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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 F e b ru a ry 8 , 2 0 1 9
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “What many people do not know is that organic farmers have actually been approved to use 25 different synthetic pesticides, and many other natural pesticides.” -P.6
CULTURE
“Once sex, sexuality and gender are normalized, younger generations will begin to have healthier conversations that contribute to a more wholesome and inclusive high school experience.” -P.8
OPINIONS
“FAFSA is fair in its evaluation in that it
evaluates all students by the same criteria, requiring everyone to enter a number of things including age, gender, family income, parent’s education history and personal income.” -P.15
Students
SPORTS “On Feb. 2, the Washington & Jefferson College Swimming and Diving Team attended Grove City’s Pre-Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship Tune-Up.” -P.19
Travel
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Globe During JayTerm PAGE 7
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2 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
8 February 2019
JayTerm Spotlight: Psychology of Adulthood & Aging Julie Halula Red & Black Contributor
Brianna Floryshak ‘19, a psychology major on the pre-health track, spent her JayTerm taking the course titled “The Psychology of Adulthood and Aging” taught by Dr. McDonald. Dr. McDonald is an associate professor in the department of psychology and a developmental psychologist. She obtained all three of her degrees from The Ohio State University. Dr. McDonald has been particularly interested in the relative influence of parents and peers on social and cognitive development. Floryshak has had a class with Dr. McDonald prior to this course because she took “Development Psychology” last fall. She enjoyed that course and was very intrigued by the topic of development, and this is why she decided to sign up for another class with Dr. McDonald for Jayterm. Floryshak felt like this course was a continuation of where they left off in her previous course. This course was not just a typical lecture class; there was an additional component that gave it a more tangible and personal element. When describing the course’s structure, Floryshak said, “during this course, we learned about the process of aging in various aspects. We had a lecture portion of class everyday where we would take notes and discuss ways we might have experienced the topic ourselves or discuss how it might relate to something we observed from a family member aging.” The second half of daily class involved discussing
the book “Tuesdays with Morrie,” the conversation partnerships, and a journal article; in addition, the last day of every week they took a short quiz on lecture content. When discussing the book, the class talked about personal experiences and related them back to the story. “I felt the most valuable aspect of the course was our Service Learning Experience, during which we got weekly conversation partnerships,” said Floryshak. “During this we went to Presbyterian Senior Center and each of us were paired up with a resident who we visited a few times a week.” Floryshak learned a lot about her conversation partner during this short two-week period, as she was able to visit her two to three times a week for several hours per day. Floryshak even plans to continue to visit her partner throughout the remainder of the semester. During her time visiting her conversation partner, she was able to go through a day in her shoes. They played bingo, L-C-R, did chair exercises and sat and chatted with her and some of her friends. At the end of the course, students made a “give back” project to give to their residents to thank them for allowing for the opportunity to spend time with them and apply what they learned about aging to a real-life experience. Floryshak took a lot away from this experience and would recommend this course to a friend or peer. Floryshak’s biggest takeaway from this course is to “not fear death but to live life in the moment and appreciate everything that is currently happening in your life.” Madison Vaughan ’19, another psychology student who took this course, said her experience was “a great integration of learning and hands-on experience. We spent a great deal of time
discussing scholarly articles while also visiting a conversation partner at Presbyterian Senior Care.” Both Floryshak and Vaughan agree about how well Dr. McDonald facilitated the discussion
and found new ways to present the information. Despite the course being two weeks, both students left feeling very knowledgeable on the topics.
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Dr. McDonald is an associate professor in the Psychology Department.
8 February 2019
Red & Black
3 CAMPUS NEWS
Staff Spotlight: Hannah Kail ’19 I am a senior at Washington & Jefferson College and I’m majoring in Business Administration and English because I love the way that communication skills transfer and help me succeed in both majors. I like working on the Red&Black staff because everyone is so invested in the success of the paper and they make every day interesting. I am attending law school after graduation and am spending most of my free time being anxious about getting my admissions decisions.
Courtesy Hannah Kail
Major: English and Business Administration Position for the Red&Black: Managing Editor, Business Manager Favorite Campus Food: the flavored water Future Plans: attending law school with a focus on corporate law
CAMPUS NEWS 4
8 february 2019
Red & Black
Senior Spotlight: Mullen Socha Samantha Fields Red & Black Contributor
Mullen Socha ’19 attended Saint Ignatius High School before attending Washington & Jefferson College to major in accounting and minor in financial economics. He is not a part of Greek life but is currently a senior captain on the W&J baseball team. Socha came to W&J because he wanted to continue his baseball career and was also drawn to the academic reputation. He believed that he could excel at being a student athlete and he said, “W&J provided me with the ability to continue to play the game I love while also receiving the highest level of education.” Upon graduation Socha will be working as a private company auditor at Cohen & Company accounting firm located in Cleveland, Ohio. During Socha’s time at W&J, he said his favorite class was Avian Ecology with Dr. Contreras. “The class was really fun and interesting and I like being able to recognize birds when I’m walking around campus with my friends now,” said Socha. In the class, Socha went to parks and walked around with his binoculars searching for different birds by recognizing their calls, songs and their appearance. The other classes Socha has taken while at W&J were more tailored to his accounting major and financial economics minor. Socha thinks the most challenging part about W&J is the task of balanc-
ing his school work and baseball. He believes this is because the classes are challenging, and his baseball schedule requires a lot of his time, especially during the spring season. One of Socha’s most memorable moments occurred in his sophomore year when the baseball team won the Regional on their home field and then went on to play in the College World Series in Appleton, WI. “I’ll never forget going to Wisconsin with my team and playing in the national championship game,” said Socha. Socha is very excited for this upcoming baseball season and hopes to make it back to the College World Series.
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Publication Manager Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Courtesy Samantha Fields
Socha accepted a job offer from the Cohen & Company accounting firm.
Kayla Marasia Hannah Kail Holly Sauer Brie Sutherland Brianna Floryshak Brie Sutherland Christian Buckley Sydney Kightlinger Marcy Saldivar Hannah Kail Joe Reedy John Santa
life
8 February 2019
Red & Black
Life 5
What Does It Mean To Be A Good Writer ? Jordon Templeton-Harris Red & Black Contributor
Most people have a book or even countless books that have impacted their lives in profound ways. Each book a person encounters in their life is a product of time, imagination and desire. The creation and greatness of each book can be attributed to its unique author. Although their writing abilities may seem as if they were from a natural gift and ability, authors walk among us, no different than the person one may see on the other side of the road. One may wonder what enables these types of authors to create seemingly unattainable art forms. Dr. Stuart Miller, a member of the Sociology department at Washington & Jefferson College discussed this topic, saying, “It takes almost one hundred attempts, give or take, by an author to successfully complete and publish a written novel or short story.” The hidden code in Dr. Miller’s statement is that for a writer to become successful, that person must find a way to be persistent and patient during the process of putting a fiction or non-fic-
Courtesy Pexels
One of the best ways to improve writing ability is to continuously practice.
tion piece together. To gather another opinion regarding the endeavors of being a good writer, Dwight Nelson ‘19, a psychology and art double major at W&J, was asked to share his opinion on this topic. “A good writer must read a considerable amount,” said Nelson. For aspiring or even current writers to maintain a good reputation with respects to story structure and gram-
matical proficiency, one must extend their eyes beyond their own world of ideas and proceed to gather information from various well-known novels that vary in author, publishing year and even genre. Isaac Newton’s statement, “If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants,” applies this idea. Great writing does not necessar-
ily need to be learned by paying large sums of money to attend an institution. Aspiring writers should attempt to read as much as possible and then apply this knowledge to their writing. Now it is a duty, as a relatively knowledgeable human, to share this information with those who will benefit from it most.
Life 6
Red & Black
8 February 2019
Does an Organic Diet Actually Affect Your Body? Hailey Nudelman Red & Black Contributer
When walking into a fresh produce section at a grocery store, it is not uncommon to see the produce split almost completely in half. On one side are vegetables and fruits, and on the other side are what seem to be the same exact vegetables and fruits. To the naked eye, each side looks almost identical, the only difference being higher price on one side. Unfortunately, while many expensive fruits and vegetables are pricier due to their healthier qualities, this is not necessarily true. According to the National Organic Program (NOP), to be labeled as organic, a crop must be grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms or ionizing radiation. Given these qualifications, one would automatically assume that an organic diet is better for the body. Produced without all of the toxins that conventional agriculture producers use to fight off unwanted substances, organic farming must be healthier. What many people do not know is that organic farmers have actually been approved to use 25 different synthetic pesticides, and many other natural pesticides. According to Roseboro, these include alcohols, copper sulfate and hydrogen peroxide. However, when the farm policy director at the Organic Trade Association was asked about potential harm
Courtesy Pexels
Despite many misconceptions, organic foods are still farmed and harvested with different types of pesticides.
from ‘organic’ produce, they said, “When you look at the substances themselves, and not at the use rates, organic represents the least toxic set of substances.” Yet, organic products still have toxic substances linked to them. Many people are unaware that in order for a product to earn the seal of organic, the product must be produced with at least 95 percent of organic material. Interestingly, that leaves five percent of toxic, conventional farming methods to come in contact with the produce. Five percent may seem to be a relatively small number, but when
looking at the list of substances used in organic farming, that number becomes more significant. According to a report by the National Academy of Sciences, even low level pesticides, like those found in organic produce, can be toxic. However, it is important to note that both the pesticides used in organic produce as well as in conventional produce will not create a strain on a healthy human body. The regulations from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for any form of produce production strictly prohibit the overuse of
these toxins. However, because pesticides are limited in organic products, some research says that the food could hold a higher nutritional value. In the absence of pesticides and fertilizers, plants may boost their production of vitamins and chemicals to protect themselves. Researchers have not completed this research with a large enough sample size to state a clear causal relationship. Similar to all other organic research in regards to health benefits, no research can conclusively say that organic food has either a positive or negative effect on our bodies.
8 February 2019
Red & Black
7 Life
JayTerm 2019 Travel Courses
Courtesy wjcollege flickr
During a gender & women’s studies trip to Paris and Amsterdam, students explored how art and the media portray women’s bodies.
Courtesy wjcollege flickr
Dr. Kilgore’s sociology class about how U. S. border policy affects marginalized peoples took students to Arizona on an intensive trip to explore the Sonoran border.
Courtesy wjcollege flickr
Students studying the language and culture of Italy visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Courtesy wjcollege flickr
Some students traveled to Prague to study how Czech nationalism has affected the country’s music and culture.
8 Culture
culture Red & Black
8 February 2019
‘Sex Education’ Realistically Battles Taboos Christian Buckley Red & Black Editor
Netflix’s new show, “Sex Education,” touches on taboo subjects associated with sex, sexuality and gender. The show revolves around the experiences of the main character Otis, an awkward and quirky 16-year-old who
lives with his mother, a sex therapist. Due to the nature of his upbringing, Otis has reluctantly learned a lot about sex, especially from listening to his mother’s encounters with her patients. Otis’s extensive knowledge of sex leads him and his friend, Maeve, to open an underground sex therapy practice at school. His ability to answer questions posed by inexperienced high school students enables viewers to connect
with characters in a unique and intimate way. The show offers an excellent ensemble cast that perfectly depicts high schoolers and the struggles that they face. In fact, at times, “Sex Education” will most likely surprise you with the scenarios in which the characters are placed. For example, the show explores the experiences of a sexually active female, Maeve. Particularly, it excellently portrays the stigma associated with a girl
Courtesy Den of Geek
“Sex Education” offers a hilarious, yet realistic take on the high school experience.
who wishes to be sexually active in high school and how this stigma affects her social status. In other words, the show expresses how a woman’s own choice to be sexually active affects the way in which people view and treat her; more importantly, the show expresses why it is wrong to judge a woman merely by counting the number of people with whom she has slept. “Sex Education” breaks the boundaries associated with sex in a daring and humorous way. The show bravely positions the viewers closely to the characters and their issues regarding sex, which helps viewers relate to them on a more personal level. With a more personal relationship to characters and their sexual experiences comes a realization that these experiences are actually quite commonplace. Thus, “Sex Education” normalizes taboo subjects and may even help viewers begin to talk about their own experiences more openly and honestly with others. Therefore, this show is a mustwatch show for everyone, especially those that view these subjects negatively. Once sex, sexuality and gender are normalized, younger generations will begin to have healthier conversations that contribute to a more wholesome and inclusive high school experience.
8 February 2019
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9 Culture
HOLLY’S HOT TAKE:
artist of the week
Lee Krasner’s Intensely Dark ‘Umber Paintings’ Holly Sauer Red & Black Editor
Lee Krasner was one of the few women who infiltrated the New York School in the 1940s and 50s. Unfortunately, her career usually took a backseat to that of her husband Jackson Pollock, the more famous Abstract Expressionist painter. Although her marriage gave her inside access to aspects of the art world that would have otherwise been unavailable to her, she was a fiercely independent painter who was even more interested in the avant-garde scene than Pollock. Krasner was a stunning artist in her own right, and she created collages and canvases that rival even the best of her Abstract Expressionist colleagues. However, once she married Pollock, Krasner devoted herself to becoming the caretaker, promoter and artistic champion for her notoriously self-destructive husband. Krasner’s “Umber Paintings” were created between 1959 and 1962, following Pollock’s death in a car accident in 1956. She was the heir and sole executor of his estate and had to manage his legacy and works. This made it even harder for her to emerge from Pollock’s impressive shadow. These “Umber Paintings” are all-over abstractions that are neutral in tone. They are called “umber” because of their restricted palette browns, creams and whites.
The pieces are covered in tight circles and slashes and the forms look as if they are about to implode or explode. These paintings mark a crucial, pivot point in her life, serving as a stark contrast to the bright emeralds and fuchsias characteristic of her paintings before Pollock’s death. Krasner created eight pieces in this series, and her choice of these somber earth tones was also a pragmatic choice. Krasner suffered from chronic insomnia during this time, and in a letter to her friend Richard Howard, she wrote, “I got tired of fighting insomnia and tried to paint instead. And I realized that if I was going to work at night, I would have to knock color out all together, because I couldn’t deal with color except in daylight.” These eight paintings are also important to
the Abstract Expressionism movement because they show such psychological intensity through their large emotive size and intensely fierce movements. Krasner finally purged all remnants of Cubist influences and found her true self and voice. This series is sometimes referred to as “Night Journeys,” and many of the titles leave viewers with a sense of ominous sexual reckoning, such as “Fecundity” and “Seeded,” or even ferocity, as shown by “Uncaged.” Her works became more expressionist, as she more commonly employed splatters, drips and loose brushwork. People criticized this new work as being too influenced by Pollock, famous for his splatter-paintings. In 1973, Krasner responded to this backlash in an interview with Artforum when she said, “It’s too bad that women’s
liberation didn’t occur 30 years earlier in my life. I couldn’t run out and do a one-woman job on the sexist aspects of the art world, continue my painting and stay in the role I was in as Mrs. Pollock.” Even though she was a stunning, skillful artist who created important Abstract Expressionism pieces, Krasner was not immune to the patriarchal society around her. Her “Umber Paintings” were criticized as relying too much on Pollock’s influences, and in that day’s climate, Krasner still had to fit the mold of a traditional wife. She had to be Mrs. Pollock, even though a great many would argue that she deserves to be remembered as an artist in her own right--no mention of Pollock required.
Courtesy Artsy
Abstract Expressionist Lee Krasner created these dark “Umber Paintings” without using much light.
10 Culture
Red & Black
8 February 2019
‘You’: A Romantic Comedy or Modern-Day Thriller? Lexey Finney Red & Black Contributor
Most people are familiar with the debate over the legitimacy of love at first sight. Joe Goldberg, protagonist of the Netflix series “You,” is a firm believer of this immediate connection. The plot of the show begins with Goldberg, a bookstore manager, immediately becoming infatuated with an aspiring writer, Guinevere Beck. It is evident after viewing a couple min-
utes of the first episode that Goldberg is going to become obsessed with Beck. Goldberg is not only the main character of the show, but also the narrator. The use of Goldberg’s narration throughout the show allows the audience to hear his thinking, like an aside in a play. The show demonstrates Joe’s ability to outwit everyone around him. At times, Goldberg’s narration creates a cruel, repulsive sense of humor that makes the show intriguing to watch. The use of humor throughout the show downplays Goldberg’s obsession with Beck. The show also brings awareness to how easily a person can
access information; for example, within minutes, Goldberg found Beck’s apartment through a property search on the internet. In general, something important to take away from the show is the necessity of protected privacy. The show warns people, especially women, to be careful of overly persistent and kind people. Joe Goldberg may be viewed as both the hero and the villain of “You.” Many viewers have mixed emotions concerning Goldberg and his obsession with Beck. When Goldberg views someone in Beck’s life as a threat to their relationship, he physically removes them. Many people feel that
this makes Joe a villain, as his drive to “take care” of Beck leads him to do many horrible things. However, some audience members may find it easy to overlook Goldberg’s actions, wanting him to win over the girl that he loves. They believe Goldberg is a hero for doing everything in his power to have Beck love him. The television series is based on the novel of the same name. Caroline Kepnes, the author, found that the theme of the story – the blurred distinction between love and obsession – to be a topic that is integral to a proper understanding of safety in the 21st century.
Courtesy Refinery29
“You” is currently available to watch on Netflix. Because of the show’s success, another season of “You” is expected to be released sometime in the next year. However, the exact release date is unknown.
8 February 2019
Red & Black
Culture 11
Art May Diagnose Artists’ Health Issues Holly Sauer Red & Black Editor
Art historians and doctors have more in common than one would think. Both fields require close observation and guesswork. According to Artsy, more and more medical schools around the United States are incorporating art classes into their curriculums, and there is research to prove that looking at artwork can actually help doctors improve their observation skills. In the medical field, there is also a large subculture of people interested in diagnosing dead artists and how these diagnoses affected their work. One particular example doctors have
shown interest in is the question of Michelangelo’s aging hands. While in his late seventies, Michelangelo lamented to his nephew that his hands, the most important tools in his fabulous and monumental sculpting career, were causing him intense pain. Writing was enough of a struggle, and holding a hammer and chisel must have been unbearable. However, doctors have disagreed on the precise joint ailment the Italian Renaissance artist suffered from. Despite the fact that authorities at the Church of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo’s body is buried, forbade the exhumation of his remains, five medical researchers got creative, and proposed to rely on the disfigured hands in two portraits of the artist. They eventually diagnosed joints with osteoarthritis caused by pro-
longed abuse. A lifetime of carving into stones distorted his fingers and made them ache. It is no secret that Michelangelo, along with Leonardo da Vinci and many other artists, saw the world differently. Due to this idea, some ophthalmologists have recently been studying famous artists’ eyes to see if there is something biologically different about them. According to a 2018 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, many scientists have argued that da Vinci had strabismus, a vision disorder where the eyes are misaligned. This results in the loss of depth perception, and could explain the artist’s mastered skills. According to the same study, viewing the world with only one eye would allow the comparison with the flat image when drawn or painted. The
doctors reference da Vinci’s recently discovered “Salvator Mundi” and “The Vitruvian Man” as proof that he created all his works reproduced in his own likeness to some degree. One of the study’s authors measured the angular divergence of the pupils and then averaged them, resulting in the mean angle for the misaligned eye being consistent with strabismus. There are many other examples of current medical professionals attempting to diagnose dead artists with diseases. Many use medical records, the artist’s physical remains and most commonly, the artist’s collection of works. However, it is common to present interesting speculation as reputable fact, and this is a mistake. Using art to diagnose is interesting, but should never be taken as unquestionable truth.
Courtesy Wikimedia
Courtesy Wikimedia
Michelangelo’s portraits allow contemporary doctors to give their best guess as to the source of the artist’s pain.
Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” may show the artist’s strabismus, a condition wherein the eyes are misaligned.
12 Culture
Red & Black
8 february 2019
Courtesy Wikimedia
Although Goya’s Black Paintings are known to be very disturbing to view, they have their own important place in art history.
Goya’s Disturbing and Violent Black Paintings Maggie Smith Red & Black Contributor
When many people think of art, they do not think of dark and disturbing images like the bleak visions of violence Francisco de Goya created. Many of these are called The Black Paintings, and the name certainly fits. In one of them, Saturn consumes the bloody, headless carcass of his own son, and another one portrays a small dog pleading for rescue as it is submerged neck-deep in a brown substance. Viewers can only see the face of the dog at the bottom of the image, and it is incrediblly sad because there are only two shades of brown around it. This does not have the traditionally gory aspects that Goya displays in other images, but there is still something deeply disturbing and upsetting for viewers. Despite its darker tones, it is a piece that is incredibly captivating. Many of these Black Paintings were painted directly onto the walls of the farmhouse that Goya bought just outside of Madrid in 1819. He was 73 at the time, and he had recently angered
the Spanish court. He had also been severely deaf for decades, and it was during this time that he created these horrifying and disturbing images. However, they should not be dismissed as only frightening images. Goya created these paintings on the walls in hallways and staircases in his home. Almost half a century after his death in 1828, Baron Frederic Emile d’Erlanger ripped out the images when he bought the home. Luckily, he had the images restored and moved onto canvas even though they were severely damaged. After they were shown at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1878, British critic P.G. Hamerton called Goya a “hyena,” and his images “a hideous inferno,” a “disgusting region” and “shapeless as chaos.” This is a stark difference as to how the painter is seen today. In Madrid’s Prado Museum, Goya’s images are among the most precious and important images. These paintings are surprising, if not traditionally beautiful. Many people have performed psychological readings of Goya’s pieces, and many focus on the life-threatening illness that Goya suffered short-
ly before creating these works. Some believe he suffered from lead poisoning from the paint he used, and others think that these dark images came from Goya’s darkened world view due to the famine, poverty and cruelty he witnessed in Spain’s war with Napoleon. Although these paintings include
the grotesque to illustrate the mournful aspects of his pieces, the horrifying images are surprising and illustrative of the harsh reality of life. These paintings are valuable because they offer insight into the human psyche, even if they are sometimes challenging to view.
Courtesy Wikimedia
Goya’s “The Drowning Dog” is one of his Black Paintings.
8 February 2019
Red & Black
Poetry Corner “School is Hard” Maggie Smith Red & Black Contributor
If you are having a bad day, just know that there are only 113 days until summer begins. HAHA, I’m just kidding. That is a lot. Get back to work, kids.
Culture 13
14 Opinions
8 February 2019
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opinions Mental Health Awareness Makes Us Resilient Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Contributor
The resilience of college students has recently come into question with more students than ever seeking help and turning to faculty or counseling services in times of need. As the millenial generation, our elders often suggest that we are weak, overly sensitive or too emotional to deal with the trials of everyday life, and we are told to toughen up because this is the “real world.” Yet at the same time, our society is experiencing a shift in recognizing mental health as a serious issue. Many celebrities and other people of influence have been shining a light on their own mental health journeys in order to normalize the issue. Other
platforms have also been stressing the importance of taking care of ourselves emotionallythe same ways as we would physically. Mental health is just as real as physical health, and it is finally be-
“We are expected to be perfect: to go to further schooling, get a job, [and] have a social life.” He added, “Seeing a counselor shows a student using their available resources, resources that may
Our society is experiencing a shift in recognizing mental health as a serious issue. ginning to be treated as such. While it may be true that more students are utilizing counseling services on their campuses than when our parents went to college, there has also been an increase in the number and availability of counseling services offered. How can we say our parents would not have utilized the same resources had they been available to them? “Seeking help doesn’t mean you aren’t resilient,” said Brendan Troesch ’21.
have not been available when our parents went to school.” The pressure college students face is continuously growing. Due to the competitive job market, simply obtaining a college degree is no longer enough. We as students feel the need to stand out, whether it is to potential employers or in continuing our education, and we see our highly intelligent peers struggle to reach their goals even
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.
though they seem to do everything right. “I believe that this idea that students are not resilient just because they seek mental health help is wrong and not due to the fact that students are weak,” said Dylan Bertovich ‘21. “It is due to the fact that now more than ever, students face the pressure not only of tough classes, but work, sports, clubs and a myriad of other things including applications and outside issues.” Indeed, a busy schedule and too much pressure from different sources can contribute to poor mental health if one is not proactive. “If you combine all of those things with the general cost of college and the influence of social media, I am surprised that more people don’t go to counseling,” concluded Bertovich. Ultimately, it seems unfair and inaccurate to characterize our generation as having a lack of resilience. The world is changing, and we should feel compelled, not criticized, to utilize the resources available to us.
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
8 February 2019
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15 Opinions
FAFSA: Same Criteria Does Not Mean Equality Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Contributor
As a college student, we all worry or at least think about how we are going to pay for our education. For many, this means that every year we file the FAFSA, resulting in the Federal Student Aid Office reviewing almost 20 million financial aid applications each year. But how exactly do they decide who gets how much aid? This boils down to an objective and formulaic approach that begins with eligibility, requiring all recipients to be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens with a Social Security number, have a high school diploma or GED certificate and be enrolled or accepted as a student in an eligible degree or certificate program. Additionally, you must maintain satisfactory academic process to continue to be eligible. While most applicants meet these requirements, it is financial aid that determines how much each student is rewarded. FAFSA is fair in its evaluation in that it evaluates all students by the same criteria, requiring everyone to enter a number of things including age, gender, family income, parent’s education history and personal income. This information is plugged into one universal formula to provide the fairest result possible for every student. While the FAFSA system is not perfect, it provides much-needed aid for students who would not be able to afford college otherwise. But by solely
Courtesy finance.yahoo.com
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is avaliable for any U. S. citizen with a high school diploma or equivalent, but some feel that the process is not truly fair since many applicants have to use their parents’ financial information even if parents are not contributing to paying the bill.
relying on family income, the FAFSA process often overlooks students, particularly ones with well-off parents who are left to pay for college on their own. When discussing her views about the process, Gabrielle Feldman ’21 said, “There’s a big divide in the student body between students who get their parents’ support 100 percent throughout college and then another group of students who are on their own and are trying to make ends meet for themselves.” Unfortunately, with a government program like FAFSA, it is
impossible to satisfy everyone’s wants and needs, which brings up another important point: Is any amount of aid from FAFSA enough? Another student, Dylan Bertovich ’21, agrees that many students may still slip through the cracks during the financial aid process. “Most students have an issue in that FAFSA and parents cannot cover the increasing cost of tuition at W&J and that leads to the main reason for filing the FAFSA, applying for outside loans to cover the ever-growing gap the government and families can’t cover.” Ultimately,
it seems it is not really the fairness or criteria for the FAFSA that is the issue, but rather the astronomical cost of college tuition across the country that leaves many students and parents alike frustrated with the system. Even so, FAFSA is a crucial system that, at the very least, alleviates some of the financial burden on millions of students paying for their education, some who otherwise would not have the opportunity to go to college and gain the benefits of earning a degree. However, it is safe to say that the FASFA serves a good purpose.
16 opinions
Red & Black
8 February 2019
W&J Needs A Standardized Attendance Policy
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Attendance policies differ from professor to professor, which makes some classes more or less rigorous. By standardizing the policy, there would be more consistency in academic performance.
Jordon Templeton-Harris Red & Black Contributor
A common college student scenario is the struggle to get out of bed on a Monday morning, ending with the eventual coming to terms with attending class because points will be deducted if they do not go. At Washington & Jefferson College, the current attendance policy states that “students are expected to attend all scheduled meetings, lectures, discussions, diagnostic exercises and laboratory periods that constitute the course in which they are enrolled. Absences which, in the opinion of the professor, are damaging to a student’s
academic work will be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs. Continued absence may result in the dismissal of a student from the course and a failing grade.” Considering this policy, deciding whether or not courses should have a standardized attendance policy, with exceptions for excused medical/family emergency absences, is still a heated debate. Two people, one attending W&J and one not, were asked to give their opinion regarding this matter. The two individuals were chosen specifically because of their dramatically different lifestyles. Angelica Gutter ‘19 is pursuing a BA in psychology at W&J and is hoping to specialize in child development. “I can see a participation grade being a good way to enforce some form of an attendance policy, but forcing stu-
dents to come by threatening to deduct points is not effective, personally,” said Gutter concerning the attendance policy. Some instructors deduct points from students who miss an excessive number of class meetings, thereby tarnishing their final grades. Gutter believes college is a place where responsibility must be learned through trial and error. Also, by human nature, humans do not like feeling forced to do anything. By maintaining attendance through negative reinforcement, the attitude and performance of each student is bound to end up at either side of both spectrums. Monique Poe is a middle-aged mother of two who currently works as a licensed therapist. Poe supports the attendance policy, as she believes it may affect things on a larger scale.
“While excluding participation grades or in-class assignments, if a student does not regularly attend class, that student is putting the school’s reputation at risk by possibly increasing the dropout rate and lowering the school’s rating or ranking, assuming this lack of attendance does affect their performance,” said Poe. Essentially, the school makes an investment in each student that attends W&J. Every member of its faculty is tied to the school’s reputation for years to come, both statistically and sometimes morally. Given that the students do pay to attend the institution in question, it would be in both the faculty’s and students’ favor to have a standardized attendance policy. Once the student is physically in the classroom, it is their responsibility to gather the supplied resources in order to succeed in the classroom.
sports
8 February 2019
Red & Black
Sports 17
Men’s Club Volleyball Prepares for National Tournament Jordon Templeton-Harris Red & Black Contributor
The underdogs. The unheard-of. The group of educated misfits. The dream team. These titles do not belong to any fictional group, living only in the mind of a person with a vivid imagination. These titles belong to Washington & Jefferson College men’s club volleyball team. With a current record of 2-2-0, this group of athletes has the potential to be just as successful as any other sports team at W&J. The team at hand consists of Chris Fiorina ‘19, Steven Li ‘22, Ty Bedillion ‘21, Jacob Swartz ‘21, Clark Miller ‘22, Jordon Templeton Harris ‘20, Paul Diaz ‘22, Tony Columbus ‘21 and Zach Pellis ’19. Although more than 50 percent of the team had never played volleyball until three weeks ago, their performance as a team has been commendable. With a few mistakes here and there, individuals learn from those mistakes and grow as one, leading to a better performance every week. The team captain Fiorina ‘19 helps to hold the team together, given that
Courtesy Julia Bernesser
Although half of the team is new to volleyball, the W&J men’s club volleyball team is eager to learn and better themselves individually and as a team.
he has the characteristics needed to be an effective leader: his enthusiasm, constructive criticism and the sense of hope he gives his teammates. During April 17-20, the team will be traveling to Denver, CO to compete in the 2019 National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Championship Tournament. Here the Presidents will match up against highly competitive teams who all share the same goal of being
crowned champion. Whether or not the tournament will be publicized is unknown at the moment, but those individuals who express interest in watching the tournament will be notified as soon as the team receives more information. Pellis, one of three middle blockers on the team, plays on the volleyball team partially because of its stress-relieving qualities. “I just enjoy playing. It’s absolutely fun, and is low in stress,
which is awesome,” said Pellis. On Feb. 16, the team will be traveling to Carnegie Mellon University to face the Scottie Dogs with intentions of securing a third victory. This will give them momentum for the rest of the season. CMU is one of the most experienced teams W&J will be playing all year, so stay tuned for the outcome of possibly the biggest game of the season.
18 Sports
8 February 2019
Red & Black
Patriots Win the Super Bowl
Courtesy USA Today
Courtesy Nicole Walters
Rams’ and Patriots’ fans watch the Super Bowl together.
Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
The Rams and the Patriots faced off in Super Bowl LIII this past week on Feb. 3. Both teams have led an impressive season that brought them to the big faceoff. The Patriots competed for the Super Bowl last year, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, but they were able to pull their team together for another
chance at the title, seizing it to tie the Pittsburgh Steelers for the same number of championship wins. The Rams dominated in the NFL, losing only three of their 16 conference games. These tough competitors were the Bears, the Saints and the Eagles. Going into their match against the Patriots, the Rams needed to watch their defensive secondary, as it was the weakest part of their team. This would allow wide receivers on the Patriots to easily receive long passes. In addition, the Ram corner backs needed to eliminate sloppiness from their game to stop the Patriots from dominating the field. The Patriots had
Tom Brady celebrates his sixth Super Bowl victory.
history and experience on their side as they competed in the playoffs every year since 2009. The Rams had youth and energy on their side, having the youngest head coach in history, Shaun McVay. McVay has an incredible memory; he can remember plays from last season when questioned. This memory allows him to analyze what the Rams have done and what they can do to be better, giving the team an extra edge. This bonus on the Rams side had to combat the coaching and player talents on the Patriots’ side. The coaching ability, as well as Tom Brady and Sony Mitchell’s athletic talents, have always
been hard to beat in the playoffs, so they presented a challenge for the Rams. Julien Edelman was also a dangerous player that the Rams needed to look out for, especially since they had been having issues with their defensive secondary. It is a popular opinion that the Rams deserved to win this game more so than the Patriots simply because the Patriots have won enough Super Bowls. However, as the game showed, the Rams were simply not enough for the title. Although having a troubling reputation among fans, Tom Brady has had the impressive record of winning six Super Bowls, the most in NFL history.
8 February 2019
19 sports
Red & Black
Swimming & Diving at Grove City Jordan Melko Red & Black Staff
On Feb. 2, the Washington & Jefferson College Swimming and Diving Team attended Grove City’s Pre-Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship Tune-Up. The meet was an invitational and served as an opportunity for athletes to prep for the PAC Championships. There was no team scoring, but individual results were recorded. As for the Presidents women’s team, senior diver Kaitlin Pawcio recorded two wins on the 1-meter and 3-meter dives, with scores of 248.90 and 254.70, respectively. Kaitlyn Ewing, a sophomore swimmer, placed third in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:47.77. Freshman Kimber Randolph placed in two of her races as well, earning fifth place in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:08.27 and sixth place in the 200 Individual Medley (IM) at 2:31.97. The men’s team began the meet with a second place win in the 400 medley relay with
a time of 3:47.67. The members of the relay team consisted of freshmen Dean Kralic and Colin Higinbotham as well as seniors Zach Lauer and Jeremy Glasner. Kralic also placed runner up in his solo race for the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:14.18. Lauer was awarded second place in his solo race as well at the time for 2:03.06 on the 200 backstroke as well as fourth place in the 200 IM for 2:14.40. Freshman Andrew Ivory placed second in the 200 breaststroke at 2:08.44. In the 200 IM, Glasner placed 3rd place with a time of 2:08.44. Higinbotham also had two fourth place finishes, one in the 100 freestyle and one in the 100 butterfly with times of 52.27 and 58.87, respectively. In addition to W&J and Grove City, Bethany College and Chatham University were also present at the meet. The divers will attend a Dive Invitational hosted by Westminster on Feb. 9. Following that, the entire team will travel back to Grove City for the PAC Championships on Feb. 13-16. We wish our Presidents luck in their final endeavors.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
This one time... “We had a scavenger hunt during pre-season and four people on the team were blindfolded, so the people who weren’t blindfolded had to lead them around. It was super chaotic, and one girl even ran into a telephone pole.”
- Hannah Johnston ‘19 Courtesy gopresidents.com
Members of the W&J swim team prepares for their next meet in the Henry Memorial Natatorium.
20 sports
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8 February 2019
Last Week’s Scores Jan. 30 Women’s Basketball at Westminster-80-68 Win Men’s Basketball at Westminster-70-67 Loss Men’s Wrestling vs. Penn State Fayette-42-7 Win
Feb. 2 Women’s Basketball vs. Thiel-73-64 Loss Men’s Basketball vs. Thiel-80-76 Win Wrestling at Baldwin Wallace Invitational-11th of 15 Women’s Track & Field at Denison’s Bob Shannon Invitational-13th of 14 Men’s Track & Field at Denison’s Bob Shannon Invitational-5th of 13
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Next Week’s Games Feb. 8 Men’s Track & Field at Baldwin Wallace Mid-February Meet (A)-4pm Women’s Track & Field at Baldwin Wallace Mid-February Meet (A)-4pm Wrestling PAC Championships (A)-5pm
Feb. 9 Women’s Basketball at Kenyon (A)-1pm Men’s Swimming & Diving at Westminster Dive Invitational (A)-1pm Women’s Swimming & Diving at Westminster Dive Invitational (A)-1pm
Feb. 13 Women’s Basketball at Bethany (A)-5:30pm Men’s Basketball at Bethany (A)-7:30pm
Courtesy gopresidents.com