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 M a rc h 1 , 2 0 1 9
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “Chicco Baccello, meaning ‘bean pod,’ offers breakfast and lunch items alongside their coffee and teas.” -P.7
Laura O’Malley Travels to Scotland PAGE 3
CULTURE
“The French military sent him to a camp in Alsace in 1945. An art enthusiast recognized him in the camp and commissioned Dix to create private portraits and an altarpiece.” -P.10
OPINIONS
“With that in mind, I believe it is imperative to contact the department chair in the case of a repeatedly absent professor.” -P.14
SPORTS
“However, the Presidents took 12th overall. Jared Walker ‘20, Michael Heinl ‘20 and Hunter Neely ‘20 all placed in the top three and clinched a spot in the NCAA championships.” -P.18
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy Laura O’Malley
2 CAMPUS NEWS
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1 march 2019
Senior Student Spotlight: Michael DeSabato Julie Halula Red & Black Contributor
Michael DeSabato ‘19 attended Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School and graduated in 2015 with honors. DeSabato was drawn to Washington & Jefferson College because he liked the campus and the atmosphere surrounding the men’s soccer team. DeSabato will soon be completing his chemistry major this spring and just finished his fourth varsity men’s soccer season this past fall. To keep busy, DeSabato enjoys playing sports. He pursued soccer at the collegiate level in order to be able to continue doing what he loved and also earn a good education. In addition to physical activity, he enjoys volunteering, which is what led him to be part of the Matthew Brown Fellowship. Through this fellowship, he has the pleasure of spending some of his time each week at the Presbyterian Senior Care home near W&J. Soccer is not over for DeSabato just yet. The men’s soccer team is gearing up for their spring season after spring break, and in the meantime, the team is playing futsal each week in the gym. In addition to his busy schedule, DeSabato became of member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity while attending W&J. When asked why he chose to be involved in Greek life, DeSabato said
that he was drawn in by “the bond that the brothers’ had with each other and that bond is what continues to keep me there.” DeSabato feels that his biggest challenge was just trying to find time to do everything that he wanted and needed to do because he had such a wide range of interests. As DeSabato spent more time at W&J, that challenge became easier for him to overcome. When asked what his most memorable moment from college has been, he said, “It is hard to narrow it down to just one moment. But I have to say that I will never forget the friends I have made being a part of the men’s soccer team, Greek life and the chemistry department.” DeSabato has particularly enjoyed his chemistry capstone course because the class studies a wide range of research articles that were gauged to the interests of each individual student. It gave him the opportunity to study and present on topics involving cosmetic chemistry, and this is the field he is planning to go into after graduation. When asked about being born and raised in Pittsburgh, he says he feels obligated to root for Pittsburgh teams. If he could pick a favorite team of the city, however, it would be the Penguins “because they do not disappoint as often as the Steelers and Buccos.” As a true “yinzer” would, DeSabato stays faithful to his teams, win or lose. Interesting facts about DeSabato are that he is passionate about musical theatre and his favorite band is Big Time Rush. After graduation, he plans on moving to Los Angeles to pursue cosmetic chemistry. DeSabato has thoroughly enjoyed the relationships and mem-
ories he has made his past four years here at W&J and will miss Washington, but he is also excited to move onto the next chapter of his life. Outside of professional goals, DeSabato wants to
be able to live a life of consistent enthusiasm and baseline happiness while keeping his expectations high and seeing where his determination takes him in the future.
Courtesy Julie Halula
DeSabato is a member of the men’s soccer team and Alpha Tau Omega.
1 march 2019
Red & Black
3 CAMPUS NEWS
Laura O’Malley Travels Abroad to Scotland Brianna McGowan Red & Black Staff
During the 2018 fall semester, Laura O’Malley studied abroad at The University of Aberdeen in Scotland. O’Malley is majoring in computing and information studies. While she was there, she stayed at Unite Students-Causeway View, which was very close to campus. She found out about this housing opportunity by learning from people that have studied abroad in Aberdeen in past semesters. While she was there, she took four courses including web application development, politics and international relations, microeconomics and a cross-disciplinary course. This cross-disciplinary course focused on technological advancement and its impact on Scottish history. O’Malley admits that even before attending college, studying abroad was always something she wanted to do. Traveling has always been an important part of her life, so she jumped at the opportunity when she found it could work with her degree. “I had family members and friends study abroad and say it is one of the most worthwhile things you can do while you’re in school,” said O’Malley. “I’m lucky enough to say that I’ve traveled in and out of the country from a young age since my parents love to travel.” O’Malley travelled to several countries in Europe and enjoyed her brief stays there, but she has never spent more than a week outside of the US.
O’Malley traveled to the University of Aberdeen with only one other W&J student However, she was able to make friends with other foreign exchange students from many different countries because everyone studying abroad was in a similar situation. O’Malley recalls that her experience abroad matured her and improved her confidence in approaching unfamiliar tasks. She said, “This past semester
there were a lot of firsts for me, ranging from planning international trips with students I had just met, to interviewing and photographing strangers as part of a project. Doing these sorts of things was scary at first, especially being the only one I knew in the country.” O’Malley is grateful that she pushed herself out of her comfort zone because it made her realize how much she was capable of accomplishing. When asked
if she had any pieces of advice for people studying abroad in the future, O’Malley claims that they should not let fear hold them back. “There are some things about studying abroad that can be scary, but in the long run, you should know the experiences you will have are worth it,” O’Malley said to advise her peers. In the future, O’Malley says she will definitely going to be traveling again soon.
Courtesy Laura O’Malley
O’Malley spent the 2018 fall semester studying abroad in Scotland at the University of Aberdeen.
4 CAMPUS NEWS
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1 March 2019
CPS’s Weekly Security Logs DATE: 02/18/19 INCIDENT #: 2552 LOCATION: 211 E. Chestnut St. CLASSIFICATION: Furnishing Alcohol to Minors / Underage Drinking
DATE: 02/23/19 INCIDENT #: 2562 LOCATION: 125 E. Chestnut St. CLASSIFICATION: Underage Drinking
Officers report that loud music and yelling could be heard on E. Chestnut St. coming from 211. When police identified the room where the noise was coming from, they allegedly made contact with the occupants. Nine students were said to be found in a room. Inside the room, several alcoholic beverages were observed, according to CPS, and eight of the students were under the age of 21 and admitted to consuming alcohol in the room. CPS claims that all individuals are going to be referred to the College Disciplinary Officer for sanctions and / or criminally charged.
Security reports that a student was found to be holding a bottle of liquor and that the student was found to be under the age of 21. This case will be referred to the College Disciplinary Officer for sanctions and / or criminally charged.
DATE: 02/18/19 INCIDENT #: 2553 LOCATION: 312 E. Chestnut St. CLASSIFICATION: Receiving Stolen Property While making rounds through 312 E. Chestnut St., security allegedly found a “stop” sign on the third floor, and the sign had a property sticker from Penn Dot. Investigation continues. DATE: 02/22/19 INCIDENT #: 2559 LOCATION: Theme House parking lot CLASSIFICATION: Receiving Stolen Property CPS says that officers observed a stolen parking pass displayed in the rear window of a vehicle parked at the above location. Upon finding the owner of the vehicle (non-student), CPS determined that their friend (student) found the parking permit and placed it in their car so that they could park in the lot. The vehicle owner was cited for parking on private property. Officers say the W&J student will be referred to the College Disciplinary Officer for sanctions or will be criminally charged. The permit was reported stolen to police on 02/19/19. DATE: 02/22/19 INCIDENT #: 2561 LOCATION: 312 E. Chestnut St. CLASSIFICATION: Act 64 / Underage Drinking / Prohibited Offensive Weapons Police said officers detected a strong odor of marijuana while at the above location. Upon determining the room where it was coming from, officers allegedly made contact. A room search was conducted and CPS says that alcohol, marijuana, related paraphernalia and a stun gun were seized. This case is still under investigation.
DATE: 02/23/19 INCIDENT #: 2563 LOCATION: 127 E. Chestnut St. CLASSIFICATION: Act 64 Police report that they observed two students smoking marijuana at the above location. The marijuana and related paraphernalia were allegedly seized by officers. This case will be referred to the College Disciplinary Officer for sanctions and the students may be criminally charged.
DATE: 02/23/19 INCIDENT #: 2564 LOCATION: New Residence Hall CLASSIFICATION: Act 64 CPS were said to have detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from one of the floors in New Res Hall. The room was identified and police report that contact was made with the occupants. Seven students were allegedly identified, and the marijuana and related paraphernalia were seized. This incident is pending further investigation and charges.
DATE: 02/23/19 INCIDENT #: 2565 LOCATION: Upperclass CLASSIFICATION: Underage Drinking While police were in Upperclass Hall, they report hearing loud noises in one of the rooms. While in the hallway, a student approached the officers while holding a beer. Officers say the student was found to be under the age of 21. The student was heading to the room where the disturbance was heard. Upon making contact with the occupants of the room, police found that four other underage students were found to be in possession of alcohol. This case will be referred to the College’s Disciplinary Officer for sanctions and / or criminally charged.
1 march 2019
CAMPUS NEWS 5
Red & Black
Speak Out:
What are you most excited about for Spring Break? “I’m excited to go to Vermont to ski with my friend Jared.” -Anthony Columbus ’21 Courtesy Anthony Columbus
“Soaking up some sun and the last bit of fun with my best friends before we graduate!” -Hannah Dailey ’19 Courtesy Brianna Floryshak
“I’m excited to travel with my best friend and make memories.” -Marcos Juliano ’21 Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Red & Black Editor-in-Chief Publication Manager Managing Editor Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Kayla Marasia Holly Sauer Hannah Kail Brie Sutherland Brianna Floryshak Brie Sutherland Christian Buckley Sydney Kightlinger Marcy Saldivar Hannah Kail Joe Reedy John Santa
life
Life 6
Red & Black
1 MArch 2019
How to Stay Awake After Pulling an All-Nighter Brie Sutherland Red & Black Editor
At some point in their college career, students are faced with the decision between a full night of sleep or dealing with a workload that has caught up to them. Pulling an all-nighter, although it wreaks havoc on the body, is an exchange of sleep for the chance at a better grade. If a student must pull an all-nighter, there are some helpful tips to keep their mind and body awake the following day. When starting the day off tired and sluggish, one of the best things to do is to hydrate. Being dehydrated heightens fatigue, so drinking water gives the body a fighting chance at feeling somewhat alive. The next step a student should follow is watching what they are putting into their body. Reaching for comfort foods with heavy carbs or high sugars is something that should be avoided. Though
the food is comforting, the effects are short-lived, and a crash will occur shortly after consumption. Sugars will spike a student’s energy, and then the fatigue will set in harder after the sugar is gone. As for the carbs, digesting heavy carb-loaded food can cause additional drowsiness to the already exhausted mind. It is better to eat foods with high protein like eggs and peanut butter to boost energy and avoid a crash afterward. Another way to fight off tiredness is to drink coffee; however, only drinking coffee or even just a large quantity of it can be potentially dangerous. The coffee can turn student’s tiredness into a headache or gives them shakes from the caffeine. If a student is still tired, another option is to turn on the air conditioning, if possible. Warmth can create a sense of sleepiness, so a blast of cold will boost energy levels. Being cold causes the body to wake up enough to stay warm, which may even help the student keep their eyes open for a little longer. If this does not help the student, there are a few other techniques to wake up the body. Going for a walk, run or any kind of exercise-
Courtesy Pexels
Staying up all night can make students feel sluggish and fatigued.
can get blood flowing and help them to stay awake. Overdoing it, however, can cause exhaustion to set in faster. Gettingsome natural sunlight can also signal the body to wake up. If all else fails, a student must do what is best for the body and sleep. Taking a quick power nap between classes and hitting the hay early that night is the best option because sleep is crucial to normal functioning. How-
ever, it is important to limit any naps to 20 to 30 minutes because sleeping longer can cause increased drowsiness and headaches. An important reason to avoid pulling an all-nighter is that sleep deprivation puts students at a higher risk of catching an illness. In general, for college students, it is always advised to prioritize sleep and utilize time management skills to avoid pulling all-nighters.
1 MArch 2019
7 Life
Red & Black
Four Great Coffee Shops Near Campus Brie Sutherland Red & Black Editor
For college students, a coffee run may be seen just as a necessity or just a nice off-campus break. Either way, Washington & Jefferson College is surrounded by multiple coffee shops that are a close walk or drive from campus. Depending on a student’s taste, there are two routes to choose from. The first type is the family-run cafe, with two popular cafes just a block or two from campus. The other coffee style available is offered from wellknown coffee chains. Based on the style of coffee and the budget of the student, Washington provides options for almost any preference. If students like a more individual cozy atmosphere, Chicco Baccello is a great option. Chicco Baccello, meaning “bean pod,” offers breakfast and lunch items alongside their coffee and teas. They even have a seating area if students want to chat with friends or simply sip and study. Chicco Baccello’s is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the week. This is not the only small cafe in the area. A new artisan cafe called The Table is located on Chestnut St. The Table is a small cafe that prides itself on their finely crafted coffee and pastries. They also handmake their flavor syrups for their coffee. Aaron Kendrick ‘20, when asked about going to The Table said, “I take my girlfriend there for the superb quality of coffee, the inviting and cozy
Courtesy Pexels
Coffee shops are prime locations for college students to refuel with a healthy dose of caffeine, and W&J students have plenty of options within the local community.
aesthetic and to enjoy the friendly staff.” As an added perk, they also offer a W&J discount to any student who presents their student ID when paying for their order. The Table is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the week. They also welcome students during finals week, keeping hours late to accommodate studying needs. If a student wants a quick coffee break from a more traditional source, they can visit one of the chains just down the road from campus. Starbucks and Dunkin’ are both well-known coffee chains in Washington. Starbucks offers a wide range of drinks. With their options ranging from its wide array of coffees, teas and
refreshers, almost anyone can find a drink that suites their taste. Maddie Walbrown ’19 appreciates the proximity of Starbucks saying, “The pink drink is my go-to when I go to Starbucks with my friend Haley.” However, Starbucks is a more expensive option compared to the other cafes and chain shops. One difference, which may attract busier students is the drive-through option at Starbucks. In addition, the hours are more accommodating, being open from 5:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. every day. If a student still wants that coffee fix with all the same benefits of Starbucks but is on a budget, Dunkin’ Donuts is a great option. Dunkin’ Donuts has a low-
er priced coffee selection that can be more reasonable for college students. The establishments are even open an extra hour longer, from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day. Determining the right place to have coffee comes down to personal preferences. Students like Kristen Fuertes ‘20 “[prefer] Dunkin because it is the cheaper option and students get more for their money.” They believe that quality caffeine does not have to come with a huge price tag. With so many places near campus, there are plenty of opportunities to try something new or to just stick to the favorites.
8 Culture
Red & Black
culture
1 March 2019
Florence + the Machine’s ‘High as Hope’ Leah Segal Red & Black Staff
This past summer, English indie rock artist Florence Welch alongside her band Florence + the Machine released their fourth studio album, “High as Hope.” An ode to her past lives and loves, this album is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. “High as Hope” explores Welch’s growth and transcendence, coming to terms with her past mistakes, substance abuse and relationships, romantic and familial. The album serves as the most recent publication of her talent, which were preceded by “Lungs,” “Ceremonials” and “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful.” These three previous albums are spiritual journeys in their own rights, but “High as Hope” serves as a personal catharsis for Welch and gives the listener an intimate view into this new chapter of her life. The first song of the album, “June,” details the power and dangers of love as she sings, “in those heavy days in June, when love became an act of defiance.” The stories and sounds amplify as the tracks continue. Welch’s ethere-
al, yet steady voice belts out the mysteries and all-too relatable frustrations of giving life over to the larger, looming powers of the heavens in her track, “Big God.” “Patricia” serves as the thirst-quenching ambrosia for the soul, and it is a tribute to the genius of American punk-rock artist Patti Smith. Most importantly, “High as Hope” opened up a channel for Welch to redefine her relationships and love. Her sixth track of the album, “Grace,” is a heartbreaking ode to Welch’s younger sister, who often served as the responsible and reliant backbone of Welch’s chaotic behavior and addiction to drugs and alcohol. “Grace” is a formal apology letter and an opportunity for a new beginning and a new relationship since Welch’s sobriety. Welch’s desire to rediscover and redefine her life through this album appears in a recent interview with NPR. She states this record is about “kind of a different love, like it is about the love I had for my family, the love I had for the place I grew up in. I think this record deals with love in a different way.” The world can only hope to continue to hear her genius songwriting and melodious tunes well into the future as she continues to grow and define herself.
Courtesy Spin
“High as Hope” is the fourth studio album by Florence + the Machine. It was released in June 2018.
1 March 2019
Red & Black
9 Culture
gabrielle’s musical musings album and artist review
Queens of the Stone Age’s Self-Titled Debut Gabrielle Feldman Red & Black Contributor
After the separation of his former band Kyuss, Joshua Homme had plans to bring his desert rock sound, which combined elements of heavy metal with classic rock music, to the main stage in America. In 1996, Homme did just that when he founded Gamma Ray, later renamed to Queens of the Stone Age, in 1997. Around 1998, Homme on guitar, vocals and bass, Alfredo Hernandez on drums, Nick Oliveri on bass and Dave Catching on guitar, released the first album of Queens of the Stone Age’s extensive album collection. This self-titled debut album allowed the band to form the foundations for what their future albums would become and to establish their sound, setting up the story that they wanted to tell that would continue from 1998 until today. Homme also set the standards for the band in his attitudes and had a way of making mundane life, such as stopping at truck stop, driving down the desert road and living the average American life come across as glamor-
ous. His constant push for independence personally allowed him to skyrocket the band into the public eye in the 2000s. It was during this first period where many notable members from bands such as Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam saw the potential that Queens of the Stone Age possessed and boasted about this tiny band from Palm Desert, Calif. The first song on this record immediately starts to unwind the intricate tale that Homme wants to present with no holdbacks. “Regular John” describes a man’s encounter with a prostitute. After a long day at his workplace, the protagonist finds a number stuck to the wall and cannot resist the urge to call this number. Although he clearly knows the risks involved in this encounter, he still is willing to go through with the arrangement and clearly states to “open up [her] eyes, open up [her] room, and to open up [her] arms” to face the hard reality of the situation. In the rest of the song, the protagonist begins to wonder about this woman he has been seeing and the reasons she took this path in her life. The song ends by telling her no matter what happens and where she is, he will always be there for her. “Avon,” the second song on this record dives
deep into the protagonist’s mind. The entire song laments on how society is caged up and “lost in a haze,” while the protagonist can see straight through people’s disguises and is not afraid to call them out for anything. With “If Only,” the protagonist begins to lament on the false happiness everyone portrays and how people may blame him for being a pessimist. However, in his mind, he knows that these individuals are looking for an escape from their mundane lives. While the world may come across as a beautiful place to most, humanity is constantly changing the environment; it can switch from a heavenly to hellish setting in a blink of an eye, and “Walkin’ on Sidewalks” clearly describes this dichotomy that people often face. Skipping forward a few tracks, the protagonist is found searching desperately for anything that would make life feel more livid and better than it really is. In “How to Handle a Rope,” the protagonist begins the process of taking different drugs in order to mask the emotional turmoil he has been facing; however, the pressure to fit into society will never sway his grudge and change his core values. In “You Can’t Quit Me Baby,” the protagonist beings to think about his budding relationship with the pros-
titute and wants him to be the only thing on her mind for as long as she walks this earth. This deranged thought is contrasted with hard, raging riffs throughout the song, indicating that the protagonist may not be as great of a person one might think. Regardless, in the final track, “I was once a Teenage Hand Model,” Homme personally recalls someone who was eerily similar to the man in his story. He met this man in a bar in Seattle, and he was so washed up and high on various other substances, much like the man who was followed throughout this album. Even though this man seemed to think he was important and self-righteous, everyone else around him condemned him because they could see through the persona he was trying to display. Although this album never truly became a big hit for the band, “Queens of the Stone Age” sets up the stage for the focus of many of their other albums. The band seeks to tell the stories of average people and realize that behind closed doors, everyone has something they would rather not have people know about. Sometimes people need to challenge their own beliefs and understand how life has impacted their development.
10 Culture
Red & Black
1 March 2019
HOLLY’S HOT TAKE:
artist of the week
The War-Torn Life of German Artist Otto Dix Holly Sauer Red & Black Editor
German artist Otto Dix experienced a life filled with war. He was in the trenches of World War I as a gunner and maintained a journal during his time in the service. He consistently sketched the horrors he saw, and between 1915-1918 he completed approximately 600 drawings. After the war, Dix returned to Dresden to continue his art practice. He took inspiration from his wartime experiences and created a print series called “The War.” Some of the images contain grotesque images like a skeleton soldier with a large rifle aimed at his face. They are filled with despair, horror and inhumanity. In between the wars, Dix created paintings of many of the seedier characters found around Germany. A favorite subject of his was the depiction of prostitutes. After Adolf Hitler rose to power, Dix was forced out of his teaching position at Dresden Academy. Hitler did not like Dix’s work, and he featured many of his paintings in an exhibition of “degenerate” art in Munich. However, Dix refused to expatriate. He tried to work despite the mounting tensions and issues surrounding him, but he was jailed for two weeks in 1939 after an attempt to kill Hitler, even though
he had nothing to do with it. His trouble with the government continued. During World War II, he served in the People’s Militia. He was 53-yearsold and was stationed in a bunker. Unfortunately, he saw combat and was captured. The French military sent him to a camp in Alsace in 1945. An art enthusiast recognized him in the camp and commissioned Dix to create private portraits and an altarpiece. His work referenced the horrors of war and the battlefield. One of the paintings created during this time, “Portrait of a Prisoner,” depicts a forlorn bald man against a backdrop of thorny trees. There is no longer the satire that was found in his early works, and this image is filled with serious and deep gloom. He also painted portraits of his captors. Dix was released in 1946, and he returned to Germany to paint there until he died in 1969. His paintings still remain timeless because they portray a cultural issue. They do not reflect a specific moment in time, or a specific war, but they do illuminate the troubling feelings associated with war and disillusion. Dix’s career was formed by depictions of violence and carnage. The colors in his pieces add to the horrifying images, and nearly all of his subjects were either fattened or emaciated. He depicted most of the women in his
works as either monsters or victims. Most disturbing of all are his paintings of women being ripped open by psychopaths. In a destroyed painting from 1920, he pictured himself blood-spattered and strewing female body parts around his studio. It is important to remember Dix’s work. Some of the subjects can be difficult to view, but it is also imperative
to know that his work emerges out of a violent and tumultuous life. Despite the disturbing material, the pieces are incredibly important to contemplate because of how they portray the war in a unique way. They are timeless pieces about the pain and horrors found in war, and they should not be overlooked just because they are often painful to see.
Courtesy Curiator
Dix’s “Portrait of a Prisoner” was created while the artist was a prisoner in World War II.
1 March 2019
Red & Black
Poetry Corner pink
Maggie Smith Red & Black Staff
pink is fuzzy socks on a winter night or a baby’s round cheeks, lips that have just been kissed, the slow crackle of a dying fire a bright peal of clear bells a sleepy murmur cotton candy illusions sweet, liquid warmth hot chocolate with peppermint white Christmas lights through closed eyelids a finger on lips or between them sunset’s last ray on summer skin pink is warmth, love.
Culture 11
12 Opinion
1 March 2019
Red & Black
opinions Media Shapes How We Interact With One Another Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Contributor
Have you been keeping up with your favorite family? Reality TV and its favorite families have become a mainstay of our modern society, but how is it affecting our interactions? Dylan Bertovich ’21 stated his beliefs about American obsession with reality TV. “People have always been obsessed with gossip and the like, but I also think that reality TV is making us think that we can all become rich and famous for doing absolutely nothing,” said Bertovich. “This doesn’t necessarily affect how we interact with one another.” If that is true, reality TV is changing our outlook on what is important and what makes a person
successful. This change could lead to people experiencing more mental stress and a feeling of inadequacy when compared to beloved reality TV personalities. Some believe this could lead to us lashing out at friends who have become successful and then turn to the
existed since the introduction of Music Television (MTV). Kim Oberbach, a Washington & Jefferson College Fulbright Scholar, raised an important notion when she stated that “[r]eality TV in a way has existed for quite some time now, and I don’t think it would be considered
Fake friends seem to be becoming a norm now, but can that be considered the result of viewing these relationships in the media? drama that is often found TV. This is unlikely, given reality TV is not the only place that one can view poor social interactions—anywhere from Twitter to the White House provides a multitude of examples. Additionally, it is important to acknowledge that this is not a new concept; reality TV has
the greatest negative influence on our generation. However, I do feel it plays a part in how many of us regard maintaining an image and view fake friendships as necessary.” Fake friends seem to be becoming a norm now, but can that be considered the result of viewing these relationships in the media? If
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.
you see your favorite star’s best friend acting negatively and your favorite star gets revenge, it could be possible that you would seek out revenge as well. I believe that while people are more likely to act according to what they have viewed, the simple fact is that negative media is everywhere. The most important part of viewing media is gleaning the positive parts: successful business people, celebrities sharing personal parts of their lives that are not as perfect as they may seem and most importantly, great entertainment. The viewer does not have to be influenced by the negative elements and try to act them out; we do not need to live vicariously through the stars. As constructive consumers, we must take all actions in the media with a grain of salt and follow our own best judgement when deciding how to lead our own lives.
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.
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Opinions 13
1 March 2019
Presidents’ Children Should Not Be Americans’ Entertainment Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Contributor
Google Malia Obama and you will encounter headlines detailing events of her hanging out at festivals, partying with friends and underage drinking, down to what she was drinking— brand and price. Frankly, I could not care less whether Malia drank alcohol in Miami. She is a college student, after all, and despite being under the age of 21, there are few college students who can honestly say they never drank before the legal age. So why exactly does the media care so much? Obama is not a Hollywood actress or a singer, but being the daughter of former president
Barack Obama has pushed her into the spotlight and left her as a target for public scrutiny. Obama is not the only child of a president to have faced such invasions of privacy, with neither side of the political aisle safe; Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush Hager have faced their own fair share of headlines. Kim Oberbach, a Washington & Jefferson College Fulbright Scholar, questioned the American media’s interest. “As a German where in general we don’t pry into the lives of our politicians as much, children have never been featured as far as I remember,” said Oberbach. “I feel as if prying into their lives is just generally unfair–it is in a way [. . .] a punishment for having parents who want to make this world a better place, and no one should be punished for that.” In the past, the
children of our presidents led as regular lives as they possibly could. However, there is a stark difference between the invasion of privacy of children and the media investigating the lives of our public servants. Dylan Bertovich ’21 acknowledged the need for information that the media provides. “I believe that it is important to examine the lives and actions of the people around anyone, especially in such high positions of political power, because that can give insight into their morals and their actual personality,” said Bertovich. Given the fact that Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. continue to work so closely to the presidency, the lines of children of presidents becomes blurry. Specifically, Ivanka Trump has an office in the White House and is a member of
the White House staff. In this case, it becomes difficult–on one hand, she is the daughter of a president, no different than Malia and Sasha Obama were. However, Ivanka has a position and is directly involved in our politics, sitting in on meetings where decisions affecting the entire country are made. And given this, the media prying into her life is no longer so shocking. It is not a matter of what she was drinking or if she parties in school; Ivanka is an adult, a professional and a government employee, an employee of the American people. Ultimately, it may seems appalling to consider prying into the lives of the children of former and current presidents, but when the lines of family and business are crossed, it becomes much more reasonable to know the business of presidents’ children.
If You Can Choose Anything, Choose Kindness Julia Adams Red & Black Staff
Kurt Vonnegut once wrote, “Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It’s round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you’ve got a hundred years here. There’s only one rule that I know of, babies-‘God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.’” If there is one rule to live by, or one characteristic that is essential to have, it is kindness. Kindness not only sets the tone for a personal outlook on the
day, but also for all of those around you. People have got to be kind. This does not mean taking off your jacket and placing it on the nearest puddle for people to walk over; it means holding the door for people behind you. It also means greeting the cashier and asking a simple but genuine, “How are you?” because it very well could make that person’s day. Kindness is a trait that many people strive to embody. Sam Gooch ‘22 asserted that she believed genuine kindness is what brings people together. “I try to be nice no matter what, no matter how my day is going I hope to help someone else feel better in the midst of all my problems or stress,” said Gooch. “It makes me feel better when
I have a more positive outlook on life.” In a more personal, and perhaps even more practical sense, being kind actually reduces stress, and everyone certainly feels enough stress from every other aspect of life. Asking that simple, “How are you?” takes the mind away from personal problems and allows for an individual to think about someone other than themself for a minute. This may seem like a trivial conclusion to draw, but it has been scientifically proven that people spend many hours of the day “stuck in their heads.” This confines people in their own problems often without hopes of a solution, and this causes internal stress. A simple act of kindness can
help someone relieve their own stress and consider someone else’s day for a second. Kindness is inclusive; it can bring people together with only a simple greeting. So why not show a little kindness and hold the next door, greet the next person and show appreciation for those around you. What harm could it bring? “Who am I to ruin someone’s day by being rude?” asked Brayden Marra ‘22. “It only benefits me to be nice to the people around me.” Kindness is a virtue, and with mental and even physical benefits for both the actor and the recipient, it should truly be spread more often.
14 Opinions
Red & Black
1 March 2019
The Case of the Disappearing Professors
Courtesy Sydney Kightlinger
Classroom hours are nearly impossible to make up once lost, so student attendance is vital. Moreover, when professors cannot make it to class it affects the entire course. professor. With the recent extreme of students have gotten notifications Hart ‘19. Students pay a high price for Leah Segal Red & Black Staff weather spell, getting to class can un- minutes before class that a professor education, so when a professor repeat-
Attendance is one of the fundamental building blocks of education. If a student does not show up for class, they are completely removed from the academic atmosphere and gain nothing from the class. While the importance of showing up is usually focused on the students, professor attendance is just as vital, if not even more crucial. With that in mind, I believe it is imperative to contact the department chair in the case of a repeatedly absent
doubtedly be a chore as the unending ice, wind and rain continually wreak havoc and make roads difficult to traverse. Most of the student body of Washington & Jefferson College live on campus, but for the professors who live a considerable distance from their place of occupation, it is no wonder that some classes are canceled. In such circumstances, the students silently celebrate while the professors remain safe. However, when professors repeatedly begin to cancel class at the very last moment or fail to show up at all, this is when action needs to be taken. In recent weeks, it seems that a handful
has canceled or have gone to class and left after an instructor never appeared. While the number one concern is always safety, such absence is negligent and a pain to the faithful students who show up to class in want of a lesson. A professor should always give a reason for their absence ahead of time unless it is an absolute emergency. In these circumstances, the department chair should absolutely be contacted to solve the issue, as repeated, unexplained absences hurt the College and student body all around. This sentiment is shared around campus. “It is a waste of time if a professor does not make class a priority like the students do,” said Victoria
edly fails to show up and do their job, students are not getting a return on their investment. Lauren Miller ‘19 also added a “for sure” in believing that chairs of departments should be notified. Without awareness of the issue, it cannot be expected to be resolved. While consistent student attendance is extremely important, professor attendance is ultimately what makes the class function. A class can go on without the presence of a few students, but when there is no one there to teach, it is hard for students to get a return on their investment of time and money for education.
1 March 2019
Red & Black
15 Opinions
In Customer Service, the Customer is Wrong
Courtesy Sydney Kightlinger
When asking a worker for service, it is important to remember that customer service workers are humans who make mistakes and are often just following policies they did not create. Julia Adams Red & Black Staff
“I asked for that on ice,” or “But the sign says . . .” or “Can I speak to your manager?” are all quotes from customers heard every day by employees. What exactly is the reply from the smiling, yet extremely annoyed employee? “Oh I’m sorry, let me fix that for you.” This stems from the common retail philosophy that the customer, by some miracle, is always right. Let us explore how wrong that philosophy really is. The customer is not always right. In fact, they are generally often wrong.
However, customers and employees are led to believe that the customer is right so that the company can keep receiving their business. To be more specific, the company wants satisfied customers so that the customers keep coming back and spending more money, therefore helping profits to stay high. More business equals more money, which is all a company really cares about. An example that occurred at a local coffee shop tells of a humble customer who ordered a latte and the transaction seems to be going smoothly. However, once the customer had paid and was about to receive their drink, their faced turned from a smile to an annoyed look, as they criticized the employee, and said, “Um. I asked for that iced.” Interestingly, this customer had not actually said the word, “iced,” prompt-
ing the annoyance of the employee who was just doing their job. The employee kindly answered, “Oh, I am so sorry,” with an apologetic façade. “I must have misheard you, I will have them remake if for you and it’ll be out in a jiffy,” they continued. The employee, quite aware of the customer’s fault, even gave the customer a recovery card for the “trouble.” From an employee standpoint, these situations are difficult to deal with, especially when you recognize the error on the customer’s end. However, in order to achieve complete satisfaction from the customer’s point of view, employees are trained by managers to do whatever it takes to achieve 100 percent satisfaction. It is crucial that the customer must never feel like they are being treated disrespectfully, as a bad customer review means less business, which, in turn, means less revenue and less prof-
it, which is the last thing any company wants. In conclusion, “the customer is always right” is a statement that should be posed as a question, not as a statement. It should therefore become, “Is the customer actually correct?” or, more likely, “Is the customer wrong?” It is important that we begin to recognize that the employee, a trained person, is more likely informed about customer-employee issues, and we should give them the credit they deserve. When managers are not directly involved in the situation, we should put our trust in the employees. However, as it stands currently, the employee is always “wrong.” Businesses want to continue to profit, and therefore will have to keep acting like the customer is right in order to keep them coming back, thereby completely disregarding the treatment of employees.
16 opinions
Red & Black
1 March 2019
The Jury is Out on the Statues of Washington and Jefferson
Courtesy Sydney Kightlinger
Deciding whether statues of Washington & Jefferson College should be torn down is part of a larger national debate on how we should respond to United States history.
Sammy Massimino Red & Black Contributor
A popular debate amongst Americans today is whether statues that celebrate controversial individuals should be taken down. This debate often involves statues that honor members of the Confederacy and individuals who fought to uphold the institution of slavery. This conversation has also recently extended to include George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, our college’s namesakes, who while prominent historical figures, actually owned slaves. I attended a panel of the Symposium on Democracy called “Deliberative Dialogue: Putting Civil Discourse into Practice,” where Dr. Kieran and Dr. Kyler discussed the history of statues and what should be done about
them. “These statues don’t just pop out of the ground. It is important to know that they were made to appease a current political moment,” said Dr. Kieran. The conversation went on to explain how many of the statues honoring the Confederacy were erected during times of racial conflict in America, particularly in opposition to the Civil Rights movement. Although I personally believe that Confederate statues should be taken down, I do not believe that the Washington & Jefferson College’s statues should. These men definitely did not practice what they preached, but I find the statues to be celebratory of America’s founders who claimed that all were created equal, that government should be by and for the people and that the government should be able to change with the times. I believe there should be more education in terms of their
major faults and teaching us to hold historical figures accountable, but they should not be erased completely. Nonetheless, I am aware that I have my blind sides, so I asked some of my peers how they felt. Many students agreed that it was important to hold W&J accountable for their wrongdoings. Sarah Dugan ‘21 asserted that she did not believe the statues should be taken down. “There should be more of an education of them on all sides,” said Dugan. “Not just the fact that they were presidents.” Tamia Mickens ‘21 also thought accountability was important, but did believe the statues should be taken down. “I feel like [they] should be taken down, but I don’t think they will because they’d have to rename the college,” said Mickens. “Thomas Jefferson literally had a slave he abused and had children with. I don’t think we should write them out of history, but we also shouldn’t glorify them.” Trevor Echols
’20 made a point that there were more important issues to address other than the statues on campus. “You can go back and find something wrong in everyone. People can be held accountable but don’t disgrace their names,” said Echols. “Address the racism currently on campus rather than statues from years ago.” Carmen Carroll ‘19 also made a very good point that she saw the statues as an avenue for change. “I just think it’s important that we acknowledge all facets of history,” said Carroll. “If we fail to acknowledge their shortcomings, is it even worth mentioning their highlights? I think the statues create a great conversation and force people to confront the realities of this country and for that should stay.” There is clearly no singular sentiment about the issue on campus, but what is crucial is that a siscussion has begun and will hopefully lead to positive change.
1 March 2019
Red & Black
Opinions 17
The Importance of Friends Who Disagree With Us
Courtesy washjeff.edu
W&J’s annual Symposium on Democracy encourages us to have tough conversations in order to grow and develop our beliefs and values.
Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Contributor
With the current treacherous political climate, it is coming into question whether it is possible to be friends with those on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Our world is full of judgement and division, so at times it may seem next to impossible. Personally, it comes down to the individual issue. There are areas for compromise, and there are areas where this simply is not possible. For example, when discussing the tax rate, if one person proposes 10 percent and another proposes 30 percent, perhaps you can meet in the middle at
20 percent. However, when discussing things such as immigration, women’s right to choose, LGBTQ+ rights, racism and the death penalty to name a few, the possibility to compromise dissipates significantly. With people on very opposite ends of the political spectrum, it becomes black and white. Either you support a path to citizenship or you support a wall, you are either pro-choice or pro-life, you support LGBTQ+ rights or you do not, you acknowledge racism as a problem and support the fight against it or you simply don’t think it exists any longer, or are explicitly racist yourself, and you are either against the death penalty or support it. While this in no way is a comprehensive list of every issue, and some people may find themselves falling somewhere in between, this is the tip of an immense iceberg representing
the struggles and at times, moral differences that arise when befriending people with different political opinions. Kim Oberbach, a Washington & Jefferson College Fulbright Scholar, confirmed her similar feelings when she stated, “In general, I like to believe that you can be friends with anyone. I hope it’s always possible to find common ground even without matching political views, but I do know that reality is different and that there are some political views that I have ethical problems with, where my values differ greatly from theirs that in those cases I don’t think there is any possibility of a friendship forming.” While politics might not seem like something that should decide the fate of a friendship, behind the majority of our political beliefs is a culmination of our morals, values and life experiences that lead us to think the way we do.
Dylan Bertovich ‘21 emphasized the importance of thinking about yourself first. “You should always try to be friendly with everyone but sometimes that’s hard, because they may have opinions that violate your moral compass,” said Bertovich. “At that point, I think it’s important to do whatever is best for you.” If this is the case and a friend’s views directly contradict your morals, it might not work. But if their opinions do not negatively affect you and there is possibility for open conversation, then there is no reason to throw away the consideration of a friendship. In fact, dialogue with people who hold different views is important, and if this is possible, pursuing the friendship can result in an amazing experience to grow, learn and understand others with views very different from your own.
18 Sports
sports Red & Black
1 March 2019
Wrestling Competes in NCAA Regional Tournament Jordan Melko Red & Black Staff
The Washington & Jefferson College wrestling team traveled to Lycoming College to compete in the NCAA Southeast Regional. In the tournament, Messiah won over. However, the Presidents took 12th overall. Jared Walker ‘20, Michael Heinl ‘20 and Hunter Neely ‘20 all placed in the top three and clinched a spot in the NCAA championships. This will be Walker, Heinl and Neely’s first appearances in the championships. As for regionals, Walker wrestled in the 165 pound weight class and took second place. In his first face-off he pinned the opposing wrestler, Cole Nagle from McDaniel, and then he went on to win by a 6-2 decision against Austin Bonacci from Thiel. On Saturday, Walker beat Penn College’s Daniel Bergeron by a 10-2 major decision. This clinched his spot in the NCAA championships. In the first place match, he suffered a 5-3 loss. Heinl took third place going 4-1 at 149 pounds. With two wins on Friday, he made his way to the semifinals. He lost with a decision of 5-2 to Gregory Warner
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Heinl takes down a competitor during a wrestling match.
of York, who ended up winning the bracket. However, Heinl came back and beat Bryce Crew from Washington & Lee University and Colin Devlin from Gettysburg to take home third place. Neely also took third place at 157 pounds. He also won both matches on Friday. On Saturday, he lost to Averett’s Jared Lough. Neely then went on to beat two more contenders to acquire
third place. Mike Nagy ‘21 also won a few matches at 141 pounds and added 2.5 points to the teams overall score with a record of 2-2 on the weekend. Robert West ‘19 went 2-2 as well as earning 1.5 team points. Those matches marked West’s last with the Presidents as he will be graduating the spring. Many other Presidents recorded some points for the team. Winning at
least one match, Alex Miller ’20 contributed 1.5, Jaden Datz ‘22 earned one and Daniel Florentino ‘20 acquired 0.5. Manny Devshek ’22 went 0-2 in the tournament as did Jake Walker ‘22. Heinl ended with 16 points, Neely ended with 14.5, and Walker ended with 18. These three will travel to Berglund Center in Roanoke, Va. to compete in the 2019 NCAA Division III Championships.
1 March 2019
19 sports
Red & Black
Men’s Basketball Loses in PAC Quarterfinals Jordan Melko Red & Black Staff
The President’s men’s basketball team traveled to Chatham for the PAC quarterfinal game. They did not get the result they were looking for, because they lost to Chatham by one point with a score of 55-54. The scoring in the two halves was very close. In the first half, the Cougars outscored the Presidents 28-26,
and then in the second half, the Presidents put up more than Chatham with a halftime score of 28-27. In the first half, both teams were scoring back and forth. However W&J never was able to acquire a lead, and they suffered a deficit in points the whole half. W&J did outscore Chatham in terms of percentage, going 12 of 25 for 48 percent and 10 of 30 for 33.3 percent, respectively. The Presidents did start to advance on the Cougars in the beginning of the second half. With 1:49 left in the game, the Presidents were up 51-47. Then Chatham managed to tie it up, but not for long, because Zach Queen
‘21 scored and made it 54-51 in the last 25 seconds. Unfortunately the Cougars were able to keep the Presidents from scoring again and still managed to score the final four points, winning them the game. Again, W&J shot better in the field with 23-for-55, a 41.8 percentage, in comparison to Chatham’s 21-for-54, a 38.9 percentage. The Presidents also brought down more rebounds, grabbing 35 compared to Chatham’s 33. However Chatham recorded seven steals and W&J only had three. Cam Seemann ‘21 led the way for the Presidents with ten points and four rebounds. Seemann ends this season
with a team high average of 15.6 points per game. Queen also had 10 points to end the game with two three pointers. Queen ends the season holding the program record for three pointers made in a single-season with 80. Okikiola Agbale ‘22 recorded seven points, seven rebounds, one assist and one block. Primo Zini ‘22 had six points and four rebounds. Zini finishes the year as second on the team with 11.3 points per game. Sven Zepic ‘19 added four points, two rebounds and one assist in his last game. As a senior, Zepic will be missed by the Presidents. He ends his career with 237 points, 161 rebounds and 126 assists.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Jonathan Devito ‘20 dribbles the ball upcourt looking to pass the ball.
Mitch Dezort ‘22 shoots a layup for two points.
20 sports
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1 March 2019
Last Week’s Scores Feb. 19
Men’s Basketball PAC Quarterfinals-55-54 Loss
Feb. 20
Men’s Lacrosse at La Roche-19-2 Win
Feb. 21
Men’s Track & Field PAC Indoor Championships-2nd of 9 Women’s Track & Field PAC Indoor Championships-5th of 9
Feb. 22
Wrestling NCAA Southeast Regional Tournament-12th of 20 Women’s Basketball PAC Semifinals-54-43 Win
Feb. 23
Women’s Water Polo vs Gannon-21-6 Loss Men’s Lacrosse vs Ohio Northern-15-7 Loss Women’s Water Polo vs McKendree-22-4 Loss Women’s Basketball PAC Finals-70-48 Loss
Feb. 24
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Women’s Water Polo vs Wittenberg-13-11 Win Women’s Water Polo vs Salem-18-1 Loss
Next Week’s Games Feb. 27
Women’s Basketball ECAC Tournament (H)-7pm
Mar. 1
Swimming & Diving NCAA Regionsls Women’s Lacrosse vs Allegheny College (H)-5pm Men’s Tennis at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (A)-5:30pm
Mar. 2
Swimming & Diving NCAA Regionals Men’s Lacrosse vs Alfred University (H)-1pm Softball vs Franciscan University (H)-1pm Baseball vs Case Western Reserve University (H)-1pm
Mar. 3
Women’s Lacrosse at Medaille College (A)-2pm
Courtesy gopresidents.com