Issue 2, Spring 2017 - The Quadrangle

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THE Volume 95, Issue 2

Q

UADRANGLE A Student Publication of Manhattan College Since 1924

January 24, 2017

www.mcquad.org

President Trump COLLEGE REACTS TO HISTORIC INAUGURATION; M.C. STUDENTS AMONG PROTESTORS IN N.Y.C., D.C.

Donald Trump Takes Oath

Megan Dreher & August Kissel Asst. Editor & Editor

Manhattan College students rallied with protestors in Wasshington, D.C. Saturday. Lauren Schuster/The Quadrangle

Manhattan Students Join in Women’s Marches Rose Brennan, Haley Burnside & August Kissel Asst. Editors & Editor

Less than 24 hours following President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration, citizens across America took part in the Women’s March on Washington, a series of demonstrations for women’s rights. The main march was stationed in Washington, D.C., but as many as 673 other “sister” marches took place across the world with an estimated 4.8 million total marchers participating in the event nationally and internationally. According to the March’s mission statement, “The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights.” A number of Manhattan College students took part in the event, both in New York City’s Dag Hammarskjold Plaza and Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill. Both events were organized by Government and Politics Club adviser and Associate Professor of government, Margaret Groarke, Ph.D.

Groarke believes that there is no better time to become politically active than during college. “You have a more flexible schedule, somewhat less responsibilities than you will have at future points, and you’re in a place where you have the resources of the college,” Groarke said. “This is the point where you should become an active citizen and figure out what are the things that are important to you and how are you going to go about making them happen.” Groarke also facilitated the organization of a separate group to attend the March for Life, an annual pro-life march that also takes place in Washington, D.C. each January. Despite the two marches seemingly conflicting each other, she welcomes political activism from any viewpoint. “I’m spending time on this not because of my own views about either thing, but because I see it as part of my role of encouraging students to be active on the things that they believe,” Groarke said. Marches have been among the favorite methods of unconventional government participation for quite some time. Most notably, they are a visual demonstration of how a large group of people feel about an issue at stake. Groarke says that political activism

must be pursued even after the march ended. “If we all go to a march in D.C. this weekend or next weekend, and then we don’t do anything else about that issue, it doesn’t have a whole lot of impact,” Groarke said. “But if people are energized by being with so many other people who share their views, and maybe they pick up a piece of literature about the issue they care most about, and say, ‘Oh, I can do this.’” New York City An estimated 500 thousand people took to the streets of Midtown Manhattan on Saturday for the Women’s March on New York. Among the thousands were groups of Manhattan College students. Samantha Roth organized a large group to attend the event together. As a double major in Peace Studies and Government, she felt it was her duty to help band students together to march for the cause. “This is what I will be doing with the rest of my life. I want to take charge and help guide people, women especially, to find their beautiful voice and speak out Continued on page 4

On Jan. 20 2017, Donald John Trump was inaugurated and became the 45th President of the United States. People from all around attended the inauguration, including supporters and protesters. The attendees saw performances from Jackie Evancho, 3 Doors Down, and Toby Keith over the span of the morning. Here at Manhattan College, there have been mixed opinions about this day and what it means for the nation as well as the school. Associate Professor of Government, Margaret Groarke contributed to this discussion on campus. “I think there are a lot more intense feelings on both sides,” said Groarke. These feelings have been demonstrated through a mixture of protests and festivities after the announcement of President Trump’s win. Freshman at Manhattan College, Brian Opher spoke highly of President Trump. “I am thrilled for Trump’s inauguration. This country needs a real change and a real president to take control,” said freshman Brian Opher. At the inauguration President Trump promised to improve the relationship with Russia, return jobs to United States workers, take down ISIS, build a wall along the southern border of the United States and to vett incoming immigrants. Vetting is the process President Trump plans on using to remove immigrants who have hostile tendencies towards women, Christians, and those of the LGBTQ community. “We don’t know what’s possible for him to do. Some of the things that he wants to do, he just isn’t capable of doing. People who didn’t support him, and his campaign are kind of nervous, what they see as less good ideas are actually going to happen,” said Professor Groarke. “ I think for people who support him, there might be a certain level of disappointment. People often attach to someone who they voted for and start to believe they will do anything that I would like to them to do. And that’s unlikely to be the case.” Congress has already started to deconstruct the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. This program was one of former President Barack Obama’s most prominent programs. It has provided healthcare to tens of millions and included a provision allowing young people to stay on their parent’s health care program until Continued on page 3


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The

opinions & editorials

Quadrangle www.mcquad.org

Vol. 95 Issue 2 January 24, 2017

Stephen Zubrycky Editor-in-Chief Jack Melanson News Editor Haley Burnside Joseph Liggio Asst. News Editors Ally Hutzler Features Editor Managing Editor Megan Dreher Asst. Features Editor Taylor Brethauer Arts & Entertainment Editor Managing Editor Rose Brennan Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor RikkiLynn Shields Sports Editor Charles Lippolis Asst. Sports Editor Tara Marin Social Media Editor Catherine Goodyear Asst. Social Media Editor Victoria Hernández Multimedia Editor Aaron Mayorga Photography Editor Anja Pollozzi Asst. Photography Editor Alyssa Velazquez Production Editor Abbi Kirollos Asst. Production Editor Daniel Molina August Kissel Web Editors Tom Callahan Faculty Adviser A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is a news organization run by the students of Manhattan College. We strive to cover news around campus and the greater community, publishing weekly in print and daily online. Our goal is always accuracy, relevancy and professionalism. The staff of The Quadrangle meets every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in room 412 of the Student Commons. Contact The Quadrangle at thequad@manhattan.edu The opinions expressed in The Quadrangle are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the College or the student body.

Letters from The Editor

January 24, 2017

Dear Reader,

The 2016 election season is about as over as it ever will be. Donald J. Trump took the oath of office last week, and is now the most powerful man on Earth. This past election season, I was inredibly heartened to see the enthusiasm on both sides of the aisle - whether it be in the jubilation of Mr. Trump’s supporters, or in the dejection of Hillary Clinton’s supporters. As I wrote late last year in an op-ed, this is what makes democracy special - people can get involved, because they care. I was heartened once more this past week as millions across the country took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the state of our political system. We are the only ones who can bring the change - and I think more people today realize that than ever before in my lifetime. It’s important that none of us become apathetic, or begin to turn our backs on the process, no matter how trying it may become over the next four years under Mr. Trump’s new leadership style. Speaking out is an important tool for those who feel marginalized by the process. This is why I am offering this space - page two of the Quadrangle - for those who feel they have something to say, and need to hear it said. Speak out. Make your voice heard. We’re your student newspaper. We’re here for you. Sincerely, Stephen Zubrycky Letters to the editor emailed by Sunday at noon to our email address, thequad@manhattan.edu, will be considered for publication.


News

Donald Trump Inaugurated 45th President Continued from page 1

they reach the age of 26. Isabella Lleva, junior at MC, voiced her criticism of President Trump. “I think that he is just rewinding the clock on educational progress, women’s rights, and everything, health care. All of it,” said Lleva. Lleva was a part of a group of students who participated in anti-Trump protests and she also attended the Women’s March on New York in Manhattan. Other Manhattan students took a bus to Washington, D.C to march in the epicenter of the protest. “You have to wonder how that is going to shake out and what it’s going to mean for political organization, and what movements are going to arise, and what candidates for future elections are going to arise,” said Groarke. “I think there would

be some reshaping of some kind and it’s hard to know what it is right now.” As the nation embarks on this new era, Former President Barack Obama suggested that we shall remember the fundamentals of the United States. “I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes We Can. Yes We Did,” said Former President Obama in his farewell address.

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Manhattan College Forms Partnership with Bethlehem University Haley Burnside Asst. Editor

A group of eight Manhattan College professors and administrators spent the first week of January in Bethlehem as they traveled to Palestine to work with Bethlehem University. More specifically, their goal was to form and strengthen an academic partnership between the two colleges. The trip consisted of meetings between faculty from MC and Bethlehem University to map out the possibilities of summer research and study abroad initiatives between the colleges. In addition to discussing logistics of the partnership, the MC faculty members explored the campus and the surrounding city to gauge the benefits of sending students to Palestine. Dr. Kerri Mulqueen, an English professor at MC, found that Bethlehem University provides a unique learning experience. “An academic partnership between Manhattan College and Bethlehem University is valuable for students on both sides because it opens their worlds to include new realities, to integrate their experiences across many miles by a shared academic interest,” said Mulqueen in an email statement. Mulqueen also noted more human elements that she took away from her trip to Palestine. “Working closely with Palestinians disintegrates the monolith of ‘Palestinian’ that many of us have internalized from mainstream media,” said Mulqueen. “It humanizes Americans for them and Palestinians for us and reminds us all, as so many things do, that far more joins us than divides us.” According to Dr. Marisa Lerer, the main reason Bethlehem University was chosen for a partnership is the Lasallian connection. “University of Bethlehem is actually a Lasallian institution. Brother Jack Curran has been here at MC for about 2 or 3 years, but he used to work at University of Bethlehem,” said Lerer. “This partnership is just about bringing together Lasallian institutions of higher education to really benefit our students and enrich their education experience.” Brother Jack Curran added that the purpose of the winter break meeting was mainly to explore the options for students and faculty to utilize the partnership. “There are a number of possible outcomes,” said Brother Curran. “Having some students from Bethlehem University come to Manhattan College during this summer to be working together with Manhattan College students and faculty on some summer research projects.” Brother Curran also mentioned other possibilities that the new partnership could provide. “Having some students from Manhattan College go to Bethlehem University, possibly this summer, to study Arabic Language and Culture,” said Brother Curran. “Or having some Bethlehem University faculty partner with Manhattan College

faculty in team teaching, perhaps using Google hangout to have video conference classes.” The exact intended purpose of the partnership is still in the works. Dr. Cory Blad, another faculty member who attended the winter trip to Palestine, says that there are more factors to be considered before a solid plan for the partnership is complete. “The timeline is basically unknown right now. We’re working on developing several partnerships both with Bethlehem University and local nonprofit organizations,” said Blad in an email statement. “The most probable short-term possibilities are likely going to center around the development of a LOVE trip or a Spring Break trip working with a local Palestinian organization planting olive trees with local farmers.” The plans for study abroad are down the road, but there are some challenges to organizing a program that allows for students from the respective universities to study overseas long term. “Actual study at Bethlehem University is difficult for several reasons (not the least of which is difficulty obtaining student visas), but we are working on options that will allow Manhattan College students to combine joint courses with Bethlehem University students and possibly include a short study abroad opportunity in Bethlehem and perhaps also host some Bethlehem students here in New York,” said Blad. While the chance for MC students to travel to Palestine may be far in the future, the faculty was sure to take safety of the city into account during their trip. The issue of safety abroad is an important factor when creating academic partnerships, especially in this case. Lerer acknowledged the specific safety issues some might have with travel to Palestine, but she was quick to dispel preconceived notions of visiting the Middle East. “People were very generous with information there. I understand that Americans probably have misconceptions about Palestine, but that’s mostly based on misinformation or old news. I felt safe and welcomed during the entire trip,” said Lerer. Mulqueen expressed similar thoughts on the safety of the location. “Palestine offers an exemplary setting for study abroad and summer research work for a variety of factors,” said Mulqueen. “Personally, I never felt unsafe during our time in Palestine and was struck with the warmth and welcome we received from our Palestinian hosts.” The partnership involves much more than just sending students from MC to Bethlehem University’s campus. The possibilities of the partnership are still being discussed and explored by faculty and administrators at the respective colleges. In the meantime, Blad hopes that excitement about the partnership will build among students and faculty at both schools. “While we have a lot to do in terms of planning, there are many possible opportunities and we’re hopeful we can generate interest in possible opportunities in Bethlehem for the near future.”


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news

College Boosts New York’s Economy by $312 Million Stephen Zubrycky Editor-in-Chief

Manhattan College added $312 million to the New York State economy in 2015, a study by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) in the State of New York found. In 2016, the commission conducted a study of economic impact from higher education institutions in the State of New York. According to the study, private colleges and universities across the state added about $79.6 billion to the economy in 2015, with roughly $50 billion coming from the five boroughs of New York City alone. According to Kent Gardner, the Chief Economist at CICU, the findings are important in assessing the value of institutions in their communities. “I think academic institutions have been demonstrating a dual role in the community,” Gardner said in a phone interview. “They make significant cultural contributions to the community […] They’re employers. They buy goods and services.” According to CICU, the college accounted for $117 million in wages in 2015, adding 2,160 jobs to the economy, both through direct employment with the institution and indirectly by spending at local vendors and attracting visitors to the Riverdale-Kingsbridge area. “Much of that money ends up being spent some place,” Gardner said about employees’ wages. “They’ll take some money and go out to dinner with the family, they’ll go to the movies, they’ll buy clothing.” The CICU also took into account col-

lege expenditures on construction, estimating construction by the college to be $14.2 million. According to Gardner, the commission uses figures over multiple years to estimate average annual construction spending. Actual construction spending by Manhattan College did decline sharply in 2015 after the completion of the $45 million Raymond W. Kelly ’63 Student Commons in fall of 2014. The study also found that the college adds an estimated $8.5 million to state and local tax revenue, including $6.7 million alone in personal taxes paid to New York State. According to Gardner, the CICU generates estimates for its member colleges based off data provided by the institutions themselves and from IPEDS, the Integrated Postsecondary Data System, a survey system funded by the federal government. But the CICU study represents more of a ballpark estimate than a precise accounting. “This is a ten thousand foot view,” Gardner said. “Granular data isn’t the kind of thing we can get in this study because of cost implication.” Regardless of precision, the college sees value in the results of the study. “It’s an independent tool that measured this. You know, this isn’t a report that the college produced […] It’s a part of a body at large that we’re a part of,” said Peter McHugh, Director of Communications at Manhattan College. “It also shows that we’re a part of the community as well,” McHugh said. “That’s just something that I think is important to us, you know, showing that we’re a vital part of the economy of the Bronx.” For small businesses in Riverdale and

Kingsbridge, Manhattan College has become a key source of revenue. Business from Manhattan College students, faculty and visitors accounts for nearly half of the traffic at Gourmet Bagel & Market, according to manager Zak Kaid. The bagel and sandwich shop, located at 5993 Broadway, between Manhattan College Parkway and West 242nd Street, opened last fall and is the latest addition to the strip of shops and eateries along Broadway by the 242nd Street Subway Station. “The school does play a pretty big role, I gotta be honest. Because that’s most of our night business. I get [Manhattan students] all night really, until like 4 a.m.,” Kaid said. Not only does the college add to Gourmet’s bottom-line, but the foot traffic generated by its proximity to mass transit is a big contributor to Gourmet’s revenue. “Think about the location. We’re right next to the exit to the subway. All the buses stop right here. It’s like an intersection,” Kaid said. For Rob Porco, an owner of Broadway Joe’s Pizza, a 48-year-old Italian-American staple just a few doors down from Gourmet, proximity to Manhattan College also means good business. “It’s a good chunk,” Porco said of student business in his restaurant. “We attract visitors here who patronize different restaurants, shops, whatever. It’s also part of our mission that goes along with service to the community and being good neighbors,” McHugh said. CICU did not publicly disclose the results of its studies of its member institutions. The details of the commission’s study of Manhattan College were released to the Quadrangle by McHugh.

January 24, 2017

WORLD WEEKLY Daniel Molina Editor

Theresa May Calls for Hard Brexit in Long-Awaited Speech In her most important speech since she became Prime Minister, Theresa May outlined her vision for a U.K. outside the European Union, confirming that Britain will leave the bloc’s single market and emphasizing the country’s main goal: regain full control of immigration. Source: Time Former President Obama Granted Commutation to 330 Individuals This past Thursday, only 24 hours before the transfer of power from Barack Obama to President Donald Trump, he granted the most commutations given in a single day by a US president. These were mainly given to prisoners with nonviolent drug offenses. Source: The White House, CNN Mexican Drug Lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Extradited to The U.S. “El Chapo” Guzman was extradited after he had escaped twice from maximumsecurity prisons in Mexico, and now sits in the Metropolitan Correctional Center near New York’s City Hall. He plead non-guilty on Friday to several charges related to trafficking drugs and cash worth more than $14 billion. Source: Fox News

Manhattan Students Join in Women’s Marches

Continued from page 1 against injustice,” said Roth. Participants in the march came prepared with signs bearing slogans that ranged from creative and witty to assertive and provocative. The line of marchers stretched from Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, around Grand Central Station and up to Trump Tower on 5th Ave. Traffic was blocked in several areas around the march route. A string of celebrity appearances, including actors and local politicians, occurred in various locations on the route. Paula Espitia and Amber Perez, both freshmen at MC, shared an encounter with one of these celebrities. “We were just marching and saw people getting excited, so we look over and right next to us is Whoopi Goldberg talking to ABC cameras and leading her group,” said Espitia. “It was just so cool to see her there with everyone else in the march. It makes you realize how big this is.” The march carried on after the expected end time of 4 pm as people continually poured into the packed streets to let their signs be seen and their voices be heard. Washington, D.C. Early Saturday morning, 39 Jaspers

Thousands packed Fifth Avenue for the march Saturday. Tara Marin / The Quadrangle. met at Gaelic Park to take to the streets was scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. The of Washington D.C. and join an estimated streets were so packed with participants 500 thousand others at the Women’s March that the march was delayed for some time. When the march finally began at about 3 on Washington. The protesters’ day began bright and p.m., the streets of the nation’s capitol rang early at 6 a.m. when the bus left campus. out with the sound of protesters chanting. Among these protesters was MC stuThe group arrived in New Carrollton, Md. a few hours later and took a thirty minute dent Gabriella Sydney Ramirez, and for Metro ride to the protest site on Capitol Hill. her, it was go big or go home. “I know there are all of these sister After the packed metro ride, the marchers spilled out into the streets of Washington marches in New York and Philly, I just really wanted to be a part of the one, one of D.C. to begin their demonstration. The event began with a rally at 10:00 the largest marches in history,” she said. Sophomore government major Liam a.m., followed by the march itself, which

Moran agreed with Ramirez, and was particularly interested in the potential impact of other young adults. “I wanted to see how our generation tackles the problem, getting our ideas out there via peaceful protest,” Moran said. Moran was unusual in that he was one of only five male protesters from the college. He, however, believes that men can be powerful advocates and allies in the fight for equal rights. “When dealing with women’s issues, I would say think of your mother or sister in that position and what would be most beneficial to them: restricting the right or enabling the right,” he said. One thing was for certain: the voice of MC was heard at the Women’s March on Washington. Peaceful political protest is becoming a powerful tool for the next generation. “There’s some ways that we can participate conventionally,” said Groarke. “We can go do grassroots lobbying, we can vote, we can write to our members of Congress, but sometimes we have bigger impact when we do something that’s a little bit outside of the box.” Lauren Schuster contributed reporting


Arts & Entertainment

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MC Pep Band Gears Up For Final Stretch, MAAC Tournament Anthony DePinho Staff Writer

It’s a Friday night in Draddy Gymnasium as the women’s basketball team is slated to face off against the Iona Gaels. The 6th Borough student section is full and the crowd has made its way to the seats. But in an otherwise subdued buildup to the game, there is one pocket of the Spirit Squad that is always ready to ramp up the volume and support the Jaspers loud and clear: The Manhattan College Pep Band. They welcome the teams with the Manhattan College March, and it is officially game time in the Bronx. But despite all their success on this night and to this point, the remainder of the regular season in Draddy is not the only thing the Jasper Band has left to look forward to on its schedule. “The MAAC Tournament is always so much fun,” said Charlie Carway, a senior clarinet player and four-year member of the Pep Band. “I didn’t really appreciate basketball before joining Pep Band, but [it’s] probably the most fun I’ve ever had in college with all the games we do and all the traveling we do in the MAAC.” Carway is referring to the MAAC Basketball Tournament, which is scheduled to take place on March 2 through 6 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. While the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams compete on the court, they are not the only squads from MC to make their way up to the state capital, as they are joined by the Cheer Squad, the Jasper Dancers, and, of course, the Pep Band. While in Albany, the band will have ample opportunity to show their MC spirit. In addition to performing at all games in which the Jaspers play, the band has a further chance to show the conference its best stuff. “The Band Jam is always really cool,” said Cristopher Urban-Klein, junior trumpet player and President of the Pep Band. “We always rock it and blow everyone else out of the water.” The morning before the first basketball games are played, the Pep Bands of all the competing schools in the MAAC gather and play two or three songs each, according to Urban-Klein. He says it’s one of the

big events of the tournament, as fans, parents, and friends all gather to take part in the fun. Whether the atmosphere is a competitive one or not seems up for debate. “The tournament is a pretty big deal,” said Jake Robinson, the first-year Director of the Pep Band. “From what I’ve heard, our band is way better and we always take the cake.” Carway, a four-year veteran, views the Jam more modestly. “Some people may see it as a competition… We play with each other,” Carway said. “I see it as non-competitive… It’s a great opportunity to see what other bands are like, and show off our own unique things too.” But regardless the amount of competition involved, a common point that was stressed is the need for hard work and preparation to represent MC well at the tournament. “The preparation [for the MAAC] starts early in the season for sure,” says Urban-Klein. “We want to add one more good song to what we have, and touch up what we have already to make it sound as great as possible.” Urban-Klein also commented on the team’s ability to learn new music quickly as a good sign for the rest of the season to come. “We played “Confident” by Demi Lovato for the first time the other day and memorized it in an hour which was pretty impressive. I think as the season goes on we just have to keep sounding better and better,” he added. Robinson echoed much of the same feelings as the band’s President. “A lot of the music most of the band knew already, and I had to come in and learn it,” Robinson said. “So my job is to clean it up, add a few new tunes to our repertoire, and then we’ll get to go to the MAAC and blow the other teams away... I’m looking forward to it, and I think the band is sounding better than ever.” There are still a few weeks to go until the tournament, but in the meantime, the Pep Band will continue to rock Draddy with their new uniforms, creative basketball net hats, and their creative antics that make us all proud to support the Jaspers.

Anthony DePinho/The Quadrangle

Aaron Mayorga/The Quadrangle

MC Pep Band playing at a recent home game. Anthony DePinho/Courtesy


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Arts & Entertainment

January 24, 2017

Arts & Entertainment

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The Upper East Side’s New Ride Stephen Zubrycky Editor-in-Chief

After about 50 years on the drawing board, and more than 40 years of on-again, off-again construction, residents of the Yorkville neighborhood on the Upper East Side finally have a way to get to work. Q trains got rolling on the brand new Second Avenue line earlier this year, serving three new stations under Second Avenue at 72nd Street, 86th Street and 96th Street. Also included in the project was the refurbishment of the station at Lexington Avenue and East 63rd Street, which serves the Sixth Avenue F train service, in addition to the Second Avenue Q, with connection to the Lexington Avenue and Broadway lines. The change marks the second expansion for the Subway in as many years, after the opening of the new station at Hudson Yards in fall of 2015, which brought the Flushing Line southwest of its original terminus at Times Square to 11th Avenue and West 34th Street. The stations along the new line are deeper than the average station in the Subway and are accessible only by way of elevator or escalator.

Each station has a mezzanine level between the platforms and street level, with the mezzanines running parallel to the tracks and a series of escalators connecting the two levels. Between the mezzanine and platform levels are large multi-colored banners reading “Second Avenue Subway,” and more permanent installations reading “E Pluribus Unum” (the motto of the United States of America, which is Latin for “out of many, one”), or “Excelsior” (New York State’s motto, which is Latin for, “Ever Upward”). Bright, airy and open, the new stations are unlike any others in the New York City Subway, boasting impressive public art displays and wide, lofty corridors that ferry passengers from trains to street level. Lexington Avenue- East 63rd Street The first stop on the new line, colloquially called ‘63rd and Lex’ is the only of the new services’ stations to have been in use before this year. But the new Q’s twenty first-century charm has descended onto the platforms of this deep, cavernous station. The F train platforms have been retrofitted with the new wall design: long, horizontal plastic stripes along the wall, complete with the “Lex-63” logo, intended to absorb track

noise, and giving the station a lighter feel. Among the public artworks at this station are large mosaics by artist Jean Shin, including one especially striking work depicting a crane lifting a steel section above a chaotic mess of twisted trusses and girders. 72nd Street The mezzanine at 72nd Street is lined with mosaics featuring a diverse array of people waiting for a train. “I just wanted them to be normal people,” artist Vik Muniz told The New York Times last year. The works –collectively titled “Perfect Strangers” – include a construction worker whose belt is heavy with gear, a police officer, a gay couple and Muniz himself – trying to control the papers flying from his briefcase. 86th Street The 86th Street station boasts perhaps the most intricate and detail-oriented mosaic work in the entire Subway system. Artist Chuck Close made twelve mosaics, many of which immortalize some of New York’s prominent local artists – including two of Close himself. The mosaics are each several feet

high – and cover nearly the entire distance from the floor to ceiling in the mezzanine above the platforms. 96th Street 96th Street is the end of the line, for now. The mezzanine in this station is lined with the work of Sarah Sze, an American artist. The mezzanine above the tracks features a dizzying display of blowing papers against a deep blue sky. As riders proceed down to the mezzanine level from street level on escalators, another of Sze’s works is on display, featuring a large, blue-print looking work that astonishes in its attention to detail. More to Come The full Second Avenue Subway is far from complete. The next phase of the project, which is expected to open by 2030, will bring trains farther Uptown along 2nd Avenue, to a terminal at 125th Street, where commuters will have the option to switch to the Lexington Avenue line. Longer term plans involve bestowing a new letter unto the line – T – and bringing it all the way Downtown to Hanover Square in the Financial District. But for now, the Upper East Side can rejoice – because the Second Avenue Subway is finally here.

Vik Muniz’s art “Perfect Strangers” installed at the 72nd Street Station.

Christian Santisteban has started his professional baseball career with the Traverse City Beach Bums.

96th Street Station lined with mezzanine artwork created by Sarah Sze.

A mosaic installed in the 86th Street Station.

Chuck Close self-portrait at the 86th Street Station.

Mosaics by Chuck Close located at the 86th Street Station.

Vik Muniz’s art “Perfect Strangers” installed at the 72nd Street Station. Stephen Zubrycky/The Quadrangle


Arts & Entertainment

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On Campus Fashion-Finds RikkiLynn Shields Editor

Meet junior Antigone Thanasias from the last stop on the 6 train. Originally form Pelham Bay in The Bronx, Thanasias came to Manhattan College to pursue her education as a Communications major with a focus in Public Relations, along with a minor in theatre. Thanasias discussed her fashion sense with us. The Quadrangle: How would you describe your style? Antigone Thanasias: Every year I think my style changes in many ways, but right now I would describe it as New York chic with some tones of grunge. I have always loved wearing all black with a splash of color, to get that metropolitan sleek look, but now I incorporate an edge to it. This edge has really come from my taste in music. I love rock music, which has only increased my loved for darker hues, but now I’ll try to do a ripped jean or funky pattern. TQ: How have you noticed your style change as you grew older? AT: My style has definitely changed since high school, and thank goodness it has. I kept my style very simple in high school, and tried to follow what other girls did. It was always a basic tee and leggings. As I got older I began to appreciate mixing textures, actually wearing baggy jeans over just skinny jeans. Recently, I have fallen in love with velvet. Velvet dresses, even blazers. That’s something I would have hated in high school. TQ: Would you wear what you wore in high school now? AT: Sometimes I’ll return to what I wore in high school. Since it was just leggings and a v- neck, I usually find myself wearing those on my lazy days. Now though, I have learned to love my style, and I am constantly looking to evolve it. I like to bring items together that usually shouldn’t be done, like wearing a tee shirt dress over leggings/jeans. Sometimes I even take my mom’s clothes that she wore in the 80s and marry it with current trends. TQ: What are your favorite places to shop? AT: My favorite place to shop at the moment is actually online, called Make-

January 24, 2017

MeChic.com. I have to say they have amazing clothes. I could spend hours on the site adding things to my wish list, and thinking of ways each item could work in an outfit. The pricing is also extremely reasonable, so that helps me since money is tight as a college student. On occasion, when I do go out to shop, I’ll check out Express, or Forever 21; they can be a real hit or miss. TQ: Tell us where your outfit is from! AT: The shirt that I am wearing is from Forever 21. It’s actually a sweater dress that is knotted in the back. I do this a lot with my long shirts/short sweater dresses if I really like the color of them and want to incorporate them into an outfit. The sweater I am wearing is a blanket scarf, and I actually go it from Costco (which I think is pretty funny). The jeans, which are a boyfriend style, are from makemechic.com, and the shoes are from Payless– that is the only place I get my shoes from. TQ: If you were given $1,000 to spend in one store, where would you spend it and why? AT: I would choose Zara. The clothing is similar to the style I am trying to go for. I like how many of their pieces are minimalistic, so they’re easy to dress up or down, even add a nice pop of color. TQ: How do you plan your outfits out? (Randomly, the night before, Pinterest inspired, etc.) AT: The way I plan my outfits depends on my day. I can whip up an outfit pretty quickly, and growing up with a lot of hand-me-downs has encouraged me to experiment. If I have a party or special event I’ll plan my outfit the night before. I can be really indecisive at times, so by planning the night before I have more time to figure out exactly what I want to wear with no pressure to be ready. For a regular day, like during the semester, I choose my outfit by my mood. For a good mood I’ll choose to be dressier, and wear my favorite pieces. On my off days I’ll choose the lazy route, back to my high school style of leggings and a tee. ‘On-Campus Fashion Finds’ is a new monthly Arts & Entertainment column.

RikkiLynn Shields/The Quadrangle

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Features

9

College Offers New Construction Management Masters Degree Sean Sonnemann Senior Writer

As of this semester, Manhattan College’s school of engineering is offering a new construction management Master of Science degree program as part of its graduate offerings. Previously, the college offered a conain the civil engineering master’s program. However, the new standalone program will now provide more flexibility for what types of students can enroll for the graduate degree because it does not require an undergraduate degree in civil engineering for admission. “Now the new construction management program is open to students with engineering degrees—civil, mechanical, chemical, any engineering degree—and also students who have degrees in business or any science with a job related to construction and construction management,” Moujalli Hourani, associate professor and director of the civil engineering graduate program, said. With the new master’s program, the department will also expand the number of courses in the various topics of construction management and include new classes related to the business aspects of the field. As with the previous construction management concentration program, undergraduate civil engineering students will also be able to take some of these new courses as electives for their undergraduate degree. “The good thing about our program is the faculty who are teaching the classes,” Hourani said. “They are experts in the field and have many years of expertise in construction management and in construction in general.” Similarly, the department is currently in the process of selecting a board of advisors for the program, to be composed of contemporary members of industry, many with Manhattan College affiliations. The construction management concentration has been a part of the civil engineering graduate degree for the last eight years, created primarily to meet the career needs of students enrolled in the program.

“Almost 10 years ago when we looked at our graduates, almost 85 to 90 percent of our graduates, they work in construction and in construction management,” Hourani said. “Offering a master’s degree in civil engineering or structural or geotechnical, it wasn’t the right move for those students. They need something which can benefit their positions and they can then excel in that field.”

Manhattan College ASCE/Courtesy


Features

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January 24, 2017

Winter L.O.V.E. Students Reflect on Travels Megan Dreher & August Kissel Asst. Editor & Editor

Students spent their winter intercession in a number of ways. Some worked, others went on vacation, and some used their time to catch up on sleep lost during the semester. But there were also groups of students that were able to spend a week of their intercession participating in the L.O.V.E. program, giving back to communities both nationally and internationally. Students who participated in these L.O.V.E. (The Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Experience) trips had the opportunity to immerse themselves in service and social justice experiences. The destinations this winter included New Orleans, Arizona, Jamaica and Ecuador. “The trips went really well as far as I know. I have spoken to some of the leaders briefly but am looking forward to a longer debrief this coming Friday with all 4 teams.” said Jenn Edwards Robinson, the assistant director of the office of campus ministry and social action. Manhattan College has made a connection with the multiple communities visited on these trips, and students have traveled to serve for quite some time. The New Orleans trip has been active since Hurricane Katrina, sending students to help rebuild houses in the area since the winter of 2006. The trip to Jamaica, where students work with The Mustard Seed community in particular, has operated since March of 2012. In Arizona, students work to understand the issues of border control, and have been going since March of 2013. And L.O.V.E Ecuador first took place in January of 2007. The students that are selected to go on these trips have the opportunity to participate in the trip as a group member, and later can work toward becoming a student facilitator. This gives students a new perspective on the trip while still being just as

impactful. “For me, it was really exciting for my co-leader, Katrina Daly, and I to see everyone experience things and learn things for the first time just as we did last year,” Emily Garren, a co-leader of L.O.V.E. Jamaica, said. “I did this trip sixth months ago and I only participated, leading was a whole new experience. I had to teach what I had just learned to ten people that didn’t know. Being able to go from a listener to a facilitator is a very different experience. Being able to understand the whole issue in a way that I could sit and answer questions about it that are not simple, less about numbers and more about conceptual questions,” Nicole Padron, group leader of L.O.V.E. Arizona, said. The service was a major component of each of these trips, but the lessons learned left a lasting impact on these students. The bonds that were formed within the groups, as well as with the individuals that the students served, made the hard work worth it. “I feel like it was a combination of the team and how we built that relationship with each other, but also the work that we did and seeing the reaction. I feel like when you can see the impact you are making directly on someone, it really makes you think ‘I’m really having an impact on this person and I’m really helping her.’ It’s a direct impact, and I think that’s what really makes it amazing,” Samantha Wilson, a group member of L.O.V.E. New Orleans, said. Members from each of the trips would agree that the L.O.V.E. trips are a lifechanging experience and the week spent volunteering and serving others is very rewarding. “You don’t expect it to be so life changing. When you talk about throughout the semester, you think, “oh it’s going to be fun.” and that you’re going to do something good. And you’re like wow, this is more than that at the end,” said Wilson.

Photos from L.O.V.E. New Orleans Samantha K. Wilson/Courtesy


sports

Men’s Baseball Has Its Eye On The Prize Charles Lippolis Asst. Editor

Injuries, inexperience, and missed opportunities have kept Manhattan’s Men’s Baseball Team from returning to the top of the MAAC the past three years, but 2017 may prove to be the year that all changes. The team has a lot to build on, coming off a strong 2016 season in which the team’s underclassmen showed a lot of promise behind the leadership of the upperclassmen. Head coach Jim Duffy has seen everything from MAAC Championship teams, to teams that miss the playoffs, and seeing potential in the core group he has now. “We have experienced guys back,” said Duffy, “most of the guys who were on the field competing in close games last year, will be on the field this year”. Manhattan does have to weather the loss of reigning MAAC Player of the Year Christian Santisteban, who led the team with a .367 batting average and 76 hits, while also finishing second on the team in runs, home runs, and RBI. However, with the emergence of freshman hitters in the 2016 season, as well as the return of middle infielder Matt Forlow, the Jaspers will look to collectively replace the presence of their star player in 2017. The leadership for the position players now shifts to shortstop, where senior Jose Carrera looks to lead his teammates to a MAAC championship. Carrera has been

a mainstay in the middle infield since his freshman year, and maintains his upbeat attitude by exerting positive energy. “We stick together and we don’t give up,” said Carrera. Known around the team as “Chiqui”, Carrera is one of the few seniors on this team playing in his fourth and final year. His mantra, to have fun, and to remember that baseball is a game of failure. In his final season, he looks to lead the younger guys by example. “They have to take it day by day,” said Carrera, “everyone’s going to struggle sometimes; they have to be willing to fail.” Coach Duffy will miss many things about the senior from Miami, Florida, including his ability to hit for average, power, and play stellar defense to name a few. Most importantly, Duffy will miss having someone like Carrera coming in every day to work hard. “He brings positive energy to this team and it’s contagious. It’s like having another coach on the field.” said Duffy. What the Jaspers do have to look forward to is the return of a lethal starting rotation, featuring junior ace Tom Cosgrove, as well as seniors Joe Rocchietti and Joe Jacques. Pitching coach Brian McCullough expects his guys to carry the same swagger they featured in the 2016 season into the 2017 season. “They’re winners. They imagine themselves winning and they go out and execute.” said McCullough.

For McCullough, the pitching becomes most effective when performed in its simplest form. He drills into his staff the fundamental importance of throwing strikes early in the count, controlling the running game, and properly adjusting to different batters and situations. Ultimately, he attempts to limit the giving the opposition an advantage at the hands of a mistake on the mound. “At this level, he game of the freebee’s is huge,” said McCullough. After a season where he recorded a team leading 80 strikeouts and lead all starters with a 3.70 ERA, junior Tom Cosgrove finds himself ready to lead this staff into a successful season. When looking at the jump he made from freshman to sophomore year, Cosgrove was grateful for coach McCullough’s ability to change his approach. “He simplified the game for me,” said Cosgrove, “he was able to tailor all of his ideas to each specific pitcher”. The understanding between the staff and McCullough grew throughout the course of the year, which lead to more success on the mound and ultimately a playoff berth. Duffy’s team had an above .500 record in close games last year, going 12 and 10 in games that were decided by two or more runs, many of which came towards the end of the season. Cosgrove feels that while this was a team effort, one side of the baseball truly emerged in these games. “You can’t win tight games without pitching, but I ultimately think that the hit-

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ters won us a lot of tight games,” said Cosgrove. A key part of the Jasper’s playoff run last year was the stellar play of their underclassman hitters. Fabian Pena was named MAAC Rookie of the Year as well as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, while other freshman such as Richie Barrella and Anthony Rocchietti contributed as everyday guys. Freshman pitchers Marc Galvan and Ryan Takacs also had hopeful starts to their collegiate careers out of the bullpen. They helped hand the game to now senior closer Shawn Kanwisher who lead the team with a 2.57 ERA while recording 57 strikeouts over 49 innings-pitched. Ultimately, the team this year feels their season must end in a championship. They have the experience and the firepower to make a run back to late June baseball. The current roster has seen success and failure within the conference, experience which they think will give them an advantage going into tight games. Jose Carrera is one of the men on the roster who has seen it all, and thinks that the Jaspers can make that final push this season because of what they have played through the past 4 years. “We know how it feels to lose, we know how it feels to win,” said Carrera, “we have to make a statement.” The Jaspers kick off their season at UCF on February 24th, with the hopes of turning their southern road trip into a hot start to the season.

Season Preview for Spring Track & Field: Outdoor Events Taking Center Stage Abby Crowell

Contributer Writer Spring Semester has arrived which means that outdoor track is quickly approaching. After talking to Coach Mecca, it is clear that Jasper fans have a lot to look forward to this season. Manhattan College’s Track and Field team is currently in the middle of a successful indoor season, and the long awaited outdoor season will begin in March. According to the head coach of both the Men’s and Women’s track and field teams Dan Mecca, the season ahead appears to be very promising. Coach Mecca expressed that there are some star players to pay close attention to during this season, such as Paige Chapman who participates in sprints, John Dove who is a distance runner, and Ellinor Persson who participates in jumps and sprints, and is also currently coming back from an injury. Coach Mecca describes the team as a whole as, “A good, young group and a few seniors with plenty of obvious potential.”When asked what the goals for the team were, Mecca replied, “To win, and keep everybody healthy. We want to win first at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and reach new levels.”With the team’s passion and hard work, it appears that new levels will certainly be reached this year. For track and field participants such as

Anthony Yanni, the outdoor season cannot come fast enough. The team couldn’t be more excited after tedious months of preseason and indoor competition. Yanni is a junior from Brooklyn, who is a prominent Javelin thrower during the outdoor season. “Scoring a personal record of 55 Meters and finish within the top 6 is my goal for the season.” Yanni said. Yanni revealed that he has been involved in vigorous training since August. The team will be training straight through until March, when the outdoor seasons finally starts. There are four track and field events for our Jaspers to thrive in this up and coming outdoor season, and they include the discus throw, javelin throw, hammer throw, and steeplechase races. When asked about his excitement for

Love Litzell easily won the men’s weight throw with a toss of 20.20 meters GoJaspers/Courtesy the approaching outdoor season, Coach Mecca responded, “The outdoor events are the same events shown in the Olympics, which makes them very alluring.. Continuing with the trend of star players who thrive in the outdoor season, Lina Bengston is said to be an exceptional athlete who is more than ready for the upcoming outdoor season. Bengston is originally from Sweden, and is currently a senior at Manhattan who demonstrates her immense talent during the discus throw. When asked how training for indoor events differs from the outdoor events, Bengston replied, “It’s different if you participate in both seasons of track and field, because you are constantly competing with little breaks in between.”

Coach Mecca added, “We’re lucky in Draddy gym because we can practice the outdoor events indoors, such as javelin and discus.” Although she participates in both seasons, Bengston prefers outdoor because it allows her to excel in the discus event much more than if she were competing indoor. As for personal goals, Bengston was previously injured for two years, therefore, her personal goal is to successfully compete outdoors this season. With the dynamic training and workouts that the track and field athletes participate in, there is no doubt that they are ready to finish off the indoor season strong, as well as dominate the outdoor season that many athletes are currently preparing for.


sports

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January 24, 2017

What’s Up this week MEN’S B-BALL TO FACE niagara; WOMEN AT RIDER RikkiLynn Shields Editor

Last Tuesday, the men’s basketball team was defeated by longtime rival Iona, breaking their two-in-a row winning streak, concluding their three-game homestand. Although junior Zavier Turner scored 20 points himself, with an added 15 from teammate Zane Waterman, it still was not enough from Manhattan’s men to defeat Iona. In front of the 1,500+ fans packed in Draddy gymnasium, the game concluded with an 82-67 win over Manhattan. With a comeback from junior Zane Waterman scoring a game-high of 28 points against Monmouth this past Friday, the team wasn’t able to follow through with a victory, taking a loss at Monmouth, 82-71. Manhattan’s mens team is currently standing at 7-13, and 2-7 in the MAAC. The men’s team returns to action this Thursday at Niagara Falls, New York at 7:00 p.m. This Thursday, January 24th at 7:00 p.m., Manhattan’s swim team will verse Baruch at the Ethical and Cultural Fieldston School in Riverdale. This meet was previously scheduled for January 16th, however was postponed due to emergency facility issues. Just before the meet begins, Manhattan will honor it’s nine graduating swim team seniors. You can catch the Senior Day swim team ceremonies, along with Manhattan vs. Baruch at 6:50 p.m. on Thursday, January 24th. Kayla Grimme of the women’s basketball team put her best foot forward versus Iona this past Friday night, scoring a career high of 21 points. However with Grimme’s effots, the team was still unable to defeat Iona, finishing the game with a close loss of 76-62. The women’s team will return to action this Thursday, January 26th, versing

Men’s Basketball will face Baruch College at Ethical Culture School in Riverdale. Aaron Mayorga/ The Quadrangle Rider in Laurenceville, N.J. at 7:00 p.m. the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. The Junior John Dove finished the 800m This past Saturday night, Manhat- men’s team earned three victories in field run with a time of 1:53.74, qualifying himtan’s Track and Field team’s competed at events, along with multiple ECAC/IC4A self for IC4A Championships, along with the Penn 8-Team Select in Staten Island at qualifying performances. Dennis Eriksson, Sean Mirando, and Conner Oldt coming in at 2-3-4 in the 60 meter hurdles. For the women, Kelly Gorman, Alexa Roda, Erin Spadaccini, and Kaitlyn Smith earned the second place spot in the 4x800m relay. With a time of 9:20.19, the girls secured themselves a spot in the ECAC Championships. With a second place overall victory for the men’s team, and a fifth place victory for the women’s, Manhattan’s Track and Field team will compete this Friday, January 27th. The sprinters and field event athletes will be heading back to Ocean Breeze for the Villanova Invitational, while the distance runners will head to Boston for the John Thomas Terrier Invitational. Manhattan’s men’s lacrosse team is set to play Adelphi this Saturday, January 28th in Garden City, N.Y. at 1:15 p.m. This game is only an exhibition; the team will officially begin their season on February 4th against Bryant Univeristy, here at Manhattan at 12:00 p.m. For more information on what’s up this week and where to go to see Manhattan’s sports teams in action, check out the box at left with all of the info you need to stay informed on our beloved Jaspers! The Quadrangle will have continuing coverage as the Jaspers approach the MAAC tournament in Albany starting in March Rikkilynn Shields/ The Quadrangle


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