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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MANHATTAN COLLEGE | SINCE 1924
Volume XCVIX, Issue 5
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NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 19, 2019
New Year, New Laws for NYC
RikkiLynn Shields Senior Writer
Blue Skies Above Memorial Hall BRIAN ASARE / THE QUADRANGLE
Meet Public Safety’s New Director After a long and thorough search, Manhattan College has chosen a new Director of Public Safety. Peter DeCaro will be Manhattan College’s next Director of Public Safety, replacing Juan Cerezo, who is retiring after serving the Manhattan College community for 23 years. “The Director of Public Safety search was a national search. We advertised the position through associations, websites, and publications specific to campus safety and higher education in general,” said Sonny Ago, assistant vice president for student life. Ago selected a committee to choose a candidate that consisted of representatives from students, faculty, and administration. Among the committee members was Tamara Britt, general counsel; Peter McHugh, director of media relations and strategic communications; Vicki Cowan, assistant vice president for human resources; Helene Tyler, Ph.D.,associate professor of mathematics; Tiffany French, assistant dean of students and Jaycie Cooper, student government president. “Besides his record of accomplishment as Associate Director, Peter DeCaro has
had experience as a director of public safety at two other institutions. Both of these schools are Catholic, Marymount Manhattan and Mercy, with a similar close knit community to Manhattan. Experience leading a public safety department at other colleges was a strength of his candidacy,” said Richard Satterlee, Ph.D., vice president for student life. DeCaro was competing for this position against roughly 60 other applicants in a multi-part review process consisting of video conferences with eight semi-finalists and and three finalists with in-person interviews. “As with all the finalists that were invited to interview on campus, Mr. DeCaro demonstrated a wealth of knowledge, deep commitment, and collaborative demeanor to succeed in the role of Director of Public Safety. Mr. Decaro also brings to the position years of director-level experience to campus safety,” said Ago. DeCaro served as the director of security and campus safety at Mercy College from 2001 to 2008 and as the director of campus safety at Marymount Manhattan College from 2008 to 2015. He has also been Manhattan College’s associate director of public safety and risk management since January of 2016. “I’ve been here three years now, and my daughter actually
IN A&E: Valentine’s Day on the MC campus on p.4
IN A&E: MC Players presents V Day Monologues on p. 5
Cathy Goodyear Senior Writer
graduated in 2016 from here, so she was a senior when I got hired as the associate director. Everyone knows about Manhattan College, so when I saw the opportunity to come here, I thought it was great and I went for it and I just love being here, like a lot of folks,” said DeCaro. DeCaro started out in 1981 with the New York Police Department, serving his community for 20 years as a patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, platoon commander, undercover officer and investigator in the narcotics division. He was stationed in lower Manhattan and retired from the police department in 2001, only 42 days before 9/11 occured. “My objective when I was retiring was to find a position as a security director or security manager. I wanted to stay in that field and I had applied for quite a few jobs when I was getting ready to retire,” DeCaro said. “It’s a perfect fit, all of the background experience is there and I am obviously very familiar with police protocol, policy, and procedure, the criminal justice system, how things work in New York City and that kind of background information can relate from me right to our students and employees that have situations that require help from the po__________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Change comes in many forms. For some, the new year seems to be the most inspiring and popular time to kick old habits and replace them with new ones. One’s list of new year’s resolutions could go on for pages. In fact, New York City hopped on the bandwagon, implementing over 19 new laws on Jan. 1, 2019. Minimum Wage Increase Amongst the Manhattan College community, one of the most popular laws that went into effect in New York City this year was the minimum wage increase– something a handful of students at Manhattan have been awaiting for months. According to the law, for workplaces in New York City that include 11 or more employees, minimum wage increased to $15/hour, and $13.50/hour for workplaces in New York City with 10 or less employees. In addition, fast-food workers will also be earning $12.75/hour. Seniors Isaiah Chase and Caroline Ferri were elated to hear about the pay increase. Ferri has worked in the training room for three and a half years. “I think it’s great being that it’s more expensive to live in New York City. My supervisor has not changed the roles o my job with the wage increase, my duties have remained the same but just with a slight pay increase!” Ferri said. Chase has worked in the O’Malley Library as an ITS star since for a little over a year. “I am originally from Rhode Island, and even though it isn’t too far, I’ve realized that the cost of living in New York is definitely a bit more. In regards to the minimum wage increase, I think it’s good for students, like myself, who are in a transition period, working towards becoming independent from their loved ones as they make their way towards graduation,” said Chase.
IN FEATURES:
Styrofoam Ban Any and all food-service businesses in New York City can no longer offer, sell, or own any sort of Styrofoam food container. This includes cups, plates, takeout containers and more. “I think it’s great that the styrofoam ban happened in the city. However, I would like it to be seen across the state and in other states as well. This law is very important, especially being that we are in a urban area. As college students, we tend to eat out a lot, and it’s easy to see the waste that comes from that, especially styrofoam. I’ve already seen changes in Jasper Deli, who is now using recycled plastic. What I would like to see next is a greener initiative within our college, especially Kelly Commons where most take out food is served. We can all work together to help the environment, especially on campus since, so I think this is a very good first step in going green across the city and the state,” said junior Isabel Quinones. Pharmacies Can’t Sell Cigarettes As of Jan. 1, New York City pharmacies are no longer allowed to sell cigarettes or any other tobacco products. This ban spreads not only to pharmacies in the city, but also to big box stores as well as supermarkets. Parental Leave Benefits New York City employees, who are considered eligible, are now able to take up to 10 weeks to care for their newborn child or children, a sick family member, or a loved one with a family member who is actively deployed abroad in the military. The wage replacement also increased from 50 percent in 2018 to 55 percent. “While maternity leave is very important, we also have to take into account our parents and our grandparents getting older. Majority of the time, taking care of a loved one seems to come across as a hassle, es__________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
IN SPORTS:
LWGRC Hosts Breakfast for the Love in the Dark Stars Coverage on p.2 on p.6
Features
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the Quadrangle Volume XCVIX, Issue 5 FEBRUARY 19, 2018
The Editorial Board
Megan Dreher Editor-in-Chief Gabriella DePinho News Editor
Joseph Liggio Maria Thomas Asst. News Editors
Alexa Schmidt Features Editor Managing Editor
Katherine Heneghan Asst. Features Editor
Rose Brennan Arts & Entertainment Editor Managing Editor
Madalyn Johnson Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
C. Garrett Keidel Sports Editor
Pete Janny Asst. Sports Editor
Lauren Schuster Social Media Editor
Brian Asare Photography Editor
Alyssa Velazquez Production Manager Sophia Sakellariou Samantha Walla Production Editors
Nicole Rodriguez Asst. Production Editor
Michevi Dufflart August Kissel Web Editors
Abby Crowell Distribution Manager
Nicholas Gilewicz Faculty Advisor About The Quadrangle 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 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.
Join The Quadrangle The Quadrangle’s staff holds weekly open meetings on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in Kelly Commons Room 412. All are welcome to come and join the club. Connect with The Quadrangle
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THE QUADRANGLE
A Night of Love in the Dark Bruna Lauermann Contributor
On the evening of Monday, Feb. 11—the night before New York City woke up to its second biggest snowstorm in the year— room 3C at the Kelly Commons building was one of the warmest places at the Manhattan College. Not only due to the body heat of 42 people gathered at the Lasallian Women in Gender Resource Center but also because of the atmosphere of empathy and safety forged for discussion and sharing ideas about love, sex and relationships. Manhattan College’s very first Love in the Dark meeting began at 6pm an it was facilitated by Jordan Pascoe, Ph.D., co-director of the center and director of the Society for the Philosophy of Sex and Love. She answered questions and tackled issues written anonymously by students. With the room completely in the dark, lit only by the smooth halo of a few candles and glow sticks, participants felt loosen up to entertain questions and taboo subjects right on the spot. One student even confessed, “If the lights were on, you’d see I am blushing”. One could feel huge amounts of curiosity which translated to a large range of topics discussed including how to improve the way people communicate with their partners, the definition of sex and virginity as well as how to explore and enjoy the journey of a sexual being, even with oneself. Pascoe leveraged the answers to take participants beyond the obvious and score important issues such as consent, prevention and even the pitfalls that gender roles offer to the way we face love and sex. According to her, the progressive theme of the event has everything to do with the Lasallian philosophy. “If we stand in solidarity and advocate for those suffering from social injustices, we need to talk about love and sex, because we know there is a lot of space for vulnerability in this subject,” she said.
Close to 50 people attended the event, filling room 3C at Kelly Commons. BRUNA LAUERMANN / THE QUADRANGLE Pascoe also took the opportunity to emphasize the unquestionable need for this kind of platform and how it benefits students. “We need to meet them where they are, and this room full of people shows us that they want this open space where they can ask questions openly and we can challenge the way we were taught to think about sex,” she said.. Alen Mo, who is a philosophy major, said his interest in learning more about love and sex perspectives was the main reason to attend the event. After all, he endorsed the atmosphere of intimacy in the room and even encouraged male presence in the Women and Gender Center. “I think the event was great because it felt like a safe space. I was uncomfortable sometimes when people shared things they experienced, but because I am a biological male and I see myself responsible. That’s why I believe more men should come to this kind of event,” he said. For Mo, the key takeaway from the meeting was when Pascoe highlighted the importance of being able to say no even to people that we like. “It is always hard to learn to say no, But I guess it can be even harder to say no to our loved ones. I liked when Professor Pascoe explained that there is a way to turn denial into what she called a ‘loving no.’ In that
we respect our boundaries without creating less friction in our relationships,” he said. For Erin Mcwilliams, a junior in chemical engineering, the session was surprising. “Dr. Pascoe was so open to talk about any kind of life experience. And the cool thing is that the energy of the meeting was remarkably light, despite the fact that we were debating critical and fundamental topics,” she said.. After nearing two hours of conversation, laughter and chocolates going from hand to hand the lights went on but weren’t able to disperse all the students. Many remained chatting about the meeting and exchanging thoughts with each other while consulting Pascoe regarding especifics cases which, in her view, was evident proof that the Center would benefit from more meetings like this one. “We’re planning more of these for the near future with added panelists. I’m a philosopher which makes me capable of discussing sex and love from one angle but there are so many other points of view. The Center is open to hear which students fancy debating more on sex and love and what their questions around the matter are,” she said.
CORRECT IONS In the article “Threading My Prayer Rug,” Sabeeha Rehman’s name was incorrectly spelled Reham in some sentences. The article “Patrick Malone Named Head Coach of Swimming and Diving at MC” was incorrectly credited to Pete Janny. The correct reporter was Madalyn Johnson.
News
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
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MC Students Cerezo to Retire, DeCaro Steps in as Public Safety Director Weigh in on New NYC Laws __________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
__________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 pecially when you have to take off work to care for a newborn child or a loved one and aren’t being paid for your time off. I think this law is especially good because of the wage replacement increase, which makes taking care of a loved one much more accessible and I think accessibility is very important,” said junior Mattie Thrall. Non-Binar y Gender Option on Birth Certificates In both New York and the beloved neighboring state of New Jersey, transgender residents are now able to change their gender on their birth certificate. This new law allows New York and New Jersey residents to finally amend their birth certificate based on the way they identify. This law also gives parents the option to choose “X” for their newborn while with whom they can defend that this reflects the true identity. “I saw through social media how hard it was for a fellow member of my high school to have his birth certificate changed. It’s a really long process in general– judges typically take a personal/political stance, and odds are, you can’t get your gender change– and I feel as if having a law/policy in place that allows people to not only choose, but to also be who they are and have a state accept who they are is very important and monumental being that this has been such a controversial issue for so long. In the long run, this law has the potential for being very effective and important because there will be less judicial hearings and court cases regarding a person transitioning. This is also something that paves the way for more cities and more states and more countries to
hear out what we have to say. With a law in place in more locations, this will no longer be such a hot topic,” said junior Donovan Reilly. “The new Gender Neutral option on birth certificates is another step forward for queer rights, specifically those who identity as gender non-binary in New York State. Im happy to see the New York State government is still a bright light in a troublesome time for the LGBTQ community. Although it doesn’t allow the option of gender neutral at birth, the “X” option for youth without the permission of a doctor is a step in the right direction. I hope the LGBTQ community keeps on fighting,” said senior Roi Mase. Diaper Changing Stations and Lactation Rooms In New York City, it is now required that all employers provide diaper changing stations in public buildings such as theaters, museums, and other spaces where products are being sold to the public. These changing stations will be available to everyone, regardless of their gender. Employers are also required to provide a lactation room for employees as well. Lactation rooms will be separate from restrooms. Sexual Harassment Policy As of the new year, all New York City employees are now required to complete sexual harassment prevention training. This training will take place on an annual basis, and businesses must complete a statement to submit to the state, proving that all employers have gone through training and that there is, in fact, a policy that is being enforced. These laws, that have only been in effect for about a month, have already had some big impacts on the lives of both students, employees, and residents of New York City.
lice department or the criminal justice system.” He continued. “A lot of my experience in handling just about anything you could possibly imagine from a patrol perspective, supervisory perspective, investigations, emergency management, there’s a lot of experience you gain from being a New York City Cop, especially a supervisor, that you can bring into the private sector,” said DeCaro. Like DeCaro, Juan Cerezo started his career out with the NYPD. Cerezo was with the NYPD for 26 years before being hired on January 23, 1996. “I retired as a lieutenant working out of Bronx Narcotics, we had an office out of Co-Op City. When the job of Assistant Director of Security opened up, I applied for it and I was hired. My daughter graduated from this school in 2003 and she’s an employee with the college. One of the reasons I took the job was because I wanted my daughter to graduate with this school. As it turns out, I never anticipated I’d be here 23 years,” said Cerezo. Cerezo had overseen many changes within the department during his time here. The Public Safety office has expanded with the college starting from 36 uniformed officers, including the six supervisors, to 50 full-time and three part-time uniform positions as well as four administors. “One of the first things I did when I was first hired as the assistant was I started the first security manual for the department as guidelines, and of course, that book has grown with all the procedures we have put in place. With new federal laws and mandates our annual security report, which started at 12 pages, grew. After the Seton Hall fire, it was required that we report any fires that occur in resident halls, not including contained fires like microwave fires, etc. We report it to
the U.S. Department of Education,” said Cerezo. Cerezo and Public Safety have worked with Residence Life, the counseling center, the Dean’s office, and Athletics to implement changes from acts the Violence Against Women Act, Title IX and the Clery Act. He has also personally worked with outside departments like the 50th precinct and their Commanding Officers to keep students on campus safe. “After the Virginia Tech Massacre by the Active Shooter, we implemented the emergency text messaging, known now as E2Campus, so any time there is an emergency, we send a text out,” Cerezo said. “In 2012, we also did our very first emergency mock exercise with the fire department and Con Edison. We simulated a transformer fire affecting the students in Jasper. A lot of things we learned from that is that in addition to the emergency text messaging, we need a public system, so in 2016 we added the public address system which is in the current office.”. The supervisors in Public Safety are trained to transmit an emergency message to whoever is on campus out of the four speakers on top of Memorial Hall and two speakers on top of the Kelly Commons roof. “We also went from a closed circuit TV systems with three to four VCR cameras to DVRs. The numbers of cameras started increasing. We also installed our first emergency blue lights. The first ones were in the Miguel pathway and by the Thomas Hall to Horan Hall path and two on the Waldo pathway leading down to Leo and RLC. We have now upgraded to NVR and have over 300 cameras in place,” said Cerezo. Uniform officers went from only being required to have a certification from New York State Divisional License to having additional training and certifications including CPR/ First Aid, AED and Fireguard training. Cerezo also assisted with the moving of the Public Safety office from DLS 105 to
Jasper Hall, the installment of O’Malley Library, the parking garage, Lee Hall, and Kelly Commons, plus their changes to campus security, the removal of bars on broadway and safety near college leased housing on Riverdale and Cambridge Ave and the ability to appeal or pay a ticket online. “I thought it would be a 10-year ride after doing close to 26 with NYPD, but I liked working out of Manhattan College. It was just a great place to work with great students here. It is always great to be able to help a student out whatever the need is. It could be something as simple as if they lose their property and we are able to return their property and they have a smile on their face and are very appreciative, that’s the most rewarding thing about this job. It’s very satisfying in the sense that you are able to help people,” Cerezo said. He continued. “I felt the same way when I was working in the police department. It was the same thing and I was able to carry my background over here. That’s why I loved the police department and I loved this job because you are dealing with people who appreciate what you are doing for them and it hits my heart,” said Cerezo. Cerezo’s last day was Friday, Feb. 15, and DeCaro’s first official day as director was Monday, Feb. 18. “Juan Cerezo, has done an excellent job and has gotten public safety up and running pretty well so my objective is to maintain that and look at a lot of things and see if there is anything that we can enhance or maybe do a little more effectively. It’s a newly appointed position but it’s also something I’ve done for 14 years at two other colleges so I am pretty sure I’ve got all the kinks worked out. A lot of college’s public safety and campus safety offices deal with a lot of the same issues and have the same responsibilities so it’s really just a lateral for me,” said DeCaro.
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Arts & Entertainment
THE QUADRANGLE
Valentine’s Day Celebrations Across Campus Sophia Sakellariou Production Editor
Valentine’s Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the ones you love, and this week Manhattan College offered a variety of ways to make that special someone feel extra special. From candy and flower grams to boxes of chicken nuggets, there was something for everyone to give to the ones they love. Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Flowergram Sales If you walked through the double doors of Thomas on Wednesday, Feb. 13 you were most likely greeted by a handful of brothers of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity with buckets full of red roses. Organized by Philanthropy Chair Chris Mulford and Social Chair Piotr Zarzecki, the fundraiser raised over 400 dollars for one of their philanthropies, the American Cancer Society. “We sold out an hour early, so it was a success,” said Mulford. “We normally sell flowers on the first day of spring, but figured we’d try Valentine’s Day since everyone loves flowers on Valentine’s Day. It was very successful so we’re definitely gonna do this in the future,” he said. Sigma Delta Tau Chicken Nugget Grams The sisters of Sigma Delta Tau Sorority sold goods of an unexpected sort this Valentine’s Day. On Thursday, Feb. 14, rather than selling candy or flower grams to raise money for one of their philanthropies, Prevent Child Abuse America, VP of Philanthropy Ireland Twiggs opted for boxes of chicken nuggets. “Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA) was founded to prevent child abuse so that they can grow and contribute positively to their community,” Twiggs said. “PCAA is important to me, because our youth is our future and this organization helps pave the way for them.” “I chose chicken nuggets because I have reached out to other chapters in the country and this was a really popular fundraiser for them. Chicken nuggets are a unique idea for Valentine’s Day and I thought was a fun way to express how much someone means to you,” said Twiggs. Student Government k(NO)w More On Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., members of Student Government had a table set-up with sticky notes and markers for people to write love notes to themselves and post on a whiteboard. The purpose of the event was to draw attention to kNOw more and promote the importance of self love this Valentine’s Day. “kNOw more is a monthly event that is held on a Wednesday of each month to promote positivity and spread awareness
of prominent issues that affect students on college campuses,” said student body president Jaycie Cooper. “Wednesday’s kNOw more event was all about loving yourself to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day. As our board said, you cannot love others unless you love yourself first and that is exactly what we set out to promote during this month’s event.” American Institute of Chemical Engineers Candy Grams The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) ran a fundraiser selling candy grams in Fishbach, looking to highlight the chemistry people share. For one dollar, students could buy candy with a note that says “We Have Chemistry” and the grams were delivered to recipients’ dorm rooms on Valentine’s Day. “It’s basically a chance for the Manhattan College community to participate in the holiday and support the American Institute of Chemical Engineers while doing so,” said Shannen Biserta, a senior chemical engineering major. AIChE is a club affiliated with the engineering department, and the money collected from sales went towards the AIChE budget for their remaining events this academic year. “The sales we’ve made so far have been decent. We weren’t expecting anything crazy, but anything helps and it’s been fun fundraising in this cute, interactive way,” said Biserta. Fair Trade Fuel Valentine’s Day Sale A plethora of gifts for valentines was available at the O’Malley School of Business Fair Trade Fuel Sale this past week. On Monday, Feb. 11, students could order roses for delivery on the first floor of Kelly Commons. On Wednesday, Feb. 13 and Thursday, Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., students of Fair Trade Fuel had a store set-up in room 206 of De LaSalle. Free fair trade coffee was offered to patrons and roses, jewelry and Fair Trade chocolate were available for purchase. Love Your Melon On Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the inner Thomas vestibule, Love Your Melon, a group that sells hats and other apparel to raise money for children with pediatric cancer, had students sign a card for one such child. Avery is a young girl battling cancer and the Love Your Melon crew had students sign a card for her to help her feel loved this Valentine’s Day. “Avery is the Manhattan College Love Your Melon crew’s super hero and we were matched through the nonprofit,” said Love Your Melon president Annie King. “Making a Valentines Day Card for Avery is our way of supporting her throughout her fight. The crew is meeting Avery in person this coming spring and we are super excited to spend the day with her in the city!”
Student Government set up a k(NO)w More event to promote self-love on Valentine’s day. SOPHIA SAKELLARIOU/ THE QUADRANGLE
Delta Kappa Epsilon held a flowergram sale in the Thomas Vestibule on Wednesday in which students could send roses to their loved ones for the American Cancer Society. SOPHIA SAKELLARIOU / THE QUADRANGLE
Sigma Delta Tau sold boxes of chicken nuggets for delivery on Tuesday for their national philanthropy, Prevent Child Abuse America. SOPHIA SAKELLARIOU/ THE QUADRANGLE
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
Arts & Entertainment
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“The Independent Woman”: MC Players Host V-Day Performance August Kissel Web Editor
Each year, the Manhattan College Players host the V-Day play. This play is meant to be a brave space where the players can take action through the medium of theater and this year monologues. The play was called “The Independent Women” and it was directed by junior Isabel Quiñones and sophomore Katie Doyle. Together the girls curated a variety of poems, spoken word and monologues. These monologues were performed with only four scripts and four stands. For each performance different participants would go onto to the stage and recite their piece while dressed in red and black. These pieces revolved around the themes of sexual assault, female empowerment and love. “We had a lot of pieces about loving yourself and loving who you are and how you look and I think this is also really important because we have this image of what we think we should look like,” said senior Sofia Tollinche. “We took some from online, some different poetry websites, one of them was written by a student. Katie Doyle wrote her own and she performed her own. We are always looking for submissions so it’s kinda whenever someone wants to submit something they can,
and it can be put in our library to be used,” added Quiñones. The V-Day play is always open auditions to all of the students on campus, and there are no cuts. Quiñones and Doyle worked to make sure each of the participants felt comfortable and in place with their spoken word pieces. The goal was to have each participant embody their piece to give the performance more power, as well as place a spotlight on the already empowered women here on MC campus. “There were a lot of people here who were not in Players typically, that come just for this event just to try it. Everyone gets casted, we don’t cut, because we think that this is a really important show that can be open for many people,” said Quiñones. Tollinche, who has participated in the show every year she has been on MC campus, felt this year’s performance was particularly powerful. “The expectations were the same as it was my freshman, sophomore, and junior year. Obviously it was a little bit more special considering the climate that we are in right now. I did expect what was going on, but I didn’t expect it to be as powerful as it was,” added Tollinche. Prior to the beginning of the show Quiñones and Doyle played a video representing the recent work of women and the feminist movement who have been trying to obtain a safer and more equal world for
Although hosted by MC Players, the V-Day play is open to all Manhattan College students interested in performing. AUGUST KISSEL / THE QUADRANGLE women in the past few years. They specifically highlighted the videos of Christine Blasey Ford and Aly Raisman during their testimonies against their predators. These two women amongst many others who have battled such experiences over the years are beyond inspiring and are a true embodiment of strength and perseverance in establishing justice for those who have been silenced for far too long. Doyle brings it full circle when she said, “Isabel and I agree on this, hate is not the way to unite people, it’s love. We wanted to show love for our bodies and show love for ourselves, and show love for how far we have come already … And that we can continue making this love grow.”
Tara Naraghi, Jenn Bueti and Gabby Kasper delivering their monologues. AUGUST KISSEL / THE QUADRANGLE
MC Pizza Showdown: Goodfella’s, Broadway Joe’s, or the new Pizza Supreme? Katie Heneghan Asst. Features Editor
Manhattan College students have consistently debated the age old question: to walk down the hill to Broadway Joe’s from campus, or to walk up the hill to Goodfellas? A curveball was thrown at students who returned to campus in January to see the brand new Pizza Supreme on Broadway. Students originally from New York have a high standard for the perfect New York slice, but outsiders from all over well, we’ve already had our minds blown. As an outsider from Massachusetts, I decided to take on the challenge of deciding which pizza is truly the best for Manhattan College students. My first New York slice was Broadway Joe’s and it will have a special place in my heart, however, after trying all three
pizza places closest to campus, I was stumped. Here’s my review. Goodfellas Even the name is so classic to the Bronx, it’s so hard not to love it even just a little bit. It’s a very classic New York pizza place with a truly traditional aesthetic. The one thing that surely attracts students to Goodfellas in my opinion is the Gourmet Pizza menu. They have Baked Ziti Pasta Pizza, Salad Pizzas, and a whole lot more. Goodfellas has an extensive menu with salads, pastas, sandwiches, and calzones. In terms of the best regular slice, I can’t say it’s the best, but it’s really not bad; I’d just prefer other pizza places over Goodfellas. A regular slice of pizza goes for $3, and the price of a gourmet slice depends on the type. For students living off campus it’s a great and conve-
nient option, but I can’t say it’s the greatest option for all students. Freshman Grace Donovan disagrees. In her opinion, “Goodfella’s is the perfect white pizza. It’s fantastic; I would never go anywhere else.” Pizza Supreme The newest addition to the surrounding area of Manhattan College’s pizza scene is Pizza Supreme. When I walked in for the first time, I instantly felt a more trendy and hipster vibe overall. For foodies who love a good Instagram worthy picture of their pizza, the ambience and aesthetic are perfect. Overall it surely felt cleaner, newer, and gave off more of a trendy Manhattan feeling than Bronx feeling. A regular slice goes for $3, and they have a very traditional Italian menu with few “gourmet” pizza options unlike Goodfellas, however, for a more classic Italian slice of pizza, I would
choice Pizza Supreme. The regular pizza is very saucy, and when I think pizza I typically think of warm, cheesy pizza with the perfect sauce to cheese ratio. Therefore, Pizza Supreme does not win in my opinion for best overall for Manhattan College students. Aesthetic wise and if you truly value the traditional Italian factor, they would win. Also, they had a Nutella pizza in their desserts, which looked delicious. Broadway Joe’s Broadway Joe’s is located conveniently right off the subway at West 242 Street on Broadway. The menu is similar to that of Goodfella’s and Pizza Supreme with sandwiches, calzones and more gourmet slices available, but it is slightly more limited in toppings. The lack of variety does not take away from the fact that Broadway Joe’s is a classic New York pizzeria with the best regular slice, and the most bang for your buck.
A regular slice goes for $2.75, which is the cheapest option surrounding campus. The slices are massive, and there’s something special about this pizza that makes it so delicious. Manhattan College students tend to agree with me as well. Freshman Gabby Donahue settled the debate saying, “My favorite pizza has definitely gotta be Broadway Joe’s. You get the most bang for your buck there – big slice, good price. Pizza Supreme is okay too, but a little too saucy in my opinion.” Donahue’s opinion is matched by that of many others including junior Gina Gallagher who also said that Pizza Supreme was a runner up. “Pizza Supreme is good but I like Broadway Joe’s better, for the stuffed chicken,” said Gallagher.
Sports
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THE QUADRANGLE
Student-Athletes, Coaches, and Administration Congregate For Third Annual Breakfast For The Stars Pete Janny
Asst. Sports Editor Being a Manhattan College student athlete comes with an immense amount of pressure and expectations to succeed on the playing field. It takes a genuine love for a sport and an unquenchable drive to succeed to earn the privilege to be a Division 1 athlete. Generally speaking, not only does this opportunity to compete on the collegiate level represent the pinnacle of their athletic careers, but it also officially marks the start of the four year countdown to the extinction of their playing careers. If there was ever a time to soak up every second of the exhilaration of being an athlete, this would seem like the most enticing time to do so. A majority of the student athletes at Manhattan seem to be living in moderation nowadays. Most seem to be able to effectively disentangle their co-existing roles as athletes and students by striking a good balance between academic workload and athletic training. Needless to say, we already knew what these individuals were capable of as athletes. Now we are witnessing their dominance in the classroom. Manhattan College’s athletic department hosted the third annual Breakfast for the Stars on the morning of Sunday, February 10th to commemorate the academic achievements of the school’s student-athletes. The honorees were joined by their coaches and members of the college’s administration
for this unique opportunity for everyone to share their appreciation for all the hard work being done by one another to enhance the academic status of Manhattan student-athletes. The contingent of studentathletes in attendance consisted of the top academic performers on each varsity sports team, as well as the 237 student-athletes who produced a 3.2 GPA or higher this past fall semester. The celebratory gathering featured a buffetstyle breakfast, short videos containing academic statistics about the Jaspers’ intercollegiate teams, and inspirational remarks from a few members of the Manhattan family. This year’s keynote speaker for the event was a man who is no stranger to Manhattan College. Lawrence Grassi ‘93, a former Manhattan soccer standout and current sales trader at Goldman Sachs, had the privilege of addressing the honorees. Grassi, a former assistant coach for the women’s soccer team, shared some memories of his college days and how Manhattan helped jumpstart his professional career after college. Grassi devoted a good portion of his speech to hammering home the importance for student-athletes to focus their attention on building a network of connections to expand their career options. As someone who adores Manhattan College, Grassi acknowledged how honored he was to speak in front of a group of promising student-athletes from his alma mater. The analytical side of the
academic efforts of Manhattan’s student-athletes serves as an index of just how productive they’ve been in the classroom. For the Fall 2018 semester, 11 of the 19 varsity sports teams averaged a 3.2 GPA or better, with 17 teams in total finishing with at least a 3.0 GPA. From an individual standpoint, 237 student-athletes secured a 3.2 GPA or better last semester. To put that number into context, these 237 individuals account for nearly 60 percent of the student body. Of those 237 studentathletes, 189 of them placed on the Dean’s List, which recognizes those who attained a 3.4 GPA or better this past term. In addition, 33 of those 189 student athletes amassed an immaculate 4.0 GPA. The most exclusive collection of honorees were those who currently carry the highest cumulative GPA on their respective teams. These 19 individuals make up the category called “top team performers.” These student-athletes have set the bar high for their peers by illustrating a consistent level of success in the classroom that is hard to come by. Among the 19 student-athletes who received this prestigious honor were junior Jesse Boyce (men’s basketball), junior Tuuli Menna (women’s basketball), and senior Ryan Shields (men’s soccer). For all three, the honor of being recognized by the Manhattan College community for their academic stature was equal parts gratifying and humbling. Their ability to produce results both on the field and in the classroom admittedly stems from a
strong emphasis on organization and time management. “The main thing is just time management,” said Boyce. “Obviously it’s a crazy busy schedule but you just got to plan out your time in the right way.” “I just try to stay as organized as I can and make sure I’m plotting weeks out,” said Shields. These sentiments especially ring true when the calendar flips to one’s respective sport. “The toughest part is trying to get everything done when we are in season,” said Menna. “Once you are done with practice you need to get started with homework.” Being a student-athlete at Manhattan College has a different meaning for everyone. Some understandably revel in the attention they receive from fellow classmates, while others particularly relish the closeknit nature of the community. “The students on campus look up to the student-athletes and it makes you feel good,” said Boyce. “It’s cool to have an important role on campus.” “Because the community here is small you can make meaningful connections with people and get that mentorship that you need,” said Shields. Menna, a native of Finland and former Richmond Spider, is grateful to be able to play the game she loves while working her way towards a degree in finance. “Wearing a Manhattan College jersey is a true privilege and getting an education is huge,” said Menna. As upperclassmen, Menna, Shields, and Boyce serve
as mentors for their younger teammates by dishing out tips on how to excel in the classroom. “They look up to me in a way when it comes to school,” said Boyce. “They ask for tips here and there and it definitely feels good to help them out.” “The advice I give my teammates is to be prepared to go to class by getting all your homework and readings done,” said Menna. Mentors don’t only teach through direct verbal instruction. The way they comport themselves on a day to day basis can also have a positive impact on their peers. “I try to lead by example and just by doing the best I can,” said Shields. “As long I know that I’m putting 100 percent time and effort into what I’m doing then that’s all that really matters to me.” As student-athletes inch closer and closer to graduation, thoughts about career possibilities start to intensify. Grassi’s motivational remarks reminded the student-athletes of how crucial it is to make the most of the opportunities Manhattan has to offer. “Larry is an example of the connections you can have through sports and by being at Manhattan College,” said Menna.
Courtney Warley: A Family Tradition JASPERS TALK Alexa Schmidt Features Editor
Sophomore Courtney Warley is finance and management major with a minor in psychology. At 6’3”, she plays center for the Women’s Basketball team. She was named to the 2018 AllMAAC Rookie Team, and manages to balance practice, class and games throughout the year. A strong rebounder and goal scorer for the team, Warley took the time to sit down and talk with The Quadrangle. The Quadrangle: How did you get into basketball? Courtney Warley: Well my whole family plays basketball. My mom and my dad played in college so before I remember I was playing basketball, and my sisters played basketball. So it was just, I started when I was
young and just fell in love with it. TQ: Why did you choose Manhattan? CW: Honestly, for the people. Right when I came on my visit, I committed on the way home. Just when I got here, everyone was so friendly and it was just a very family-oriented place and that’s what I wanted to have. TQ: Were you specifically looking to play basketball in college? CW: Yes. TQ: What are the challenges of being a student athlete? CW: I think just time management. Everything with school and classes. And just knowing when to prioritize certain things. TQ: What are your goals for this season? CW: Well our team goals is to just always win the MAAC
championship. Every game that we go into we have the mentality to win so just having a good season. TQ: How do you think the team has done so far? CW: I think we’ve done good. We’ve had a couple setbacks, but we’re just a big thing of not getting down on ourselves and always just bouncing back. TQ: Does the pressure get to you when you’re out on the court? CW: I try not to make it. I just always think about, like the game keeps going, so I can’t think about the last play or something. I just have to play in the moment. TQ: Do you have any pregame rituals? CW: Not really. I pray before every game, but other than that, nothing. Some of my teammates though, they wear
the same thing every game, but me not so much. TQ: Do you think it’s a good team dynamic? CW: Yeah. We have a lot of different people on our team, but we’re all very close on and off the court, so for sure. TQ: What are some of your favorite memories? CW: I think recently we just beat Marist, so I think that was a very good team win and the girls were really excited so I’d probably say that one recently. TQ: What does being a Jasper mean to you? CW: Especially on our team, we have a motto, “Play Green.” And that always just means always doing everything the right way and at a championship level. So when I think about being a Jasper I always just go to, “play green,” and just doing everything on and off the court the right way.
Courtney Warley is following in her family’s footsteps by playing basketball in college. GOJASPERS / COURTESY
Sports
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
Freshman Joseph Koroma Signs as Forward to Men’s Soccer Team
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JASPERS TALK
Brian Asare
Photography Editor Manhattan College’s new freshman forward signed to the male soccer team, Joseph Koroma, is a player that seems to have great potential and the driving force to add a little more greatness into this great soccer team. Starting to play the sport at only age 6, he shows signs of maturity and talks with experience The Quadrangle: How do you first get into soccer? Joseph Koroma: Well, I started when I went back to Africa. My mom took me for a visit and the passion over there for the sport was amazing. Everybody plays it, so I just got involved over there and fell in love with the sport. So when I came back here, I just wanted to continue. It was really hard though because the passion is not the same as it was in Africa, and I really have the gift to play the sport. I just ... I love it. It makes me happy and it keeps my mind busy. TQ: Prior to Manhattan College’s men’s soccer team, what other teams have you played in and how were your experiences? JK: I started with FC Har-
lem, which is in my area where I grew up, and then when I went there they provided me with a lot of exposure to like Shattuck soccer team. When I was playing there, I was playing ages up and I was really good. They took me to tryouts, a lot of tryouts, like Shattuck, but it did not work out. I could have stayed with FC Harlem to play, but I was really talented and they had taught me the system, where I had to be if I wanted to play at the next level. So I moved to Gottschee soccer team, which is an academy is in Queens, and played for two years there. I was commuting a lot. What made FC Harlem different from the Gottschee soccer team was that it was not an Academy; it was just like a travel team. During the time I was playing with Gottschee, NYC FC, New York City Football program, did not exist. There was Red Bulls soccer team, but that was just too far. They were interested in me too, but my mom did not have the time to drive me over there. Gottschee gave me a lot of exposure, too. I went to Spain, Madrid, and Barcelona. I also played a lot of tournaments. They basically opened the doors from me to NYC FC. From Gottschee, I got recruited by NYC FC and
not long after became the top scorer in the country in my age group, which was the under sixteen level. I also played under fourteen. TQ: What position do you play in Manhattan College’s soccer team? JK: I am a forward, so I think I’m going to be playing anywhere up top. My preferred position has been on the wings, but I can play any position up top. TQ: How do you balance academic work and practicing? JK: To be honest, It is very difficult. You just have to really manage your time and make sure you write everything down because as an athlete, you get tired, you need to take naps and you have to take care of your body to. you just have to balance your workload. TQ: How does a regular training session look like? JK: We train in the morning. So I have a class at 9 a.m. training starts at 10 a.m, by 10:15, you should be down by the field. we train for an hour or an hour and a half. So the training routine we normally start with fitness. First, you stretch, which is something you always have to do, stretch for good like 10 minutes and then we do agility. And some days we just do
Joseph Koroma has divided his freshman year between academic obligations and playing soccer. GOJASPERS/ COURTESY more work on the ball. TQ: What is your favorite team and who’s your favorite player? JK: My favorite team is Chelsea F.C. I don’t really have a favorite player. But when I watch player,s I like watching young players like Mbappe who is a young player that plays for the French national team. We play the same position. He’s a forward and I’m a forward and he’s young. He’s like my age,
and he’s at the next level so. I admire him a lot. TQ: Finally, do you have any advice for anyone who wants to try out for a soccer team? JK: My advice to anyone who wants to try out for a soccer team is just be confident, believing yourself completely and play free. Don’t change your game. I mean listen for advice about just believing your ability and just play free.
Women’s Basketball Gets Overwhelmed By Quinnipiac WBB: MANHATTAN 39, QUINNIPIAC 64 Pete Janny
Asst. Sports Editor Following a tough road loss to Monmouth on February 12th, the Manhattan women’s basketball team (7-17, MAAC 5-8) returned to Draddy for a Friday night match-up vs. the first place Quinnipiac Bobcats (18-6, MAAC 13-0). The Jaspers knew they needed to play a well-rounded game to compete with the mighty Bobcats. Entering the night, Quinnipiac had navigated their MAAC slate with impressive ease having amassed a spotless 12-0 record on the season. Meanwhile, Manhattan entered the game winners of four of their last six contests after enduring early season pains. On this night, Quinnipiac showed why they currently lead the pack in the MAAC with an emphatic 64-39 beatdown of Manhattan. After Pamela Miceus
opened the scoring with a nifty turnaround jump shot at the 9:16 mark, problems quickly mounted for the Jaspers. Quinnipiac answered with three quick layups to jump out to a 6-2 lead at the 4:55 mark of the first quarter. After Kania Pollock quashed the Bobcats’ run with a crafty three-point play, Quinnipiac unleashed a commanding 18-1 run to take a 24-6 lead into the halftime break. After holding Manhattan to five points in the first quarter, the Bobcats’ defense almost held Manhattan scoreless in the second quarter conceding only one point. The Jaspers first half was characterized by an 8.3 percent shooting performance from the field, including an 0 for 8 showing from downtown. “I wasn’t expecting us to shoot this poorly,” said head coach Heather Vulin. “Just one of those days when we weren’t capitalizing on some good shot opportunities.” Manhattan came out of the break looking much more re-
laxed. The Jaspers opened the third quarter with back to back mid-range baskets and a Lynette Taitt trifecta that helped cut the deficit to 30-15 at the 7:55 mark. Quinnipiac had no intentions of letting Manhattan creep closer. The Bobcats ignited a 17-9 run that culminated with an Edel Thornton triple as time expired in the third quarter to stretch their 18 point halftime lead to 23 at 47-24. Manhattan sophomore Lizahya Morgan impressed in the third quarter chipping in 10 points on 3 for 4 shooting from three. “We had a terrible first half but I was really impressed by the fight the team showed to make the second half competitive,” said Vulin. “Morgan owned the opportunity and was aggressive.” The Jaspers were markedly better in the second half as they were marginally outscored in the third and fourth quarters by counts of 23-18 and 17-15, respectively. Ultimately,
Manhattan’s underwhelming first stanza proved too costly to overcome. Vulin credited Quinnipiac for executing their game plan to a tee. “Hats off to Quinnipiac they played a really well-rounded game,” said Vulin. “They made every pass difficult for us tonight.” Vulin was primarily frustrated by the way her team handled the rock. The Jaspers committed 25 turnovers to Quinnipiac’s 10. “My biggest disappointment of the night was the way we handled the ball,” said Vulin. Playing without freshman phenom D’yona Davis was a tough pill to swallow for Manhattan. According to Vulin, Davis is currently nursing a knee injury. “She is a big loss because not only has she been great offensively but defensively she has really been stepping it up,” Vulin said of Davis. “In my opinion she has been the MAAC player of the year.”
Unfortunately for Manhattan, Davis’ future availability remains unclear at the moment. “We are hoping to get her back this season so she’s day to day right now,” said Vulin. Morgan was the lone bright spot on the offensive end as she tallied 13 points. On the rebounding front, Courtney Worley exceeded her MAAC best 9.8 rebounds per game with 12 boards. The Bobcats were paced by Aryn McClure’s 13 point output. With only five games remaining on their MAAC schedule, Vulin’s main priority is helping her team ascend to new heights on the offensive end. “Offensive flow is an area we need more consistency,” said Vulin. “We haven’t had games when it’s consistent scoring across the board.” As for Quinnipiac, Friday night’s win marked their 31st consecutive win in MAAC play dating back to last season.
Sports
8
THE QUADRANGLE
Samson Usilo:
Working Hard On and Off the Court Michevi Dufflart Web Editor
When Samson Usilo arrived at Manhattan College, he knew he wanted to pursue engineering, but he was unsure of which discipline to choose. Now in his last year, Usilo is set to graduate with a bachelor’s of science in civil engineering. Growing up, Usilo always had an interest in the way things could come together. And like many engineers, he spent some of his youth taking things apart and putting them back together. However, Usilo’s passion for learning is matched with his love and passion for playing basketball. Usilo, also a member of the men’s basketball team, has had the opportunity to live out both of his dreams while at Manhattan College. The first of these being to play college basketball and the second to graduate with an engineering degree. Back in October, when the academic year was off to a fresh start, Usilo received the news that he was being inducted into Chi Epsilon, the national honor
society for civil engineering. According to the Manhattan College website, Chi Epsilon was originally founded in 1922 at the University of Illinois and Manhattan College has had a chapter since 1949. The distinction of being a member of Chi Epsilon is given to civil engineering students in their junior or senior year who exemplify the four traits of the successful engineer. These four traits are scholarship, character, practicality and sociability. Moujalli Hourani, Ph.D and the Director of the Civil Engineering & Construction Management Graduate Programs is one of the professors at MC that has had the chance to teach and interact with Usilo throughout his years as an undergraduate student. “To be a member of Chi Epsilon, it is the highest honor which any student in any college can achieve studying civil engineering ... For Samson to be inducted into Chi Epsilon, it is something special,” said Hourani. The achievement, which is no small feat, required Usilo to be in the top one-third of his civil engineering class.
Samson Usilo, a civil engineering major, was recently inducted into Chi Epsilon, the highest honor for civil engineering students at Manhattan College. GOJASPERS/ COURTESY Throughout his years as an undergraduate, Usilo’s favorite classes in civil engineering included Structural Analysis I, II
Usilo at the Chi Epsilon Induction ceremony on Oct. 26, 2018. SAMSON USILO/ COURTESY
and III. The three courses build on knowledge from the previous class and require the student to fully understand what is being taught in the classroom so that they can apply it to structural systems such as a column, wall, building or bridge. Learning how to tackle these civil engineering problems is one of Usilo’s favorite things about the classes. “[It’s the] way you have to think about the problem and how you think you know what approach to take, [but instead] you need to take a different way,” said Usilo. Yet scholarship is not the only quality that makes Usilo the ideal candidate for the society. In addition to being an academic star, Usilo also shows great character. According to a previous Quadrangle article titled, “Usilo Completes Comeback” men’s basketball head coach Steve Masiello said, “[Usilo]’s ambition, whether it’s in engineering, or communications, or the way he ties his shoes ... I just think it’s a way for him, a lifestyle for him. It’s very disciplined and very impressive.” Hourani, also shares similar sentiments about Usilo saying, “Samson is an excellent student, who happens to be a great human being. Everything he does, he does with respect to himself, to his classmates, and to this college, and you cannot ask anything else from any student.” When Usilo was first informed about the achievement, he was speechless. At the time, he did not know the full extent to what he had accomplished until people told him, “Sammy
that is great, you should really be proud,” said Usilo. Some of his teammates were the first people Usilo told after receiving the news. In fact, after he was inducted into the 69th class of Chi Epsilon, Usilo returned diligently to MC to be with his teammates in preparation for a basketball scrimmage the following day. He states that they, along with all his coaches were very proud and happy for him. Similarly, his family was also very proud and told him they knew he was capable of accomplishing great things because he always worked hard. For Usilo, this response was priceless, because it came from the people he cared most about. Usilo still has a few months before graduation, but his hard work and effort continue. “My mindset is something that is always pushing me to do what I’m doing. Also, I picture it happening, because if I don’t, it’s not going to happen. Right from when I was a freshman, I saw myself being a civil engineer and that was something that I had to work towards to actually get [because it is] what I wanted,” said Usilo. After graduation in May, Usilo plans to pursue a masters degree in civil engineering at MC based on his love for structures and design. “I am so happy that Samson decided to continue his education and to do his masters at Manhattan College and we will be honored to have him here,” said Hourani.