Issue 4, Fall 2020 - The Quadrangle

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Volume CII, Issue 4

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NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

Manhattan Caucus: What Issues Will Matter Most in This Election?

Sophia Sakellariou & Kyla Guilfoil

Senior Writer & Staff Writer

Career Fair Goes Remote As MC gears up for a virtual career fair, banners around campus announce the event to all Jaspers.

KIERSTEN THOMPSON / THE QUADRANGLE

Manhattan Faculty Speak on the Return to School Jilleen Barrett & Jocelyn Visnov Asst. A&E Editor & Staff Writer

Heading into its fourth week of classes, Manhattan College is teaching its students something it never has before: how to get a higher education during a pandemic. With some on campus and some in remote locations, the student body is adjusting to learning mostly online. But students aren’t the only ones learning. Faculty members, who are usually at the front of the classroom teaching, are figuring out how to instruct their students under these abnormal circumstances.

Heidi Laudien, an associate professor of English, sees

her students in person as well as through Google Meet when she teaches her hybrid classes.

She described herself as quite enthusiastic when she teaches, but this year she has been disappointed at the lack of connection she finds between her and her online students.

“My students who are remote often do not have their cameras on so the students in class have no sense of who they are,” Laudien wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “Often when I ask for virtual participation, it is met with silence.”

In addition to what some percieve as the awkwardness of online learning, many in-person members of the community have witnessed some complications during the planning process. One particular issue

IN FEATURES: Manhattan Caucus #MeToo Mondays Return on p. 8 Continues

IN NEWS: on p. 4

arose on Aug. 31, the first day of classes, when several classrooms in Leo Hall did not have plexiglass shields installed or enough sanitation wipes.

Ira Gerhardt is the chair of the Council for Faculty Affairs and a professor of mathematics.

In an email to The Quadrangle, Gerhardt explained what he knew about this situation and how it was handled.

“I heard from many on-campus faculty during the first couple days of the term regarding unsafe teaching conditions such as classrooms with no sanitizing wipes and Plexiglass partitions on the floor leaning against the wall,” Gerhardt __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Social justice, climate change, and healthcare policy are a few issues that have always been at the forefront of candidates’ agendas. However, this year these issues have taken on greater significance as 2020 has proven to be tumultuous in all three areas.

With a global pandemic, raging wildfires on the West Coast, and an economy comparable to the 2008 financial crisis, this year’s candidates have a lot on their shoulders. Where each candidate stands on each issue and their plans of action not only determine whether or not they are elected, but how their choices will have lasting effects on our nation’s future.

Healthcare After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country over six months ago, President Trump has faced great backlash in the way he handled the situation. The United States has one of the highest number of recorded cases and the poorest response of the world’s wealthiest nations.

This has led to great criticism of how Trump has handled the situation, especially after information surfaced that he purposely downplayed the virus, claiming that he knew how bad it was in an interview with renowned journalist Bob Woodward. In the beginning, Trump continually compared the virus to a flu that would go away in warmer weather and even as death tolls passed 50,000 near the end of April, he undermined its devastation by claiming it would simply “go away.”

According to an article in Everyday Health, Trump’s COVID-19 efforts have been focused mainly on rural areas, providing federal funding to tele-healthcare providers in 38 states and supplying $225 million for testing in healthcare clinics.

However, as death tolls

IN A&E:

continue to climb, Trump’s response is viewed as a failure by critics. Even though he signed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package back in March that included direct cash payments to Americans, additional funding for hospitals, and $500 billion in loans to the economy, it proved ineffective as many people remain unemployed and uninsured long after the aid was halted.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a five-pronged plan for fighting COVID-19 which includes providing free testing to all and hiring 100,000 contact tracers, ensuring enough personal protective equipment, supporting science-backed vaccines, safeguarding at-risk populations, and ensuring that re-opening measures are effective and safe.

“The virus spread to me is the issue that matters the most since it has affected all parts of our nation,” said Diane Yomkil, a senior and treasurer of the Black Student Union. “My vote will be based on which presidential candidate can actually lead us through this crisis, protect our families and do everything he can to find us a cure.”

The candidates also differ in their views of the Affordable Health Care Act, or Obamacare, that Trump has vowed to eliminate since his election in 2016 and something Biden vows to bring back.

“Healthcare is a very important issue,” Margaret Groarke, a professor of political science, said. “We have one candidate, Joe Biden, who was part of the team that got us the biggest healthcare reform since the establishment of Medicare in 1965, and he has said that he wants to work more on that and make that work for more Americans. That has led to more people being covered, it’s also led to more complaints about the cost of healthcare, and on that issue, the other candidate, Donald Trump, who’s running for reelection, ran saying he wanted to get rid __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

IN SPORTS:

MAAC Movie Nights on Campaigns for the Quad Reappear on p. 10 Social Justice on p. 12

Opinions & Editorials

2

THE QUADRANGLE

the Quadrangle

LET T ER from The Editor

Volume CII, Issue 4

Dear Readers, What a week it’s been. The Quadrangle staff saw three birthdays this week, positive tests on campus have remained incredibly low and the weather is getting a little colder and feeling more like fall. However, we also saw the passing of the Notorious RBG and conversations about replacing her on the Supreme Court have begun.

It’s hard to come to terms with the good and the bad, on the big and small scale, as all happening at once in life, but such is life. I’ll call attention to the good since it’s easier to grapple with, and since both Manhattan Caucus and op-ed address RBG’s passing. This week, we get to shine a light on faculty voices in the news section, highlight SGA’s and Office ofStudent Engagement’s movies on the quad initiative (which, as a weekly attendant, I have enjoyed tremendously), take a look at the newly virtual “Love in the Dark” event and learn about the MAAC conference’s plan to address social justice issues. The work this staff does to cover every corner of the campus is nothing short of incredible, and I am so grateful for each and every writer that contributes to fill these pages.

I am also going to shine a light on our incredible production team. We get this paper in your hands each week as a result of an entirely remote team’s work. Nicole, Kelly, Emily and Sam: your work is the reason we have a paper each week, and we could not be here without you. Our writing is strong, our layout is better.

As always, if there’s something going on that you think The Quadrangle should be covering, big or small, serious or silly, please let us know! Our email is open for tips and for feedback, so let us hear your voices.

September 22, 2020

The Editorial Board Gabriella DePinho Editor-in-Chief

Maria Thomas News Editor Alexa Schmidt Arts & Entertainment Editor Managing Editor Christine Nappi Features Editor Pete Janny Sports Editor Managing Editor C. Garrett Keidel Social Media Editor Brian Asare Photography Editor

Nicole Fitzsimmons Anna Woods Asst. News and Features Editors Jilleen Barrett Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor Whit Anderson Asst. Sports Editor Samantha Walla Production Manager Emily Hollar Asst. Photography Editor Asst. Production Editor

Kelly Kennedy Nicole Rodriguez Asst. Production Editors Madalyn Johnson Katherine Heneghan Web Editors 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. via Google Meet.

All are welcome to come and join the club.

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Sincerely,

Gabriella DePinho

Editor-in-Chief

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Corrections Last week the sports article titled “MAAC 40th Anniversary Salute to Manhattan Women’s Rowing” was attributed to Pete Janny. Colleen McNamara also co-wrote this piece.

Opinions & Editorials

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

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Rest in Power: Ruth Bader Ginsburg C. Garrett Keidel Social Media Editor

I think that the evening of Friday, September 18, 2020, was a national evening of grief.

As the notifications and news began circulating that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg had passed, sorrow and uneasiness intensified with the loss of a powerhouse in America’s highest court.

Ginsberg was an inspiration to many, becoming the second ever female to be nominated and confirmed to the bench.

Her fiery liberal dissents brought pop culture notoriety, and her defense of women’s and LGBT rights will be a part of her tremendous legacy that American’s will be able to exercise.

For many, her passing not only came as a shock, but also a gut punch to an already intense election year. She will be mourned for her progressive leadership on the bench of the Supreme Court, and she will surely be mourned by the staff of the Quadrangle.

I know for myself, I will forever be thankful for her defense of same-sex marriage in 2015.

To be granted equality after a decades long fight from those that walked before me,will always always have the greatest impact on my personal life.

And I join the many who will be feeling uneasy in how this will have an impact on democracy, and our current political climate. The possible rushing of a nomination and confirmation of a new Supreme Court Justice during an Election year, and the effect it could possibly have are of great concern.

Below are statements made by fellow staff and masthead members. We want to honor the life of RBG, and express our thoughts on how she has impacted our lives, and the lives of millions of Americans. May she rest in power.

“It’s undeniable that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a force of nature. However, she was also a woman who was ill but worked and worked until her dying days.

I don’t need to sit here and list out all of the ways she defended the right to a safe and legal abortion, nor do I need to remind everyone of her ruling on the case on same-sex marriage. She may not have been

perfect, or maybe you may not have agreed with every ruling of hers, but a number of RBG’s rulings have positively affected the lives of numerous people, and her career path alone has changed the lives of numerous young girls who saw someone they could aspire to be like.

The thing that weighs heaviest on my heart in her passing is we are not mourning her as a person, but as a force and last defense of democracy.

In recent years, it seemed that democracy itself had come to rest on her shoulders. And now, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed.

I don’t have the words to describe how it feels to lose someone who fought so hard to maintain and protect simple, basic human rights in such a tumultuous time; I know I am not the only one struggling with this.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I am so grateful that someone as inspiring and dedicated as RBG served us for as long as she did. She is quoted as saying, “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time” and if we are to honor her legacy, the best thing we can do is follow her lead and

keep taking steps forward.

We can keep going where she was leading us, and we can go much further past that too.

But today, and in these coming days, as we keep taking steps forward, as we honor her life, as we fight for a fair and democratic process and a just replacement process, let us also mourn her and miss her for the woman that she was on the bench and also off of it.”

-Gabriella DePinho “RBG was a powerhouse.

She showed that women not only deserved a seat at the table, but could take that seat and change the world.

She pushed for change and fought for what she believed in with grace and dignity, all while holding planks for longer than I ever could. RBG showed women that it won’t be easy, but if you work hard enough and show the world what you can do, there is nothing a woman can’t do.

It is my hope that we continue her fight for not only a better nation, but a better world, so that little girls can continue to understand that they can be anything they want to be. I was once that little girl and it is be-

cause of brilliant women like her that I had the courage to follow my own dreams, to write for this paper and demand my voice be heard, just as Ruth showed me I could.

Her legacy will not be forgotten and it is my hope that people utilize their vote this November to ensure it doesn’t.

We at least owe her that much.”

-Sophia Sakellariou “It was one of those moments where I will forever remember the time and place of receiving the news of RBG’s death. It came as a complete shock. My first thought was that it couldn’t be real, it had to be fake. RBG was invincible, and we had her forever. The notion of her death was inconceivable to me.

I immediately texted my mom to tell her the news, and she answered me with this: There will always be a RBG as long as there are good people in the world. RBG’s legacy will only live on if we continue to do what she so strongly encouraged us to do, fight for what we believe in and do it in a way that will lead others to join. So let us do just that.”

-Alexa Schmidt

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What Issues Will M Elect __________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of the Affordable Care Act. He is currently in court to try and end the Affordable Care Act. He did promise an alternative for it, which we have not yet seen. So there’s a real clear choice between the candidates on healthcare.”

As October nears and the end of the virus is nowhere in sight, people are increasingly concerned about how and when the virus will be brought under control, making healthcare a significant factor in people’s decision making process.

The Economy With the massive changes to our economy and society due to the global pandemic, people are struggling financially with the loss of employment, either temporarily or permanently, and a stock market that has reached big-time lows. Prior to COVID-19, the American economy was in a positive place and unemployment was at an impressive low. This was a major positive for Trump’s campaign, but now both sides are in question.

Biden’s economic plans fall under his “Build Back Better Campaign.” Within that, he pledges to work to build a modern infrastructure and a fair-minded, clean energy future that aims to mobilize American inventiveness and put Americans to work. Biden also hopes to raise the minimum wage to at least $15 per hour and work towards establishing better benefits for people with disabilities.

Representing the Republican party, incumbent Trump hopes to reduce the US trade deficit. This means he aims to have American exports outweigh our imports. It also includes adding tariffs to imported goods. Trump also plans to reduce the national debt by halting federal waste. To do

SAMANTHA WALLA / THE QUADRANGLE this he plans to cut taxes, and cut the Department of Education funding by $10.4 billion, and cut the Department of Energy budget by $2.2 billion.

Trump does not plan on raising the minimum wage.

“People who are in their working years generally pay a lot more attention to that state of the economy, and how that’s impacting their own personal life,” Groarke said. “Some people have suffered real financial losses in this pandemic, have lost their jobs, or are working for an institution where there’s been big budget cuts. Other people have felt little or no impact, they’re merely working from home instead of working in the office. So I think that that’s probably what voters between 30 and 60 are looking at.”

The economy is a big concern for young voters, especially young graduates who are entering a workforce that is just as challenging, if not more so to enter than the workforce during the 2008 financial crisis.

Companies are making major cuts and entry level positions are increasingly competitive.

“The economy is an im-

portant issue for me because I will be graduating soon,” Giuliana DeLuca, a senior Communications major and former President of Government and Politics Club, said. “Currently, I am having a hard time getting an internship. In a few months, I will need to find a job and right now the job market is very competitive, especially now with the pandemic.

In addition, I will have to start paying my student loans. This could be difficult if the economy is not doing well and the job opportunities are low.”

The pandemic has not only had a major impact on the economy from its onset, but will have ramifications for years to come as the process to re-enter workspaces is unclear with threats of the virus still apparent.

“Even if I get a job, I want to know that I am in a safe environment,” DeLuca said. “I hope that a vaccine will be available so that everyone can begin to recover physically, emotionally, and financially from this pandemic.”

Social Justice

2018

85% people thought it would be easy to cast a vote.

In the wake of the death of George Floyd, protests have erupted across the country advocating for social justice and re-igniting the Black Lives Matter movement. Social justice advocates have pushed policy makers to re-open cases such as that of Breonna Taylor who was shot and killed by police in her own home, advocating for police reforms and that the officers involved be brought to justice.

“2020 has brought back up many social justice and issues that have been consistent in American history, and combined with the political landscape will matter more in this election,” Sydney Collins, the Democratic Representative of the Government and Politics Club, said. “For example, even though racial justice and racism in history have been major issues that people have given their lives to promote and gain, during the resurgence of BLM a concrete plan of action on how to combat institutionalized racism will and does matter.”

News coverage of protests across the nation has brought social justice reform to the fore-

front of people’s agendas.

“I think the economy and racial injustices due to police brutality are the main issues that will matter the most in this upcoming election, because those are the topics that are being mentioned in the news most of the time,” Yomkil said.

“The death of George Floyd and so many others generated a lot of protests.”

The majority of Trump’s plan to improve social equality is based on the economy, with the notion that a strong economy is the solution to race conflicts. Trump’s model for social justice reform includes: providing better access to capital for small business owners in minority communities, an executive order that will encourage police departments to meet certain professional standards when using force or de-escalation tactics, and a program to bring social workers into work with police officers.

Biden’s social justice reform includes “The Biden Plan for Strengthening America’s Commitment to Justice.” His aim is to reduce the crime rate and the number of people incar-

2020

50% people thought it would be easy to cast a vote.

The New York Times conducted a poll that shows 35% less people think that voting this year will be easy.

EMILY HOLLAR / THE QUADRANGLE

News

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

5

Matter Most in This tion? cerated as well as address the systemic racism found in the American court system. Biden aims to focus our criminal justice system on redemption and rehabilitation rather than punishment.

He also plans to invest in “Education for All” to help increase opportunities for those in minority communities that lack resources, increasing federal funding for mental health and substance use disorder services and research for those without resources. Additionally, Biden hopes to connect people with social services and support when possible, instead of with prisons, to help stimulate our society.

Climate Change This year’s forest fire season on the West Coast has been one of the worst seasons on record with nearly four million acres burned, 27 confirmed deaths, and many more people missing. There are still four months left of the season and there are concerns about how much more damage will be done in that time.

In a meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, Gov. Gavin Newsom and a group of California officials pleaded with Trump for aid, to which he replied, “it will get cooler,” and “just watch, I don’t think science knows actually.” The Trump administration has made several cutbacks on climate change policy enacted by the Obama administration, and the above sentiments echo his history of calling climate change into question. According to an article in Politico, these rollbacks will cause the U.S. to emit an extra 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by 2035. As California continues to struggle, Trump has made several threats to cut off funding to California and said it was to blame for the devastating fires.

In response, Biden has called Trump a “climate arsonist” placing him in stark contrast on the issue. According to the Biden campaign website, Biden’s plan is to achieve a 100% clean energy economy and reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050. To do so, he pledged to put a federal investment of $1.7 trillion over the next ten years and leverage additional private sector and state and local investments that total more than $5 trillion.

“While 5 million acres are burning in the West of our country, certainly what you

think should be done or not done about climate change is a very significant issue,” Groarke said. “The young people that I know on campus and high school students are very focused on the racial justice issues, on the climate issues, and so I expect those will probably be the two that attract the most attention [in this election].”

Climate change legislation carries great weight among younger voters and may drive their decision come November.

“Issues related to climate, racial, and economic justice are the ones that matter most to me,” Collins said. “Each is extremely important, and holding all of our elected officials, especially those in the highest and most prominent offices is important. There are many issues that need to be addressed in order for our country to live up to the messages that it preaches, and the best way for any of us to make a difference is to rock the vote.”

The United States Postal Ser vice The US Postal Service will play a significant role in this year’s election since voters may opt for mail-in ballots over in-person voting due to pandemic related concerns.

However, back in August, Trump admitted that he was intentionally blocking federal funding to the USPS to discourage the use of mail-in voting for the November election, claiming that results could be riddled with fraud if mail ballots were widely used. This attempt to undercut election results, comes as a shock since in-person voting poses a big risk for voters with pre-existing health conditions this year, for whom contracting the virus may be fatal. This is a direct infringement on citizens’ rights to exercise their civic duty.

As a result, the National Association of Letter Carriers, the postal workers union which consists of over 300,000 workers, endorsed Biden’s presidential candidacy. The NALC president said that the move was necessary for the survival of the USPS. Throughout the pandemic, postal workers were on the front lines delivering services to the public, placing their own health at risk. However, the current administration still failed to provide them with adequate funding to support this agency during the pandemic.

According to an article in NBC News, congressional

Democrats backed by Biden have sought $3.6 billion to help prepare states for an expected high volume of mail-in votes, as well as $25 billion to further strengthen the Postal Service, which Trump opposes. The mounting chaos surrounding the USPS can have an affect on the election once ballots are cast and counted.

“A lot of people are going to vote absentee and those ballots will not get counted until after the election in most states,” Groarke said. “So we can’t expect to know on election night and we have to [have] patience.

There’s going to be a lot of hysteria and a lot of talk about fraud, and we have to dial back the hysteria.”

The Supreme Court The passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this past weekend has drastically shifted the focus of the campaigns of the presidential candidates. RBG’s passing not only signifies the loss of an

mere six weeks away, Democrats are fighting back over this drastic change in opinion. If the vote over Trump’s appointees goes through, the balance in power will be in favor of conservatives with a 6-3 majority in the Court. This is significant as decisions brought to the Court will likely lean to the right, having a great effect on legislation for years to come.

This has drastically changed the focus of the candidates’ focus in the final stretch of campaigning. Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris vowed to fill the vacancy with a woman of color if given the chance, taking center stage of their promises, if elected.

There is much uncertainty surrounding whether or not Trump’s last act of his term will be this monumental decision.

icon, but an opportunity to shift the balance in power of the Supreme Court for years to come.

Senator Mitch McConnell vowed just hours after her death, that he would move towards a vote to swiftly fill her vacancy on the Court by a Trump nominee. This could be Trump’s third Supreme Court nominee in his four years in office, a rare opportunity for a sitting president.

This swift response has not only received criticism for being inconsiderate of the loss of a life well-lived, but Democrats are fighting back against McConnell and others, citing Republicans’ own concerns from 2016.

In 2016, Obama had the opportunity to fill a vacant position on the SCOTUS 10 months before his second term ended, but was barred from the decision over opposition from Republicans and McConnell himself, over claims that the choice should be up to the people.

Now with the election a

California Fires 1500000

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Number of Acres Burned

Jan 1 - Sept 15 2019

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Number of Fires

Number of Acres Burned

Jan 1 - Sept 15 2020

Studies from The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection show what the fires have done to the state of California.

EMILY HOLLAR / THE QUADRANGLE

News

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THE QUADRANGLE

Manhattan Faculty Speak Out on The Return to School

__________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

wrote. “Facilities and the Provost’s office responded quickly to these concerns and most were rectified within a day.”

Arshia Anwer, a professor in the communications department, noted that the college could have been more inclusive towards professors when making preparations for the fall semester.

“I think Manhattan College could have handled the way it rolled out the decisions better,” she wrote in an email. “While there was a task force of faculty that were involved in the decision-making process during early summer, the majority of faculty members felt they were kept out of the loop about what was going on and their voices weren’t being heard.”

Anwer attributes part of the college’s method of releasing information to the quickly changing regulations imposed

by New York state and the federal government.

“I understand the administration at Manhattan College was dealing with shifting goal-

posts with laws and directives from the State of New York coming every few days, and kudos to Provost Schreiner for trying to be transparent and holding a number of town halls, but it still was stressful, and students, staff and faculty felt disenfranchised with the way decisions were made,” Anwer wrote.

Despite facility related issues like the late installation of plexiglass, Gerhardt credits students for being responsible and protecting each other on campus, leading to a low number in positive cases.

“My understanding is that so far when students have been identified as having too many people crammed into their dorm rooms, that there has been a unified response from both the RA’s and the other students in the dorm,” Gerhardt wrote. “ ... that kind of self-policing is fantastic, and a true testament to the Jasper spirit.”

In addition to focusing on their students, both Gerhardt and Laudien noted how many professors on campus have children of their own who are now learning from home. In a

follow-up Google Meet interview with Gerhardt, his two young children could be heard in the background.

“This is my existence,” Gerhardt said as he held his young daughter up to the camera. He further explained that parenting and teaching simultaneously during a pandemic has been stressful and unpredictable.

“Like many faculty, I found the sudden shift to remote teaching difficult particularly as I was also spending the days assisting my older child with his own remote learning while organizing homeschooling for my younger one,” Gerhardt said.

He continued to explain why he decided not to return to the normalcy of on-campus instruction when Manhattan College offered him the opportunity to.

“In that way by the end of the spring term I was thinking longingly of the days of teaching in-person,” he said. “However, the logistics of returning during the COVID-19 crisis always seemed daunting, particularly the prospect of keeping everyone safe in dorms and

classrooms with sub-optimal ventilation and a continual need to interact closely.”

All of the professors interviewed illustrated that they had their students’ best interests as their top priority. Moujalli Hourani, a civil engineering professor who is working remotely for the semester, said that he will not allow the complications caused by this virus to impact the quality of his teaching.

Though he had to adjust to new technology, he continues to urge his students to do their best in his classes.

“It requires adjustment from everybody,” he said. “But it is the responsibility of the faculty to make sure that the student, no matter if it is remote or in-person, must receive the best education that Manhattan College can provide.”

Other faculty members seem to agree. Gerhardt expressed that communication is the most effective tool in making this semester as productive as possible.

“Students should plan to be even more proactive in their learning than [they] were before the pandemic,” Gerhardt

wrote. “If there are circumstances that are making remote learning more difficult--technology problems, for example--rather than just assuming that it can’t be resolved, reach out to the instructor as they may be able to offer a solution or to put you in touch with someone else who can.”

When asked what her advice for students would be during this time, Anwer advised students to take advantage of the many resources offered by the college, whether students are on-campus or remote.

“Please use any and all resources available to you at Manhattan College, including the Writing Center/Center for Academic Success, the Counseling Center, individual faculty members and mentors you’ve made relationships with, or friends and family that can be supportive during this time,” Anwer wrote.

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Jaspers Commit to Lasallian Values Amid Pandemic Through Hosting Summer Camps Christine Nappi Features Editor

For Edgar Zavala, MC’s director of non-credit programs, commitment to education and community is one of the most important Lasallian values that should be present, even in the time of COVID-19. Although summer 2020 was a whirlwind of uncertainty when trying to decide whether or not undergraduate students would return to campus in the fall, Zavala and other dedicated Jaspers made sure of one thing: the Manhattan College Summer Day Camp and Youth Entrepreneurship camp would still happen.

The Manhattan College Summer Day Camp is a full-day summer camp geared towards educating children between 6 and 12 years old on subjects such as science, technology, engineering, math and the arts.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Camp is a program where students from 13 to 16 years old launch their own business and learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

As summer approached, Zavala, the founder and creator of these summer camps, was determined to make sure these camps were still held, not only to assist parents but to also keep his promise of providing quality education to the children. The Manhattan College Summer Day Camp was held in-person and the Youth Entrepreneurship Camp was held virtually. However, both the in-person and virtual format proposed uncharted challenges for Zavala and camp counselors. Nonetheless, they were able to conquer these challenges and provide an educational, safe summer for campers.

“We took advantage of everything possible that we could to make these camps fun, but also safe,” Zavala said. “We realized that all the protocols that we implemented, we were following them. We didn’t have to remind kids to wear their

masks and cover their noses … everyone was doing what they needed to do.”

For its third consecutive year, the Manhattan College Summer Day Camp began on June 29 and Zavala and his team implemented numerous protocols to ensure the health and safety of all 50 campers, as well as the staff. Flyers from the CDC were spread across campus, face masks were required to be worn at all times, and Zavala hired a nurse that took temperatures of campers and counselors frequently. Zavala described how the actions they took to ensure the safety of everyone on campus influenced the ways in which campus was able to open in the fall.

“It’s exactly the same protocols, just the same protocols you’re following right now,” Zavala said. “We developed those protocols for this summer camp … but we were worried every single day.”

Although the team was committed to providing an in-person experience for these campers and took careful precautions, they were still nervous about having to close the camp due to an outbreak.

Marc Carrera, a junior exercise science major, worked the Manhattan College Summer Day Camp and expressed concerns about working amid COVID-19.

“It kind of felt like we were on thin ice the whole time because you really don’t know who was going to have it or if something came up,” Carrera said. “Every day our focus was being as safe as possible and keeping the kids as safe as possible.”

Despite his concerns, Carrera was still committed to working at the camp and helping out others in a time of need.

“I took the job because it was a nice challenge and I was like, you know, these kids they need somewhere to be,” Carrera said. “Parents are stuck at home working, so now these kids have to be tended to and

Wearing a mask at all times was only one of the protocols take to ensure the safety of the campers and prevent a potential outbreak. There was not a single case of COVID-19 during the Manhattan College Summer Day Camp, which took place from June 29 to Aug. 14.

EDGAR ZAVALA /COURTESY

The Manhattan College Summer Day camp was held in-person this year, despite the current COVID-19 pandemic. Various protocols were implemented to ensure the safety of the campers and counselors.

EDGAR ZAVALA /COURTESY be left in good hands and stuff like that. I was pretty excited by working with them, as well as the challenge of keeping everybody safe.”

Carrera, along with other camp counselors, taught the children about various educational topics and made sure they were having an enjoyable time. In addition, Carrera also cleaned and sanitized classrooms and utensils to create a safe learning environment for the children. His mission was to ensure the campers got as much out of the camp as possible.

“I just had to focus on the goal, and my co-workers as well, had to focus on the goal of staying calm and getting these kids through it and giving them what they came for ­­— a nice time and education,” Carrera said.

Zavala is thankful for Carrera’s dedication, as well as the counselors, for stepping up and working during this time of uncertainty. Despite concerns, there was not a single case of COVID-19 in the camp’s duration, which ended on Aug. 14.

In addition to the Manhattan College Summer Day Camp, the Youth Entrepreneurship Camp was also held this summer. However, this camp was held virtually over Google Meet. Although the Youth Entrepreneurship Camp didn’t have to worry about campers potentially contracting the virus, the virtual format proposed various challenges. This was the first year the camp was held, so not only did a lesson plan need to be developed from scratch, but the lesson plan also needed to correlate with the virtual format.

Gemma Franzetti, a sophomore business analytics major, was the lone instructor of the program and worked to develop a plan that would be compatible with the virtual format. Before running the camp, Franzetti’s only experience with virtual learning was during the spring semester of 2020 when the col-

lege closed and transitioned to a virtual format. This gave her insight on how to operate the camp, but she described that learning in the virtual format differs from teaching in the virtual format, something she had never done before. Despite the challenges, Franzetti was able to foster a beneficial learning environment for the campers.

“We couldn’t get it perfect, but to keep [the campers] engaged I just let them work together,” Franzetti said. “It’s hard when you’re not with them but I was still able to keep them engaged by just acting like we were together, even though we were just on a computer screen … It was a very weird experience, again it was helpful with online classes but like still teaching a camp on a computer was not easy.”

The Youth Entrepreneurship Camp was held during three weeks of July, and the three campers developed their own product with the guidance of Franzetti. At the end of the camp, they were able to present their product to a prior commissioner of small businesses for New York and take it to the marketplace.

“The most rewarding part was when they presented at the end, I was proud of what they did,” Franzetti said. “I’m happy they actually got something and took away from it and were able to learn … I’m happy I was able to facilitate it.”

Zavala created these camps because he saw a need from the community. Not only does he want to educate the youth and give them a valuable experience, but he strives to make this camp inclusive for all by providing affordable prices for families. Through these camps, he continues to reflect the college’s Lasallian mission by creating an inclusive community and providing quality education.

“I wanted to create a solution for them and a place for them to bring their children in the summer [thats] affordable

for them,” Zavala said. “Also going back to our values in education, to start educating these children.”

Zavala was committed to running these camps amid COVID-19 because of the college’s dedication to enriching those of the college community in the Lasallian values. As a lifelong Lasallian, Zavala finds that these Lasallian values should prevail amidst the pandemic.

His commitment to providing quality education is why he started these camps, and that commitment would not be halted by the virus.

“Everywhere I go, I try to build programs, education programs, with the community, and for the community,” Zavala said.

“I believe that we’re never too young or never too old to learn … I’m just trying to explore what the needs may be in the community because my role is to build education and build programs on that topic.”

As Zavala describes, his commitment alone was not enough to run the camp successfully. If it weren’t for the multiple Jasper students who stepped up to work during this time, Zavala claims the camp may have not happened. He finds that Carrera, Franzetti and all the other counselors who worked the camp embody what it means to be a Lasallian for their commitment to providing quality education and creating an inclusive community in these unforeseeable circumstances.

He noted that the Jaspers who made these camps possible are worthy of praise from the community.

“They deserve the recognition of the rest of the community,” Zavala said. “They deserve to be called champions because without them I would not have been able to run the program as I did, and without them, families wouldn’t have been able to to get the service we provided to them and their children successfully, and run it the high-quality level that we did.”

Features

8

THE QUADRANGLE

#MeToo Mondays Come Back for a Virtual Semester Madalyn Johnson Web Editor

As the Jasper community adapts to college life both inside the classroom and online, many student-led clubs are finalizing plans for how they will address this fall semester. Campus programs are now forced to be creative in how they can create a welcoming atmosphere through the computer screen. #MeToo Mondays is one program at Manhattan College that started last March and ended abruptly when the COVID-19 pandemic caused students and faculty to evacuate the campus. Now, going into the fall 2020 semester, the program is committed to holding weekly virtual meetings and being an outlet for those who want to continue to have relevant discussions about sexual misconduct.

Senior Julia Ettere and junior Christina Trichilo run #MeToo Mondays and hold weekly meetings on Google Hangout. Last Semester, Ettere was inspired to organize a support group such as this one when working at the Lasallian Women and Gender Resource Center, a community on campus known for launching or supporting inclusive, student-led groups on campus like the LGBTQ+ student group,

Women in STEM, and Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

“I started working as an intern for the Women’s Center last spring,” Ettere said. “They asked me what I want to focus on, and I kind of just developed this passion for helping survivors of sexual assault at the beginning of freshman year, and so I thought a support group would be perfect because I really feel like when you go through an experience similar to someone else, it’s a lot, easier to understand each other.”

In regards to the switch online, Ettere and Trichilo are disappointed that meetings cannot take place where they usually would, at the resource center, considering the environment is meant to make students feel comfortable talking about sensitive subjects. Although, not being physically present and having to share experiences virtually may draw in more attendees.

“It was definitely nice to meet in-person last year because we would meet at the LWGRC, and that space is just very calming and very nice,” Ettere said. “But I do think that it might actually be helpful for it to be online because people might feel more comfortable because they don’t actually have to go sit in the same room with people. They could always just shut off their camera, shut

off their mic and they’re in their own space.”

Trichilo also agreed with Ettere that talking virtually and not having to be seen may ease students’ concerns about discussing sexual harassment with other people.

“I do agree that maybe for some people it’s better online because they don’t have to come and be like surrounded by so many people and they don’t feel as exposed online,” Trichilo said. “So, it’s easier for them to open up and, you know, share.”

Regardless of how the meetings are administered this semester, organizers of #MeToo Mondays still want to emphasize that the program is meant to be a space that is non-judgemental and mindful of how impactful people’s past experiences have been. Online, the club will proceed to have people write, draw, and express themselves however they please, which will then start conversations amongst other members.

Ettere explained how meetings will routinely go.

“I always start with an introduction and then after that, every week, me and Christina give out a prompt and so it’s problem-centered around the experiences that people have with sexual harassment, sexual assault or intimate partner violence,” Ettere said. “Everyone

just takes the time to write and like we’re all just kind of sitting together, but now it’s on Google meet.”

With many dubbing 2020 as one of the worst years because of a global pandemic and the social injustices that have taken place across the U.S., members of #MeToo Mondays want to stress that it’s critical the program continues to run throughout the semester.

Trichilo brought up how the constant media coverage of COVID-19 and other social issues shouldn’t dissuade society from talking about the #MeToo Movement.

“What’s going on with COVID[-19], the election and even the Civil Rights uprising, MeToo has kind of disappeared from the media, but I don’t think it will ever go away,” Trichilo said. “I think even though it’s not in the media, there’s still people out there and other women there to support you.”

Ashley Cross, an English professor and the faculty co-director of the Lasallian Women and Gender Resource center spoke about how bringing up conversations about sexual harassment and assault through virtual MeToo Mondays is vital during a time when distancing is mandatory and domestic violence is on the rise.

“First off, the [resource

center] has limited capacity, it has only [room for] three [people] and a lot of students are remote, and I think it’s very important for all students to have access to MeToo Mondays to be able to talk about sexual harassment and domestic violence and things like that,” Cross said. “In some cases, those situations or that need has actually increased because they are home or in spaces that aren’t safe for them and they really need the resources.”

After everything a victim has gone through, Ettere and Trichilo want to point out that programs like #MeToo Mondays can’t make a victim forget about a traumatic event, but they can be valuable experiences that help victims heal and cope from the past.

“A lot of [victims] kind of suppress their trauma, so we’re kind of helping them talk through it and process what happened, even though it can be hard,” Trichilo said. “Our main goal is to just try to help everyone heal and know that they’re not alone in this.”

To find out more information about MeToo Mondays, be sure to follow Ettere and Trichilo on Instagram, @julia_ettere, and @christina_trichilo.

LWGRC Hosts Annual “Love in the Dark” Event Shannon Gleba & Jasmine Allen

Staff Writer & Contributor On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Lasallian Women and Gender Resource Center hosted their annual event titled “Love in the Dark,” with a new focus on love during the time of COVID-19. The event was held virtually and had an attendance of around 20 participants, with four moderators from the LWGRC including faculty members and alumni of Manhattan College.

MC alum, Jo-Ann Mullooly, who was the graduate assistant in the center for the past two academic years, brought the idea for Love in the Dark to campus around two years ago. Similar events are held at many other colleges and gives students an anonymous space to ask questions relating to relationships and sex.

Typically the event is held

in the LWGRC space, with the lights off and students holding candles to invoke a feeling of anonymity and comfort. However, it had to be conducted differently this year as a result of social distancing guidelines.

But, this new format was not any trouble to Mullooly, and she felt the event ran smoothly despite being on Google Meet.

“I loved the virtual format,” Mullooly said. “While I missed getting squished together and super cozy in the LWGRC together like what typically happened in pre-COVID Love in the Dark, this format also worked nicely because we were safe, we featured a panel of hosts for the evening, and students could type their questions quickly and, as always, anonymously … the panel worked well because we each have such varied life experiences that have led us to really learn and understand identity, sexuality, love, and relationships with ourselves and others.”

Three other panelists on

the call included Jordan Pascoe, associate professor of philosophy, Gabrielle Kasper ‘20, and Rachel Cirelli, director of career development.

Pascoe, like all of the panelists, was very open to sharing advice that rooted from her own experiences.

“When we were organizing for the LWGRC, one of the things we knew from the beginning was that we wanted an event like this,” Pascoe said.

“A space where students could bring their questions and we could have supportive, open conversations around love, intimacy, vulnerability, and sexuality.”

There was a variety of different aged women in attendance, and Pascoe emphasized how important it is that younger and older women have these conversations.

“Creating spaces where we learn to do this talking — to ask questions, set boundaries, practice listening to ourselves and others — is a crucial element to

building a culture of sexual and relationship justice, one that respects the dignity of persons,” Pascoe said.

During the call that lasted over an hour and a half, the panelists covered many different topics and questions that were asked in an anonymous Google Form. These topics ranged from maintaining long-distance relationships during the pandemic to having alone time when quarantining in a full house.

While the panelists gave advice to the students in the event, Cirelli felt like she also learned a lot from the students and the conversations that occurred as well.

“I want the students to know that we are so lucky to have them in our lives because they force us to learn and grow more than if we did not have them in our lives,” Cirelli said.

“I do believe that any event when we can create a situation where everyone feels they are on the same level is important

because we all learn a lot. I just want to thank the students because [they] make me better.”

Love in the Dark was a starting off point for the LWGRC this semester, and they will continue to hold important conversations that will help students cope during the pandemic.

“Events like these are crucial during the time of COVID, and I cannot emphasize that enough,” Mullooly said. “For some, 2020 has been incredibly lonely, disappointing, and sad.

For others, it has been a time to reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones and to prioritize what is important to us. Community-building events on campus are always beneficial, but now more than ever, I believe all students should participate in campus events, in particular the LWGRC events, in order to form connections, make friendships, and create community in order to get through these unusual times together.”

Arts & Entertainment

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

9

Jasper Jams: Fall Tunes JASPER JAMS Gabriella DePinho Editor-in-Chief

As the temperature starts to drop and coffee shops start to bring back their pumpkin spice selections, it’s hard to deny the excitement in the air. Fall officially begins on Sept. 22, making the day this goes into print the first day of fall — how exciting! It’s the perfect season for sweaters, baking, going apple picking with friends, and painting pumpkins. I’m particularly partial to autumn, all it offers and all the good memories I have of raking leaves, just to jump into the pile I created.

I also consider fall to be a great season for some reflection. Most of the year has passed, but there’s still more to come. It’s a great time to think about all that’s changed, all that’s been good, all the love that’s been surrounding you, all that’s been hard, and all that’s to come. The cool air and rustling leaves fill me with hope and make me feel like anything is possible.

Yet, one thing that never goes out of season is listening to music. This week’s Jasper Jams are dedicated to the songs that remind me of autumn and get me into the mood for some fresh apple cider donuts.

State of Grace - Taylor Swift “RED” is the quintessential fall Swift album, no questions asked. While some people might gravitate towards “All Too Well,” the album’s fifth track as an autumn song, I’m drawn to this song. It’s got a hopeful feel to it, as I believe fall does, so I think it works.

Additionally, something about “mosaic broken hearts” and “we are alone with our changing minds” feel like perfect, near-end of the year lines to meditate on.

Kiss Me Again - Great Caesar I think one could argue this might be better suited as a winter song, but I categorize it as an end of fall song. It’s got a perfect mellow vibe to ride out the shortening days on the subway and it’s lyrics are about longing for a repeated experience, much like how I long for autumn to be longer.

Young Blood - Noah Kahan In general, Kahan has a solid acoustic and therefore, autumn-y, vibe to his music. In an interview with The AU Review, Kahan said he wrote this song “as kind of mantra to myself just to keep myself grounded and to

keep my head on straight and always believe in what I was doing.” To me, it works as an autumn song in the sense that it’s a great song for autumn as a time of self reflection. na

She’s Casual - The Hun-

fall songs. There are too many good ones to pick from, but I am partial to “Best Laid Plans” because of the line “Seasons change, feelings stay the same” — perfectly cliché and perfect for a season-themed playlist.

This song solely works as a fall song for me because one of my roommates introduced me to it last October or November.

It became my end of semester study song that I would leave on a loop as I wrote paper after paper, so now I associate it with an excessive amount of cups of tea from Locke’s, my army green jacket, and going out of my way to crunch leaves under my beat-up black boots.

Like Real People Do Hozier Hozier’s use of earthy images of “the bugs and the dirt” and “digging” makes it the perfect fall song. In sound and images, it reminds me of falling leaves and fading life at the end of the fall season, yet it is full of tenderness and love. Hozier’s music is for every season, but this song particularly makes me want to grab a cup of tea and look out the window.

Best Laid Plans - Harmony Woods Though I don’t frequently listen to Harmony Woods, the band’s mellow yet emotionally vulnerable vibes are perfect for

Red Flag - The Moth and The Flame I feel like it might be the word “red” in the title of this song that makes me associate it with fall color palettes, or the

largely grey-ish skies and sunsets featured in the music video, but this song just reminds me of fall. It’s a perfectly nostalgic song for a nostalgic season, as well.

Too High - Anna Shoemaker I don’t have any particular memory attached to this song and I find that it’s good for any season, but I like walking around to it during colder weather. However, I’ll say the overall coloring and lighting of the music video for the song scream “fall” to me, even though Shoemaker is depicted wearing a tank top for most of the video.

Beloved - Mumford and Sons Nearly every Mumford and Sons song makes a perfect autumn song, so choosing just one was nearly impossible. I am particularly partial to their

Add Jasper Jams to your Spotify by scanning the QR Code:

2018 album, “Delta,” though; I find the whole album incredibly moving and lyrically powerful. If you’re looking for other solid autumn-y options from Mumford and Sons, I also recommend “October Skies,” “Believe” and “Lover of the Light.”

Silhouettes Colony House This song was one of the few songs that made up the soundtrack to my entire senior year of high school and yes, I first found it during the fall. It was a chaotic time for me, as it is for most high schoolers, and yet this song was so full of hope and promise and the possibility of escape, so it became a classic fall song for me. It would also become a perfect driving playlist song, but I didn’t get my license until December of senior year.

Arts & Entertainment

10

THE QUADRANGLE

Movie Nights on the Quad Make a Reappearance This Semester Lauren Raziano Contributor

For the month of September, Manhattan College’s Student Government has set up outdoor movie nights every Friday night on the quad. As an incentive for students to attend, Student Government provides green and blue gingham blankets which students can sit on and then keep for free. These blankets, set six feet apart, serve as a great visual for social distancing among groups of students.

These events are a joint effort between Student Government, Manhattan Events Committee, and Student Engagement. The Event Committee sets up the inflatable projector, Student Government provides blankets, and Student Engagement procures the movies.

John Benett, the director of Student Engagement, said that although the movie nights have been a hit or miss in the past, now was the perfect timing to bring them back.

“With the help of student government, it was one of the ideas for the opening of this fall semester, to bring them back on campus and it really fits perfectly with the whole state of the time right now and COVID and group settings and being outdoors,” Bennett said.

“It really worked out perfect timing-wise to start it up. So we

then thought it was then good to really instead of doing a one off, making it a weekly series.”

Most of the movies screened are recently released movies, such as “Jumanji: The Next Level” and “Captain Marvel” so the Student Engagement office needs to buy the rights to show these movies. It may be pricier, but Bennet considers it is worth the student turnout.

“A lot of times we will try to show movies that aren’t out on DVD yet or that you can’t download yet or those sorts of things,” Bennett said. “This year is obviously is a little different because there haven’t been many new releases in movie theatres but, historically that is what we would do.

We would show movies that are not available to be seen at home.”

The movie for Friday, Sept.

18, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was chosen by the Student Government Executive Board, but the other movies were chosen by Student Engagement.

Shannon Gleba, the student body president and a member of The Quadrangle, said that the Student Government originally chose “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” as a singular event, but it grew into a weekly thing.

“Student Engagement chose to make it a whole month thing and chose the other movies to show to students,” Gleba said.

Freshman Jasmine Allen

said that the movies have given her a reason to go out.

“I’m an avid movie goer, so the fact that theaters have been closed has been a bummer,” she said. “I really appreciate the opportunity to watch a movie in the company of my friends and others. It gives us all a reason to get out for the night which is nice,” Allen said.

Gleba has been impressed with the turnout of students who attend movies nights.

“I think people are having fun and I’m impressed with the people who have been coming so far,” she said.

There is a certain atmosphere about being out on the quadranle and watching movies with friends which makes the movies more special, but as the weather gets colder it might not last for much longer.

“Moving it indoors is something we have considered and that we have done in the past, but in the past it hasn’t been as popular as outside because it is honestly not as comfortable being inside, whether you’re in a chair or setting the blanket,” Bennett said.

However, Bennett said, “If students want to continue we would definitely be able to continue it [outside] for sure.”

This coming Friday wraps up the movies on the quadrangle series, with a screening of “Knives Out.” Editor’s Note: Gleba and Allen are contributing members of The Quadrangle.

As an incentive for students to attend, Student Government provides green and blue gingham blankets which students can sit on and then take back to the dorm for free.

LAUREN RAZIANO / COURTESY

For the month of September, Manhattan College’s Student Government has set up outdoor movie nights every Friday night on the quad.

LAUREN RAZIANO / COURTESY

Manhattan Students watching “Ferris Bueller’s Day off” on Friday September 18th.

LAUREN RAZIANO / COURTESY

Sports

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

11

Intramural Sports Adapt to a Viral and Virtual World Gabriella DePinho Editor-In-Chief

In a previous semester, you could find ragtag teams of friends competing against each other in a wide range of sports with hopes of being crowned champions and winning the grand prize of a tee-shirt that boasted their title. As a result of COVID-19, the Office of Recreation has halted in-person sports this semester. Nevertheless, the current realities have not stopped them from planning a comeback.

Deanna Hewlett, the college’s recreation coordinator, has had to get creative in order to keep her office running and keep spirits up. While dedicated intramural athletes are waiting to hear what options they have, Hewlett has been working hard.

“Being with COVID-19 and having to social distance, it’s completely different trying to find ways to keep students engaged but also give them the opportunity to have fun and complete like normal,” she said.

Starting in January, her office began to offer esports, which saw over 60 participants

by April. Additionally, when the college went remote, the office began to offer virtual trivia nights. Esports at the school have ranged from competitions in Fruit Ninja to Madden NFL 20, and now will include League of Legends and FIFA. The new offerings students can expect to see include the virtual 5K the office ran during the first week of classes, and options such as KanJam, cornhole and an upcoming scavenger hunt.

Hewlett wants to make it known that there will be prizes, and that both on-campus and remote learners have the same opportunity to win them.

“We’ll still have champions of each thing we’ll do and they’ll still be able to win intramural shirts and we actually have a really cool design,” she said. “It’ll be kind of like a quarantine edition. So you’ll remember out of all the intramural championships someone may have, they’re going to remember when they played fall 2020, fall 2021.”

However, despite the MAAC canceling fall sports, Hewlett’s office will be offering softball, a sport that will allow players to get moving but still be comfortable with their masks on, as well as social dis-

tance to a reasonable extent.

The Office of Recreation has already offered a “pick-up” softball game to test it out and saw a handful of participants.

“Because sometimes when we’re in a mask, it can restrict your ability in running and doing athletic type things so I thought that [softball] was the perfect activity so it’s not too strenuous on your cardiovascular system,” she said.

Additionally, her office bought 300 softballs. Each ball used will be put into a separate bucket and receive thorough sanitizing before the next game.

The promise of the softball season is brewing excitement in some regular intramural sports players.

“I have high hopes for the recreation department this year,” Zach Olivan, a junior exercise science major and former Office of Recreation department work study student said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what student engagement and recreation will collaborate on to produce creative, interactive, and new activities for students to become involved in during the pandemic. I, along with many others who I’ve spoken with on campus, are extremely excited to start the softball season as we feel we are inching closer and closer to returning to somewhat normal activity.’

If COVID-19 becomes less of a threat, the Office of Recreation will attempt to bring back some of its traditional offerings, such as flag football, volleyball, basketball and soccer.

“If we’re in a safe zone, some of our regular - barring what the school allows us to do - we’ll try to resume some of our regular sports,” she said.

John Kocaman, a junior civil engineering student and high school wrestler, has participated in intramural sports since freshman year, playing nearly everything they’ve offered at least once. For Kocaman, playing sports has been a positive outlet.

“I like participating in intramural sports because it gets my mind off of school and work,” Kocaman said. “It helps me clear my mind. The best part about it is playing with my friends and having a fun time.”

Olivan feels similarly about participating in intramural sports. He also cited it as a great way to make new friends and connections on campus.

“The best part about participating in intramural sports,

Students participate in the pick-up softball game the office of recreation hosted on Sept. 5, the first in-person event the office has hosted since early March.

CAMRYN HOLLY / COURTESY in my opinion, is the pure enjoyment of competing with my friends,” Olivan said. “No matter the sport, no matter the skill level, no matter the amount of school work that was procrastinated on game-night, I can always count on escaping from all my responsibilities for one hour at night to enjoy the competition of sport.”

While Kocaman has yet to participate in esports, he thinks it is a good option to have in the meantime.

“I do think it’s a good idea while there won’t be many sports to play, they are still try-

ing to connect students with esports,” Kocaman said. “I think it’s good to have that option. I do hope they bring back most of the sports next semester.”

Olivan sees it as a good option for students who may not be interested in competing or be up for the physical challenge.

“Having an esports and sports trivia option for students to engage in provides a lot of versatility in terms of getting and staying involved on campus,” he said.

For Hewlett, it’s all about keeping students excited, even

if they aren’t star athletes.

“We’re definitely open to suggestions,” she said. “We want everyone to feel involved and if anyone feels like they don’t relate to any of the sports that we’re doing and they want to see something, then by all means let us know and if it’s in our power to do it, we don’t mind adding it. We want every student to feel included.”

Sports

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THE QUADRANGLE

MAAC Conference Unveils Plans for a Social Justice Campaign Kyla Guilfoil Staff Writer

This summer the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced its MAAC United for Justice Campaign. This campaign was created in response to protests and petitions across our country calling for social justice and the dismantling of systemic racism in America.

The MAAC, along with the conference’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee — better known as the SAAC — will be at the forefront of spreading these initiatives.

The MAAC is hoping to keep conversations about racial inequity going with a collection of events that will be led by the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The women’s basketball head coaches across the MAAC will develop a special “Education Day” in February aimed to teach local kids in their communities about the importance of Black History Month. There is also a planned reading program specified to benefit elementary and middle schools that will include the participation of MAAC basketball coaches.

The first engagement has already begun this fall, focusing on voter registration for student athletes. As part of the effort, all student-athletes will have a mandatory day off from training on Election Day, Nov.

3, to ensure they will have the ability to exercise their right to vote. The MAAC is also encouraging teams to develop Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming this January as a way to come together to honor King’s legacy of social change and justice.

There has been resounding support for these efforts from at least one team at the school.

The MC women’s basketball team has used its official Instagram account, @manhattanwbb, to promote awareness of social justice issues with a number of posts. On July 9, the account posted a video showing many of the team members standing with the Black Lives Matter movement and speaking out against racism and police brutality.

According to senior Courtney Warley of the women’s basketball team, the team’s senior class is designing shooting shirts and shorts to show their support for the campaign while on the court. The team will wear these in the upcoming season, as well as showcase Black Lives Matter patches on their jerseys. Additionally, her coaches plan to wear pins in support of the movement.

These uniform additions come after numerous team discussions on social justice issues. Warley believes this campaign and the movement happening across the country prompted real conversations about the problem of systemic

Courtney Warley, a senior on the women’s basketball team, is the school’s representative on the MAAC’s diversity and inclusion subcommittee.

GOJASPERS / COURTESY

racism and social injustice.

“I think just talking about it, our team is very diverse and when this was kind of at the height of it and during quarantine, one of the conversations that we had is, like I’ve been here for almost four years, we’ve never had this conversation before, and yes we all respect each other,” Warley said.

“We all accept each other, but there’s a lot of different issues that a lot of people on the team deal with that we never really talked about. And we are a very close team and we are close to our coaches, and we always knew that it was kind of there, but we just made it a point that we’re gonna have these conversations more, we’re gonna bring up more what’s bothering us.”

The MAAC is also committed to implementing inclusivity and diversity programming to further educate administrators, coaches and student-athletes on these matters.

The conference is working to have a delegate from each member school on the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee to give a voice to student athletes on these important societal subjects. This will allow students to have a direct line of communication with conference administration about concerns, ideas or hopes regarding social issues.

“We know this is a long and winding road, and we are fortunate to have such an amazing group of people who are committed to becoming the change we seek for our society,” Rev. J. James Maher, the MAAC President said, according to the MAAC’s website.

Warley is on the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee for the MAAC. She highlighted the importance of adding a position of diversity and inclusion on the SAAC. “There will always be a position more aware of social issues because I think that’s a big thing,” Warley said.

Nashally Eleutiza, a senior on the volleyball team, echoed the importance of education on these topics.

“Some of us weren’t educated on the situation, and some of us were,” Eleutiza said regarding her teammates’ backgrounds. “Because some of us experienced what is going on, so we helped each other out, we sent each other books, we sent each other articles about just different situations about the topic and it honestly brought us really closer together.”

Eleutiza is not herself a member of the African American community, but sees no reason why that should deter anyone from being engaged

Nashally Eleutiza, a senior on the volleyball team, is one of many athletes in the MAAC conference excited to partake in the MAAC United for Justice Campaign this year.

GOJASPERS / COURTESY and educated in this movement.

“I personally feel that we are all one, so we all should know when someone goes through something, and it’s just so important because you never want to judge someone on what they’re experiencing in life, you should just be open to what they’re actually experiencing, rather than judging them, of their background and what they have experienced in life,” Eleutiza said. “Instead of judging, just be open minded with it, and it’s just very important.”

According to the MAAC website, during this year’s basketball season, floor decals and digital board content focusing on the Black Lives Matter movement and the MAAC United for Justice Campaign will be provided to all schools in the conference by the MAAC. “Change comes from a movement that involves an entire collective group working towards common goals and desires, not a single moment in time,” Rich Ensor, the MAAC commissioner said, according to the MAAC’s website. “A groundwork for change has been established in the MAAC, it is up to all of us involved to ensure systemic racism, violence, and oppression are brought to the forefront of minds in our communities and that awareness is raised to bring the change we want to see in our society.”

Warley reitereated this call for unity, remarking how a whole team isn’t likely to share the same views, but it is nonetheless important to respect each other’s views during this time. Both Warley and Eleutiza said they think this movement has demonstrated that sports go beyond athleticism. According to these two athletes, team unity and bonds need to go beyond the court. Warley also talked about how this campaign has led to her team realizing how powerful their platform as athletes is.

“Even if one person believes it, you’re stronger when there are 15 girls behind you, when you have the platform that we can use as a team behind us,” Warley said. “So I think that was the biggest jump that we made this year, instead of just a couple individual people speaking out about it, we wanted to all stand together and stand united and have a united voice in it.”

The efforts of MC’s teams and players to bring awareness to our campus, and by the MAAC to spread it across all 11 campuses, is a hopeful step forward for securing social justice for our communities.

As the year progresses, these programs will demonstrate the MAAC’s commitment to fighting injustices in our communities, campuses and on the courts and fields.