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 ay 1 0 , 2 0 1 9
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE “However, to keep their pets healthy and happy during the summer months, pet owners need to be extra cautious and aware of their dog’s symptoms.” -P.7
Students Find Ways to Relax During Finals PAGE 10
CULTURE
“Although he would lose the strength to paint and sculpt, he did not stop creating his art. Instead of ceasing to create, Matisse decided to transform the way he made art.” -P.12
OPINIONS “Unfortunately, not all professors consider course evaluations as much as others, but there are certainly professors who put a great deal of thought into what students have to say.” -P.15
SPORTS The Presidents suffered their only conference loss to the Titans earlier this season in a thrilling 6-7 overtime game. The game started as another back-and-forth game as the first half ended in a 5-5 tie. -P.18
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy W&J College Twitter
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10 May 2019
Red & Black
A Farewell from the Red&Black Editors “I am so grateful to have been able to work with such
“The Red&Black has been a pleasure to work for. I gained so
a motivated staff. Without everyone’s hard work and
much experience, met many interesting people and learned
the occasional pizza party, the publication wouldn’t
even more about how others think. Everyone worked so
have been a success. Plus, if it hadn’t been for Holly and
hard this year, and it was wonderful to be on the staff. Kayla
Hannah, I would have been an ‘Editor-in-GRIEF!’
and Hannah made late-night copyediting much more fun. I
I know next year’s editors will continue to develop the
look forward to seeing how the paper grows! Such good luck
Red&Black’s mission of giving voice to a wide array of
to next year’s staff.”
student perspectives.” - Holly Sauer ’19, - Kayla Marasia ’19,
Publication Manager
Editor-in-Chief
“From being a writer to section editor to managing editor, I’ve loved all four years working with the Red&Black. It was so much fun working with everyone on the staff, and I also got a lot of great hands-on experience with writing and organizing the paper. My advice to future editors is to always look for stories that students on campus are interested in and to never be afraid to try something different in a layout or story. The newspaper is the best way to express the feelings and interests of the student body and we should never take it for granted. I wish the best of luck to all our future writers and staff! - Hannah Kail ’19, Managing Editor
Courtesy Brie Sutherland
Kayla Marasia (left), Holly Sauer (middle) and Hannah Kail (right) serve as the executive editors of the Red&Black until the end of the academic year. The three women will be graduating on May 18.
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CAMPUS NEWS 3
Student Spotlight: Caitlin Drahushak ’22 Lexey Finney Red & Black Staff
Caitlin Drahushak ‘22 is from DuBois, approximately two hours away from Washington & Jefferson College. When choosing to attend W&J, Drahushak viewed this driving length as “the perfect distance from home because it was not too close but not too far from home.” Despite this distance, Drahushak enjoys going home on the weekends
to visit her parents and two brothers whenever her schedule permits. At school, Drahushak is majoring in psychology and is on the pre-health track. She aspires to attend medical school after graduation. Eventually, she would like to become a physical therapist. The academics and major choices were another reason why she chose to attend W&J. When she received her acceptance letter, Drahushak knew she would choose W&J out of other college options for its prestigious reputation; she felt she “would receive a good education” during her four years there. Besides her academics, Drahushak is
very passionate about playing sports and keeping herself busy. Throughout her high school career, she played five different sports: soccer, volleyball, track, softball and basketball. In total, she was given 13 varsity letters by the end of her four years of high school. Drahushak has continued her love for sports by becoming a member of the W&J women’s soccer team. She is grateful for the chance to compete at a collegiate level because, out of all the sports she played, soccer was the one she was most passionate about since she was very young. The womens’ soccer team is one of the
key reasons Drahushak chose to attend W&J. Through joining the soccer team, Drahushak has made many friends, learned how to manage her time more effectively and has stayed active and healthy throughout the year. She has just completed her first spring soccer season and is looking forward to continuing her workouts this summer. Drahushak believes the team will do even better this fall if the women continue to push themselves and stay focused. Although Drahushak is finishing up her first year of college, she is looking forward to the next three years on the soccer field, in the laboratory and with her friends.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Courtesy Lexey Finney
Drahushak played numerous positions for the W&J women’s soccer team throughout her first season at W&J.
Drahushak plans to major in psychology and continue on the pre-health track, hoping to eventually attend medical school.
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10 May 2019
Red & Black
Student Spotlight: Alec Ballard ’20 Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
Alec Ballard ‘20 is preparing to finish his third year at Washington & Jefferson College. Ballard is a political science major from Raleigh, N.C., where he attended Leesville Road High School. He has known about W&J his whole life due to his history with the school. “I am a double legacy, my grandfather and mother both graduated [from W&J],” said Ballard. “I grew up knowing about the school and I received good financial aid from Washington & Jefferson. I came in with the intentions of attending law school, and I knew previous professors helped my mom with her goals and I wanted to as well.” Ballard makes it a priority to be involved on campus and within the community. He is the president of the PreLaw Society and a founding member of the College Democrats. He is also a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and a global ambassador of the international department. These activities have benefited Ballard and the relationships he has built on campus. “They have gotten me more involved in the campus community as a whole, and meet a wide range of diverse people. It has gained me lifelong friendships,” said Ballard. Outside of campus, he has been involved heavily within the Washington community as he currently works as the Assistant Campaign Manager for Clark Mitchell for Magisterial District
Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
Alec Ballard ‘20 is majoring in political science, and he is the president of the Pre-Law Society.
Judge. Ballard earned the position because he has been very involved in Washington county politics for the past three years. Although Ballard is a political science major, the decision was not always an easy one for him. “I started as [a major in] environmental studies, but then after Dr. DiSarro’s class my first semester, I decided to take more political science classes. I loved the department, the professors and the classes I took within the major,” said
Ballard about his eventual decision to choose his academic path at W&J. Ballard claimed that many professors and staff have helped him on his way to finishing his major. “Dr. Fifer and Dr. Benze both have helped to show me that poli sci opens up many different opportunities for me,” said Ballard. “They have also helped me in my search with grad schools.” Ballard has racked up a series of accomplishments and memories while at W&J, including hosting a St. Baldrick’s
event last year for children’s cancer research that raised nearly $1000 in about a month. While it may seem that Ballard is constantly dedicated to his work, he does find time for leisure. In his free time, he plays guitar and watches videos and movies on YouTube and Netflix. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school for nonprofit or campaign management. His goal for the future is to work as chief of staff on a political campaign.
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CAMPUS NEWS 5
Staff Spotlight: Sydney Kightlinger ’21 “I love journalism! I am so glad and honored to have worked with this year’s staff. I love hearing everyone’s opinions and hope to keep hearing and reading them next year.”
Major: History and English Minors: Gender & Women’s Studies Position for the Red&Black: Opinions Section Editor Favorite Campus Food: Iced Chai Future Plans: Traveling the world
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Red & Black
Student Speak Out:
What are you most excited about for summer? “I’m most excited for my summer vacation in Turks & Caicos!” -Kaylee Quatse ‘19 Courtesy Kaylee Quatse
“I can’t wait to sit by my pool in the sun and hang out with my friends!” -Dana Fiola ‘19 Courtesy Dana Fiola
“I’m excited for the next chapter of my life to begin!” -Kaitlyn Pawcio ‘19 Courtesy Kaitlyn Pawcio
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Publication Manager Managing Editor Social Media Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Culture Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
Kayla Marasia Holly Sauer Hannah Kail Brie Sutherland Brianna Floryshak Brie Sutherland Christian Buckley Sydney Kightlinger Marcy Saldivar Sofia Carrasco Erin Herock Hannah Kail Joe Reedy John Santa
life
10 May 2019
Red & Black
Life 7
Protecting Your Pet From the Summer Heat Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Contributor
Pets are a constant source of joy, relief and fun for their owners. However, to keep their pets healthy and happy during the summer months, pet owners need to be extra cautious and aware of their dog’s symptoms. The following are a few suggestions to keep pets a little safer in summer. First, owners should always have some water available for their furry friends. The object used to hold water does not matter, as a bottle of water or a nearby water bowl works just fine. To be prepared, users should keep a Tupperware container in their car or near their pet’s leash to remember during the hot months. Owners should also bring some water for themselves, as a happy pet owner leads to a happy pet. Next, owners should use their own symptoms as a guide. If it feels hot outside for the owner, their pet is likely hotter. A suggestion from the American Veterinary Medical Association is for owners to take walks at cooler hours. Owners must take more breaks than
they would if they were by themselves when it is hot out; their body and their pet will thank them for it. Grooming is something that is often forgotten about a pet’s health. While many pets will go through the process of shedding and re-growing, some animals will have a slower shed and thicker coat, and some dog breeds, such as poodles, have hair that must be cut. Typically, a thicker coat or longer hair will lead to a hotter animal. If an owner’s pet is getting somewhat shaggy in the heat, they should take them to a groomer and have them trimmed. Also, it is important for owners to know the symptoms of heatstroke. Owners should research what their pet does when it is overheating and should have contact with a nearby veterinarian in case something serious happens. A pet suggestion from Cameron Johnson is to keep a fan on indoors. Pets can overheat indoors if the room is not properly air conditioned, and some pets will look for cooler surfaces to lie on if they get too warm. Owners should keep an eye their pets indoors, as they can even get too hot when inside. With the arrival of summer heat also comes fleas and ticks. Owners should evaluate their pets’ comfort lev-
Courtesy Brie Sutherland
Pet owners should take the correct precautions when exposing pets to hot summer days.
els if they take them out. They should keep an eye out for any odd lumps. When in doubt, owners should take them to a professional. With summer coming around, it is more important than ever to keep in mind how to deal with the heat. Most importantly, owners should keep
themselves healthy. It is hot in the summer, and a coherent owner is essential to making sure a pet is happy and healthy. Once owners keep in mind how their pet will be able deal with the heat, both owners and their pets should have plenty of fun summer memories.
8 LIFE
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10 may 2019
Essential Oils Can Improve Mood
Courtesy Abi Debrosse
Essential oils provide a healthy way to de-stress, boost immunity and even help with stomach aches and headaches. One must be sure to find organic, therapeuticgrade oils for the best results.
Kelsey Julien Red & Black Staff
Many people seem to ask, “What is the big deal about essential oils, and do they really do anything to help enhance one’s health or lifestyle?” The short answer is yes: essential oils are extremely useful for everyday life. They help with numerous things a person may need, such as serving as a tool for aromatherapy. Some people love to de-stress with candles because
the soothing scents are calming to the mind and great for the body. Candles are nice, but they are also expensive and do not last for a long time. An inexpensive scented alternative to candles is a diffuser. They can be found for as cheap as fifteen dollars on Amazon. Even better, there is an array of different scents with essential oils: fruity scents like orange and lemon, floral notes like lavender and rose and even stimulating scents like peppermint. Users can also mix and match essential oils to get the perfect scent, and combined with water and the diffuser, people can get the same result as a can-
dle. This is a great option for students as it is dorm room-safe. Marilyn Burkhardt ’21, an essential oil user, loves “using essential oils and pairs them with a diffuser that changes colors. The smells that come from oils are absolutely amazing,” said Burkhardt. Essential oils can also help out students who are feeling sick. Eucalyptus oil is beneficial in relieving any upper respiratory illness by opening one’s sinuses. This is a method tested and beloved by Ricky Delprato ‘20. “When I was sick, I tried all the medicine I had in my room and nothing seemed to work. I used my friends’ essential oil diffuser,
and it helped me breathe better. I felt better quicker than my medicine,” said Delprato. People can additionally use essential oils while meditating or doing yoga. While doing yoga, breathing in essential oils can help people relax a bit more while stretching. Yogis can roll a little bit of the oil on their wrists before beginning their session. These oils are also good at helping boost one’s mood. The great thing about these oils is that they can stand alone or be mixed and matched until one finds their perfect scent for their desired effects.
10 may 2019
Red & Black
Life 9
The Importance of Using a Good Sunscreen Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Contributor
Imagine it is summer, students have just gotten out of school and the family is finally going on that beach vacation that was promised back in December. Imagine piling into the car and driving to the coast, where the ocean and the hot sand are full of all the possibilities of splashing around in a fight for Atlantis and the potential for a royal sandcastle. While a child might have the full intention to jump into the ocean, their mother calls for a head-to-toe covering of sunscreen. Although it is a little unpleasant, sunscreen is still important for taking care of one’s skin in the summer. The reasons are not always clear, though. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with about one in five people developing a form of skin cancer in their life. “Exposure to the sun is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, protect your skin by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and generously applying sunscreen,” said the website for the AAD. While a tan can be an attractive look, tanning is an indication of skin cell damage. The basic process behind tanning is that when skin is exposed to too much ultraviolet light, skin cells release melanin, which darkens to protect your skin. However, this is a process done in reaction to overexposure to UV light. According to the American Cancer
Courtesy Harvard Health
It is crucial to find the right sunscreen before spending time in the sun in order to prevent skin cancer and skin cell damage.
Society’s 2018 statistics, melanoma occurs in only about one percent of skin cancer cases but is also the cause of most deaths by skin cancer. The risk of developing skin cancer increases with the use of indoor tanning salons and not using sunscreen when outdoors. This is an increasingly prevalent issue, and some students have strong opinions on the matter. “Products like tanning lotions create an unhealthy relationship between us and our bodies. We tan, and burn and give ourselves
cancer to pursue this idea of beauty. People always associate it with the pool or beach, but you should try to have it on when you’re just outside,” said Kristian Amundson ‘19. With skin cancer being more preventable by using sunscreen, it is important to choose a good sunscreen. There are two ways sunscreen works: it either sits on the skin and deflects UV light, or it absorbs it so the skin does not. The deflecting type of sunscreen uses zinc oxide or titanium oxide and
is better for people with sensitive skin. The other is the absorbent type, which uses oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. For the best results, one should look for water-resistant, broad spectrum and SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. This summer, although it may be a little oily and unpleasant, take note and slather on the stuff. It will help prevent skin cancer, keeping the skin younger and healthier.
10 Life
Red & Black
10 May 2019
Students Find Ways to Relax During Finals Kelsey Julien Red & Black Staff
Finals week is an extremely busy and stressful time. It can feel impossible to juggle everything. Students often find themselves overstretched and tired from studying for their classes, writing final papers, completing presentations and staying up late. Even though completing these obligations is inevitable, there are a select few ways to help students relax during this stressful and chaotic time. The first thing that students can do is meditate. As silly as it may sound, sitting down in the middle of a room in complete and utter silence will do wonders for anyone’s mind. While students meditate, it is important that they focus on only one thing: breathing. It is important to slow down one’s heart rate and empty one’s mind to calm any nerves or anxiety during finals week preparation. Students must also give themselves time to be with their thoughts so their body can catch up with their mind. A student’s mind is constantly working during finals week, and taking a little five to ten-minute break can help ease them into finals. Another great way to help de-stress is by spending time with friends. Everyone on campus has a mutual understanding of finals week stress, so if anyone is really stressed out, spending time with some good friends can help. Students like Ricky Delprato ‘20
Courtesy WJNR.org
PAWS for a Study Break, an event at W&J that occurs every finals week, is a great way to take a break from the stressful study schedule of finals week.
utilize this method of stress relief yearround. Whenever Delprato needs “a break from studying, [his] friends are the first people [he calls].” Spending time together can help take everyone’s mind off all the things they need to do, but students must be careful, as they should avoid procrastinating. Lastly, if students want to help ease their worries during finals week, listening to music is a great way to decompress. Music has an immense
amount of power that helps people get excited, focus or simply relax. There are plenty of great artists to listen to and so many different genres to help students relax. If students have Apple Music or Spotify, they should try searching for relaxing beats or curated playlists that can help them focus better or place them in a better mental state. Jasmine Campuzano ’21 feels that “music is so great because it can change your mood in an instant.” Campuzano
is an avid music listener when hitting the books. “If I know I need to relax, I just put on some mellow beats and I am all set,” said Campuzano. Students should ask their friends for music suggestions if they do not know where to start their listening experience. These are not the only ways students can relax during finals week, but these are a few options that can help everyone stay calm and ready to take on their exams.
10 May 2019
Culture 11
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culture
W&J Music Ensemble Review: Jazz Band Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Contributor Many people know the jazz genre’s association with New Orleans. As a type of music born in late 19th century, the roots of jazz come from blues and ragtime. This genre also has a powerful history in the United States. For students at Washington & Jefferson College who are interested in playing this style of music, there is a jazz band on campus looking for eager students. Many students in the ensemble feel that the jazz band pushes musicians to be more personally responsible. By nature of it being a smaller group, students have more individual responsibilities because they are often the only musician playing a certain part. The music teachers at W&J are highly regarded, especially Kyle Simpson. Students like Jake Beabout ’19 feel strongly that the faculty at the College make the Jazz Band a worthwhile ensemble in which to perform. “Kyle is a very good teacher. He has a more relaxed vibe that encourages people to talk. If they have an idea of a piece they want to solo on or a piece to perform, he will seriously consider it. He fosters a very social and laid-back environment,” said Beabout. “With jazz at times you are granted almost total creative freedom. When you are play-
ing a solo you can take liberties with the music, experiment, and express yourself.” The ability to perform in different venues is also valuable to many students. “Some of the most interesting experiences the jazz band offers is getting to play for different people,” said Beabout. “You start to realize that in the real world you will be performing for events and not only for the sake of performing. It gives you a better glimpse into how you would professionally operate.” The jazz band also gives the sense that each performance is the peak of the semester. The band reduces stress
since members are performing many shows, and they realize that since they are performing the pieces consistently, they do not need to be perfect each time. Instead, the members are able to focus on just having fun. “It has an extra-curricular feel to it, so you can make friends easier. Not only because of the laid-back nature, but also because you spend so much time travelling together and preparing for the same goal,” said Kristian Amundson ’19. “I had never played jazz until I got to college. I had been to concerts and knew what it was, but never played it, but I was welcomed into the jazz band
very easily. I’m a shy person and doing a solo was dauting. All I could think was ‘Will I be playing by myself? On stage? In front of people?’” Amundson asserts that these fears soon diminished as he spent more time in the ensemble. “Eventually, I warmed up to it since I could finally express what I wanted to. It was a good way for me to push my comfort zone and grow as a musician and person.” The jazz band provides students with the opportunity to make new friends through performing and traveling. To be involved, students can either join the jazz band or come to watch the performances.
Courtesy washjeff
The W&J Jazz Band is a great way to get students involved in performing a fun style of music.
12 Culture
Red & Black
10 May 2019
HOLLY’S HOT TAKE:
artist of the week
Henri Matisse’s Artistic Transformation Holly Sauer Red & Black Editor
In 1941 Henri Matisse was diagnosed with cancer and would later be confined to a wheelchair. Although he would lose the strength to paint and sculpt, he did not stop creating his art. Instead of ceasing to create, Matisse decided to transform the way he made art. During this time, he created his cut-out works of art. He used white paper and gouache, a water-based, opaque and quick-drying matte paint, to create these works that encompassed a wide-range of color and complexity. Matisse cut out paper with scissors, and transformed this paper into plants, animals, figures and shapes. Studio assistants painted sheets of paper with gouache, and then Matisse would cut shapes from this paper and arrange them into a variety of compositions. If he was creating a small piece, Matisse would assemble paper onto a board using pins. When creating a larger piece, Matisse directed his assistants to arrange the paper on the wall of his studio. The cut-outs were then mounted by professional mounters. Matisse purchased a wide range of colors at supply
houses in Paris and Nice, and he chose tubes based on color and freshness. When Matisse worked on a specific project, he asked for an assortment of painted sheets to be placed on his studio floor. He then chose a particular sheet, cut a shape and then let the remainder of the sheet fall to the floor. He used a variety of sizes of scissors, and some forms were cut from one sheet of paper. Others shapes were cut from larger ones, and some were layered on top. It was the outlines of the forms that were most important for the artist, not the layered structure itself. One of the most stunning cut-outs is “Icarus.” The mythical form is presented as a simplified form floating against a blue background. What is interesting, however, is that many people believe the blue background is the sky. And, of course, this makes sense in the myth. There are also gold forms that look like stars. However, instead of capturing the moment Icarus is flying, or about to fall, this moment may also be as he lands in the water after he already fell. And this is what makes Matisse’s cut-outs so lovely. The simplified forms and areas of large of color allows viewers to think of different meanings in the piece. However, the most stunning part of
Courtesy Wikimedia
Matisse’s “Icarus” is a cut-out depicting the famous Greek myth.
this piece is the red dot on the Icarus form. This single circle of red paint helps to humanize Icarus in this moment. It brings viewers back from the mythic, and it reminds viewers of his humanity. During the latter part of his life, and in his weakened state, Matisse reinvented the art he created. He moved
away from the fierce colors that defined his Fauvist works, and instead created stunning pieces that were so different from what he created before. All of Matisse’s works are stunningly beautiful because they are full of life and boldness. He did not shy away from creating the art he wanted to make, no matter what that was.
10 may 2019
Red & Black
Culture 13
Video Game Review: ‘Kingsway’ Aaron Iwinski Red & Black Contributor
With all the new, large budget games coming out such as “Mortal Kombat 11,” “Borderlands 3,” “Mordhau” and “World War Z,” it is good to take a step back and look at smaller developers to see what they can bring to the industry. Adult Swim, aside from being the channel with the “weird” cartoons on after Cartoon Network, has a presence in the game publishing business, having pushed out smaller titles such as “Duck Game,” the “Rick and Morty” virtual reality game and “Westerado.” “Kingsway” is one of their games that flew under the radar. Despite its obscurity, “Kingsway” boasts mostly positive reviews on Steam, and received high praise at its E3 2017 announcement. Game Informer called it “one of the best indie games E3 2017.” Nerd Appropriate called it “weirdly brilliant.” The game’s praise sets high expectations, so what kind of game is “Kingsway?” “Kingsway” is a role-playing game where you play as a hero of your creation and travel east to save the continent of Kingsway from the Sky Eater. The map is randomly generated, so each time gamers replay it, the map will be a little different. This is typical for a fantasy game. However, the game’s charm comes from its unusual art style. The game is set up like a retro operating system, with all aspects of the game created to fit this theme. Ene-
mies and traps appear as pop-up windows on your screen. Depending on the enemy type, their interaction with the window will change. For example, plant enemies will stay in one spot and send slow-crawling vines from the side of your screen. Zombie enemies will have their box move slowly to mimic their slow movement. Some enemies, such as the ninja, will minimize their windows when they use their cloak skill. Quests are given out by an email system. A sound will alert you to a
quest when you open an inbox to view your quests. A player’s inventory and bags are treated like file folders that you can click and drag to move. Player deaths are given in the infamous blue screen of death, and you can even give your in-game cursor a trail. The game also boasts an eight-bit soundtrack of 19 songs to play in the background as you go about smiting demons, undead and bandits. I have put about 30 hours into this game and have yet to unlock all
the endings and characters. I had so much fun that I even managed to drag a friend into playing the game. “I enjoyed the simplistic graphics and sprites; it was endearing,” said Cody Yoder ’19. “It had a nice sense of humor and balanced the pace of the game with the in-game time limit.” If you have an extra ten dollars lying around, you can buy the game on Steam. The art style is nostalgic and endearing, making “Kingsway” worth buying for the hours that you will get out of it.
Courtesy Steam Community
“Kingsway” is a single-player role-playing game developed by Adult Swim. In the game, the main character travels across a randomly-generated map to defeat the Sky Eater, the main antagonist.
14 Culture
Red & Black
Poetry Corner “Silhouette of a Life”
Maggie Smith Red & Black Staff
Life through a veil of mist and leaves; A soul born in the dirt, ascending, searching for a place in the stars. Silhouettes at the galaxy’s edge. Fluid darkness, ebony lines Like a pot of ink spilled upon the gauzy stretch of universe. Shadows pressed like paper Beneath the watchful eye of the night, Waiting for the silky strand of a moment To dissolve into light and become a constellation, the night sky the only silhouette.
10 May 2019
10 May 2019
opinions Red & Black
Opinions 15
Course Evaluations Need to be Taken Seriously Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Staff
Finals season is upon us once again, and so are course evaluations. I admit that in my past I have ignored the constant reminder to complete course evaluations, primarily thinking that they would not matter, that my professors would never read them or, more importantly, that I should focus on studying for my exams. Brendan Troesch ’21 stated his appreciation for the idea of course evaluations, but not necessarily the timing. “I like course evaluations and I hope professors read them. However, I think they should be due after finals because
I have other things to worry about rather than filling out the course evaluations,” said Troesch. Unfortunately, not all professors consider course evaluations as much as others, but there are certainly professors who put a great deal of thought
Dylan Bertovich ’21 also appreciates when professors actually consider the input of students through course evaluations. “I think that it is really good when professors like Professor Altmeyer and Dr. Brletic read the course evaluations and take serious consider-
If more students voiced similar dissenting opinions, their voices would be better heard and taken more seriously. into what students have to say. Dr. Kieran, a history professor at Washington & Jefferson College, has dedicated class time to completing course evaluations, urging students to voice what they like or dislike about the class.
ation and alter their classes accordingly based around the evaluations,” said Bertovich. “I do think that they should have more basis in administration like if you have students in a class or over years who make the same comments
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.
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.
such as tests are unfair or that a professor moves too fast or too slow, then the administration should take these comments and approach the professor and get them to address these concerns.” Ultimately, this is what all students hope for when filling out course evaluations. In addition, Bertovich suggested that if professors do not take into account the opinions of students and repeatedly get the same comments, there should be some sort of action taken to ensure that these concerns are addressed. While currently few students turn to course evaluations to complain as the result of a bad grade, I feel that if more students voiced similar dissenting opinions, their voices would be better heard and taken more seriously.
C ontac t 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
16 opinions
Red & Black
10 MAy 2019
Does CPS Respond Well to Crisis Situations? Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Staff
The question of campus safety at Washington & Jefferson College frequently comes into question with each disturbance on campus. Just last week outside of the Swanson Science Center, police, CPS officers and state troopers responded to an incident involving a car with two people fleeing. Students throughout Swanson, including myself, watched with faces pressed to the glass, as police had guns drawn. At the same time, students picked up that a woman had run the other way. While no students appeared to be affected, it came into question how we should be made aware of such occurrences. When asked about the incident, CPS responded, “On Monday May 6, during the evening hours, CPS assisted the Pennsylvania State Police and City of Washington Police with a police incident that originated close to campus. W&J CPS was not the primary agency responding, but were immediately on scene to assist the other departments and assess the situation. Although there was no threat to campus, CPS recognized the potential seriousness of the situation, as well as the potential for student and staff concerns, due to the proximity of the event to an academic building. In response, CPS immediately issued a series of emergency text and email notifications to the campus community notifying of the activity near campus. The event was resolved quickly and involved no W&J
Courtesy washjeff.edu
There are Campus and Public Safety officers on duty 24 hours of the day during the academic year to patrol campus and assess any potiental security issues.
students, faculty, or staff. We strongly urge anyone that did not receive an alert to register.” Yet this week, a student who wishes to remain anonymous spoke of a car chase she witnessed on campus near the fraternities and sororities, so it seems small scenes like these are common. Dylan Bertovich ’21 has also witnessed various occurrences but feels there is no negative effect on safety. “I think that our campus is generally safe, with an emphasis on generally. There have been some incidents in the past, particularly one a couple years ago that highlights how dangerous the surrounding community can be,” said Bertovich. “I think that the major issue facing the campus safety is that the Washington community has a ram-
pant drug problem. I know that there are issues in the city of Washington and that intersects the campus and the safety of all of the students. It is not uncommon to see police or ambulances responding on campus.” According to the 2014 Drug Enforcement Administration’s Analysis of Drug-Related Overdose Deaths in Pennsylvania, Washington County has about 1.77 deaths per 100,000 persons due to drug related behavior. This is moderate compared to other PA counties such as Centre (8.18) and Lycoming (8.58). Moreover, students often see emergency response vehicles on campus because W&J is within city limits and the roads are public; the College is not a closed campus, and these are circumstances that CPS cannot control. Some
students, like Brianna McGowan ’21, choose to take their own precautionary measures to ensure their own safety. “If it is dark, I walk from the library through G&T’s to get back to the quads because it is dark and late in order to feel safer,” said McGowan. If a serious situation were to take place, W&J has an emergency response plan. This March, CPS and other college administrators participated in “an active shooter tabletop exercise that was facilitated by the Department of Homeland Security,” according to CPS. Ultimately, CPS is making student safety the main priority. The office employs six full-time police officers, and these officers participate in trainings such as ALICE, or active shooter civilian response training.
10 May 2019
Red & Black
Opinions 17
Students Need to Know Their Grades Before Finals
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Students are encourged to attend Stress Busters like Late Nite Breakfast during finals week, but it is hard for them to relax when they are worried about their grades.
Edith Bear Red & Black Staff
As students, we work all semester long on various projects and papers as we prepare for final exams. We can see in the syllabus the weight or point value of an assignment, but after we hand the work in, we have to wait for the professor’s evaluation. Many professors utilize the Sakai gradebook and actively refresh grades in a timely manner; however, this is not always the case with others. On numerous occasions, I have had to estimate my grade going into finals week because I do not have returned grades or a posted midterm grade in WebAdvisor. This is a very stressful situation. Julia Adams ‘22 wishes these grades
were more visible to students. “Finals are usually a good portion of the final grade for the semester, so a student should know where they stand before finals so they know what will happen to their grade if they fail or not,” said Adams. “Also, most students have a goal of a grade that they want and the final generally determines whether or not they get that grade.” Additionally, students frequently have to have a “work smarter, not harder” mentality when it comes to finals week because we only have one reading day. We have to prioritize which classes’ finals matter the most when we have such little time to review. Meghan Gonzalez ‘21 agrees with this notion. “Students should know their standings in their classes before finals week so they know what aspects of the class they performed well on and what part of the class they need to
improve on,” said Gonzalez. “This allows students to benefit of organizing their study time around the areas they personally struggled with most.” Sam Gooch ‘22 echoed this sentiment. “It helps students study well so they can know how well they have to do on their finals,” said Gooch. Aside from time management during finals, knowing what grade you have should be a right. When students are paying a hefty price for college, they should know if they are doing well or not. It is completely unfair to have no idea what grade you could be receiving on your transcript when you are putting in so much time and energy. “I understand that teachers are busy and have lots of grading to do,” said Katie Prinkey ‘19. “However, I don’t feel that it equals the stress level of the students who have to study and complete finals in different subjects.” On the other
hand, professors are busy and have lives outside of school. Grading is a very time-consuming process when they want to give us good, constructive critiques, and I am sure that students prefer to understand what they can do to improve. “Professors have a lot on their plate just like students do,” said Gonzalez. “Professors typically have classes they have to worry about along with helping with school events, speak with prospective students, and advise all of us, among other daily life events they attend to for their own families. We need to be understanding of their schedules so that they are more understanding of ours.” Finals week is a stressful time for everyone at W&J, including students and faculty. It is important for both parties to be understanding of tight schedules and the stress that accompanies finals.
18 Sports
sports
10 May 2019
Red & Black
Women’s Lacrosse Loses PAC Championship Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
The Washington & Jefferson College women’s lacrosse team played in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) lacrosse championship on May 4. The Presidents started their PAC run on April 30 when they hosted the Franciscan University Barons in the PAC semi-final game. The Presidents dominated the Barons throughout the game and finished with a 12-7 victory. Rae LaRochelle ‘20 had a strong performance with five
goals and two assists, leading the Presidents with her seven points. Goalkeeper Sam Lenfesty ‘22 also had a great game with eleven saves on the day. The Presidents then traveled to New Wilmington to take on the Westminster College Titans in the PAC championship game. This was the Presidents’ fourth conference championship game in a row. The Presidents suffered their only conference loss to the Titans earlier this season in a thrilling 6-7 overtime game. The game started as another back-and-forth game as the first half ended in a 5-5 tie. The Presidents had four different goal scorers in the half,
including two goals from LaRochelle. The second half was another story because the Titans came into it fighting. The Titans put up a whopping ten goals in the second half and held the Presidents to zero goals in the half with the game ending in a 15-5 W&J loss. Katelyn White ‘21 commented positively on her team’s performance. “Despite the overly aggressive play from the other team, we still kept our heads high and gave 110% for an entire 60 minutes. The cards just weren’t in our favor this year,” said White. With the loss, the Presidents finished their season with a 9-8 record and 6-1 record in PAC play. LaRo-
chelle led the team this season with 95 points with 71 goals and 24 assists. Sofiya Bobrovnikoa ‘21 backed up LaRochelle this season, finishing with 24 goals and 24 assists totaling 48 points. LaRochelle believes the Presidents had a great season despite the disappointing loss. “We fought really hard until the very last minute and it showed. We’re not going to dwell in the past but moreso look back at our mistakes and see what we can do to improve for next year,” said LaRochelle. The team members have a slight feeling of defeat from their loss, but the women are already looking forward to the next season.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
The W&J women’s lacrosse team falls 15-5 against Westminster College.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
LaRochelle finishes her season with 24 goals and 24 assists.
10 May 2019
Red & Black
19 sports
Student Athlete Spotlight: Noah Cohen ’20 Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Staff
Noah Cohen ‘20 just finished his third season on the Washington & Jefferson College men’s lacrosse team. He is from Hewlett, N.Y. where he played lacrosse from the time he was in fifth grade. Cohen trained as a goalie from the beginning of his lacrosse
way, including PAC academic honor roll, ORLC second team as a freshmen and ORLC honorable mention last year. Cohen holds many records as goalkeeper at W&J, including the most alltime saves record at 725 and the single season saves record at 263 saves during his first year. There are many challenging aspects of being goalie, according to Cohen. “I hate getting too many balls thrown at me. Also, having to be the quarterback of the defense can be challenging while I am still focusing on myself individually,” said Cohen. However, he loves his position be-
“[Our coaches] let the players have a lot of independence. They let us operate on our own, which is a really nice aspect.” - Noah Cohen ‘20 experience, which is the position that he still plays on the W&J team. He is coached by Kevin Kustron and Sean Kulczyk. Kustron has been Cohen’s coach his whole time here at W&J. Cohen asserted that his coaches positively impact the team experience. “They let the players have a lot of independence. They let us operate on our own, which is a really nice aspect,” said Cohen. Kustron’s influence was a primary reason why Cohen chose to attend W&J. “Coach Kevin is a stout recruiter; I was between here and Duke and he made this place feel like home.” Cohen has started in every game during his time at W&J, which is a testament to his skills, and he has racked up some memorable stats along the
cause it involves absolutely no running. Although the men’s lacrosse team finished with what Cohen refers to as a “mediocre” season, Cohen is confident in the Presidents’ future prospects. Cohen maintains a positive outlook about the team’s next season. “We are only losing two seniors. [A]lthough they are big losses, I still think we have a lot to build on and we can have a much better season,” said Cohen. Cohen has enjoyed his time as a President, making many good memories and building relationships with his teammates. He has loved his time at W&J and is thankful that he is treated like every other student. Cohen will start his last lacrosse season as a President in spring 2020.
Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
Noah Cohen holds the W&J men’s lacrosse goalkeeper all-time saves record with 725 saves.
20 sports
Red & Black
10 MAy 2019
Last Week’s Scores April 30 Baseball vs La Roche University: 10-6 win Women’s lacrosse PAC semifinals vs Franciscan University: 12-7 win
May 1 Baseball vs the University of Mount Union: 8-7 win
May 4 Baseball doubleheader vs Saint Vincent College: 1-0 win and 9-6 loss Women’s lacrosse PAC championships vs Westmister College: 15-5 loss
May 5 Baseball vs Saint Vincent University: 16-2 win Courtesy Reilly Oliverio
This Week’s Games May 9 Baseball vs Bethany College (PAC tournament)(H)-1pm
May 10 Track & field at the Marty Goldberg Gator Invitational (A)-10am Men’s tennis NCAA tournament at Johns Hopkins University (A)-2pm
May 13 Track & field at the Swarthmore Final Qualifier (A)
May 14 Men’s golf at the NCAA DIII tournament (A)
Courtesy gopresidents.com