the Quadrangle THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MANHATTAN COLLEGE | SINCE 1924
Volume XCVII, Issue 6
www.mcquad.org
FEBRUARY 27, 2018
Developing the Jasper Mascot:
Manhattan College Community to Decide Through Survey Daniel Molina Senior Writer
This week in Kelly Commons 5A, an exhibit titled “Bethlehem Beyond the Wall,” was displayed, which showcased the everyday lives of people in Bethlehem. See the full story on page 6 ANJA POLLOZI / THE QUADRANGLE
NRC Holds Third Annual Luncheon Jack Melanson Editor
The Neighborhood Relations Committee hosted their third annual community luncheon last Monday, Feb. 19, as a gathering was held in Kelly Commons. The conversation taking place was to continue the mending of relationships between Manhattan College students and the Riverdale community at large. Student Body President Micaela Bishop opened the event with a brief speech. “I hope that Manhattan College has welcomed you into our community today and continues to do so in the future,” said Bishop to the community. Ryan Quattromani, founder and current chairman of the NRC, was then introduced by Bishop. While Quattromani was front and center, he discussed unity. “The goal of our committee, which has been a major part of Student Government as a whole, is to better our relationship with the community,” said Quattromani. “I think we are, slowly but surely.” After the two spoke, the luncheon was predominately conversational, as students, staff and the community ate over the topic of healing relations. One community member in attendance was Jean Rincon, an
IN NEWS:
Lee Hall power outages causing dorm issues on p. 4
active Riverdale resident who has led charges for relational improvement in the past. “The feeling that [Riverdale residents and Manhattan College] can coexist is great,” said Rincon. “I would have liked to see more neighbors participate in this event, but we did have a pretty good showing.” While noting that the closing of certain bars located near campus is part of the reason for relational improvement, Rincon added that increased police presence and events like the luncheon are steps in the right direction. “The bottom line is that if students are drunk and screaming outside of your window, you’re not just going to say ‘it’s okay because they have fabulous events’,” said Rincon. “That’s the big issue, and the better that gets, the happier everyone would be. She continued. “It would also be nice if the community could reciprocate it in some way in thanks,” said Rincon. “I suggested before that we could have some kind of reward given at graduation, certainly Ryan and Micaela would be deserving of this kind of award for all they’ve done for the community.” Michael Carey, Dean of Students, also credited Quattromani and the NRC. “Ryan and the Student Government deserve the credit,
but this is the biggest turnout for a community luncheon that we’ve had. People are starting the feel like this isn’t a foreign territory, they’re welcome here,” said Carey. “Now hopefully our students will do a little bit of a better job in the community and participate in more cleanups, and follow our policies and procedures to be decent neighbors.” Another neighbor of the College, Bertram Trebach, appreciated the added communication ushered in by the luncheon. “[The luncheon] keeps everyone involved,” he said. “Communication is important, and [these events} keep everyone on their toes.” Communication between the 50th precinct and Public Safety has also increased. “We work with Manhattan College security for their events. Anytime there’s a big event, we work with them and try to make sure that their is additional security,” said Deputy Inspector Terence O’Toole. “We respond on an as needed basis and If there are complaints about anything we handle it right then and there.” Juan Cerezo, Director of Public safety at the College,
IN FEATURES: Alumni serving as Lasallian volunteers on p. 9
IN A&E:
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“My Silence Speaks” annual VDay performance on p. 7
This past week, a Jaspers’ mascot survey was sent to students and faculty. The email contained a link with five simple questions that will aid in the development of a new physical representation of a Jasper. This effort was not an overnight decision, but something that different entities on campus had wanted and discussed for years. This semester, efforts were canalized into concrete actions to have the mascot ready by next semester’s basketball season. The process has been conducted by student government, in an effort to increase school spirit on campus. “We feel so left out that we don’t have some type of character or symbol that can represent what we think Manhattan Jaspers can represent,” Phillip Mourikes, executive vice president of student government, said. “We wanted to get it last semester, in time for the basketball season, but unfortunately [it] is a long process.” The design and creation of the character will be executed by an external consulting firm that has had experience designing the most recent logos of Manhattan College and developming mascots for other universities. The survey is the first major step of this long process, and after the firm collects the information provided by the community, they will start developing the first concepts and logos representing the new school spirit. After this, a couple of meetings with faculty and students will select the final design, which would then have to be approved by campus administration. These first steps are scheduled to be finished by the end of this semester, so the consult-
ing firm can develop the physical mascot during the summer and have it ready by next fall. “This is the first official mascot in the history of Manhattan College,” Mourikes said. “We have a great burden to not screw this up.” This mascot would not only be useful to the athletic depar tment, but Stud e n t Engagem e n t believes that it would play an John Bennett imporMANHATTAN COLLEGE/ tant role COURTESY in increasing the contact with alumni and the community. “The mascot would be used at so many events. Besides athletic events which seems obvious, there are great alumni events and mission based events it would be at, including all our major events throughout the year,” John Bennett, director of student engagement, said. “Think about how many times you see community service being done on TV in the news, if a team or school visits a hospital for instance. You always see the mascot present. It’ll be great that we’ll be able to have that in the future as well and bring a smile to someone’s face.” Nearly 500 students and counting have completed the survey. Bennett encourages as many students as possible to share their thoughts and be part of the historic process to select Manhattan College’s first mascot.
IN SPORTS:
Senior begins MMA career on p. 11