Breaking news and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. XLIX, No. 3
September 12, 2018
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addresses racial Fair highlights on-campus opportunities Speaker disparity in Christian context
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
The College offers numerous extracurricular options. By Isabella Donnelly Staff Writer
The fall 2018 Student Involvement Fair brought droves of students to the Brower Student Center, where the College’s diverse collection of clubs and organizations was on display on Sept. 5.
The fair gave students, especially first-year and transfer students, an opportunity to explore all that the College has to offer outside of the classroom. Tables covered with colorfully-decorated posters lined the Brower Student Center, showcasing a multitude of opportunities for academic enrichment
and social fulfillment. Students proudly represented their clubs and eagerly searched to pass the torch to the next group of students. At first glance, seeing all of the organizations scattered across the Student Center is overwhelming; however, new students and club representatives agree that the Involvement Fair is a crucial mode of exhibiting opportunities for involvement on campus. April Cabala, a freshman economics major, explained how the involvement fair made her aware of the numerous organizations she could potentially join. “There are so many clubs — it’s kind of hard to know all about them,” she said. “I knew of a few but I didn’t know there was this many. It really opened my eyes to what I could do and how many clubs and things you can join.” Viane Villanueva, a sophomore nursing major and treasurer of Barkada, an organization which represents the College’s Filipino community, expressed how important the involvement fair is in garnering new members.
By Miguel Gonzalez News Editor After a few club announcements and a brief prayer, the New Jersey Christian Fellowship introduced guest speaker Jonathan Walton for the NJCF’s “How does God view diversity?” event in the Student Center Room 100E on Thursday, Sept. 6. Before diving into his lecture, Walton showed the music video of Joyner Lucas’ “I’m not racist,” a controversial video in which a white man and a black man confront one another. Walton used the video to start a conversation about how God does not judge race and how people can connect to Jesus while confronting current racial issues. Walton initially talked about racially insensitive incidents happening on college campuses such as Ku Klux Klan members recruiting students, Hispanics being targeted as undocumented immigrants and Chinese students being discriminated against. He used these examples to emphasize that conversations about diversity do not begin peacefully. “Most of our conversations about race and class and culture do not start with Jesus at the center,” Walton said. “Yes, there are people angry about race and class and status.
see CLUB page 12
see BELIEF page 3
College hosts inaugural multicultural cookout By Miguel Gonzalez News Editor
While cool air blew through the trees and a soft drizzle came down at the College, students radiated warm energy in the Decker Social Space at the For the Culture Cookout on Saturday, Sept. 8. The event was hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Pride Mentoring program. Several cultural organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha, the Haitian Student Association, the Black Student Union and the College’s NAACP chapter sought to showcase the College’s ethnic diversity while offering food and entertainment. Anisa Douglas, a junior elementary and early childhood education and psychology double major, was excited to represent her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta. “We’re here to represent the multicultural organizations on campus, especially for freshmen,” Douglas said. “It’s nice to be here to eat food, dance and enjoy music while promoting our organization.” Meanwhile, students like sophomore accounting major Antonio Gamboa wanted to spread the messages and goals of their respective organizations. As a member of the National Association of Black Accountants, Gamboa emphasized inclusivity. “As a new club on campus, we want to welcome everyone — not just what our name implies,” Gamboa said. “Half of our e-board aren’t finance majors. We strive to give opportunities to network
INDEX:
Nation & World / page 5
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Students form cross-cultural bonds while showing off their dance moves. with professionals. It’s all for the betterment of TCNJ.” Don Trahan Jr., the director of the College’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, was delighted to see a significant turnout for the cookout. “We thought it was important to come together so all of you would have an opportunity to engage and celebrate with each other and have fun,” Trahan said. Students were served hot Jamaican Editorial / page 7
food such as brown rice with beans, steamed cabbage and savory jerk chicken. Once their stomachs filled up, students took to the center of the Social Space for some energetic, lively dancing to songs such as Beyonce’s “Love on Top” and Cali Swag District’s “Teach Me How to Dougie.” The Social Space only got hotter when DJ Taj’s “Work” (Jersey Club remix) rang through the air and inspired students to demonstrate their signature dance moves.
Opinions / page 8
Features / page 12
Miguel Gonzalez / News Editor
By the end of the event, students were better informed of the numerous diverse groups on campus. “This event was for exposing our culture to the community,” said Gibson Val, a sophomore computer science major and publicity chair of the Haitian Student Association. “Not only were we providing food and music, we also provided students to a chance to know about diversity and different ethnic groups.”
Arts & Entertainment / page 15
Sports / page 20
Union Latina Club hosts welcome back reception
Art Exhibit Gallery honors Trenton community
Men’s Soccer Lions win fifth consecutive game
See Features page 12
See A&E page 15
See Sports page 19
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Study abroad fair offers diverse opportunities Event encourages students to travel internationally
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
Students pore over the various study abroad options provided by the College. By Ariel Steinsaltz Staff Writer
Giving students the opportunity to explore different options the school provides for studying in other countries, the College held its study abroad fair on Sept. 5, in the Education Building Room 212. The fair represented a variety of destinations. Students could
study anywhere from Dublin to the Galapagos Islands, Peru or Paris. The trips included semesterlong programs, summer programs, winter programs and trips during the “Maymester,” which are the weeks immediately following the end of the academic year. Some of the faculty-led trips offer courses that are taught in short periods of time. Other programs offer multiple classes
in areas such as foreign language or international studies. One program available to students is the Spring Hill College Italy Center. Spring Hill College is located in Mobile, Alabama and has a campus in Bologna, Italy, according to Mary Hutti and Jordan Byrne, representatives from Spring Hill College, which began its partnership with the College in 2012. The School for Field Studies,
Belief / Speaker links race, religion continued from page 1
And the center of the conversation is anger. All of our emotions is at the center of the conversation.” Walton explained his own ethnic background. Born in Brodnax, Virginia, Walton questioned how people assume he is black despite being 25 percent European with a Cherokee grandmother. “The country likes to classify me through these boxes, but do these boxes exist in the kingdom of God?” Walton said. Walton spoke about four different reactions when a racially insensitive incident occurs: appeasers, blamers, computers and distractors. According to Walton, appeasers want the situation to be contained and forgotten quickly. He points that in Lucas’ music video, the black and white men try to resolve the conflict quickly, before they get to know each other more. Walton uses college campus’ reactions as an example of appeasement. “Something happens on campus,” Walton said. “The appeasers come out. Let’s send an email. Let’s have a town hall. Jesus had a town hall, but he died on a cross.”
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
Walton explains his racial identity.
According to Walton, blamers look to further divide people by creating debates. “People pick sides and people have conversations,” Walton said. “Not really conversations, they’re just debates. We can debate points, we can’t debate faith. We reduce people to the point of the side they take, instead of taking them in the kingdom of God.” Distractors look to stay away from racially insensitive situations as much as possible, according to Walton. Walton then emphasized that all racial groups are part of the kingdom of God, but racism is not. “The skin I received was not a curse — it was a blessing from God,” Walton said. “Brothers and sisters in this room whatever skin color you have, somebody thinks you’re messed up because of it. In the kingdom of God, god says that you are accepted.” After a brief pause, Walton encourages students to not tolerate, but to love all people, regardless of their race, sexuality or disability. “God calls to love your neighbor,” Walton said. “Pray for your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. God says to love them because everyone is made in his image.” To cap off his lecture, Walton asserted that white people should not feel guilty about the past oppression of minorities. “White guilt is not in the kingdom of God, nor is it in the bible,” Walton said. “It’s destructive, it’s not helpful and it’s not the language in the kingdom of God. It’s impossible to interact with someone and not interact with their history.” Joshua Bae, a junior communication studies and interactive multimedia double major, recognized the power of unity within Christian communities. “To me, we as Christians always look to worship God and pray as a community,” Bae said. “Whether it be because of good, bad or struggling times, we are all family in the kingdom of God.”
which allows students to do fieldbased, environmentally focused work while living in a research center. It was founded by ecologists in 1980 and has worked with the College for 15 years. They offer semester courses and summer courses. The College has also been partnering with the Foundation for International Education for over 10 years to run the TCNJ London Study Center, according to Erika Richards, the vice president of institutional relations at the foundation. The program combines study with an internship and allows students at the College to earn transfer credits. TCNJ Spain offers both a fiveweek summer option and a semester-long option to study in Madrid. Isabel Kentengian, the College’s faculty director of the spring semester program for TCNJ Spain, said that students should seek to maximize their study abroad experience. “Students who are studying abroad should ask themselves, ‘what is it that you want to get out of study abroad?’” Kentengian said. “The reasons people give often include getting to know another culture and language, wanting to travel, wanting to have fun and wanting to discover who they are.” Students can also enroll in the College’s exchange programs, which give them the
ability to attend another school for a semester or a year and allows students from other colleges to attend the College in their place. Kiersten Newkirk, a senior communication studies major and the college enhancement intern for the Center for Global Engagement, was at the fair representing various faculty-led programs. Newkirk said that she studied abroad in New Zealand during her sophomore year. She explained that it was an extraordinary experience for her, and the Center for Global Engagement was a huge asset throughout the process. When she returned to the College, she felt motivated to work for the Center for Global Engagement and have “the opportunity to help (her) peers go abroad and have similarly wonderful adventures,” she said. Newkirk was happy to see that there were a lot of programs tailored for different majors, because it gave more students the chance to study abroad. Julie Bang, a freshman elementary education major, had been interested in studying abroad but didn’t know she could have the opportunity to travel with her major. “There are a lot of places you can go,” Bang said. “Students of every nature can go anywhere that interests them.”
Vital Signs: Limit your screen time
Looking at a screen for too long can damage your eyes. By Lily Firth News Editor
No one can escape excessive screen time because it is necessary to function in today’s society. What is scary about this new norm is that it happened so quickly, leaving scientists scrambling to find if excessive screen time is dangerous to our health in the long run. A large amount of screen time can restructure the matter of your brain’s grey and white matter, according to Psychology Today. “Too much screen usage seems to result in grey matter shrinkage, problems with white matter ability to communicate, a lot more cravings and general poorer cognitive performance,” according to Psychology Today. Our eyes are also being harmed by too much screen time. Not only does blue light keep us up longer at night and throws off our sleep schedules, it could possibly be damaging our retinas and increasing eye strain. Screen time also makes people more susceptible to Metabolic syndrome, which can be described as a combination of diabetes,
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high blood pressure and obesity. Scientists are more concerned about this problem in children, who are being introduced to screens so young that they never learn to enjoy running around and playing outside. In 2008, there was a study that showed even if children exercised for a bit after binge watching TV, they were still at risk because the binge watching created a habit of sitting still for hours, and the small amount of physical activity could not counteract the child’s sedentary lifestyle, according to the Journal of Public Health. There is also a debate on whether or not screen time is inhibiting the emotional development of kids, and that it may impact adults too. Too many simulated emotional connections through screens and not enough face-to-face interaction may impact your ability to process emotion properly, according to NPR. Since excessive screen time is a relatively new phenomenon, research is still emerging and it is hard to get accurate information. However, one piece of advice remains clear — limit your screen time as much as possible.
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Nation & W rld
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Tibbetts family appeals to politicians in op-ed By Jesse Stiller Staff Writer Rob Tibbetts, the father of college student Mollie Tibbetts, who was murdered while on a jog this summer, reached out to political figures and advocates in an opinion piece published in the Des Moines Register on Sept. 1. In the piece, Tibbetts urged individuals to not exploit his daughter’s death with the intention to “promote racism” or to use her death as a mouthpiece for illegal immigration. “I encourage the debate on immigration; there is great merit in its reasonable outcome, But do not appropriate Mollie’s soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist,” Tibbetts wrote. Mollie Tibbetts went missing on July 18 while jogging near her home in Brooklyn, Iowa. The suspect in the case, Cristhian Rivera, 24, has been charged with first degree murder. After a month-long search, Rivera was arrested and led investigators to her body in a cornfield just outside of
her house, according to the New York Post. Rivera, who is an undocumented immigrant, claimed he blacked out during the time of the murder. Rivera was legally employed by an Iowa farm for almost four years before the crime took place. He completed a background check using stolen identification documents, according to the Washington Post. In a column written by President Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., released on Aug. 31 in the Des Moines Register, Trump. Jr argued that Democrats indirectly caused Mollie’s death and opposed claims that Republicans and conservatives were taking advantage of her murder, according to The New York Times. Trump Jr. said that the Democrats’ “mask was off” and accused Democrats of fighting off policies that would, according to his column, strengthen the borders. Trump Jr. went on to state the Democrats opt instead for an open-border policy that threatens innocent Americans. In his plea, Tibbetts wrote that while he
Trump Jr. responds to Tibbetts in a Des Moines Register article. appreciated the debate on immigration in America, he requested that Mollie’s death and the family be left out of the discussion, according to the Des Moines Register. “At her eulogy, I said Mollie was nobody’s victim,” Tibbetts wrote. “Nor is she a pawn in others’ debate. She may not be able to speak for herself, but I can and will.
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Please leave us out of your debate. Allow us to grieve in privacy and with dignity. At long last, show some decency.” Tibbetts’ death adds fuel to a nationwide debate on immigration, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and border security in the U.S., causing more strife in an already tense political landscape.
Pentagon to cut monetary aid to Pakistan
Pakistanis deny Trump’s accusations of harboring terrorists.
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By Zahra Memon Staff Writer
The Pentagon has officially cut $300 million in aid to Pakistan to fund other “‘urgent priorities’” following approval by Congress as stated by Lt. Col. Kone Faulkner on Sept. 2, according to BBC. President Donald Trump came to this decision at the start of the new year, stating
that Pakistan did not take any “decisive action against armed groups in the country,” according to Al-Jazeera. In January, Trump also tweeted claiming that Pakistan hides terrorists from Afghanistan in the country, according to Vox. Pakistan denies Trump’s accusation regarding sanctuaries for Taliban fighters, according to The Guardian. Earlier this year, Congress suspended $500 million from The Coalition Support Fund to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, and have since stripped a total of $800 million as of Sept. 2, according to The Independent. Since 2002, the U.S. has funded Pakistan more than $14 billion to combat terrorism in the nation, according to Vox. The general consensus of Pakistanis and political affiliates has been to advocate for the end of terrorism in Pakistan, and the money the country receives in aid has been used to counter terrorism, Ambassador Husain Haqqani stated. However, the U.S. and Afghanistan believe that money was used to support terrorism efforts, according to NBC News. The relationship between the two nations has been described as “deeply strained,” and the suspension of aid will make relations worse, according to The Guardian. Cutting aid will put pressure on Islamabad’s security as the economy in Pakistan continues to fluctuate, according to The Independent. Despite the strained relations, the loss of aid will not have an immediate detrimental effect on the nation, and stable relationships will continue to be difficult to maintain, according to The Guardian.
Stabbing sparks massive refugee policy protests in Germany By Anandita Mehta Staff Writer Protesters for and against Germany’s refugee policies clashed in the streets in the German city of Chemnitz on Sept. 1, following the stabbing of a 35-year-old German carpenter, according to Al Jazeera. The victim of the stabbing, identified by the police as Daniel H., was killed the previous week on Aug. 27, according to CNN. An Iraqi man, 21, and a Syrian man, 22, were arrested in connection with the stabbing, according to Reuters. Al Jazeera estimates that 4,500 right wing supporters and 3,500 left wing protesters took to the streets of the eastern German city in the wake of the stabbing, while 1,800 police officers were stationed at the protests to maintain
order between both sides. Due to a larger than expected turnout, an extra 200 police officers were deployed to Chemnitz during the course of the protests. There were 18 reported injuries and 37 crimes under investigation as a result of the protests, according to CNN. Both the right wing antiimmigration protesters and the opposition used fireworks that resulted in injuries. This led the police to respond with water cannons, according to Reuters. “If the state is no longer to protect citizens then people take to the streets and protect themselves,” Alternative for Germany politician Markus Frohnmaier tweeted in response to the killing, according to Reuters. Justice Minister Heiko Maas
Protesters march along the streets of Chemnitz.
stated that Germany has become “too comfortable,” and he urges the “silent majority” to stand up to the far right, anti-immigration protesters, according to CNN.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel conveyed a message through her spokesperson, Steffen Seibert, denouncing the far-right protesters. She stated the German
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government condemns such “vigilante justice” and the hounding of people who look different and come from different backgrounds, according to Reuters.
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Editorial
Violence against women should not be normalized
Ladies, what do you do on those walks back to your dorm in the dark after a late class? Personally, I call my mom. I wish I could say that it’s only because I miss her, which I do, but there is another unfortunate reason. Women are taught not to go out alone after dark. We are told to never accept drinks from strangers. We are raised to tolerate cat-calls from moving vehicles and being touched without our permission. We keep our head on a swivel because “no” isn’t universal anymore. Society’s solutions include bedazzled pepper spray that can attach to your purse, nail polish that can detect date rape drugs, and pink flashlights that double as stun guns. We shouldn’t need self-defense products and we certainly shouldn’t need to reinvent them as feminine accessories. Everyone should implement the precautions they feel comfortable taking, but we deserve to live in a world that doesn’t profit off of women’s fear. We all have our stories. You know, the ones that send a shiver down your spine? Those experiences you are supposed to move on from and even accept as compliments? Picture a girl walking up the basement stairs of a fraternity house as a boy reaches toward her, grabbing her breast. As disturbing as it sounds, that story is quite common. The boy gets criticized for his actions, but only until people start to blame the girl for putting herself in such a position, as if she deserved to be violated. Sexual harassment is not limited to a party or bar setting –– it has and unfortunately will continue to occur where we work, shop, eat and even earn an education. My friend called me a few weeks ago, shaken. She was in Walmart and felt a pair of eyes on her. The eyes belonged to a man who said to my friend that he couldn’t help but stare — she looked so beautiful that he just needed to follow her around the store to tell her so. She asked me if she was crazy for feeling uncomfortable because he was only delivering praise, an inquiry I immediately squashed. The reactions people have in these situations are instinctual and should be validated, not twisted into another emotion. Over the summer, I made a mistake. I went to my job at a local ice cream shop, wearing athletic shorts, exposing my legs. I would come to discover that this gave a middle-aged man the right to ask me if I played rugby or lacrosse. Before I could even respond, he described my legs as “just so muscular and beautiful” as he leaned over the counter, closer to me. The man proceeded to put money in my tip jar as he looked me up and down like a piece of meat. “Well, at least he tipped,” my co-worker said consolingly. We are a product of our resilient nature. We get up, dust ourselves off and move on. As much as I would like to disregard the cat-calling, unwarranted comments and harassment that myself and those that I love have endured, future women should not have to. The purpose of this conversation is not to deter men from hitting on girls. It is to deter men from treating women like objects, speaking about and touching them as if they are not in control of their bodies. Sharing our stories, accepting that we are not at fault for our experiences and refusing to tolerate inappropriate comments and actions can bring necessary change. — Alyssa Louis Social Media Editor
Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo, Sports, Review and Social Media editors and the Business and Production managers, unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.
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Female students often feel safer walking in pairs.
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Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Forcina Hall The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Meagan McDowell Photo Editor mcdowem4@tcnj.edu Danielle Silvia Production Manager silviad2@tcnj.edu Heather Haase Web Editor haaseh1@tcnj.edu Alexandra Raskin Alyssa Louis Social Media Editors raskina1@tcnj.edu louisa1@tcnj.edu Katherine Holt Opinions Assistant holtk2@tcnj.edu Madison Pena Features Assistant penam9@tcnj.edu Emilie Lounsberry Adviser lounsber@tcnj.edu Derek Falci Business/Ad Manager falcid1@tcnj.edu Brielle Bryan Business/Ad Assistant bryanb2@tcnj.edu
“The skin I received was not a curse — it was a blessing from God. Brothers and sisters in this room, whatever skin color you have, somebody thinks you’re messed up because of it. In the kingdom of God, god says that you are accepted.” — Johnathan Walton Religious speaker
“This was my first meeting and I loved it. It was super fun and welcoming. Plus the empanadas were great, but no surprise there.” — Rachel Kaye
Senior public health major
“I think the team still fights. Even when we are in a hole they fight. We are going to continue to make changes. If we continue to fight we will continue to progress.” — Casey Goff Head Coach of football
page 8 The Signal September 12, 2018
Opinions
Hate speech laws start dangerous slope
By Darshan Kalola
The Supreme Court has ruled on several occasions that hate speech, at least in a legal context, does not exist. Any speech excluding libel and words that directly incite violence or public harm is protected by the First Amendment. Recently, however, some on the political left are advocating for “hate speech laws.” These laws would criminalize offensive remarks, especially those which are racist, homophobic or misogynistic in intent. At first glance, this appears to be a sound idea. After all, we all want our dialogue to be free from expressions of hate, especially those which insult our identities. Hate speech causes unnecessary pain and has no utility whatsoever. Nevertheless, governmental regulation of speech is a Pandora’s box we should keep closed. Hate speech laws necessitate an answer to an intractable problem—what is hate? Everyone has their own opinion. Just as a single story can be presented by the media in dramatically different ways — what someone considers to be hate speech could be seen as an innocuous remark by another. Try flipping between CNN and Fox News sometime. Though both profess to provide the objective truth, one source’s coverage is often at odds with the other’s.
I don’t imagine they will reach a consensus on what is hate speech anytime soon. What will happen, as has happened in the past, is people and organizations will characterize hate in whichever way is most profitable to them. Do you believe our president or other politicians should have the ability to arbitrate between what is hate and what isn’t? I hope not. It only takes one scroll through President Donald Trump’s Twitter to recognize that he is allergic to even the most reasonable of criticisms levied against him. He would likely claim an attack against his policy as a form of hate speech. Given he already treats his opponents like garbage, what would our country be like if he could retaliate with the power of the law on his side? For this reason, the left should be the most concerned about freedom of speech. They have worked, after all, on behalf of disenfranchised people for decades. They stood with African Americans during the Civil Rights Era and the LGBTQ+ community during the fight for same-sex marriage. These campaigns for equality could not have been possible without truly unhindered speech. It’s one of the few resources these minority groups actually had. Let’s not forget — much of the country initially resisted both of those movements. At that time, hate speech laws
Restrictions could endanger citizens’ right to freedom of speech. would have been obstacles for activists. It would have made their struggle more difficult, since much of what they were saying was offensive to someone. Luckily, our First Amendment protected their right to speak and they were able to change people’s minds over time. Future injustices will similarly be resolved through the use of free speech. We can’t afford to surrender such a right to the government. If history is any guide, we know that the government does not always act in the best interest of the people. Flip through the pages of
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a history book, and you’re likely to find some account of the government’s moral failing, whether it be the internment of the Japanese, slavery or Jim Crow. So, even though hate speech is an impediment for constructive discussion and incredibly painful, its regulation would be abused by those in power. The world would be much safer if there were no words of hatred or anger ever uttered, but we have to be realistic. There is no way we can eradicate hate speech without simultaneously sacrificing our most precious right to free speech.
Common courtesy should become common again
Basic signs of respect are not as common as they used to be. By Katherine Holt Growing up, my parents always made a consistent effort to instill the “golden rule” in me, ensuring that I was always kind to everybody who I crossed paths with no matter their race, ethnicity, occupation or economic status.
Saying things like “please” and “thank you” were the most basic things I learned when I first entered social situations, and so I have always expected others to abide by common courtesy too. But as I become more independent and experience more exposure to daily human interaction, I’ve
slowly begun to realize that these “common” courtesies really aren’t so common anymore. Last semester, I went to the Ewing Diner for a late-night meal. When our waitress came to take our order, she introduced herself and asked how we were doing. I responded that I was doing fine, and asked her how she was doing as well, as I always have in the past when anyone greets me. I was caught off guard when the waitress gave me a funny look and told me that I had made her night simply by completing the exchange and asking her how she was doing. The waitress told me that almost nobody says “good, how are you” anymore, and that a typical response would be for people to just reply “good” or just ignore her entirely and begin reciting their order. I almost couldn’t believe her when she told me this — it just seemed to me that asking somebody how they were doing was an
extremely common greeting. Just recently while sitting in class, I found an opportunity to see if the waitress was right. Perhaps certain things I found to be common courtesies were not even used by most people. I have a professor who asks everybody how they are doing while taking attendance, asking, for example, “Jenny, how are you today?” As soon as I heard the first three people respond solely with “good,” I decided to stay alert and see whether or not a single person in the class would respond with “good, how are you?” Not a single student, excluding myself, did this. My name was called around the middle of attendance, and I thought for sure that after I set this example that perhaps others would follow. However, nobody else decided to ask the professor how he was doing in return. I have also noticed few people hold the door for the person behind them.
During my first semester at the College, I would always stand utterly stunned when a student who clearly saw me walking right behind them would slam the door in my face after entering a building. Although most people usually hold the door, it was extremely surprising to see how many did not. If you want to observe how often people generally practice common courtesy in public, try listening to those around you in the dining hall or your local Starbucks to see how many people say “please” and “thank you” when ordering their food. Many people will, but I have observed many others, especially those who are college-aged, say nothing. Try to remember that while technology gives people so many opportunities to communicate quickly without thinking, common courtesy should never be something that becomes obsolete. Kindness will never go out of style, and nobody is ever “too cool” to show compassion or appreciation.
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September 12, 2018 The Signal page 9
Students share opinions around campus “Should hate speech be prohibited by law?”
Katherine Holt / Opinions Assistant
Jenna Berthold, a junior elementary education and sociology double major. “Having laws in place probably wouldn’t stop people from using hate speech.”
Clare McGreevy / Opinions Editor
Isabella Nieto, a freshman marketing major. “No, people have different opinions and I just think everyone is allowed one.”
“Do you hold the door for the person behind you?”
Clare McGreevy / Opinions Editor
Daniel Ruiz, a freshman journalism and professional writing major.
“I was taught to do that growing up. It’s common courtesy.”
Katherine Holt / Opinions Assistant
Teresa Dinh, a junior biology major. “Yes, I always hold the door!”
The Signal’s cartoons of the week ...
page 10 The Signal September 12, 2018
Center for Student Success
The Center was established to provide students with access to personalized coaching and advisement with the goal of strengthening their academic performance and promoting student retention. The staff is dedicated to the academic success and development of the whole student. CSS also houses the PRIDE Mentoring Program, which is a targeted retention program.
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CSS Fall Workshop Series Wednesdays, 2:00pm-2:50pm, Roscoe West Hall Room 201 Wednesday, September 5, 2018 Seven Steps to a Successful Semester
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September 12, 2018 The Signal page 11
Fun Stuff
page 12 The Signal September 12, 2018
Features
Club / Students find new ways to get involved
Left: Upperclassmen promote their organizations with pride. Right: Students sign up for new clubs and activities. continued from page 1
“I think the Student Involvement Fair is definitely our biggest way to bring in new members and get people to come to our meetings,” she said. The Involvement Fair represented all of the diverse interests and identities at the College, ranging from greek organizations, cultural clubs, club sports and more. After getting the chance to consider all of the College’s organizations, students had the opportunity to find a group of people with which they identify.
While some clubs may appear to represent a specific interest or group of people, many representatives of organizations were enthusiastic about the notion of inclusivity on campus, and they stressed that their organizations are open to everyone. Courtney Woods, a senior early childhood education and music major, explained that PRISM, the College’s gender and sexuality alliance, is open to those who are both members of and allies to the LGBTQ+ community. “If people want to be educated on the different terms and the acronyms and all the different sexual orientations that there are or things that are going on in the community, they
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
can learn about that or if they just want a safe space to hang out and get to know other people,” she said. “It’s not only for LGBT people, allies can come too, of course. We’re open to everybody.” Gino Pineda, a senior management major and vice president of external operations for Barkada, stressed that while cultural clubs like Barkada may seem to be for students of a particular ethnic background, all students are welcome. “We are not exclusive, we are inclusive,” Pineda said. “We are there to open our culture up to other students on campus as well, so it is not just limited to Filipinos.”
Union Latina hosts welcome back celebration
Miguel Gonzalez / News Editor
Union Latina members serve empanadas to hungry guests. By Valerie Miko Correspondent
Music, dancing and empanadas — what more do you need from a Union Latina club meeting? More than 50 students came to catch up with old friends or meet new ones at Union Latina’s welcome back event on Sept. 5 in the Brower Student Center. Ritmo Latino, a Latin dance club closely associated with Union Latina, also joined to spread awareness of their upcoming auditions while supporting their peers. Union Latina is a student organization that focuses on promoting “unity throughout all the various cultures and nationalities represented on our campus, especially the Latinx community,” according to Jessica Rojas, a senior public health major and president of Union Latina. Rojas explained that the club’s goal is to offer a safe space for members to express themselves and explore their culture
while being surrounded and supported by their peers. Union Latina hosts educational events throughout the semester, and the executive board works hard to maintain a safe and welcoming environment while organizing events that range from a welcome back party to a themed gala. The purpose of the event was to welcome back returning members and encourage incoming freshmen to get involved with Union Latina. Ritmo Latino had similar goals in their involvement with the welcome back event by treating everyone to a sample of what their dance organization is about. Some guests came to support friends, and others came to reconnect with their Latinx roots. One of the many highlights of the event was the performance given by two representatives from Ritmo Latino. The dancers captivated their audience with with lots of hip movement and quick steps. Although in the past the two clubs had
only worked together on major events, such as Copa Night and Gala de la Raza, Ritmo Latino member and senior public health major Rachel Kaye said that both organizations plan on getting more involved with the campus community. “This was my first meeting and I loved it,” Kaye said. “It was super fun and welcoming. Plus the empanadas were great, but no surprise there. It was a very warm environment and I plan on going to more meetings in the future.” The night started with a round of Kahoot, a quiz game in which players answer multiple choice questions on their phones while the main screen keeps track of who answered the fastest and who got the questions right. Questions were both fun and informative, ranging from “Where did salsa originate from?” (answer: the U.S.), and “Which country produces the most emeralds in the world?” (answer: Colombia), challenging participants to recall cultural trivia. Many players admitted to not knowing
the answers to several of the questions. “I was surprised by a lot of them,” said Amanda Matos, a junior finance major. “I didn’t know the answers to at least half. It was a good learning experience.” After not having many opportunities to interact with other Cuban or Latinx people outside of her hometown, a sophomore English major Kaitlyn Wilson said that Union Latina meetings could be a great way to help her meet more Latinx peers. “I would really like to get in touch with my Latina roots a little bit more,” she said. Although the welcome back event was Union Latina’s first meeting of the year, there will be plenty more opportunities for students to get involved with both Union Latina and Ritmo Latino to either support their Latinx friends or explore their own cultures. “It’s nice to be surrounded by people who are the same culture I am,” said Valentina Zapata, a sophomore biology major. “I like the atmosphere and I’m excited to come back.”
Students reconnect with their Latinx roots.
Miguel Gonzalez / News Editor
September 12, 2018 The Signal page 13
:
Feb.‘80
Campus Style
State shuts down College cafeteria
Photo courtesy of the TCNJ Digital Archive
The health department gives the cafeteria an unsatisfactory rating.
Every week, Features Editor Emmy Liederman hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories. Today, T-Dubs is the perfect spot for late night dining, satisfying your sweet tooth and filling up on deep fried cravings. In the past, the Towers had a traditional dining hall in the lower level known as the TW Cafeteria. While it was a convenient place to eat, the cafeteria soon became a recipe for roaches, grime and many health violations. In February of 1980, the cafeteria reopened after being shut down by the State Department of Health because its closure limited dining options for students at the College. The mandatory closing in 1980 marked the first time in six years that a dining facility at a New Jersey college was shut down by the state.
Travers Wolfe dining hall reopened yesterday after a state health reinspection last Wednesday revealed, according to one official, “grossly insanitary conditions hazardous to public health.” This is the only known incident where a Trenton State College cafeteria was ordered to close due to unsatisfactory conditions. and is the first time in six years a New Jersey college eating facility was ordered closed by the State Department
of Health. A notice signed by State Health Commissioner Dr. Joanne Finley, and sent to the campus food service (Cuisine, Ltd.) said the Health Department “cannot permit these conditions to continue.” The note accompanies last Wednesday’s inspection report, which included nearly 11 pages of specific reasons leading to the eating establishment’s “unsatisfactory” evaluation. Cuisine was told to voluntarily shut down operations at the Towers dining hall or face possible legal action. Food preparation and serving ceased after last Wednesday’s lunch and did not resume until Monday’s dinner. PERSONS NORMALLY EATING in the cafeteria, which feeds the greatest number of people at TSC (about 1,200), are advised to use the facilities at Decker and Phelps Halls for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was served only in Decker. According to Edward Deep, assistant coordinator for the Retail Food Program at the state heath department, the two main reasons for the closing were a “massive infestation of roaches” in the food preparation and serving areas, and a “high accumulation of filth” in the food preparation area.
Lions Plate
Left: Vibrant colors light up fashion week. Right: Plaid makes a comeback this fall. By Lexy Yulich Columnist The most important week in the fashion industry is here! People from all over the globe made their way to New York City’s Fashion Week to watch top designers showcase their styles. In the fashion industry, designers must work at least two seasons ahead. The looks showcased this season were geared toward next spring, while clothes from the February 2018 fashion week were designed for fall. Since fall is just around the corner, I will focus on the looks from the February 2018 Fashion Week. While most of the runway designs are too elaborate for campus, it is still easy to incorporate some of the Fashion Week trends into your everyday outfits. Here are the top three fall-inspired Fashion Week trends, with tips and tricks on how to transform runway looks into wearable outfits. 1. Vibrant colors. Designers like Tom Ford, Valentino and Alexander Wang featured eye-catching colors on the runway. Orange, purple and red were among the most common colors selected. With fall approaching, it is easy to add pops of vibrant colors into your looks. Wearing a red
sweater or painting your nails orange are simple ways to add vibrancy and boldness to your outfits. 2. Fitted Jackets. Chanel’s theme this year was inspired by old fashioned cruise ships — they had an actual ship on the runway — and their look was timeless. Rather than simply imitating the nautical theme, Chanel created pieces that were a cross between a ship captain and a pilot. The brand turned typical masculine looks, such as a leather pilots jacket, into wearable feminine pieces. If you want to channel your inner Chanel, look for fitted jackets. A fitted style, like a cognac brown leather jacket or an army green bomber jacket will add depth to any outfit. 3. Plaid. Plaid is making a big comeback this season. Plaid dresses, blazers and even pants were a popular trend during Fashion Week. While wearing a full plaid blazer and pant outfit to class might not be practical, it won’t be hard to find a few plaid pieces. Stores such as Forever 21, H&M and Madewell have a wide selection of plaid. I particularly like wearing a plaid printed shift dress paired with black sandals and a denim jacket when the weather starts to cool off.
Mini Portabella Pizzas
Flickr
Left: Portabella mushrooms are a healthy alternative to a flour-based crust. Right: Pepperoni or other traditional toppings can be added to your pizza. By Shannon Deady Columnist Pizza may be one of the most quintessential college foods to ever exist –– not to mention one of the most obvious causes of the infamous “freshman 15.” Offered fresh out of the oven in Eickhoff Dining Hall, the Lions Den, T-Dubs and Piccolo Pronto in Campus Town, as well as
at various local pizzerias, it is always at our fingertips. Even worse are the endless frozen options offered at the C-Store and T-Dubs, microwavable for late night dorm munchies. When I lived in Cromwell Hall during my sophomore year, I finally had access to a communal kitchen and wanted to experiment with some healthier options that would eliminate leftover
pizza cravings from my freshman year binges. I had heard of using mushrooms in place of a flourbased crust, and since they are one of my favorite foods, I decided to give it a go. The recipe was simple, delicious and cut out all of the carbs from the crust, making it a great option for pizza lovers and health enthusiasts alike. Makes: 2 pizzas
Ingredients: 2 portabella king mushroom caps 1 ripe Roma tomato 1 package finely shredded mozzarella cheese Parmesan, fresh basil and olive oil to taste Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove any stems from mushroom caps and place upside
down on baking sheets. Baste generously with olive oil. 2. Slice tomato and distribute generously, followed by shredded mozzarella and parmesan to taste. 3. Add fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil on top of the mushrooms before placing in the oven for 20 minutes. 4. Take out the pizzas and let them cool. 5. Enjoy!
page 14 The Signal September 12, 2018
Fun Stuff Brain Teaser
September 12, 2018 The Signal page 15
Arts & Entertainment
Students collaborate with local artists in exhibit
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
Community Engaged Art students incorporate photography in their tribute to Trenton.
By Erin Kamel Staff Writer
The “Sight Specific: Art of Community” exhibit opened on Wednesday, Sept. 5, in the Art and Interactive Multimedia Gallery, and showcases visual art that honors members of the Trenton community. The gallery features photography, murals, collage work, video art and more. Half of the exhibit displays the work of students who took the Community Engaged Art class in the spring of 2018. The other half highlights the work of four local artists who visited the College to collaborate with students. “This show is a great opportunity for members of our campus to learn more about the local art scene and generate a sense of connectedness between the campus and community,” said Carolina Blatt-Gross, assistant professor of art education at the College. For their photo project, the class collaborated with artist JR, whose international project “Inside Out” won a TED prize at a 2011 TED Conference to fund small projects all over the world. “Inside Out” serves as a “global platform for people to share their untold stories and transform messages of personal identity
into works of public art,” according to the project’s website. The “Fabric of Trenton” profoundly features massive portraits of Trenton residents who stood in front of a textile background. “I was super happy because my proposal was chosen for this project,” said Estefany Rodriguez, a junior art education major, who chose the quilt work concept to represent how each person comes together to make up the community. The portraits are installed in three different locations in Trenton, one just outside of The Hummingbird Restaurant, a Jamaican eatery downtown. For their next project, the students partnered with East Trenton Collaborative, a group of residents and organizations who work together to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood, to create a mural for a community garden in Trenton. The exhibit documents the mural project from start to completion. Cara Giddens, a senior fine arts major, designed the mural that vibrantly illustrates community members, of various ages and backgrounds, working in a garden to represent the great diversity in the Trenton community. Melanie Capalbo, a junior art education major, chose a rainbow honeycomb design for the back of the mural –
visible from outside of the garden gate — to correlate the importance of bees to agriculture with the importance of the garden to the community. “(East Trenton Collaborative) really wanted something colorful to uplift the street,” Rodriguez said Students created complementary signs that include facts about each vegetable growing in the garden. The signs are written in English on one side and Spanish on the other, so the Spanish speaking population of Trenton can also interact with the garden. Poster sized portraits of four local artists fill the main wall of the gallery and flow into the second portion of the exhibit, which features each artist’s work. “They’re all about their community,” Rodriguez said. In the far corner of the gallery, a video piece that artist Bentrice Jusu worked on with local high school students is projected onto the wall. Some of Jusu’s display features classic black and white photography that pays homage to Trenton’s Razor Sharp Barber Shop. In Trenton, like many other cities, the barbershop is recognized as more than just a spot to get a haircut — it’s a “community anchor,”according to Jusu. Artist Tamara Torres’ collage work is a vibrant collective of colors and textures. One element of the multilayer piece flashes words and phrases like “Revolution” and “The Final American” above the hand of a puppet master. Puppet strings control a police officer holding a gun. A television portraying a sad woman with the word “system” across her mouth is in the place of the officer’s head. Torres’ work aims to speak to people who have been discriminated against because of their background or culture. “She’s so deep,” Rodriguez said. “Her pieces are amazing.” Artist Jon “Lank” Connor displayed extremely detailed stencil work that honors members of his family. Artist Andrew Wilkinson showcases his photographic talent with pixelated photos of some of the College’s art students. “Hopefully visitors will recognize the richness of the Trenton community and find inspiration for potential future collaborations,” Blatt-Gross said. The featured artists will return to the College on Sept. 19 for a reception and panel discussion from 5 to 7 p.m.
Mac Miller leads fans to shore in “Swimming” By Michelle Lampariello Editor-in-Chief The premature death of rapper Mac Miller, 26, has left many fans shocked, saddened and questioning what could have been done to prevent the musician’s apparent overdose. Mourning fans have been inundated with headlines about Miller’s drug addiction, his high-profile split with Ariana Grande and his DUI incident earlier this year. When news of Miller’s death broke, not much attention was given to his music, and many were quick to omit details about the Aug. 3 release of his album “Swimming.” The emphasis on Miller’s personal life and prior transgressions have angered some fans, who feel that he should be remembered not as anyone’s ex-boyfriend, but rather as a talented and dedicated rapper. “Swimming” provides listeners a glimpse into Miller’s mind during what became final months alive. Tracks like “Self Care” and “Come Back to Earth” reflect his rather bleak sense of self, and his desire to move beyond regrets from his past. While the album’s title implies that Miller is powering through his personal demons and continuously moving onto his next goal, there are several references to drowning on the album, suggesting that Miller is unsuccessful in his
attempts to keep moving forward. “I’m treading water I swear / That if I drown I don’t care,” Miller raps in “Perfecto.” He also mentions drowning in “Come Back to Earth,” rapping “And I was just drowning, but now I’m swimming.” In “Self Care,” Miller details his desire to avoid the spotlight, especially in the aftermath of the end of his long-term relationship with Grande. He mentions “getting stuck in oblivion,” and many regard the track as Miller foreshadowing his own death, as the music video depicts him inside a coffin. Eerily, Miller references his death several times on the album. “Nine lives, never die, fuck a heaven, I’m still gettin’ high,” Miller raps in “So It Goes,” which, coincidentally, is a reference to Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five,” where the phrase is used every time a character dies. Overall, the lyrics in “Swimming” carry much more weight than the music itself. Fans are deeply attached to this final chance to get a glimpse into Miller’s world, and the rapper spares no details in his raw and powerful lyrics. However, Miller says it himself in the album — “It ain’t 2009 no more.” Fans of upbeat tracks like “Donald Trump” and “Senior Skip Day” are left without much content to dance to on “Swimming,” as most of the tracks are
a similar blend of down tempo, almost melancholy beats. Unless rumors of Miller releasing music posthumously turn out to be true, “Swimming” is fans’ last chance to listen to music from the beloved rapper,
and also gives listeners a chance to feel closer to him. Giving fans five studio albums, a plethora of mixtapes and a unlimited amount of good vibes, Mac Miller’s name will always be remembered in music.
Miller’s death causes an uproar in the hip-hop community.
page 16 The Signal September 12, 2018
Fun Stuff
September 12, 2018 The Signal page 17
‘Searching’ finds way to audience’s hearts Thriller has characters, viewers glued to screen
Kim tries to locate his daughter by using technology. By James Mercadante Staff Writer
No parent wants to watch their worst nightmare unfold before their eyes, but “Searching” does not stray away from the anxieties of having a child gone missing as it encapsulates the panic, the unknowing and the determination a parent experiences under these circumstances. Directed by Aneesh Chaganty, the film is presented through a series of texts, emails,
YouTube
webcams, Facetime sessions, newscasts and internet browsing. Recent widower and loving father, David Kim (played by John Cho), is forced to unravel the obscurities behind the disappearance of his daughter Margot (played by Michelle La), as there have been alterations to the truth through dishonest people on the internet. With the film being entirely digital, it is evident that Chaganty is trying to promote the message that every aspect of an individual’s
life can be visible on the internet, and how no one is safe with the excessive amount of information available online. As the plot thickens, the unconventionality of an internet-based film is no longer discernible as audiences are finding themselves invested in the story’s progression and John Cho’s authentic performance. The audience member can value the smooth process of using the internet as the film’s base while also appreciating the actors’ skills, like Debra Messing, who brought her character to life on screen as Detective Rosemary Vick, who works the case in the film. David Kim is forced to learn about the secret internet world his daughter has immersed herself in, which insinuates that his daughter has been hiding a part of herself from her father. The movie tosses the audience around with plot twists that lead to other plot twists, however, the final truth unveils itself in a matter of five minutes. The climax was the film’s strongest, yet weakest aspect. On one hand, it is a revelation that is unpredictable and staggering, yet it is also complicated. To reveal the truth in a short amount of time can be overwhelming and utterly confusing to audiences. Despite the confusion, “Searching” is a gripping thriller that successfully entertains with its suspense and clever script, and also possesses the ability to make the audience second guess how much of their personal information they make available on the internet.
‘Mission Impossible’ climbs to new heights
This week, WTSR’s EJ Paras highlights some of the best new music that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Band Name: Death Cab for Cutie Album Title: “Thank You for Today” Release Number: 8th Hailing From: Bellingham, WA Genre: Melancholy Pop, Upbeat with sad lyrics Label: Atlantic Records More upbeat and hopeful than their smash-hit “I’ll Follow You Into the Dark”, Death Cab for Cutie’s new album is more mainstream. Thank you For Today is a requiem for years gone by disguised as easy listening songs. As the Rolling Stone put it Death Cab for Cutie plays “melodic, melancholy songs about feeling both smart and confused, hopelessly romantic but wary of love.” Must Hear: “Near / Far,” “Summer Years,”
Left: Hunt opens fire on his enemies. Right: Ferguson plays Ilsa, Hunt’s ally. By Gabriella Gerace Staff Writer Action as a movie genre somehow exists within a dichotomy that is both obviously simple and incredibly difficult. It seems that a formula has existed for as long as viewers can remember: a seemingly indestructible main lead, a sinister villain, plenty of explosions, grandiose locations and said lead travelling by every mode of transportation possible to complete his mission. Incorporating this checklist is easy, but doing so tastefully and in a fresh way is where many films fall short. “Mission Impossible: Fallout” manages to exist as a new action film that looks and feels modern, while including all the overboard action fans crave. “Fallout” is the second “Mission Impossible” film to be directed and written by Christopher McQuarrie, and is the sixth installment in the “Mission
Impossible” series starring Tom Cruise as Impossible Missions Force leader and agent Ethan Hunt. “Fallout” follows Hunt two years after his nemesis and villain Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) is captured. Lane’s terrorist organization has continued wreaking havoc globally without his leadership, and Hunt and his team must keep three plutonium cores used to create nuclear bombs from their possession. During the mission, Hunt is travelling with his usual team members and close friends, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) across various locations including Berlin, Paris and their final location, Kashmir. All the actors depicting the members of the IMF share a great chemistry. Scenes that are dealing with heavy plot points and realistic tragedies are made easier to digest by witty dialogue, and the actors ability to portray the IMF as both
colleagues and friends. This dynamic is tested over the course of the film by the addition of a CIA assassin, August Walker, who is appointed by CIA Director Erica Sloane (Angela Bassett). Walker is then specifically instructed to watch Agent Hunt. Cruise and Cavill make a great rivaling duo both in their own scenes, and those shared with the rest of the IMF team. As they engage in almost every type of physical task possible, Cavill’s large and intimidating build is juxtaposed by Cruise’s smaller stature. These interactions make for edge-of-seat action scenes during both moments of teamwork and disagreement alike. As “Fallout” progresses, Hunt engages in his usual life threatening tasks, all of which are mind boggling to watch on screen. These finely crafted action scenes are even more impressive when taking into consideration that Tom
Cruise continues to perform all of his own stunts, just as in previous Mission Impossible installments. Many of these scenes are increasingly intense due to the already outrageous nature of the stunts, including long winding motorcycle sequences and high altitude parachuting, but are actually heightened by the looming presence of Walker. Hunt is not only tasked with essentially saving the world, but with doing so while Walker is suspiciously competitive and overbearing to Hunt’s decisions along the way. Overall, “Mission Impossible: Fallout” is an energetic and explosive turning point in the “Mission Impossible” series. Audiences do not need to see earlier movies or be an action film enthusiast to enjoy it — “Fallout” manages to create a balance of tensions that makes viewing deeper than just action for the sake of action.
Name: Calpurnia Album Title: “Scout” Release Number: Debut Hailing From: Vancouver, Canada Genre: Mellow Grunge Rock Label: Royal Mountain Records FINN WOLFHARD. HAS. A. BAND. That’s right, the teen heartthrob Finn Wolfhard, also known as Mike from Netflix’s Stranger Things, is in a newly formed, grunge-y rock band. “Raised on a healthy diet of the Beatles, Nirvana, and David Bowie,” Calpurnia’s debut album has easy-going beats and melodies with a punchy lead vocalist, creating a nostalgic sound. These millennials really know how to rock, complete with the unexpected tempo changes (see “Blame”) reminiscent of all of their inspirational bands. Must Hear: “Louie,” “Blame” and “For What It’s Worth”
page 18 The Signal September 12, 2018
September 12, 2018 The Signal page 19
Sports
Men’s soccer improves record to 5-0 Men’s Soccer
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Kayal saves an attempted shot by Elizabethtown.
By Miguel Gonzalez News Editor
The men’s soccer team was roaring and pouring goals at the Soccer Complex all week. The Lions remain undefeated this season after cruising past the College of Mount Saint Vincent on Wednesday, Sept. 5. This weekend, the College hosted the 2018 Men’s Soccer Classic where the team triumphed over Gettysburg College on Saturday, Sept. 8 and Elizabethtown
College on Sunday, Sept. 9. After traveling for the first two games of the season, the Lions returned to Ewing, New Jersey for their home opener and won against Mount Saint Vincent with eight goals against their rival. In the 11th minute, freshmen defender Timmy Suchora sent a cross from the right side of the field. Standing at the penalty area, sophomore midfielder Ryan Vazquez ran through and leaped for a header to put the Lions ahead, 1-0.
Vazquez went on to score two more goals starting with a tap-in goal from the left goalpost in the 20th minute. Just two minutes later, Vazquez completed a hat trick when he leaped for another header shot from a corner kick by senior midfielder Nick Sample. In the 30th minute, sophomore forward Abdullah Afridi scored the team’s fourth goal when he kicked a screaming, powerful shot from 25 yards out. Just a minute later, Sample joined the Lions’ scoring rampage when he netted off a volley pass from Suchora. While Lions’ offense was cooking, the team’s defense stifled Saint Vincent and only allowed one shot. Taking advantage of Saint Vincent’s sloppy touch skills, the Lions’ defense kept feeding pass after pass to Vazquez and Sample. The second half was no different. In the 59th minute, freshman midfielder Ryan Santos ran past opponents at the penalty and scored a tap-in goal off an assist from Afridi. In the following play, Afridi scored his second goal when
he kicked a diagonal shot from the right side of the penalty box. Sophomore midfielder Ethan Muller finished the Lions’ offensive burst off a rebound a shot. Altogether, the team dominated Saint Vincent and recorded a whooping 54 shots. The team was in for a challenge at the start of the 2018 Men’s Soccer Classic. Coming off a successful 2017 season, Gettysburg College proved to be a worthy opponent, but the Lions still captured a 2-1 win. Despite a scoreless first half, Gettysburg struck first in the 46th minute when freshman midfielder Oladayo Thomas gathered a pass and shot straight into the Lion’s’ net. Vazquez equalized the match when he leaped for a header shot in the 63rd minute. Both teams then entered into a stalemate until senior midfielder Joerg Jauk helped the Lions break through. With the Lions securing a free kick opportunity in the 88th minute, Sample kicked a long pass toward Gettysburg’s net, where Jauk jumped and headed the game winning goal.
On a breezy, damp Sunday afternoon, the Lions battled Elizabethtown College and seized a 3-1 victory. Afridi quickly put the Lions on top when he dribbled past Elizabethtown’s goalkeeper and effortlessly scored a goal. Elizabethtown immediately responded with more physical play. As both teams pushed and bumped each other for possession, the Lions captured an opportunity. In the 17th minute, Jauk hit a laser shot to the left post and put the Lions ahead, 2-0, off a penalty kick. During the second half, the team withstood Elizabethtown’s comeback attempt and added an insurance goal to ultimately win the match, 3-1. The Lions hope continue their hot 5-0 start on Wednesday, Sept. 12, when they take on Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham at the Soccer Complex at 7:30 p.m. The team then faces their first New Jersey Athletic Conference match against Rutgers University-Newark on Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Soccer Complex at 1 p.m.
Football
Lions freeze in home opener, lose to Frostburg State By Maximillian C. Burgos Staff Writer
The Lions played Frostburg State University for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 8. Frostburg State, ranked eighth in the nation by D3football.com, were in the driver’s seat the entire game, winning 47-7, to the Lions’ dismay. Frostburg State came out swinging on their first drive, gashing the Lions’ defense with a long run and then burning them deep with a pass over the middle. The Lions managed to hold Frostburg to a field goal on that first drive, but it had little impact. Head coach Casey Goff spoke about the progress that the Lions needed to make defensively and about the matchup overall. “We still have a lot of headway to make on that side of the ball,” Goff said. “We need to play fundamental football. We were probably a little overmatched today, but it is what it is. We play who we play and we have to be ready to roll.” The Lions offense came out on their first drive with a clear energy, ready to answer Frostburg State’s early success with some of their own. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Donoghue completed quick passes to junior wide receiver Jack Clevenger for a first down and some decent yardage. Freshman running back Mark Pacini managed to gain five yards on the ground, continuing the Lions momentum, but it stalled after that. After the Lions’ first drive, Frostburg State set out to prove why they were ranked eighth in the country. “They are number eight for a reason,” Goff said. “We have a lot of young guys out there and we are not where we want to be yet. In a game like this, we can see some progress, but we have long way to go. I think we knew that.” The Lions offense found little success throughout the game. Both Donoghue and freshman quarterback Dave Jachera were under constant duress while playing. Both quarterbacks showed unwavering heart trying to make something happen for their team. “Until we can learn to protect either of them, we will continue to use both of them,” Goff said. “Number four (Jachera) can make more plays with his legs. Number seven (Donoghue) is a really intelligent kid back there. We have to find the balance between the both of them.
Jachera rushes 12 yards against Frostburg.
But we need to learn how to protect them. That’s the first priority, learning to protect them.” Donoghue finished the game 6-for-13 for 49 yards through the air with an interception. He also had 8 yards on the ground rushing. Jachera finished the game 4-for-7 for 28 yards through the air and 47 yards on the ground. Freshman running back Mark Pacini had a better second game, rushing for 80 yards. Fellow freshman running back Aydon Chavis rushed for 14 yards and the Lions’ lone touchdown. The defense was put in some difficult positions all game. In the second quarter alone, the Lions turned the ball over three times. Two of the three times left the defense in a tough position, having to defend a short field. “We were put in some tough positions,” Goff said. “But we have to respond defensively. We have to decide that we are going to be that team that responds when the ball is turned over. We just got some things we have to iron out.” Senior linebacker Max Busca and junior defensive back Xavier Santos both led the defense with nine tackles
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
each in an effort to trying to keep the game competitive. Two bright spots for the Lions were on special teams. Junior Zach Warcola managed to get four punts off for an average of 40.3 yards per punt. Senior wide receiver Ibn Bailey averaged 21.6 yards per return on kickoff, showing some true talent and speed. “We’ve been waiting for Ibn to do something like that,” Goff said. “He’s a kid with tremendous amount of talent. He’s just gotta have the confidence to do that every week. I’m glad we are starting to see that from him. He made some tough plays and some tough catches. That’s progress.” The Lions have fallen to 0-2 on the season, losing both of their first to games against quality opponents. “I think the team still fights,” Goff said. Even when we are in a hole they fight. We are going to continue to make changes. If we continue to fight we will continue to progress.” The Lions will attempt to bounce back from this loss when they face Wesley College on Friday, Sept. 14. The team will travel to Dover, Delaware to contest against Wesley College under the lights. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Signal
Sports
Field hockey continues to secure wins
Peterson scores two goals against Albright.
By Alexandra Parado & John Berardi Sports Editor & Staff Writer
The field hockey team remains undefeated, as they ended this weekend with back-to-back wins against Juniata College and Albright University at Lions Stadium. On Saturday, Sept. 8, the Lions defeated Juniata College with an impressive score of 5-1.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Junior forward/midfielder Kayla Peterson demolished a shot off a penalty corner less than five minutes into the game. In the middle of the first half, sophomore forward Tori Tiefenthaler pulled the Lions ahead, 2-0, by spotting the back of the cage and dispatching a shot after shifting past Juniata’s defense. Momentarily, Tiefenthaler struck again, scoring another goal after receiving a long entry
pass by senior midfielder/defender Sidney Padilla. Juniata attempted to tie up the game, but could not get any shots past junior goalkeeper Maddie Beaumont. The Lions hustled off the field with three goals at the end of the first half, but their opponent had tight control opening the second half. After three failed shot attempts, Juniata cut the College’s lead into two after collecting a loose ball on the left side of the cage. Certainly, that goal would not go unanswered. Tiefenthaler responded with another goal after a corner kick, further extending the College’s lead to 4-1. For the next 10 minutes, action was full on the defensive side as Juniata held on to the ball and made an effort to score by taking four shots within that period. With five minutes left in the game, junior forward Cayla Andrews scored the fifth and final goal to secure the win. The Lions ended the game with 16 shots, 5 saves, 9 penalty corners and no fouls. On Sunday, Sept. 9, the Lions advanced their record to 3-0 after conquering Albright College, 5-0. Within the first five minutes of the game, the Lions achieved a 3-0 lead. Andrews was first to put the team on the scoreboard after weaving through Albright’s defense. This goal was followed by another by Peterson. After three games, Padilla, a nominated All-American, scored her first goal of the 2018 season with help from Peterson and senior forward Caroline Quinn. Early into the second half, the Lions continued to look for a chance to score. Peterson and Andrews both scored their second goal of the game, producing the final score of 5-0. There was only one shot on target that Beaumont denied throughout the entire game. The Lions’ next challenge will be on Saturday, Sept. 15, when they travel to Grantham, Pennsylvania to face the undefeated Messiah College for a 1 p.m. contest. This battle is considered a rematch from last season’s NCAA semifinal competition between the two rivals.
Women’s soccer defeats Penn State-Berks
Team looks to remain undefeated this season
By Alexandra Parado & Alex Reich Sports Editor & Staff Writer The women’s soccer team improved their record to 2-0 as they defeated Pennsylvania State University-Berks on Sept. 5. in the season’s home opener. In spite of the Lions tremendously outshooting Penn State Berks, 12-2, neither team was able to score in the first half. The Lions’ defense was strong—when Penn State Berks attempted to score, junior goalkeeper Nicole DiPasquale guarded the net to keep it locked at zero. The Lions came determined to score in the second half. At the 66th minute, freshman forward Randi Smith and junior midfielder Taylor Nolan worked together to get a point on the scoreboard. Smith sent in a corner kick, which allowed Nolan to strike in
Lions Lineup September 12, 2018
a header, making the score 1-0. In the same fashion, junior midfielder Haley Bodden delivered a header from a corner kick sent in by sophomore defender Ally Weaver. Corner kicks allowed the Lions to advance the score to 2-0. Even in the second half, the team never gave up on the defensive side of the game. The back line, which consisted of junior defender Jen McGrogan, junior defender Ally DeRiggi and sophomore midfielder Faith Eichenour, only surrendered three shots while DiPasquale did not allow any shots to get past her. “Our game plan was to go out there and play our game,” Eichenour said. “We wanted to press hard and keep control of the ball. Offensively, we created a lot of opportunities, getting 12 corners and 26 shots. We had a couple shots bounce off the post and the other goalie made a bunch of good saves. Fortunately, we were still
I n s i d e
Smith sends in a corner kick that leads to a goal.
able to put two goals in the back of the net to win the game. Going into the next game, we are just going to focus on the task at hand.”
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Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
The Lions will play their next game on Wednesday, Sept. 12 against Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. They
Football page 18
will continue to travel to meet Rutgers University-Newark in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.