Mediterranean restaurant replaces Griddler’s

Emerson College’s student newspaper since 1947 • berkeleybeacon.com

Thursday October 10, 2019 • Volume 73, Issue 6

Mediterranean restaurant to occupy Griddler’s space Anissa Gardizy, Beacon Staff A Mediterranean franchise will open in the space formerly occupied by Griddler’s Burgers & Dogs at 134-136 Boylston St. in January, according to a restaurant executive.

The restaurant, Garbanzo, is one of six fast casual restaurants that are expected to open across from Boston Common on Boylston Street—the other restaurants will open on the first floor of the Little Building at 80 Boylston St. Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Campus Services Duncan Pollock confirmed Garbanzo’s opening and said there would be minor construction for the renovation of the space.

The college previously told The Beacon that they were looking for a healthier option to replace Griddler’s. The Beacon article caught the attention of Derek St. George, director of operations at S&S Management LLC, who was working with Garbanzo when they made an agreement to bring five locations to Boston.

“The demographics in this area [include] a lot of college students, a lot of people who are trying to eat healthy, who don’t want those gutbomb burgers,” he said. “We feel that our food lends itself very well to the Emerson College faculty and student body, as well as Suffolk and [New England Law Boston].”

St. George said he hopes Garbanzo will open before students return from winter break in January. Their lease with the college is signed, and they are in the early stages of the permitting process, he said.

The college bought 134-136 Boylston on May 28, 2018, for $7 million to maintain control over its neighboring businesses and to source revenue. A college official previously told The Beacon that the building brings in approximately $350,000 a year.

See mediterranean, page 2

Like all restaurants moving into the college-owned buildings, Garbanzo will accept ECCash. • Anissa Gardizy / Beacon Staff

ECQ brings Quidditch off the page

Grad student’s short story featured in local festival Domenic Conte, Beacon Staff

Christopher Williams, Beacon Correspondent

Four months after sending her short story to the Boston Book Festival, Emerson graduate student Ciera Burch received word that her submission “Yvonne” bested 45 other entries and earned the selection for the festival’s One City One Story series.

The 11th annual Boston Book Festival will take place Oct. 19 in Copley Square and Oct. 20 in Dudley Square in Roxbury. The One City One Story series, which selects a short story every year to be printed and distributed free of charge, enters its ninth iteration this year. As the One City One Story selected author, Burch will speak about her story in a large group discussion and hear from readers and fans around Boston.

Before submitting “Yvonne” to the BBF, Burch said she failed to receive the responses she hoped for when sending the story to other journals and publishers. Despite feeling discouraged, Burch sent “Yvonne” to the festival on a whim in January and heard the news while working a shift at Trident Booksellers and Cafe on Newbury Street in May. “I re-read the email a million times and I was still surprised,” she said in an interview. “The rest of my shift, I was searching everything I could find about it, like past winners, and I was in even more disbelief. So I snuck away to go under these random stairs we have and I called my mom.”

Long before Emerson College Quidditch co-captain Tessa Mullins ever stepped foot on campus, Emerson thrived as a mecca within the newly founded world of college quidditch.

“We had what was called ‘house league,’” Mullins said in an interview. “Quidditch at Emerson was so big that they had an intramural league of Quidditch just in Emerson, so there was like five or six teams that played each other.

Then there was a competitive team outside of that that you had to try out for.”

The version of Quidditch played at Emerson is based on the fictional sport created by bestselling author J.K. Rowling in the “Harry Potter” book series. Students brought Quidditch to Emerson in 2008 following its inception three years earlier at Middlebury College in Vermont.

Over the years, Quidditch has grown tremendously at the college. ECQ ranks No. 32 out of 72 teams nationally, according to US Quidditch standings. Senior chaser José Cabrera and head coach Kieran Collier ‘16 are members of the Boston Night Riders, Boston’s Major League Quidditch team. Alumnus Tyler Trudeau ‘16 represented the U.S. National Team at the 2018 International Quidditch Association World Cup. In the “Harry Potter” series, Quidditch is played by two teams of seven players each who fly around a field on brooms. There are four positions on each team—three chasers, one keeper, two beaters, and one seeker.

See ECQ, page 8

See Book Festival, page 6

Men’s basketball gets championship bling

By Andrew Lin • p. 8

Sophomore Drake Murphy poses with his NEWMAC championship ring.

Domenic Conte / Beacon Staff

INSIDE THIS EDITION

How misplaced anger undermines the voices of people of color. Pg. 5

The Beacon online

Alumnus creates gallery for Boston’s young artists . Pg. 7

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October 10, 2019

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Housing fills two new positions after spring crash

coming to Emerson. He said he wants to create more opportunities and activities within campus life for first-year students, especially The Office of Housing and international students.

“This is a way international students can Residential Education hired a housing operations coordinator and area coordinator— have conversations about their culture with two new positions—to help improve the campus domestic students so they can learn about it, as well as feel closer to home,” he said. experience for incoming and current students.

He encourages first-year students to The revamp of the office comes after a tumultuous housing selection process in spring challenge themselves and to not be afraid to 2019, which saw StarRez, the college’s housing demonstrate their talents and abilities.

“As Howard Thurman said, ‘Don’t ask what software, crash after it was introduced in spring 2018 to smooth out the application process. The the world needs. Ask what makes you come two hires, Area Coordinator Isaac Newsome alive, and go do it,’” Newsome said. “What the and Housing Operations Coordinator Chris world needs is people who have come alive.

[Students] make this place vibrant, so don’t be Muchata, help fill out the office.

Newsome said his role at Emerson is to afraid of keeping it lit up.”

Chris Muchata, the new housing operations assist with the supervision and coordination of the residential education program, coordinator, said he works hand-in-hand which involves training resident assistants, with Associate Director of Housing Operations mentoring residence directors at Little Building, Kendra Stokes and helps the community with and assisting with first-year students in their moving in and out of the residence halls, room changes, and everything to do with students’ different needs and problems.

Newsome said his main goal as an area experiences.

“Seeing that I’m still new and working on coordinator is for students to feel like they are engaging with the community without feeling adapting to everything, we pretty much divide left out. the work with Kendra so I do more of the “It is really a passion of mine to help first- ‘surface level,’ day-to-day operational things,” year students feel like they have a second Muchata said in an interview. “For example, home,” he said in an interview. “So they come I’m in charge of the room change process and here and it’s like you’ve got to ask yourself, reviewing those applications. I’m still learning ‘How do we make this student feel more like at a lot of things that have to do with residence their home? How do we make this truly fun and life.” engaging?’”

Muchata said he is also in charge of the Newsome previously worked at Boston training and selection of students for the University as a residence hall director before Welcome Desk Program for the tap desks in Daniela Lobo-Rivera, Beacon Correspondent

Chris Muchata will serve as the new housing operations coordinator.

Montse Landeros / Beacon Staff each residence hall. He said he is looking forward to revamping the housing selection program and improving the housing portal for students.

Muchata worked at Wentworth Institute of Technology as a residence director before coming to Emerson.

He said students should not be afraid to make a big change to solve a problem or challenging situation they may be having.

“The best advice I got as a student from

my residence director in college was, ‘You have to get uncomfortable if you want to get comfortable,’ and that advice has stuck with me for the past 10 years,” Muchata said. “You grow from failure and you will be told many times no, but it is really how you pick yourself back up and grow.”

daniela_loborivera@emerson.edu

Mediterranean fare to replace grilled cheese and burgers on BoylContinued from page 1 “If you go into a lot of fast casuals, they are a very sterile environment,” he said. “We are going to have a comfy corner that will have a blanket and pillows where people can set up their laptops. It is an area especially for Emerson students if they want to grab a bite or just come in and sit down in a warm environment and do school work.”

St. George said the restaurant would offer WiFi and might have additional outlets in the “comfy corner.”

Like all restaurants moving into the collegeowned buildings, Garbanzo will accept ECCash.

Despite competition from five other restaurants, St. George said more options is actually better for business.

“As odd as it sounds, more food brings more potential guests,” he said. “Especially if you are in a shopping plaza, you don’t want to be the only food choice. You want people to go to the place on the corner and say, ‘Oh, I’m going to check out Garbanzo next time,’ or come to Garbanzo and say, “Oh, there is a Mexican place down there that I want to try.’”

St. George said the terms of Garbanzo’s lease would prevent another Mediterranean restaurant from opening in 80 Boylston.

Junior Raeanne Szydlo said she eats out three to four times a month. She frequents the Dining Center as a way to save money and utilize her meal plan.

Szydlo said she isn’t opposed to trying Garbanzo and the other restaurants set to open on Boylston Street.

“I would be down to try it if it isn’t expensive,” she said. “I would probably be more inclined to go out and eat if [restaurants] were closer.”

The college is currently working on phase one of their sidewalk expansion project, which will double the width of the sidewalk between the Little Building and the M. Steinert & Sons piano shop.

St. George was not aware of the college’s plans to widen the Boylston sidewalk before his interview with The Beacon. However, he was optimistic about the impact it would have on the heavy traffic area and said he would be interested in patio-style seating.

“I think this area has always had a lot of untapped potential,” he said. “With the college’s help, in refurbishing and buying up some of

these other parcels, I think they are doing a fantastic job. Historically, this area has been an area where people don’t look at as far as retail and food—that is going to change completely.”

When he previously worked with Blaze Pizza, St. George offered discounted pizzas after college sports teams earned a win. He said Garbanzo will look to do something similar, while also participating in non profit fundraisers.

“As part of our opening day, there is a very large chance that we will be donating a large portion of the proceeds to a local charity,” he said.

anissa_gardizy@emerson.edu

Student voter turnout increases after college voting campaign Elena Naze, Beacon Correspondent The college saw a rise in student voter turnout in the midterm elections after the college’s increased efforts and education to improve voter registration and participation among students.

Director of Student Leadership Jason Meier said student voting rates have increased 33.2 percentage points since the 2014 midterm elections.

To create a more positive impact, the college partnered with students and organizations to provide voting registration resources during the 2018 midterm elections, according to previous Beacon reporting. This included popup windows on EmConnect and voter registration and absentee ballot education with student orgs, OLs, RAs, and faculty.

The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement reported that, in 2018, 81.3 percent of eligible Emerson students were registered to vote. In 2014, 6.1 percent of first-year students voted compared to 36 percent who voted in 2018. 2014, 7.7 percent of sophomores voted compared to 36.4 percent who voted in 2018.

And in 2014, only 9 percent of upperclassmen, juniors, and seniors voted, compared to 41.4% who voted in 2018.

“It’s such a low number for students who claim to be politically engaged and civically engaged, and to care about issues,” Meier said in an interview with The Beacon. “So we really

challenged everyone to look at that data and look at that information and determine how we can have a more positive impact.”

Sophomore Robbie Schinder worked closely with the college to help educate students and the community through his nonprofit Absentee Ballots Now. “It’s gaining confidence for voters who say they don’t think their vote is going to be counted if they vote with the absentee ballot,” Schinder said in an interview with The Beacon.

“And it’s reassuring the process is reliable and is safe and is secure, and it’s an easy way for their vote to count,” Schinder said.

The college also partnered with Ace The Midterms, a campaign across college campuses to get students to register to vote in 2018.

Senior David Fadul, co-president of the Communications, Politics, and Law Association, volunteered during the Ace The Midterms campaign last year. He helped educate students on voter registration and absentee ballot to provide students with everything they needed to vote in the election.

“We really tried to put it in everyone’s face and say, ‘This is something that’s happening,’ and make it very difficult to ignore it,” Fadul said. “Once people saw that it’s not a difficult process, people clearly participated.”

elena_naze@emerson.edu

SEAL Director Jason Meier said student voting rates have increased 33.2 percent since 2014.

Tivara Tanudjaja / Beacon Staff

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October 10, 2019

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College health officials express concerns over vape ban Ann E. Matica, Beacon Correspondent College health officials expressed apprehension about the effects Gov. Charlie Baker’s four-month ban on the sale of vaping products could have on students.

The ban, implemented on Sep. 24, includes all in-store or online purchases of vaping products that contain nicotine, THC, or CBD. The temporary ban will come to an end in Massachusetts on Jan. 25, 2020.

The Governor set the ban in place after declaring a public health emergency following a series of vaping related illnesses that spread across 48 states. Baker said in a press conference released by the Governor’s Press Office on Sep. 24 that his ban will assist in figuring out what is making residents sick and how to better regulate the sale of vaping products.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported the state’s first death from a vaping-associated lung injury, a woman in her 60s from Hampshire County, on Oct. 7, according to a press release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report on Oct. 1, that identified 1,080 lung injuries and 18 deaths that have been directly connected to vaping.

Associate Director of the Center for Health and Wellness Lauren Owen said vaping is something her department has become more aware of as it has grown in popularity in the last few years. Although the official number of Emerson students who vape is unclear, Owen said many incoming students have arrived on campus already using their own e-cigarettes.

“I see a lot of students who come in saying that they vape,” Owen said. “I wouldn’t be able to give you a number but it’s very common.”

Freshman Trent Cappelli said he quit using a disposable nicotine vape called a “Stig” right before the ban took effect.

“I just kept reading stuff about people getting sick in the media, like about 12 and 13 year olds who were addicted to vaping and were having withdrawal symptoms,” he said in an interview.

Although Massachusetts took steps in 2018 to protect young people by raising the age to purchase cigarettes and vaping products to 21, this new ban takes the issue of public health

A college official said many incoming students have arrived on campus already using their own e-cigarettes. • Lizzie Heintz / Beacon Staff even farther by banning the sale of vaping products altogether.

However, Owen said the Center for Health and Wellness’ main concern following the ban is that students will either continue to buy vaping products from unreliable or dangerous places or that they will begin smoking cigarettes.

“We are just scared that kids will be buying e-cigarettes on the streets and in alleyways where anything could be in them,” Owen said.

Freshman Zoe Rivera said she has been using a Juul, one of the most popular e-cigarette brands, for two years now.

“I’ve always managed to get my hands on Juul pods and kids will find a way to get their hands on them too,” Rivera said.

Owen said students should come to the Center for Health and Wellness for assistance if they are trying to quit vaping or smoking, as the department offers addiction counseling for all students.

“I help lead tobacco cessation counseling for students who are trying to stop smoking,” Owen said. “We would love if students came in to get help for vaping. I’m not sure if they will, but I hope they do.”

Baker said in his press conference that his temporary ban is about protecting the health of people in Massachusetts, but both Rivera and Cappelli said they do not believe it will be effective.

“We need so much more information given to people about vaping—a ban like this will only make young people want to do it more,” Cappelli said.

ann_matica@emerson.edu

Emerson’s international student population continues to grow Laurel Booth, Beacon Correspondent

better with international students,” Zhang said in an interview. “If there are more people like College officials released preliminary us, there are more people we can connect to.” admission numbers showing a 12 percent Ten more international graduate students increase in first-year international students joined the incoming first-year class, a total of 53 admitted to the college new students, compared this fall—building on a to the previous year.

57 percent increase from F i r s t - y e a r last year’s freshman international student class.

Jerick Lou said “I feel like international Director of international students International Student will help diversify students connect better with the student body by Affairs Andrea Popa said the class of 2023 contributing their international students.” represents over 27 cultural experiences. foreign countries, with “I think having more - Qiyue Zhang the top countries of international students is origin including China, good for diversity at the Vietnam, India, South school,” Lou said in an Korea, and Thailand. interview. “A Chinese“Last fall was a 57 American kid is very percent increase, so the fact that we’ve not only different from a Chinese-Chinese kid.” maintained that level but also increased another Popa said the rise in numbers comes after 12 [percent] is really remarkable,” Popa said in Emerson and other universities throughout an interview. the country experienced a significant drop in Qiyue Zhang, a freshman international international student applications two years ago. student, said the population growth will The U.S. Department of Homeland Security help other international students feel more reported that international student enrollment comfortable at the college. in United States institutions declined by four “I feel like international students connect percent between 2016 and 2017.

“The U.S. has been a leader in international international students,” Popa said, referring education for the last few decades,” Popa said. to the assistant director of international career “But the change in administration was one of services position created this August, which the first years that there was actually a decline remains unfilled. “Residence Life created a in the rate of new students coming in.” peer mentor position so that international firstPopa said international students experienced year students are better supported through more difficulty in applying the international for F1 visas allowing them “Emerson is trying to be the orientation process.” to study in the United Zhang said the States due to the new Peer best in the world in commu- International immigration laws enacted Mentor Program

by President Donald helped her find her nication and arts, and you Trump’s administration. footing at Emerson.

“They’re more “My mentor became can’t do that without diversirestrictive in regards to my first friend here,” visas, and it’s harder ty of perspective and diversi- she said. “I love that and more complicated program.” for students to apply Popa said it’s ty of experience.” for benefits of status important to make the in the U.S.,” Popa college an accessible - Andrea Popa said.

“Certainly the school for international immigration climate has students. not been friendly to international students.”

“We’re looking at ways we can continue In spite of these difficulties, Popa said the to support international students as best as college has worked hard to make the transition possible,” Popa said. “Emerson is trying to be process at Emerson as smooth as possible for the best in the world in communication and new international students. arts, and you can’t do that without diversity of “I was hired in December of last year, and this past year we’ve been able to add another full-time position dedicated to supporting laurel_booth@emerson.edu

Editorial Separate the college’s policies on CBD and THC On Saturday, The Beacon reported The ruling follows the growing that a group of college administrators use of CBD as a form of treatment are “discussing and finalizing policies” for neurological and mental illnesses. regarding the on-campus usage of CBD, According to Harvard Health Publishing, a natural compound in cannabis.

CBD-based products are commonly A group of college officials, including used to treat anxiety, chronic pain, and a the deans of campus life and interim handful of seizure disorders. Studies also community standards director, will suggest that CBD helps insomnia patients determine which CBD products will fall and stay asleep. be barred from campus. Their decision There is also proven growth in the has the potential to forbid a generally market for CBD-infused food like ice unharmful substance many students use cream, coffee, and candies that claim to for medical and recreational purposes. help people relax and manage pain. CBD CBD, short for cannabidiol, is the teas and oils that allege to help people second most sleep are gaining prevalent active steam. A handful ingredient in of companies even cannabis behind make CBD pet t e t r a h y d r o - “We encourage the college products like cat cannabinol,or food and daily dog THC. Unlike vitamins. to account for the differTHC, it does not In The Beacon’s have psychoactive reporting, we ences between CBD and effects and does found two students not cause the user THC when drafting these who confirmed to get a “high.” they use CBD There is also no to manage their policies in the coming evidence that pure psychological CBD causes any problems and weeks. ” health-related social anxiety. It’s problems.

And inevitable they according to a aren’t the only report from the ones, so it’s clear World Health this decision will Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits impact students and their well-being no effects indicative of any abuse or going forward. dependence potential.”

Emerson prides itself on being a Right now, the college’s cannabis progressive and forward-thinking policies do not distinguish between CBD institution, and it’s essential that our and THC. The policies simply prohibit college’s policies reflect this vision. A the “possession or use of marijuana” wide array of scientific and legislative and “any drug paraphernalia.” Students studies have proven the positive effects are expected to abide by these policies of CBD. And some students benefit from regarding the possession, distribution, CBD products, including for medical use, and manufacturing of all illegal use. So it simply doesn’t make sense drugs, including cannabis. for these products to be grouped with We encourage the college to account other substances the college deems for the differences between CBD and inappropriate.

THC when drafting these policies in the coming weeks. The guidelines that oversee students’ use of CBD should not be grouped with those that define the Editorials are written solely by restrictions around other substances and paraphernalia.

Editor-in-Chief Chris Van Buskirk, Massachusetts law allows people 21 and older to legally consume cannabis Managing Editor Abigail Hadfield, with a few limitations. But in July, the Boston Globe reported that the Massachusetts Department of Public Opinion Editor Diti Kohli, and Health recently banned certain types of CBD. The policies, enacted on June 12, Deputy Opinion Editor Ziqi Wang prohibit the sale and use of two popular categories of CBD-based products: without consultation from other staff any food product that contains the cannabinoid and any product derived members, and does not influence any from CBD that makes medicinal claims.

Yet today, CBD is used for medicinal and recreational purposes more than ever stories. Op-Eds reflect the views of before. And the cannabinoid does not elicit any of the effects that other drugs only their authors, not The Berkeley like alcohol, opioids, and other cannabis Beacon. strains can cause.

The Berkeley Beacon

October 10, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by the Editorial Board illustration by Ally Rzesa

Letter: Alumnus responds to “College removes long-time WEBN faculty” Genevieve DiNatale DiNatale is a multimedia journalist at Fios1 news in the Lower Hudson Valley in New York. She graduated in Emerson journalism master’s class of 2017. She’s also a poet with a book coming out next spring called “Love Unaccommodated.”

The other day, my morning producer called me to check in on a script I was writing. As a way of small talk, he asked if I went to Emerson.

I said, ‘yes,’ assuming he had attended the school as well; then, naturally, I asked if he took Marsha Della-Giustina’s broadcast journalism course. (He’s much older than I am, but since she has been teaching at Emerson for nearly half a century, I thought there was a good chance he had taken her class as well). And guess what, he had! As a matter of fact, he was in her very first broadcast journalism course in 1980.

After finishing my story – which that day happened to be about a developer who dropped his proposal to build a condominium complex in a small town in New York because dinosaur

tracks were found in the lot he wanted to build on – I sent an email to my producer saying, “Do you think Marsha ‘red pen’ would have approved of this script?” To which he responded, “You would have had her at ‘dino tracks!’” And we’ve been talking about her ever since!

And just days later, I was stopped in my own tracks when I learned Marsha has been removed as the faculty advisor for WEBN, where I had the privilege of learning some of the tricks of the trade while at Emerson.

“Who trained you?” they’ve asked and I’ve always responded, “Marsha!” as if everyone knows…and you know what, sometimes other journalists—like my morning producer—know precisely who I’m talking about.

So, please, I would like the school to reconsider this decision. Marsha is a unifying force in an otherwise fragmented field and removing her from WEBN may ruin one of the great resources Emerson has to offer its journalism students.

Letters To The Editor If you want to respond to, or share an opinion about, an article in the Beacon, you can write a short letter to the editor. Email it to letters@berkeleybeacon.com. Please note that letters may be edited. Submissions for print must be shorter than 250 words.

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The Berkeley Beacon

October 10, 2019

Opinion

5

Speak alongside people of color, not for them

“Coming to a college campus that was more diverse grew my awareness of many issues that come with being a person of color.” • Illustration by Christine Park / Beacon Staff Jin Ko Ko is a junior visual and media arts major and a Beacon correspondent.

Race is complicated—that goes without saying. Anyone, especially people of color, who just read the first sentence, knows that race can affect everything, from how the cashier looks at you when you order a cup of coffee to making a good impression for a job interview.

I grew up in a small town in northern New Jersey mostly comprised of predominantly white, upper-class families with more rightleaning views than left. I’m of Korean descent and, despite being one of the few Asian people in my high school, this fact didn’t bother me.

Then I came to Emerson.

Coming to a college campus that was more diverse grew my awareness of the many issues that come with being a person of color. That awareness largely came from Emerson students’

passion for racial justice. Most of the time, that passion is admirable and should be championed.

However, a work incident at the Equipment Distribution Center from last semester made me realize how that “passion” for racial justice can get out of hand.

One day, a young student came in to reserve an audio recorder for the next day. One of my coworkers, who is a Chinese international student, handled his request. When the student arrived the next day to pick up his audio recorder, he found out that his reservation didn’t go through. My colleagues told me the student was upset and tried to find the international student he had talked to the day before, specifically referring to him as a student “who doesn’t speak English well.”

When my co-workers and I heard about this while in our gear closet, we found his words to be a little racist. I decided to handle the situation to see what he was like for myself. When I

finally found the white student, he instantly This socially awkward student was not fully asked if I was the Chinese international student innocent, but I don’t think it’s fair to call him he had met the day before. I was thrown off a a racist. bit since I really don’t look like my Chinese coI know this school prides itself on diversity, worker, except that we both were wearing a Red inclusivity, and a passion for racial equality. But Sox cap as the student pointed out. Although I some students, especially those of Caucasian thought he was just giving an excuse, I decided descent, don’t understand that there needs to to give him the benefit of the doubt. be a limit on that passion. Yes, it’s great that The more the student tried to defend himself, my white peers are using their privilege to help the more I noticed the characteristics in his voice further justice for people of color like me and and body language—he stuttered a bit, had promote equal opportunities for all. trouble speaking words, and came off as a little But I, and a myriad of other people of socially awkward. His character put something color, don’t feel comfortable with white into perspective for me: This kid didn’t mean people feeling obligated to get offended for to be offensive. He was just never exposed to me when someone mentions something about a diverse community. He didn’t know what to my race. To me, when white students act this avoid saying. He was way, it feels like they’re just a young student ignoring how I want to experiencing the real be treated. Even more “This kid didn’t mean to importantly, it makes world like everyone else was in college. me feel like my cobe offensive. He was just worker is a stereotypical Basically, he was me.

It was at that moment social justice warrior never exposed to a when I learned the who in reality doesn’t difference between understand the diverse community.” racism and racial complexity of race. insensitivity.

In this day and age, When I came back I don’t want to serve from interacting with as another example for the student, I told my coworkers that we had white people to get upset over if some random overreacted and that it wasn’t a huge deal— person mistakes me for Chinese. To me, that nevertheless, one of my white co-workers called anger is more racist than my interaction with him names—a “dumb white boy,” to be exact. the student at the EDC. I’m not some excuse to I didn’t expect this huge of a reaction to come promote some white person’s “wokeness.” I’m from him, considering the fact that it should’ve not a cliché so that they can get retweets for a been me who took offense, not a white person. In hashtag they use on Twitter. To me, that’s just reality, he had never even met the student in the another example of white people utilizing their first place. When we had another conversation privilege over other people of color. weeks later after the incident, he still went off So if you’re a white person reading this, think on insulting the student. I told him repeatedly about this when you’re with a person of color: that it was nothing and he still felt like he had If you and your non-white friend encounter to defend me by insulting a kid he never met. someone who may have said something racially Frankly, my white co-worker’s anger was over insensitive, let your friend speak their mind the line. first.

Racism is the embracement of biased stereotypes and the hatred of people of color. jin_ko@emerson.edu

Managing my money before it was too late Ziqi Wang Wang is a junior journalism major and The Beacon’s deputy opinion editor.

When my dad first brought up finance management to me, I was still in elementary school and laughed at the idea. He was working to become a salesman at his company back then and pored over books on money management and investment every day. He suggested I read some, so I flipped through a few pages.

The words were dry, bland, and very hard to understand. I called my dad a bookworm and told him I would never be interested in these things.

He continued to bring budgeting up in middle and high school. But deep down in my mind, finance management felt so far away from me. I always thought, I don’t even make money—and I will never make that much money that I will need to “manage” it.

After experiencing my first ever financial crisis, I wish I hadn’t thought that way. I found that money management is for everyone.

Budgeting, credit score management, and investment basics are not things students are taught in school. But this is still something college students should be proactive about, because it matters for our future. It’s an important skill no matter how much you make and no matter where in life you are.

Before coming to college, I was never able to work due to the labor laws in China that prohibit anyone under 18 from working. Plus, I never had to worry about saving money, because my parents were able to take care of everything— groceries, clothes, vacations, and my education.

As a privileged middle-class family, we rarely stressed about money. When I went out with friends, my parents would give me some pocket money to spend, and I felt free to get what I wanted as long as it wasn’t well out of my limit.

I am well aware of my privileges. I could never relate to my peers who needed to work several jobs or collect food stamps to stay in school. However, I also know I am not the only college student who was brought up in an

“I always thought, I don’t even make money­—and I will never make so much that I will need to ‘manage’ it.” • Illustration by Ally Rzesa / Beacon Staff environment like that, not having to worry about However, after checking my account at the money and budgeting. But my comfortable end of June, I realized I was spending so much situation growing up shouldn’t have been an more money than I thought, and I had to start excuse for the financial situation that I put using the money my parents had sent to my myself in over the past few months. savings account for tuition. I was astonished This summer, I was lucky enough to stay to find out how poor my money management in Boston by myself skills were. and work as an internal I had to tell my parents communication intern when the due date for at Natixis Investment tuition approached Managers, a global asset “Deep down in my mind, because I needed them management firm. The to send me more money. company paid me well finance managment felt The scariest part was not to write about important having to tell my parents projects and the people about the news. It was so far away from me.” involved with them. that, even though I had After some calculations, I the spending record was confident I wouldn’t detailed on my bank’s need money from my website, I still couldn’t parents, as my paycheck should have been able figure out how I blew through that much. I to cover my rent, groceries, and transportation vaguely knew how much I would spend per costs. I found that if I planned really well, I month this summer but I never kept a written could even go out to eat once or twice per week record of my spending or set a goal for my and occasionally go shopping. monthly savings.

Looking back, my spending habits had a lot to do with how I grew up. When I applied for a student visa before coming to Emerson, the U.S. embassy asked for proof of my financial stability. That was the first time I figured out how much my family makes every year and what my parents’ monthly salaries were.

After reflecting on my mistakes to my parents over the phone, I decided to better my habits for the remaining two months of my summer. I simply couldn’t afford to make this kind of mistake again.

After June, I downloaded a Chinese app called “Shark” that helped me to track my everyday spending. It showed me graphs on how much I spent on different categories and how much I spend on average per month, as well as how much I can save. It’s a small step, but the first one I took towards becoming a responsible adult in the real world.

Interning at a finance management company also helped change my mind on budgeting. I talked to many masterminds behind investment products and interviewed people who advise clients on the benefits of different types of funds.

I learned about different investment plans, not just for big companies and rich people, but also for ordinary people like me. I didn’t expect to become a successful investor, but I realized I should at least know how to treat my earnings responsively. The information was sometimes overwhelming, but it also opened my eyes up to a whole different world.

Finance management isn’t something that’s far away from students’ life. Honestly, my own journey to a well-managed bank account should have begun a long time ago. When you start earning money and paying for college using student loans, it’s already part of your world.

You will always have money to manage no matter how much you earn. It’s complicated and difficult to understand, but you shouldn’t wait to start dealing with it when it’s already too late. ziqi_wang@emerson.edu

Living Arts

The Berkeley Beacon

October 10, 2019

6

Little Shirt, Big Pants: Do you think I could find that at Goodwill?

Megan Ellis is a junior marketing communications major and The Beacon’s style columnist.

I’ve never been huge on name brands.

Not because I don’t appreciate them—the history and glamour behind brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci are something I can get behind, but simply can’t afford. This isn’t taboo for me though—I grew up in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, a town completely ridden of name brands. I’m sure others could afford them if they wanted to, but that wasn’t the style high school girls tended to go for in 2016. It was the time of American Eagle jeans, leggings, and big T-shirts.

My family has never been incredibly wealthy, and I’m okay with that. My main stops for shopping have always been T.J. Maxx or Marshalls (and, honestly, you are missing out if those aren’t yours too), and I very rarely purchase items for myself over $20. I didn’t get my first “expensive” pair of shoes until my 16th birthday, when my parents graciously gifted me a pair of Birkenstocks I had wanted for years.

Once I wore them to school, although never feeling lesser-than in the first place, I suddenly

felt better about myself. Not that it ever bothered when wearing my new outfits, but I was still me, but once I put on a pair of expensive shoes, incredibly intimidated walking down Boylston I felt my sense of self-worth increase. I mean, Street seeing name brands on belts, shirts, and they just fit so much better than the knock-offs shoes. More than just feeling intimidated, I felt I bought at Target. myself lose my sense of self-worth. I’ve always On my first few been very invested days in Boston, I in my personal style, started to notice a “I felt better about myself when as it’s something that big difference in my has taught me to love peers, one I had never wearing my new outfits, but I myself throughout the encountered before. years. Yet, at Emerson, Students would pull I couldn’t shake the was still incredibly their IDs out of Louis terrible feeling of not Vuitton wallets, or looking good enough intimidated walking down wear a different namein clothes that usually brand shirt to class gave me a sense of each day. I remember who I am.

Boylston Street seeing name seeing someone in a Just like many pair of sneakers that other new students brands on belts, shirts, and I thought were cool. coming into Emerson, I later learned they I faced a sense of shoes.” cost almost $2,000. culture shock once Writing this, I am I arrived here as a wearing sandals that freshman. Students cost me $15, and I definitely did not have to here are typically aware that Emerson stands transfer money from savings to buy them. This out from other institutions because we have is no shock, considering 40 percent of Emerson a wonderful level of respect for one another, students have the financial security to pay for and students are more accepting than at other their tuition without taking out loans. colleges. However, no one seems to talk about I took myself out to buy some new clothes on the transition one has to go through, coming my third day in Boston. I recall dropping around into an environment of wealthy students from $60 on new clothes. I felt better about myself one not so lavish—especially as someone who

only owned one pair of Birkenstocks. There is a constant pressure within fashion trends here to show off your wealth, wear the biggest name brands, and keep up with what other students are wearing.

As someone who can’t even afford a Gucci zipper, I find myself falling beneath this standard each day. My love for style makes me someone who constantly wants to be up to date with current trends, but I still struggle trying to maneuver this. But I’m not alone in this—many students have expressed that the most frustrating thing about their experience at Emerson is their struggle with financial security.

I have been forced to re-teach myself how to be okay with my financial situation due to this constant pressure. It can still be disheartening, of course, but I have constructed a sense of style that feels the most like me. I feel comfortable in my skin, and I find confidence each day through the outfits I put together. I’ve found comfort in telling myself that my sense of style is not dependent on the amount of money I spend on my clothes. Every day I learn a little more about how the clothes I do own make my style unique.

Being interested in style isn’t always about keeping up with ever-changing trends.

Living Arts Editor Grace Griffin did not edit this article due to conflict of interest. megan_ellis@emerson.edu

Boston Book Festival prints 20,000 copies of graduate student’s book Continued from page 1 Burch’s “Yvonne” originated in writing, literature and publishing professor Julia Glass’s fiction workshop class in 2018 as a story based on a flashback. For the exercise, Burch chose to write about the first interaction between her two main characters, Celeste and Yvonne, which exists as a flashback towards the end of the final story. She then fully developed the 19 page story into “Yvonne” and submitted it to BBF in January 2019.

Glass said she was happy to see Burch revise and improve her story over time.

“The strongest students are those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the most revision,” she said in an interview. “It’s my philosophy that the ability to really dig in and revise the weaker parts of your story will determine how much you can improve and how far you will rise. It’s really a pleasure to see Ciera [Burch]’s story not only succeed, but get out to the whole city.”

“Yvonne” explores themes of family, hope, and loss through the interactions between Celeste and her aging grandmother, Yvonne.

Burch said her grandmother Luvon, who died a few years ago, inspired the creation of her character Yvonne.

“I wanted to sort of capture her voice in a way because she was such a personality in life,” Burch said. “I kind of channeled her into Yvonne, the character, when I was writing.”

Burch described herself as a characterGraduate student Ciera Burch earned a spot at Boston Book Festival for her short story “Yvonne,” selected for the One City One Story series. driven writer and recognized her characters’ Domenic Conte / Beacon Staff strong personalities as one of the main reasons “Yvonne” stands out.

“I write a lot about mothers and children,” “Having a radio interview about it, being in a accessible for people who don’t read literary been helpful. Most of the people I was with she said. “For this one, I wanted to explore the newspaper, it’s all kind of surreal and strange.” fiction that often.” before have been literature students, they’re not Norah Piehl, m o t h e r- d a u g h t e r Piehl said “Yvonne” impressed the committee exactly writers.” e x e c u t i v e and community of readers who voted for the relationship, but Burch will finish her third year as a graduate director of BBF, top story and became an ideal selection for the student this semester and plans to focus her work without the actual “I write a lot about mothers and said “Yvonne” event and discussion. mother being exclusively on her thesis in the spring. After earned the present and how “It has a lot of different points of connection Emerson, Burch said she wants to continue children. For this one, I wanted to s e l e c t i o n for potential readers,” Piehl said. “We want writing while working a job in publishing. the grandchild it stories that have a lot of potential for discussion, and grandmother With “Yvonne” having found success and explore the mother-daughter relation- because p e r f e c t l y and that was something that we heard from BBF around the corner, Burch said the reception relationship works.” e n c a p s u l a t e s pretty much everybody who read the story— helps in lifting her confidence as a writer.

BBF will ship, but without the actual mother the idea behind that they could imagine having a really rich and produced over “As a grad student and a writer there’s always One City One fruitful discussion about the story.”

20,000 copies of that self-doubt, and there’s definitely still some being present and how the grandchild Story.

“Yvonne” for readers A southern New Jersey native, Burch first of that there, but just to hear other people read to access for free at “This story discovered a fascination for writing in the fifth it and see other people tweet about it, it’s really the festival. Burch and grandmother relationship works” just really hit grade. She earned her bachelor’s degree from cool,” Burch said. “I’m really grateful for it. said she is fortunate that sweet American University in Washington, D.C., in Still really strange.” to have such a spot that we’re 2017 before applying to Emerson for graduate - Ciera Burch large circulation looking for in school. She said Emerson differs from past Head copyeditor Kyle Labe did not edit this and is adjusting to a One City One experiences because of the colleagues around article as he serves as the project manager and the reality of her Story story,” her. coordinator for One City One Story and helped accomplishment. she said in a phone call. “It’s beautifully and “The workshops, in general, have been really distribute the story.

“It’s such a huge thing, some actual books skillfully written at a level that’s both engaging helpful to my writing,” Burch said. “Being don’t even print 20,000 copies,” Burch said. for people who already love short fiction, but around people who are actual writers, that has domenico_conte@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

October 10, 2019

Living Arts

7

Alum opens contemporary art gallery in Downtown Crossing

Sam Fish ‘15 felt frustrated with the lack of space for young artists in Boston. He opened EXIT, a pop-up gallery near Emerson to solve that problem. • Courtesy of Andre Beriau.

Grace Rispoli, Beacon Correspondent Black, white, and red paint popped through a storefront window while two men stood in the doorway, welcoming in anyone enamored by the art inside. Behind the doors, low lighting mixed with lively conversation as attendees and artists alike celebrated the images surrounding them.

On Sept. 28, Sam Fish ‘15 held the closing reception for DTX, the most recent show displayed at his EXIT pop-up gallery. Fish opened EXIT gallery to showcase young contemporary artists’ work.

The gallery in Downtown Crossing served as a noticeable location for young contemporary artists. Exhibitions at EXIT comprised artwork that Fish has both contributed to and curated.

While EXIT has yet to establish a permanent location, the space at 467 Washington St. marked the third space the gallery inhabited, ranging from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

Fish created the first pop-up EXIT gallery in November 2018 at Bow Market in Somerville, and his second below Riverside Tattoo in Cambridge. When the gallery occupied the space at Bow Market, an exit sign stood in front. With no money to purchase a new sign, Fish kept the exit sign and the name stuck. “[EXIT] grew from my frustrations as an artist in Boston,” Fish said. “Trying to figure out how to be successful here and realizing it was futile.”

While Fish stayed cooped up in his room after a skateboarding accident two years ago, at age 25, the then-marketing director became engrossed in art. Rather than letting his aggravation win, Fish began the EXIT galleries to create what he felt the area lacked.

“The problem is a lack of space, it’s the lack of middle ground,” Fish said. “You know there’s big institutions and there’s an underground art scene, but there’s no emerging art scene working to elevate young talent.”

Through EXIT, Fish creates an industry for with people,” Katie Lane said. “The community artists under or around the age of 30. Rather that it builds I think is really incredible.” than continuing to have artists flee to cities like Fish said he gives artists space to create New York or Los Angeles for a more established or display works of their choosing, and young art scene, Fish themes emerge at the plans to forge one in completion of the Boston. collection—creating Chris Sageman, a an unconventional contributor to EXIT, gallery style with no “[EXIT] grew from my is thrilled to be a part predefined concepts of what Fish is doing. for shows. Fish said frustrations as an artist in the theme of DTX “I think the biggest thing is just younger is risk, as all the artists who— Boston. Trying to figure out featured artists pushed especially at least [in] the boundaries of my experience going contemporary art in how to be successful here to art school—I Boston. only have my The artwork and realizing it was futile.” displayed comprises undergrad and a lot of galleries won’t paintings, drawings, even look at your sculptures, collages, - Sam Fish submissions if you and installations. don’t have your Fish said part of masters,” Sageman the future for EXIT said. “To have a includes seeking new space for people who might not be able to afford spaces to display work. to go to grad school or whatever it is, who still “I’d like to be able to do it in multiple spaces make good work, can show their work. That’s at once, if I can,” Fish said. “I have a vision amazing.” for a network of a map of these art portals. I’m Fish studied marketing communications calling them different EXITs.” at Emerson and minored in entrepreneurial The portals would give Boston various studies.

Leslie spaces that exhibit Medalie, an E3 tutor different shows that within the minor, said the public can trust the program consists give them riveting “I only have my undergrad to of a year-long pieces, Fish said. immersive course “I think we’re and a lot of galleries won’t where students create gonna show the city and develop their what’s up,” Fish own business. laughed. “I mean, we even look at your While Fish did not already are.” design EXIT in the Fish said the submissions if you don’t course, he said his dedication he feels time at the college to the Boston art have your masters.” taught him to be an scene will push him entrepreneur. to continue building - Chris Sageman “The whole and supporting the mission is to create genre of work EXIT a space for young showcases, despite contemporary artists having no established to communicate, collaborate, and share,” Fish location for the gallery. said.

“I feel like because I grew up here, I have a Before EXIT, Fish knew of other creative community and I have connections where I’m individuals in the area, yet found it difficult to uniquely positioned to be able to do this, where connect with them. Local artist Katie Lane felt I feel like I have to,” Fish said. “It just seems the embodiment of Fish’s mission. like a fight worth fighting.”

“EXIT in general is a freaking amazing space—I’ve really enjoyed all my interactions grace_rispoli@emerson.edu

Person of Color Column: Celebrating my culture away from home Jade Lopez is a sophomore journalism major and this week’s POC columnist.

When Sept. 15 arrived, the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month, I was eager to go to the Dining Center to see the foods they’d be serving that day. However, my heart broke when I opened up the Emerson app and realized there were no Hispanic foods being served.

Much to my surprise, there was nothing displayed around campus advertising any meetings, events, or celebrations for this month. President M. Lee Pelton didn’t send out an email about the month’s celebration or any suggestions on how Emerson students could celebrate it. If the president of the college won’t even recognize Black History Month, which celebrates who he is, how can I expect him to recognize mine?

Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson. President Ronald Reagan expanded it in 1988, and enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15.

Growing up in a half-Puerto Rican household, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is not out of the ordinary. Whether I watched Spanish films, cooked Spanish meals, or just spent time with my Hispanic friends and family, I always set aside time to celebrate the holiday with my loved ones.

But since coming to college, I’ve found it overwhelmingly difficult to continue with these traditions, due to the lack of celebratory events the college provides. I’ve heard from my friends at other colleges that their institutions recognize the month and hold c e le b ratory e v e n t s throughout.

One of my best friends in high school was Peruvian, and she introduced me to the importance of honoring a month dedicated to my ancestors and cultural background.

We drove a r o u n d blasting D a d d y Yankee and J Balvin. I listened to her talk about what it was like to live in Peru and all the Latin traditions she celebrated with her dad’s family that she couldn’t experience in America.

We tried to carry on Hispanic traditions together, like celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve, and opening our gifts right

when it strikes midnight.

Even though our friendship faded, what she taught me did not. Although Emerson does not institutionally recognize the month, I still brought those traditions with me to college.

My friends from my freshman year in college would exchange gifts before Christmas in an attempt to recreate the Christmas I was used to.

I also tried to buy groceries at Roche Bros. to cook tacos, empanadas, and tortillas in honor of the month.

Sophomore Ashly Ibarra celebrates H i s p a n i c Heritage Month at college by joining Latinx organizations like Amigos or Raiz Magazine.

Amigos is a multicultural group at Emerson that brings Latin culture to campus.The organization recognizes heritage month and holds events every two weeks throughout the year to bring the Latinx community together.

“It kind of brings the whole community together,” Ibarra said. “So joining orgs like that

“But since coming to college, I’ve found it overwhelmingly difficult to continue with these traditions, due to the lack of celebratory events the college provides.”

is where you can find a community, and we can all celebrate together.”

Junior Pedro Noah Espinola serves as the president of Amigos and brings a variety of speakers, performers, food, and activities that embody the many Latin and Hispanic nations and cultures to Emerson. “[Amigos] creates a space for Latin Americans and Latinos, who feel like they can speak Spanish or Portuguese, and just kind of let out that side of themselves that they don’t always let out,” Espinola said.

Aside from on-campus organizations hosting events throughout the month, Latinx students can take part in events throughout the Boston area. The Second Annual Hispanic Breakfast hosted by CENTRO Las Americas celebrates the achievements and contributions made by Hispanics and others.

Other events set to take place after the month of celebration is over include the 2019 El Mundo Boston Latino 30 under 30, which celebrates young Latinx individuals creating an impact on the Massachusetts Latinx community in a variety of fields such as business, sports, community service, and fine arts. The event also offers a space to socialize and meet new people.

Hispanic Heritage Month represents a large part of who I am as a person—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Despite only getting a month dedicated to my culture and heritage to be nationally recognized, I view every day as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. I encourage everyone to honor this month as a time to become more aware of Latinx culture; our foods, struggles, ancestors, traditions, and achievements. jade_lopez@emerson.edu

Sports

The Berkeley Beacon

October 10, 2019

8

UPCOMING ACTION CROSS COUNTRY: Runnin Monk’s Invitational, Saturday WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: Emerson at Wentworth, 10 a.m., Saturday WOMEN’S SOCCER: Emerson at WPI, 1 p.m., Saturday MEN’S SOCCER: Babson at Emerson, 1 p.m., Saturday

Men’s basketball receives championship rings Andrew Lin, Beacon Staff Players on the men’s basketball team received championship rings this week after winning the program’s first-ever conference title in the 2019 season.

“Being here for nine years, it’s the first time we came close to a championship, and that’s what you play for,” head coach Bill Curley said in an interview. “Granted, this is just a league championship. We want to get a national title, but you have to start somewhere.”

The Lions finished with an overall record of 16-12 in the regular season and playoffs combined—including 9-5 in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference. The team defeated Springfield College in the semifinals and Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the finals to win the NEWMAC championship. In their inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance, the Lions lost 96-79 in the opening round against Rowan University.

Sophomore guard Zach Waterhouse credits the team’s leadership for guiding them through a historic season.

“We had great leadership from Geoff Gray and some of the older kids, and we had a lot of younger kids who came in and listened to the older kids and coaches and bought into the system,” Waterhouse said in an interview. “It really worked. We were staying after [practice],

we were putting in a lot of extra time going to the weight room, all these extra practices, and we really meshed as a team.”

Each player received their own customized rings depicting the letter “E” in a stylistic yellow font with a purple background—mimicking the college’s colors. The name of the recipient is printed on one side and “First Ever Men’s Basketball Championship 2019” is printed on the other. The words “NEWMAC Champions” are engraved around the letter “E” on top.

“I was really excited to get my ring because it showed it was a culmination of all our effort into a piece of jewelry,” Waterhouse said. “The fact that we all have them now is something we can bond over to remember the season we had, which is very cool.”

Curley—who won NEWMAC Coach of the Year last season—said he wants this year’s team to be ready to match the intensity of its conference rivals.

“This year, when you’re the top dog, [other teams] want to prove that last year was a fluke,” Curley said. “So we just got to do what we’ve been doing—show up every day, play hard, and make your teammates better.”

The men’s basketball team won its first NEWMAC championship last season.

Domenic Conte / Beacon Staff

andrew_lin@emerson.edu @AndrewPHLin

ECQ brings fictional sport to real life Continued from Page 1 A team can score 10 points when a chaser or keeper throws a ball, called a “quaffle,” through one of three hoops of different heights on each side of the field. If the seeker catches the “snitch”—the smallest of the three balls used in the game—the team is awarded 150 points and wins the game. Beaters look to eliminate players by throwing a ball called a “bludger” at them.

“Unlike the books, we take out all of the magical elements to it,” Mullins said. “I always like to simplify it down to basketball-rugbydodgeball; it’s got scoring in it, but it’s also got a dodgeball element to it, and it’s full-contact.”

Everyday Quidditch is played on foot and each player is required to hold a wooden or plastic pole between their legs instead.

The snitch is played by a person with a tail hanging from the back of a yellow pair of shorts.

The tail must be pulled off in order to win the match, and the winning team automatically is awarded 30 points. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Eleven years after the sport’s introduction on campus, Emerson is home to a single competitive Quidditch team.

“It was just one of those case scenarios where the people in charge of house league graduated and nobody took over, so Quidditch sort of fell back,” Mullins said.

ECQ is an official member of USQ, the governing body of the sport, and participates in the Massachusetts Quidditch Conference. The team competes against other colleges from the Greater Boston area and in regional tournaments held at the end of October. Matches throughout the regular season are typically held at Harvard University or Tufts University.

ECQ is not affiliated with the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, so it does not receive any funding or guidance through the college. Therefore, the students are left to run the team and cover all costs themselves.

“We have an eBoard which consists of people who do the marketing, and the treasurer, and all that kind of duties,” Mullins said. “Then we have what we call our ‘gameplay division,’ which consists of me and my co-captain Kat Whalen and our coaches, who are both alumni of the school. We have our head coach, Kieran Collier, and then our assistant coach, Timothée Courouble.”

Mullins said members have to fundraise and pay out of pocket for any expenses the team

The Emerson College Quidditch team will play in the regional tournament this fall. Photo courtesy of Greyson Acquaviva. encounters.

“We never lie to our team and say it’s a cheap thing to pay—there’s USQ fees and travel fees and jersey fees and all these things,” Mullins said. “I say, per semester, you’re probably paying upwards of $200.”

The team currently consists of 18 players— three roster spots shy of the maximum number a team can hold for an event, per USQ rules.

With regionals just around the corner, Mullins said the team is willing to accept new players to fill the empty spots.

“We have sort of a rolling tryout policy,” Mullins said. “We do what are called ‘Quidditch 101s’ at the beginning of the semester, and that’s when we’re looking for new players. It’d be complicated to add players right now because we’d have to find a way to get them a jersey,

but if anyone wanted to join we’d be open to it.”

Senior chaser José Cabrera said the sport’s uniqueness is his favorite aspect of the game and that it could draw in other students.

“Quidditch is something that everyone starts knowing nothing about it, so it’s about how quickly you can learn the rules, and in a year or two, you can be one of the top players of the sport,” Cabrera said in an interview. “I think a lot of people think that Quidditch is a silly nerd thing, and that is how it started off, but it’s become such a true sport.”

Mullins said having a non-school related activity in her schedule is an advantage of playing for ECQ. “It’s really nice to step back and do something that has nothing to do with the stress of school, or the stress of finding an internship, or my job

or whatever it is, three to four times a week,” Mullins said. “I can take myself out of that and do this thing that’s not related at all and have fun.”

Mullins said there are other perks to joining the team.

“This is a fun way to stay active, it looks great on a résumé, it’s the easiest conversation starter, and it’s an atmosphere that’s like you’re playing a sport, but that’s not the focus of it,” Mullins said. “And, obviously, if you love ‘Harry Potter’ you’re going to probably love this.”

christopher_williams@emerson.edu @chrisdubbs31