes who are able-bodied. They get to see a different perspective of how sports can be played,” Sturkey said. “It also shows the athletes in our community that just because you have a disability, it doesn’t mean you can’t do anything.”

The Cabrini women had to adjust quickly to playing in wheelchairs.

The more experienced Komets got off to a quick start. The Cavaliers struggled to find a rhythm as they learned to maneuver around the court.

Giana Rullo, sophomore forward, was one of the many players to take on this challenge.

“It was very hard to figure the wheelchair out. The mechanics were difficult to understand, but after a couple of tries it became easier,” Rullo said.

“It was an eye-opening experience,”

she added. “I learned that other people have to work a lot harder to do everyday tasks we take for granted. They still don’t let it stop them and get in the way of their success.”

As expected, the hard-fought game ended in favor of the Komets. The Cavs were dominated on their home court with a final score of 39-13.

Nonetheless, both teams came off the court in high spirits.Sturkey explained how she hopes this is just the start in giving the wheelchair basketball community the recognition it deserves.

“I hope these games help raise awareness about disabilities and adaptive athletes who have disabilities,” Sturkey said. “Getting the two teams involved, and even all the other athletes that came out to support, means so much. I put so much effort into putting it together, and seeing it thrive the way that it does only after two years, is awesome.”

“This event means the world to me. I absolutely love it and I hope to continue it for years to come. I hope that once I graduate, I can come back every now and then and help host these events,” Sturkey said.

Cabrini’s rowing benefits from walk-ons

By Kelly Kane Staff Writter

Rowing, or crew, is one of the few sports whose roster includes “walk-on’’ athletes, and often members of the team are brand new to the sport. A “walk-on” is an athlete who tries out for a sport without the coach’s support or being recruited. But even with several walkons this year, the Cavaliers are rowing strong.

Being a collegiate athlete can be a huge honor, but it’s also extremely time-consuming. Great time management skills are a necessity. However, while starting a completely new sport in college can be difficult, it’s also extremely rewarding.

Freshman exercise science major Gabby Palladino is a forward on the Cabrini women’s soccer team and is also a brand new member of the rowing team. Though she grew up playing soccer, she added a new sport to her athletic career.

“It was very challenging, but it was very fun to learn something new. It was intense, but all of my friends on the team helped me get through it and now I am starting in the Varsity Eight boat,” Palladino said.

The Varsity Eight boat is an eight-person boat that performs as the first or top squad. Palladino looks forward to getting better at this sport and learning more with her friends to hopefully make it into the

Four Varsity boat, a four-person boat of the fastest rowers. Palladino was approached by rowing coach Tim Hagan while working out at the Dixon Center.

“He came up to me while I was working out and I thought that would be a fun thing to do, to be on the water every morning,” she said. But trying to balance two sports can be difficult for any collegiate athlete and rowing hours can be a real struggle. “We have to get up at six in the morning every day for practice, so you can’t really slack,” she said.

Many athletes have been recruited for rowing while running at the Dixon Center. This is because running is a huge aspect of training for crew.

Running trains your natural movement pattern in rowing, because there isn’t a sustainable pace that forces your lungs to work as hard as they can. Hagan became head coach for rowing at Cabrini in August 2021 after serving as an assistant coach from 2017-19. He also rowed for four years as a student at Temple University and graduated in 1998.

He even helped start the rowing program at Gwynedd Mercy Uni-

versity in 2017, so he knows how to recruit a strong squad. Cabrini rowing’s freshman team is made up of all walk-ons. That’s a total of five walk-ons who never rowed before but were open-minded about starting a brand new sport at the collegiate level.

Freshman exercise science major Mckenna Reber started rowing this year. Reber walked on to the team last semester after talking to the coach during her senior year of high school.

“I just wanted to try something new and be a part of a sports team,” she said. Reber came to rowing after doing roller derby in high school.

“It was a very big change, but I love the [rowing] environment. It was very accepting and welcoming,” she said. It wasn’t easy, though. “The sport is very hard and it’s very demanding on you, it’s a lot of technique and everything has to be perfect,” said Reber.

Rowing is not just sitting in a boat and rowing but also running, lifting, and long practices on the erg, an indoor rowing machine.

This team works hard not only to prove to themselves it’s still possible to learn new things as you get older, and also that they can be successful doing them.

Photo by Cabrini University.

Photo by Gabby Palladino.

Photo by Cabrini University.