Red & Black
The Free
s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f w a s h i n g t o n a n d j e f f e r s o n c o l l e g e w j r e da n d b l ac k . c o m W a s h i n g t o n , P e n n s y lva n i a October 4, 2019
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... DIVERSITY “Regardless, a field of study that is overlooked is that of a foreign language. W&J’s very own Department of Modern Languages offers six language programs: French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian.” -P.5
The Daily Stoic Journal: A Valuable Book PAGE 9
CULTURE
“Instead of using golf carts to carry clubs, it was more common to hire a person to carry your clubs when on a respectable golf course. These people were called caddies. The movie, “Caddyshack,” was released in 1980, and featured actors like Michael O’ Keefe, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray.” -P.7
OPINIONS “The comment is based around the work that Biden’s son did in the country and a possible prosecution that never occurred. Biden’s son and the son of John Kerry have a company that has worked in the Ukraine and many other countries including China.” -P.12
SPORTS
“The Washington & Jefferson men’s football team faced off against Grove City College on Saturday, September 28th.” -P.16
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy Aaron Iwinski
2 cartoon
Red & Black
4 October 2019
‘My Morning Routine’ The Artist: Rémy Legrand ‘22 Red&Black Cartoonist
Courtesy Rémy Legrand
I am Rémy Legrand, an International stuend from France. I am currently a sophomore and I look forward to majoring in Political Science, International Studies, and Spanish. On top of that I am the Parlimentarian of SGA, The Vice President of the International Club and a member of ATO.
4 october 2019
Red & Black
3 CAMPUS NEWS
Student Spotlight: Trent Somes III ‘21 Sammy Massimino Red & Black Contributor
Before coming to Washington & Jefferson College in the fall of 2017, Trent Somes III ‘21 was already a very involved public figure. He was an alternate on the Libertarian National Committee, the founder of the Libertarian Youth Caucus and an involved member of his Church. In his past three years on campus, Somes has been a relevant catalyst for change in the W&J community. In addition to his academic career as a political science major and religious studies minor, he is the president and co-founder of the Interfaith Leadership Club, a current representative and former Parliamentarian in Student Government Association (SGA), the former president and vice president of College Democrats and a brother of Beta Theta Pi. Outside of W&J, Somes ran for Washington City Council last spring as the first student to ever do so, gaining 25 percent of the vote in a three-way primary race against the incumbent council member and a Washington business owner. Additionally, he worked as the field director for Clark Michell’s campaign for Pa. State House of Representatives, while maintaining active membership with the United Methodist Church, Boy Scouts of America, the Scottish-American Military Society Camp 77 and the St. Andrew’s Society of Pittsburgh. He is also an infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. When asked why he would take on so many
Courtesy Trent Somes
Trent Somes III ‘21 is a very involved student leader in the Washington community.
activities while enrolled as a full-time student at W&J, Somes said, “I think that activism and involvement is an important part of our college experience. If we’re learning about solutions to the world’s issues, no matter what field, we should use our privilege as college students to be vocal about them.” However, Somes is not superhuman. He admitted that “Managing time is [his] biggest struggle and it’s constant.” However, he has managed to
be on schedule to graduate a year early while still being so involved. This could not have been done without the open communication he keeps with his professors. Somes says professors are a wonderful resource on campus when it comes to learning how to manage time. Although it has been a lot of hard work, Somes was confident when he said, “it pays off.” So, what are Somes’ plans after he graduates from W&J? His primary goal is to become a pastor,
so he must get his Master of Divinity following graduation – a process that takes about three years. After that, he may consider pursuing his doctorate. He is currently in the ordination process in the United Methodist Church, which can take nearly a decade. He hopes to be a licensed local pastor by the end of the spring semester. Additionally, Somes would like to run for office again, but he will not be doing that for a long time.
4 CAMPUS NEWS
4 october 2019
Red & Black
Isabel Jaramillo Thomas Nicewicz Red & Black Contributor
Isabel Jaramillo is an Ecuadorian student, majoring in Advertising. She lives in the capital of Ecuador, Quito, and studies at Universidad San Francisco de Quito. She is studying abroad here at Washington & Jefferson College for the fall semester. Jaramillo decided to study abroad in the United States because her father was born in Colombia and moved to New York City when he was two years old. This means she is an American citizen born in the US. She is used to it, and it feels familiar, especially since she speaks the language. Jaramillo says, “I feel like the US is my second home, and I felt safe coming here to study. “ Jaramillo chose W&J as her place to study because, she “heard from various people that the experience here was memorable, and they learned profoundly not only on an academic level but on a personal and intercultural level as well.” Jaramillo met two people from Ecuador who studied at W&J before, and they said everyone was nice and friendly. Also, she appreciates that the professors care about their work and the students. Jaramillo did not experience cultural shock, and said, “Half of my family is American, so I am used to the culture. The language isn’t a problem for me. I have been coming to the US often since I was born, so I never experienced a culture shock.” Although she has roots in the US, Jaramillo enjoys
Courtesy Isabel Jaramillo
Jaramillo has explored downtown Pittsburgh in her free time.
parts of her Ecuadorian culture as well. “In South American culture, there is a sense of warmth that is unusual to find elsewhere in the world. It would be nice to bring this particular sense of warmth and familial connection here to the US.” Reciprocally, Jaramillo wishes Ecuadorian cultural would integrate “the organization and punctuality of the US into Ecuador. It is common here for people to arrive on time.” Jaramillo’s priority is to use her time in the U.S. to practice English. In addition to perfecting the language, she says she enjoys meeting “people from different countries and learning about their cultures as it also interests me greatly.” Jaramillo is looking forward to traveling a bit more around the area, such as further visiting Pittsburgh and hiking in Ohio.
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4 October 2019
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DIVERSITY
diversity 5
Benefits Of Majoring Or Minoring In A Language Mckayla Rolliison Red & Black Contributor
Some students know what they want to major in years before they go to college, while some still aren’t decided years into their college careers. Regardless, a field of study that is overlooked is that of a foreign language. W&J’s very own Department of Modern Languages offers six language programs: French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian. Majoring, or even minoring in a foreign language, offers students a lifetime of useful skills. According to Georgetown University’s Cawley Career Education Center, studying a foreign language allows a student to understand the world better, identify commonalities, and respect cultural differences. As our nation grows increasingly more diverse, so does the need for respect for cultural differences. Learning
a foreign language offers insights into cultures students may never encounter otherwise. It is especially the case for those who came from smaller or lower-income high schools where foreign languages may not even be offered. By studying a modern language at college, students encounter a whole new world. “Experiencing and being immersed in a different culture has a tremendous impact on students,” said Dr. Judith Atzler, Assistant Professor of German. “It helps them grow as a person, makes them open to other ways of living, and thus expands their world view and ways of thinking. It also greatly benefits their future careers, not to mention the connections they make while being abroad and the opportunity to travel.” Studying a foreign language can also help students in their future careers. With such a background, students are not limited to the United States or other English speaking countries when they embark on their job search. Knowing a foreign language
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Knowing at least one language other than English can make you a more prestigious candidate for jobs or interships.
can help students in almost any area of study they choose. “As a tournament director for the PONY League, it’s generated effective communication with our European zone and lets me communicate with German teams when they qualify,” said Stephen Rydzak ‘21, a Business major and German minor. Perhaps the most significant part of studying a foreign language is the fact that you are challenging yourself. Learning new vocab-
C o n tac t
E d i to r i a l P o l i c y The Red & Black is the official, registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Fridays with the exception of exams and break periods. Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper, the College or its students,
faculty, or administration. The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency. The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit submissions. Letters are due on the Monday
ulary, grammar, phrasing, and more is no easy feat. “You challenge yourself to not only learning the language itself but also introduce yourself into a whole different culture!” said Genea Richardson 20’. international business major, and Spanish minor. College is all about learning more about yourself and pushing yourself to the next level. Why not use a foreign language to do so?
before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box and telephone number. Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions. All letters may be submitted to redandblackstaff@ jay.washjeff.edu.
Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Mailing Address:
(724) 503-1001 ext. 3381 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301
Diversity 6
Red & Black
4 October 2019
Things To Know Before Studying Abroad
Courtesy Julie Bush
Studying abroad allows you to immerse yourself in a new enviornment and learn about a culture different than your own.
Matías Martinez Red & Black Contributor
Going abroad can be really exciting, and people usually have a lot of expectations or previous ideas of what the experience could be like. If you are planning to study abroad or to spend some time out of the country, there are some formal aspects to know beforehand. There are also plenty of cultural and emotional aspects to consider. What should be done as soon as possible is visa documentation. In some cases, payments and interviews well in advance are necessary before going out
of the country, so this process has to be done before anything else. There may be other documentation that you have to complete depending on the country you are going to. For instance, in some countries you will be required to have some vaccines or language certification, but most countries will require your passport or visa. Other important aspects to consider are those related to your flight. This includes maximum luggage weight and height allowed for the airline, items you can carry in your carry-on baggage and check-in conditions. You should research international bank accounts or cell phone data plans if necessary. It is very helpful to plan your trip in advance, such as places you want to visit, costs, where to stay
and local transportation.By planning ahead, you can save more money and you will have more control of your bank account. International students provide a valuable perspective on traveling. “The most important thing you need to know is that you are not going to be alone, because other students will be in the same situations as you, and you are going to be able to relate to them more than you think,” said Irene Mateos ‘20. Emotional aspects are also important, especially for those who consider themselves to be less independent. Being abroad is a great opportunity not only to learn about this world, but also to know about yourself. Cultural awareness is another very important aspect to consider. “You should know the cultural differences
of your new home and stay up to date with current events from your host country. [Studying] abroad is a step out into the unknown, so remind yourself to keep an open mind and never be afraid to try new things,” said Marisa Rosario ‘20. Rosario closes with, “Lastly, plan to document your experience in some way. A photo/video diary is a wonderful keepsake which will allow you to reflect on your experience as well as share your story with others.” People should be conscious that they will be facing a new culture, so be sure to look for information about customs, traditions, social values and history of the place you will be visiting. If you pay attention to each of these tips, your experience abroad should be a great one.
4 October 2019
culture Red & Black
7 Culture
Movie Review: Caddyshack, A 1980s Comedy Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Staff
Caddies were replaced by golf carts in the ‘80s. Instead of using golf carts to carry clubs, it was more common to hire a person to carry your clubs when on a respectable golf course. These people were called caddies. The movie, “Caddyshack,” was released in 1980, and featured actors like Michael O’ Keefe, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray. From the cast alone, you can probably infer that the movie is crude with low-brow humor. It definitely deserves its “R” rating. The story centers around a teenager named Danny, who caddies at the local golf course. Danny has a lot on his plate – he manages his job as a caddy for eccentric figures, saves money for college and tends to a pregnant girlfriend. An opportunity arises for Danny when a tournament hosted by the country club offers a scholarship to college as the grand prize. Meanwhile, the owner of the country club, Judge Smails, tries to manage the rowdy caddies and keep the place in order. The caddies are always fighting and making a mess everywhere they go. Also,
Courtesy Aaron Iwinski
The cover of “Caddyshack,” a comedy starring Michael O’Keefe, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and Bill Murray.
the golf course has been plagued by the eternal enemy of mankind: a gopher. The groundskeeper, played by Bill Murray, is tasked with stopping the gopher from destroying the whole course. The main plot follows Danny as he tries to refine his golfing skills and pull himself together to win the tournament. His situation increases in com-
plexity as he has an affair with Smails’ daughter. The plot is simple, since most of the story is about golfing and a few odd characters. Rodney Dangerfield plays a generic rich guy who makes a bet with Smails on a single game of golf. Smails agrees, figuring he will make a large profit. Smails’ chosen golfer has been golfing well, and Dangerfield’s character chooses Danny.
The movie is quite simple overall, and it’s a silly comedy that provides a good chuckle to the average viewer. My father likes to take “Caddyshack” camping, since it is a good movie to watch while having a drink. When asked to review the movie, IMDb user, Britishdominion, said, “Crudeness doesn’t come much more, well, crude, than 1980’s sublime ‘Caddyshack.’”
8 Culture
4 October 2019
Red & Black
Balancing School Studies And Social Life
Studying for classes can be challenging enough. Managing a social life on top of this can make the task much more complicated.
Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Staff
There is an imaginary triangle that all college students confront. There are three points in the triangle: sufficient sleep, a social life, and good grades. You may choose two. I have chosen to be sociable, have good grades and get sleep, mostly because I am quite greedy, although my sleep schedule certainly does not reflect my desires. Most college students choose to have a social life and have good grades, but some have difficulties maintaining one, let alone two. First and foremost, work should come before play. College is an invest-
ment, and you do need that piece of paper saying you are good at a thing to get some high-up jobs or to pursue higher education. Every college student knows the drudgery of midterms and finals, but ensure that your potential financial gains are not jeopardized by ignoring your important work. Next, join a few clubs. If you are like me, which I hope you are not, you are a little lazy. I will not often leave my room to have fun, although the problem I have is that the environment for work and play is the same, resulting in me doing one when I should be doing the other. Try to separate your environments and give yourself enough motivation. Club events are good enough, since designating a time slot in your week to be occupied is a good way to force yourself to get going. A paper for Michigan Tech University also advises
to organize your time wisely. “Coordinate your free time with your friends. As you develop a group of friends, see if you can schedule free time together. This doesn’t mean taking time away from your studying, but rather shuffling your study time so you can enjoy your social time,” said the author of the paper. Misery loves company, so consider also scheduling your work time together. You never know what random questions you might need help with or if someone in your friend circle could help. Gloria Kopp, writing for the website “Hey Sigmund,” a philosophy-oriented website, also advises to think about nutrition. “It sounds obvious, but many students don’t eat well when they come to college. Eating junk all day every day means you’ll feel ill, and won’t be
Courtesy Pixabay
up to all the cool stuff that’s out there. Make sure to keep fruit and vegetables in your diet, and slow down on the fast food,” said Kopp. When researching the science behind a diet and focus, I found an article posted by Harvard’s Medical School that provided some insight. “Start paying attention to how eating different foods makes you feel — not just in the moment, but the next day,” said Eva Selhub, M.D. To simplify, there are scientific repercussions to insufficient nutrients and an unhealthy diet, including negative consequences on focus, attention span and general feeling of wellness. Every student balances it differently, and some choose to have none of the triangle. However, with time management, a good diet and sufficient motivation, you will certainly be heading in the right direction.
4 October 2019
9 Culture
Red & Black
The Daily Stoic Journal: A Valuable Book Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Staff
You might hear “stoicism” describe people who are emotionally aloof. Unlike a traditional novel that tells a story about a character or an experience, “The Daily Stoic Journal,” by Ryan Holiday, is a book of musings and things on which one should meditate. The book is set up for a reader to read a page each day. The book provides a short story, quote or something to think about relating to the philosophy of stoicism. Stoicism offers the belief that an acceptance of life is key to functioning effectively. Rather than encouraging helplessness, it offers a perspective of acceptance – one should accept the unpredictability of life and realize that dissatisfaction is ultimately caused by impulse and not logic. Stoicism has roots in the Hellenistic period, which traditionally dates from about 330 to 30 B.C.E. Although many philosophies have come and gone, stoicism has influenced many great figures in history. One well-known Stoic was Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor from 180 to 160 B.C.E. Aurelius, on the topic of stoicism, said, “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” So, what is the book like if it does not tell a story? In the entry for week eight, Holiday said, “The stoics knew that wanting less increases gratitude, just as wanting more obliterates it. Epictetus focused much of his teaching on helping his students reduce the destructive habit
Courtesy Aaron Iwinski
The Daily Stoic Journal is an insightful book that deals with the unpredictability of life.
of wanting more. In it he saw the key to a happy life and relationships.” “By practicing the art of wanting less and being grateful for the portion that we already have before us, we are hopping off the so-called hedonic treadmill and taking a real step on the path to a life of real commitment,” continued Holiday.
Additionally, there are a few questions for each day of the year that require a morning and evening reflection. For Feb. 19, the reflection is “Am I happy with my portion at the banquet of life?” There is a space to write your morning and evening reflection or to
just get your thoughts down on paper. Although this is far from a traditional book, anyone looking for significant self-growth should consider checking it out – even those who are not stoic. The value of seeing how Stoics try to be content can change the perspectives of many.
10 Culture
Red & Black
4 October 2019
Frostpunk: A Brutal And Dark Video Game Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Staff
It’s the end of the world. An endless winter has set upon the world at the height of steampunk technology, and the world is falling apart. Crops and plants die, cities go dark, people freeze in the streets and the whole world becomes as cold as the arctic. In “Frostpunk,” society collapses, and a significant part of London has departed to the frigid north. The north has coal to fuel the fires in the steam engines on which everyone relies. The player must set out with their mighty steam tank and a few hundred others, ready to build the last city on earth. The premise of “Frostpunk” is a heavy, as you must assume the role of the designer, manager and law writer of the last city in the world. You are forced to settle down in a crater in the arctic, and you have to immediately manage resources. You are given wood, steel, coal, and raw and cooked food to begin the game. You have an inactive coal-powered engine and a bunch of people without any shelter. There are resources in your crater, and you must construct a new society. You also need to manage public hope and discontent. If you let hope fall or discontent rise, then you will be firmly exiled to die in the cold. The game’s core mechanics are like a city builder or a resource manager. People familiar with games like “Sim City” and “Cities Skylines” will feel
Courtesy Aaron Iwinski
A screenshot from the game “Frostpunk.” The game deals with heavy themes, centering around a world that is falling apart.
at home with the building mechanics, although the scale of “Frostpunk” is more intimate than other games. Exploration is conducted through a “node map,” and you must allocate the classes of engineers, workers and children to work effectively. The game’s law system presents a challenge to the player. Do you let children do work, or do you give the child shelter? On one hand, letting children do work would be a significant boost
to the work force. On the other hand, it is dangerous for children to do this kind of work. Questions like these pervade the whole game and will examine your morals. The game has a great atmosphere and is very fun to play. It was created by the developers that made “This War of Mine.” “Frostpunk” is enjoyable, brutal and a good price. When asked about the game, a Steam user, whose gamer name is Nutlaw, said, “So it was
much more of a RTS city builder than I expected going in, but once I got over that adjustment period, it was very engaging. The game does a good job of pacing everything so that new terrifying catastrophes mount just as soon as you think that you have control over everything.” Another player, whose gamer name is Ramii, said, “Game’s dope, can be replayed multiple times and enjoyed still. Best city builder game so far.”
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Red & Black
Culture 11
“Contacts,” A Comedic Ride To West Virginia Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Staff
A few years ago, I was driving south. I was picking up an old belt sander for a relative, and we found a good deal for it online from a guy down in West Virginia. He collected and fixed old machines for a hobby and had a large backlog of them. He had mostly industrial things, but a small belt sander was something I figured my uncle would need for a few of his metalwork projects. I had put in some contact lenses because my glasses were dirty and had a few scratches on them from working in the metal shop. At about six o’clock in the morning, I had gotten in the truck, got my phone’s GPS and was on the road. A nice and muggy morning, I had started early so I could drive while it was still a little cool and while traffic was light. I approached the West Virginia border and had it all planned out. I pulled off to the side before the sign, searched my music playlist until I found it: “Take Me Home Country Roads” by John Denver. It should basically be a requirement at this point to cross that line with that song. I waited by the side until it was time for the chorus to start. I pulled out and I saw the sign saying, “Welcome to West Virginia.” I had to time it just right. Traffic was still light, so I sped up, and I got the two to nearly perfectly line up. Right as the song said “West Virginia” in the chorus, my phone said, “Welcome to West Virginia.” It was perfect.
Courtesy Wikipedia
A photograph of the New River Gorge Bridge, located in West Virgina.
However, my speed modulation had not gone unnoticed, and there was a police officer with his radar gun out. I saw him at the last minute, looking down, I was only going five over at most. Enough to get me a small fine, but nothing terrible. He already was pulling up behind me, so he had probably gotten me. Sure enough, the lights come on and I pull over. Out of the car struts a cop
straight out of an 80s western. He had that side-to-side waddle cowboys had when they wanted to walk without bending their knees, the gold rimmed sunglasses and he walked with his chest puffed out. He approached my window and said in a hard-ass tone: “Do you know how fast you were going, boy?” “About five over or so if I had to guess.” “I don’t need no lip from you.
License and registration, boy.” I handed it over. No point in getting in the way of a man executing the law. He looked at my license, then at me, then grunted. “Boy, it says here that you have corrective vision tools. I don’t see no glasses on you.” “I have contacts.” “I don’t care who you know in Pennsylvania!”
12 opinions
opinions Red & Black
24 October 2019
Everything Is Not As It Seems Dylan Bertovich Red & Black Contributor
“There’s much talk about Biden’s son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and many people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great. Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it. It sounds horrible to me.” These comments from the President of the United States have caused an impeachment inquiry into his office.The comment is based around the
work that Biden’s son did in the country and a possible prosecution that never occurred. Biden’s son and the son of John Kerry have a company that has worked in the Ukraine and many other countries including China. This company has long been the folder for conspiracy theories, which may be valid given your view point. Amanda Fitzpatrick ‘21, stated “I think that this is about the law and maintaining our democracy; if the President sought help from a foreign power against a potential Democratic opponent, he should be brought to trial and removed from office. No person should be above the law and if the evidence supports this claim, if this is not grounds for impeachment, then I don’t know what is. Honestly, it would be
ironic if this what takes the President down after all he has done.” The President has, for a long time, been acting in ways that are not considered typical for a president. Many have thought that he would have been impeached a long time ago. Brendan Troesch ‘21, “I think that the President should face the consequences for his actions; however, this whole thing speaks to the issues on both sides. Biden’s son was doing work in Ukraine and China and all of these other countries while his dad was in office. I think that the political class in America has been filled with corruption for a long time on both sides. It’s a cliche but, where there’s smoke there’s fire.” In researching for this article, I found some interesting quotes from
C ontac t
E ditorial P olicy The Red & Black is the official, registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Fridays with the exception of exams and break periods. Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper, the
College or its students, faculty, or administration. The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency. The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit submissions.
people who are on Brendan’s side. The fired prosecutor testified, “The truth is that I was forced out because I was leading a wide-ranging corruption probe into Burisma Holdings, a natural gas firm active in Ukraine and Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was a member of the Board of Directors… On several occasions, President Poroshenko asked me to have a look at the case against Burisma and consider the possibility of winding down the investigative actions in respect of this company, but I refused to close this investigation.” This was quoted in 2016, years before our now infamous summer 2019 call. This situation may go to show that nothing may be quite as it seems in our modern democracy.
Letters are due on the Monday before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box and telephone number. Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions. All letters may be submitted to redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu.
Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Mailing Address:
(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301
4 October 2019
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Opinions 13
New Grass: Improvement or a Waste?
Courtesy Erin Herock
Many students have found that the caution tape has interfered with their path to classes.
Ainsley Klaric Red & Black Contributor
Over the summer, some renovations were done on the school which continued until mid-September, including the new grass, with caution tape everywhere. For the first month of the semester, construction workers were doing their best to make the campus look presentable to visitors and prospective stu-
dents. When asked about their opinions about the necessity of this new project, opinions varied. “I don’t think it was necessary, but I don’t think it’s an extravagant use of money and it seems worth it to me,” Megan Perry, ‘21, said. There is no doubt that the grass looks beautiful. They did an excellent job. However, is this what we value as an academic community? While the new grass is beautiful, most of our time here is going to be spent in the colder, snowier months of the year. The grass established where the Grant dorm in the quads used to be was a necessity. Tech Center’s lawn received new grass and an amphitheater
in front of it, for outdoor classes. However, that same building still has floors where construction has been stopped, leaving only the first two floors usable. How this necessary, but finishing an entire building is not? Madi Partington ‘20, said in evaluating the necessity of the grass establishment, “Maybe we could put more money into the classrooms and less on aesthetics when grass seed is cheaper to do.” When asked if the caution tape disrupted her going to class, Partington said, “No, it wasn’t in the areas I needed to go through, so it didn’t inconvenience me personally. However, the steps being closed between the
coffee shop and G&T’s did get in my way.” The caution tape was a necessity for the new grass and an eyesore. The stairway leading to Lincoln Street was not. This same stairway used to be bigger. While it looks pretty, it now may cause a traffic jam because there is less space to avoid running into other students. All in all, the newly established grass looks beautiful, perfect for prospective students touring. However, it was not the first thing that funding could have gone toward in terms of improving living conditions for upperclassmen or providing better scholarships for non-athletes.
14 Opinions
Red & Black
4 October 2019
Should Vaping Be Banned? Matías M. Rojas Red & Black Contributor
When tobacco taxes started to increase in some countries, electronic cigarettes and vaping in general became more popular among teenagers and adults. Vapes are electronic cigarettes with or without nicotine used to vaporize certain substances for inhalation. Some of them are flavored with strawberries, blueberries, chocolate, tobacco, honey, cinnamon and countless other flavors. In different parts of the world, the new trend is becoming a health problem. Reports of lung disease and deaths have increased and many of these tragedies are considered to be caused by vaping. This situation is calling the attention of some politicians and groups of interest in order to implement legislation about these devices. Even though the interest in legislating is increasing, researchers are still in the process of studying the effects of vaping. However, the idea of banning is still becoming popular and being discussed by different groups. Something curious about the idea of banning electronic cigarettes or vapes is how the discussions have taken place in different groups of our society. Some of these discussions may distract people from bigger problems societies are still facing, such as healthcare or gun control; the lack of policies about these topics may be causing more deaths and may have bigger consequences that the existence of electronic ciga-
Courtesy Boston Magazine
Sale of vaping products have been temporarily banned in Massachusetts.
rettes. Regulation is always necessary when talking about alcohol, drugs or harmful products in general. However, it also seems that some politicians and interest groups are more focused on the idea of restricting existing products instead of wondering about the problem behind the consumption of these products: why do people feel the necessity to smoke and vape? The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has listed some of the most common reasons why people start smoking, including relaxing, emotional support and socializing. People start smoking in order to overcome anxiety, feel confident to socialize and be able
to have a short break from routines. Despite some recent movements to ban vaping, not all believe that vaping is a harmful practice. “Vaping should not be banned because despite being unhealthy, it still remains as a healthier option than smoking and can be an alternative to cigarettes. Furthermore, the possibility to control nicotine content allows users to gradually quit smoking,” said Remy Legrand ’19. Tymothy Moyer ’23 agrees with the notion that vaping should not be banned. “The grounds for banning vaping are illegitimate. While the health implications are still coming to light, the ban itself is actually based off the
large loss in profits within the cigarette and tobacco industry,” said Moyer. “Most cases are actually stemming from black market THC carts which have unregulated chemicals that don’t exist in the legal vaping products.” It is important to establish certain regulations, especially when talking about healthcare, but it is also important that states address healthcare issues appropriately. Banning may not be the most proper solution to the problem; it has not even been considered when talking about other drugs like alcohol, nicotine or caffeine. However, public policies should be constructed responsively, focusing on the best solutions.
4 October 2019
Red & Black
15 Opinions
The Second Year of Bon Appetite Ainsley Klaric Red & Black Contributor
The new semester kicks off, and Bon Appetite enters its second year as Washington & Jefferson’s dining service. As a junior, over the past year, I’ve experienced mostly negative comments in the food we are served. Upon hiring a new President for the school, Bon Appetite was intro-
duced; its goal was to serve healthier food to the students of W&J. But how much more healthy is it? Bri Billingsley, ‘21, worked in food service for more than a year and knows the importance of the food safety laws; she noted that G&T’s does not appear to follow some of them. “Last year, I saw them dump their entire bin of chicken breasts that were already cooked and to be served back onto the grill in one pile so that they didn’t have to make more. I also saw a moth fly out of the burgers, and the woman working there threw out the entire bin, but God knows what touches that food for hours (when) the lids are off of them,” she explained.
Billingsley thinks that if they want to improve, Bon Appetite needs a “serious check” on their sanitary practices. “Generally, I like the food, but it can be repetitive.” Before Bon Appetite, I remember looking forward to going to lunch at Commons or G&T’s or picking up breakfast at the Barista. Now, it is because I have no other place for food to go all the time. Other students have mentioned that they would like to see Parker’s, the old dining service, come back. When asked of her opinion on their services thus far, Kendyle Bennett, ‘21, said, “I believe Bon Appetite is doing a better job being in only their second
year, but they still have improvements that could be made. It may not be my favorite, but it’s good to know that the staff cares about every single person’s dietary needs.” She continued her explanation. “It seems like there’s a constant repeat of food each time during the week. I like the food, but I barely eat there now compared to my freshman year. I would enjoy seeing the grill area come back.” Even though there are still improvements to be made, Bon Appetite is only in their second year. Improvements are still possible and are certainly encouraged by the students at W&J.
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Bon Appetite has just kicked off its second year as W&J College’s dining service provider with three dining venues: The Commons, G&T’s Grill, and X’Prez’O.
sports
16 opinions
Red & Black
4 October 2019
Football Bounces Back with Big Victory Patrick Brunner Red & Black Contributor
The Washington & Jefferson men’s football team faced off against Grove City College on Saturday, September 28th. Thanks to a strong second-half effort, the Presidents were able to get back in the win column with a solid 38-21 road victory. Kicker/punter Ian Phillips ‘23 was able to strike first with a 20-yard field goal to put the Presidents up 3-0 early in the first quarter. Quarterback Jacob Adams ‘20 later found wide receiver Payton Skalos ‘21 for a 7-yard touchdown as the first quarter came to a close. After the first quarter, the Presidents would keep their lead for the remainder of the game. Running backs EJ Thompson ‘21 and Jack Ryan ‘21 each registered a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Thompson scored his first touchdown of the season in the 2nd quarter while Ryan found the back of the end-zone in the 3rd quarter. The Presidents would put the game away midway through the fourth quarter after Adams found wide re-
The Presidents regain momentum as they take down PAC foe Grove City.
ceiver Josh Burns ‘21 for a 22-yard touchdown. Adams finished the game throwing for 279 yards and 2 touchdowns. Linebacker Sean Doran ‘21, who finished the day with nine tackles, including three tackles-for-loss and one sack, was delighted with the win but also acknowledged that his team still has work to do and people to prove wrong.”I think we played well on both sides of the ball yesterday. The thing is that neither the offense or the defense have both played a complete game yet,
but we are getting closer to that each week and once we do that we will be a tough team to beat,” said Doran. Josh Burns ‘21, who finished the day with 126 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, spoke proudly and confidently about the performance of both himself and his team. “I felt we controlled the game offensively and felt comfortable out there. I feel like my success from yesterday was from my coaches trusting me and putting me in the position to make plays. I feel like the team played really well together.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
We knew our defense would stop them from putting up a lot of points, and they knew we would score. I feel like the team feels like we just need to take it one game at a time. We know what we can do and feel like we are back on track,” said Burns. The win boosts the Presidents to a 3-1 overall record. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 5th when the Presidents face off against Bethany College for their Homecoming game. You’re not going to want to miss this. Be loud. Be proud. Go, Presidents.
4 October 2019
Sports 17
Red & Black
Women’s Soccer Falls to Out of Conference Foe
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Chandler Marteeny ‘20 challenging a dribbling by a defender.
Patrick Brunner Red & Black Contributor
The Washington & Jefferson women’s soccer team faced off against The College of Wooster on Saturday, September 28th. The Presidents fought hard all game against a tough Fighting Scots team but ultimately fell by a final score of 0-2. The Fighting Scots scored one goal in each half. Wooster struck fast finding the back of the net in the first two
minutes of play. Wooster’s second goal would come after 74 minutes of action to put the game away. The Presidents took 4 shots in the contest, each of those shots coming from a handful of different players. Midfielder’s Chandler Marteeny ‘20, Mckenna Lewis ‘22, Caitlin Drahushak ‘22, and Forward Katie Hahn ‘22 each attempted one shot on the day. Three of those four shots were registered as shots on goal. Goalkeeper Shayla Watkins ‘22 started and played the entirety of the match in the net for the Presidents. Watkins made seven saves on the day. Two of those saves were made in the first half, and the remaining five came in the second half. Forward Katie Hahn ‘22 discussed how the team plans on fixing the issues
The Women Presidnets are looking to pick up against PAC play next week.
they’ve experienced in the early parts of their season. “We’ve been struggling
“We are getting better every game. That’s all we can ask for.” -Brianna Mcgowan ‘20 this year, but despite the outcome today I feel like we’ve finally started to click. We’ve been working really hard,
and as soon as we can figure out the first few minutes of the game, I think we’ll finally be able to change the tempo and hopefully the outcome,” explained Hahn. Defender Brianna Mcgowan ‘21 remained optimistic and spoke with much poise following the loss. “We put in a great effort today. We are getting better every game, and that’s all we can ask for. We’re looking forward to starting in the PAC,” said McGowan. The loss drops the Presidents to an overall record of 2-6 while the Fighting Scots move up to 6-1-1 overall. The Presidents have one final game before they start conference play. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 1st when the Presidents face off against Oberlin College at 7:00 p.m. Be loud. Be proud. Go, Presidents.
18 Sports
Red & Black
4 october 2019
Men’s Soccer Gains Big Win Patrick Brunner Red & Black Contributor
The Washington & Jefferson Men’s soccer team faced off against Muskingum University on Wednesday, September 25th. Midfielder’s Michael Komaniak ‘22 and Joey Feola ‘22 each scored for the Presidents. Komaniak struck first to put the Presidents up 1-0 in the second half. Komaniak was able to find the back of the net thanks to a beautifully fed pass from Midfielder/Defender Nich-
olas Maknoon ‘21. Later The Muskies evened the score off a penalty kick. As the game came to a close, Feola’s first goal of the season would put the game away for the Presidents. Goalkeeper’s Ian Donlon ‘21 and Samuel Miller ‘22 split time in the net for the Presidents. Donlon tallied two saves in the contest while Miller made three. The Presidents were able to outshoot the Muskies by a margin of 16-9. The Presidents also held the advantage in shots on goal with a 7-6 edge over the Muskies. Maknoon spoke with a great sense of pride and confidence in his team “It was an all-around team effort. The dedication, desire, and intensity that
we showed today was why we came out on top. We are not only a soccer team, but we are a family, and we work for each other in all aspects of the game,” said Maknoon. Midfielder/Defender Thomas Davidson ‘21 described how the team was able to finish out a hard-fought and physical matchup. “What it came down to was which of us wanted it the most. With many core players out with injuries, there were many younger or less experienced college players who had to rise to the occasion. Altogether, it was a physically and mentally taxing match for everyone, but it was W&J who wanted it more,” said Davidson. The win over Muskingum boosts the Presidents to a
3-5 overall record in their 2019 campaign; while dropping the Muskies to a 6-2 record. The Presidents have two more non-conference matches before they start conference play. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 5th when the team faces off against Westminster College for their PAC home opener. Be loud. Be proud. Go, Presidents.
President’s Next Home Game: Oct. 5 vs Westminster College 7:00 pm
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Defensive Mid Nicolas Maknoon ‘21 crontrolling the ball as the Presdents roll to victory.
4 October 2019
Red & Black
19 sports
Last Week’s Scores Sept. 27
Women’s Tennis vs Mount Union University: 3-6 L Women’s Cross Country at Chatam University: 5th of 7 Men’s Water Polo vs Penn State Behrend: 8-9 L
Sept. 28
Men’s Tennis vs Mount Aloysius College: 2-7 L Vollyball vs Geneva College: 0-3 L Feild Hockey vs Ferrum College: 2-0 W Football at Grove City College: 38-21 W Women’s Soccer at Wooster University: 0-2 L Vollyball vs Grove City College: 1-3 L Men’s Tennis vs Waynesburg Universtiy: N/A Men’s Water Polo: Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Games: 1-1 on the day Men’s Soccer at Hood College: 1-4 L
Sept. 29
Feild Hockey vs Nazareth College: 2-1 W Women’s Tennis at St. Vincent College: 8-1 W Men’s Water Polo: Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Games: 0-1 on the day Men’s Golf at Peter C. Rossin Memorial Invitational: 1st of 5 Women’s Golf at Peter C. Rossin Memorial Invitational: 2nd of 3
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Men’s Water Polo went 1-2 at the Mid-Atlantic Polo Conference Games
Next Week’s Games
Oct.5
Cross Country at Lehigh Universtiy 11:00am Vollyball at Theil College 12:00pm Women’s Soccer vs Westminster College 1:00pm Feild Hockey at Elmira College 1:00pm Vollyball vs St. Vincent College (at Theil)2:00pm Football vs Bethany College 2:00pm Men’s Soccer vs Westminster College 3:30pm
Oct. 7
Men’s Golf at PAC Fall Championships Women’s Golf at PAC Fall Championships
Oct. 8
Men’s Golf at PAC Fall Championships Women’s Golf at PAC Fall Championships Vollyball vs Theil College 7:00pm
Oct. 9
Women’s Soccer vs St. Vincent College 6:00pm Women’s Tennis vs Penn State Behrend 6:00pm Men’s Soccer vs St. Vincent College 8:00pm
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Women’s Tennis had a big PAC win against St. Vincent College
20 Career Services
Red & Black
4 October 2019
A Bulletin From The Career Service Office
Career Services Drop-In Hour Every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. We offer a variety of services during our drop-in hour. Drop-Ins are brief 10-30 minute sessions that may be focused on one of the following topics: Resumes, Cover Letters, Interview Tips, LinkedIn Profile Review, Handshake, Building a Network, Internships, Job Search, and Graduate School. No-appointment needed. Students are seen on a first-come, first-service basis during our drop-in hour.