March 30, 2023 | The Pace Press

Telfar Clemens announced as 2023 Commencement speaker and honoree

JAEDEN PINDER Executive Editor The University announced on March 9 that fashion designer Telfar Clemens (‘08) will be the main speaker at this year’s Commencement on May 15. He will also receive an honorary degree at the ceremony celebrating the class of 2023. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Dr. Bruce H. Mann, Aldris Enis and Ivan G. Seidenberg (‘81) will also speak at specific school ceremonies.

Clemens is a Liberian-American fashion designer who founded his namesake brand TELFAR while studying at the University in 2005. The luxury brand is best known for its iconic Shopping Bags made with faux leather and capped at affordable prices, unlike other luxury handbags. For its accessible price tag and popularity in Brooklyn, the Shopping Bag has been dubbed “the Bushwick Birkin” and can be spotted on the shoulders of students across the New York City campus. Clemens received a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in business management from the Lubin School of Business in 2008.

Simar Kaur, the President of Pace Profashionals, was ecstatic about Clemens’s nomination. “I remember finding TELFAR my senior year of high school and trying for months to buy a bag. Right before I got to the University, I finally was able to buy one and it became my favorite bag ever! I use it for school, overnight trips, fashion internships, picnics, the list goes on and on! It’s just perfect!”

“It feels so full circle that Clemens is now speaking at my graduation ceremony! I am so beyond excited, especially as I [have] worked on establishing the Profashionals my whole time at the University.”

In 2017, the CFDA granted Clemens the American Fashion Fund (a value of $400,000) and once again awarded him in 2019 and 2020 as American Accessories Designer of the Year. Clemens’s success has spread to pop-up shops at NYC Rainbow locations and collaborations with UGG, Converse and White Castle, the latter of which all profits went toward supporting institutionalized teenagers’ bail funds on Rikers Island. In 2021, he designed the uniforms for the Liberian Olympic team at the Tokyo Summer Olympics. TELFAR prides itself on being a unisex and inclusive brand, its slogan

MARCH

reading “Not for you — for everyone.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Dr. Bruce H. Mann were also announced as honorary degree recipients of the Haub Law School, the former of whom will speak at the school’s ceremony. Warren, a Democratic representative for Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate since 2013, ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries

taught at Harvard Law School since 2006.

Aldrin Enis is the President of One Hundred Black Men (OHBM), a non-profit founded in 1963 located in Harlem, which seeks to enrich and empower Black youth through personal, intellectual and economic development, as per their company mission. After his appointment in 2020, Enis reframed aspects of OHBM to focus on Black adolescent mental health. He will speak to the Lubin School of Business graduates and receive the Opportunitas in Action Award for his involvement with OHBM.

Ivan G. Seidenberg graduated from the University, earning his MBA in 1981. He previously served as the chairman and CEO of Verizon from 2000 to 2011. After donating $15 million to the University, the Seidenberg School of Computer Science was inscribed in his honor. Seidenberg spoke at the class of 2000’s commencement, where he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters due to his subsequent philanthropic endeavors.

At last year’s Commencement, Mayor Eric Adams spoke at the main ceremony and his nomination received significant backlash from the student body. Throughout his mayoral service, Adams has been criticized for reinstituting plain-clothed NYPD officers, increasing police presence, an uptick in crime despite his “tough on crime” approach and clearing of homeless peoples’ encampments. Several students stood up and turned their backs to Adams during his speech in protest.

In contrast, this year’s lineup has already drawn remarkable excitement and praise. “Compared to last year, this is such a big improvement.

I felt so bad for the graduating seniors, given how much negative feedback Adams’s nomination was receiving. It is nice that the University listened to the people and picked someone who everyone is excited to hear speak,” Kaur said. Clemens’s return to the University and his hometown in Queens is likely to be a memorable Commencement.

before endorsing her competitor President Joe Biden. She first advanced the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and her main focus as a legislator is economically-angled and functions as a mouthpiece for middle-class families. Her husband, Dr. Mann, has

Onwards and upwards! New facilities planned to open at 15 Beekman in the fall of 2023

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OLIVER

The University’s newest building, 15 Beekman, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023. According to President Marvin Krislov’s State of the University Address, the building will include a new dining space, a new library and “a full set of state-of-the-art classrooms and faculty, study and collaboration spaces, including a new home for the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.” On the floors above these facilities, Krislov stated that the building “will include a residence hall with almost 500 beds in modern, suite-style arrangements.”

In the same address, Krislov shared that “[the University] will be moving nearly everything that’s currently in [the east side of One Pace Plaza] over to 15 Beekman, and then we will be shutting it down for an overhaul.” Jennifer Rosenstein, NYC library director, has stated that the east wing of One Pace Plaza will close for renovations in the fall of 2023 in conjunction with the opening of 15 Beekman.

Both the University and the Architecture Research Office, the designer of the first 11 floors of the building, have architectural renders and further information on 15 Beekman on their websites. The provided conceptual renders offer some idea of what the building will look like, but it’s important to note that the final building may differ from the images that have been provided thus far.

Commencement will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY on May 15. For more information concerning Commencement 2023, visit the University’s graduation-dedicated website.

Which dorm building is for you?

MARCH 20, 2023

Dorm life is an assured immersive experience of college life; the first dip into the eternal void of independence and adulthood. For many, a dorm room provides the first encounter of life without parental or guardian figures conveniently near at all times for guidance, support and maintenance of living conditions. As time progresses, living on campus within a residence hall offers a trial run for adapting to self-sufficiency and growing proficient in tasks demanded by inevitable adulthood. Dorm buildings serve as a home, a place to foster relationships within the University community, as well as a space to study, exercise, complete chores, sleep, relax and eat. Along with the basic requirements needed to sustain a comfortable living habitat, each dorm building at the University has its quirks and quandaries.

According to University enrollment statistics recorded in 2019, 38 percent of full-time undergraduate students on the New York City campus reside in University housing. The four residence halls at the University currently occupied are Maria’s Tower, 55 John St., 182 Broadway and 33 Beekman. Beginning in the upcoming fall semester, the University will take Maria’s Tower offline for refurbishment and subsequently unveil 15 Beekman, which contains a new residence hall and will be the home to approximately 460 first-year students. The building will offer predominantly double and triple occupancy rooms in suite configurations, with varying size opportunities. 15 Beekman will render sizable suite-style living, each enabling a capacity between five and 11 students, complete with a communal gathering space comparable to a living room.

As for the presiding housing operations offered at the University, varying amenities and locations contribute to skewed opinions on the comfort, convenience and atmospheric experience residing within each. continued on PAGE 10

SCHOFIELD Staff Writer

SAVANNAH FORD Contributor

Credit: @paceuniversity on Instagram

Credit: @paceuniversity on Instagram continued

Onwards and upwards! New facilities planned to open at 15 Beekman in the fall

OLIVER SCHOFIELD Staff Writer

The lobby will include dining and lounge areas for student use, similar to the lounge available in the already existing 41 Park Row. The renders of the lobby show floor-to-ceiling windows that let light in from the street outside. Second floor dining

The second floor provides further dining space for students, with little division between the seating areas and the food counters. The new cafeteria will replace Cafe 101 in One Pace Plaza and will be open even when no food is being served as a means for a student lounge space. Bianco Room

The third floor will include a multipurpose room and a staff area for library personnel. This space will replace the Bianco Room, seating approximately 180 people with glimpses of City Hall Park to the west.

As seen in the rendering provided, the fourth and fifth floors will be dedicated entirely to a new library with large windows that provide plenty of natural light. According to Rosenstein, the fourth floor will include a service desk and lounge area, and the fifth floor will be composed entirely of quiet study spaces with five rooms available for student reservation.

The sixth floor will include a dining space, social/study spaces and an outdoor terrace.

Credit: Architecture Research Office

Dormitory amenities

Credit: Architecture Research Office

The student residence hall will reside from floors 13 to 25 with a suite-style layout with three to four students assigned per suite sharing one common bathroom. According to the University’s housing listing for 15 Beekman, “suites will include various combinations of single, double, triple and quad occupancy rooms, but most students (about two-thirds) will be assigned to double rooms.” Each suite will include a shared living room space, a microwave and a refrigerator. The University’s website does not specify whether the refrigerators will be mini-fridges or full-sized.

The 12th floor will house the laundry room, while the 24th floor will be reserved for all other amenities, including a terrace, dining tables, a preparation kitchen, a small gym and classroom-style study space. All restrooms within 15 Beekman will be gender-neutral with several family-size restrooms as well.

The opening of 15 Beekman is just one part of the ongoing campus improvements that, as Krislov states, aim to transform the University into a “modern, desirable, [and] future-oriented” institution. The University’s campus improvement plans began with the renovation of the west side of One Pace Plaza in 2019, and they will continue after 15 Beekman opens with further renovations in One Pace Plaza, 140 William Street, and 41 Park Row.

Credit: Architecture Research Office

Learning commons

Floors seven and eight will include classrooms and multipurpose student seating. The render of the classroom provided shows a classroom design similar to spaces seen on the fifth floor of One Pace Plaza. Based on the render available, 15 Beekman’s learning commons could provide a unique multi-use space unlike any other on campus.

Rendering of 15 Beekman / www.ilarch.com

Credit: Architecture Research Office

Seidenberg

School of Computer Science and Information Systems

Floors nine through 11 will be dedicated to a new hub for the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. According to Melanie Madera, Seidenberg’s Community Engagement Manager, the new Seidenberg center will feature dedicated lab spaces for forensic computing, computational intelligence and UX/UI design. The center will also feature a larger space for Seidenberg’s design factory, more classrooms and more computer labs.

Madera states that this will provide “a more centralized space for students to interact with faculty” and will help facilitate student research projects. Madera has shared that the new Seidenberg hub will completely replace the school’s current offerings on the second and third floors of 140 William St.

Credit: Architecture Research Office

The Architecture Research Office’s diagram of the building indicates which of the first 11 floors will be dedicated to which type of facilities.

Eighth floor student seating

Student Government Association announces 2023-24 Executive Board

MANDI KARPO AND JULIANNA LAMOURT Editor-in-Chief and Staff Writer

With 639 total votes, the Student Government Association (SGA) had the most contentious election in their organization’s history and publicly announced their 2023-2024 Executive Board on March 7. Serving the 2023-2024 academic year is Executive President Aman Islam (‘24); Executive Vice President Dante Dallago (‘25); Executive Secretary Joe Paradiso (‘24); Executive Treasurer Vanessa Sanchez (‘24); and Executive Parliamentarian George Davis (‘24).

The Executive Board, Senators and Student Ambassadors met for five hours on Feb. 25 to deliberate the layout of the new SGA via a constitutional revision. This included the elimination of presidential and vice presidential positions, opting for equal senatorial roles and the reevaluation of Executive Board candidacy with Senators and the student body regarding responsible accountability respective of their role.

“We also made it more equitable for smaller schools to feel represented on campus,” said Islam, who won his campaign for re-election as an incumbent candidate. “Overall, our Senate map may look a little smaller than it did in the past, but I believe this will show more representation in the future.”

“The SGA had a huge rebrand this year,” he continued. “It took some time, however, as you can see this room is filled,” in reference to the relatively 40 friends, peers, fellow Senate constituents and administration who flocked to Student Center West for SGA’s Election Party, where the new Board was celebrated. “We’ve had massive participation in this election, so hopefully, that means that people are going to be involved and engaged on campus.”

MARCH 9, 2023

The newly elected Executive Vice President Dallago expressed an eagerness to ensure students across campus feel included in student government. When asked about the initiatives he plans on implementing in the upcoming school year, Dallago said, “One sort of broader initiative is making sure everyone feels welcome at SGA, and to really put our face forward so that everyone can see what SGA is, and be included in meetings and the process of government at the University.”

“I want to work closely with Student Engagement in order to speed up room slot space requests and try to make it a smoother experience for organizations and clubs on campus,” said incoming Executive Secretary Paradiso.

“One initiative I am really excited about is bringing back the SGA Grant,” said Sanchez, the SGA’s current Treasurer who has also been re-elected to serve the role.

The SGA Grant is an extended fund from the Student Activities Fee, a mandatory payment included in undergraduate student tuition. “A certain amount of money is reserved every year and is for students who want to [plan] big initiatives and bring people together.” In the past, a Tattoo and Piercing event was hosted with money from the SGA Grant intended for 200 students. Next year, Sanchez disclosed she will be reviving the event on a larger scale to allot space for 400 students.

“Initiatives overall start with aligning the constitutions to other organizations’ budgets, making sure that the amendments that are in place currently are enforced and being followed entirely and ensuring there is transparency where the organization is headed and how they’re implementing those goals in everyday events that their hosting on campus,” said Davis, a current Budget Alloca-

Trader Joe’s criticized for overuse of single-use plastic packaging

MARCH 12, 2023

Trader Joe’s, the beloved grocery store for New Yorkers, has recently come under fire for their overuse of single-use plastics in their packaging. Trader Joe’s has developed a loyal following due to its unique products, affordable prices and quirky branding, and has gained a strong reputation among its consumer base for its customer service.

The company has several stores throughout the city, most notably nine in the borough of Manhattan, making it easily accessible to many residents. It is also an accessible option for students looking for affordable and convenient grocery shopping, as well as a unique and enjoyable shopping experience.

Single-use plastics are significantly harmful to the environment due to the amount of time it takes for them to break down. The majority of single-use plastics are only able to be used once, hence the name, and then are discarded. Those who are trying to be environmentally conscious try to reduce their use of plastic whenever possible to ensure sustainability.

In March 2021, The Counter renounced Trader Joe’s for its packaging practices, noting that many of the store’s products were heavily packaged in plastic, despite the company’s efforts to reduce plastic usage in other areas.

An article published in the Mountain View Voice stated that while all grocery stores are responsible for reducing excessive single-use plastic packaging, “it is visible stepping into the produce section at Trader Joe’s that there is a particularly egregious amount of single-use plastic packaging for produce.” Shoppers have expressed concern about the amount of plastic waste generated by Trader Joe’s, highlighting that the majority of this plastic waste ends up in landfills, incinerators and bodies of water, where it can harm the environment and wildlife.

Trader Joe’s has taken steps to reduce plastic usage after reports and evidence were released that negatively impacted the establishment. The company has eliminated single-use plastic bags in stores and is working towards reducing plastic packaging for some products. However, concerns about the company’s plastic usage continue to be raised by some customers and environmental groups. Most single-use plastic containers can be recycled, but if they cannot, they are subject to sitting in a landfill or the ocean for hundreds of years before they break down.

Nine University students participated in a survey that revealed that the majority of them are unaware of Trader Joe’s overconsumption of plastic. Five of the students did not know that Trader Joe’s received criticism for using too much plastic, while the remaining four students stated that they realized that certain aisles contain an excessive amount of plastic.

Although Trader Joe’s is a hot spot for local New Yorkers, there is always room for improving and promoting new and sustainable practices. As a solution, Trader Joe’s can provide information on what can be recycled and work to educate customers about the impact of plastic consumption and ways to reduce it.

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

tion Council (BAC) Advisor, Conference Funding Chairperson and soon to be Parliamentarian.

“Overall, the training and sense of communication that has to occur on an Executive Board–I’d like to see that amplified this year in my role as Parliamentarian, specifically between the Secretary and the Treasurer,” he elaborated. Davis advised new and returning students “to make sure to carve out your opportunity because you’re never going to get this time back again.”

As per the SGA’s revised constitution, the organization’s mission is to provide “the means whereby students can govern themselves, engage in a learning environment populated by other student leaders and peers, and become empowered by and subject to the provisions of” their Constitution. The SGA is the role model for the student body and serves as the liaison between students and University staff, faculty and administration to advise all student organizations respective of their constitutional law.

FDA approves Narcan over-the-counter distribution

FEB. 20, 2023

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory group voted unanimously to make Narcan accessible over-the-counter, instead of on a prescription-only basis, on Feb. 15.

administering doses.

SAVANNAH FORD Contributor

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “More than 106,000 persons in the U.S. died from drug-involved overdose[s] in 2021, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids.” Narcan, or naloxone hydrochloride packed into a nasal spray, functions as an opponent and an antagonist to opioids to combat high volumes of drug overdoses.

Opioids are classified as both prescription and non-prescription opioids, including natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic forms commonly known as methadone, heroin and fentanyl. When opioids have entered an individual’s system and evidence of an overdose is detectable, naloxone employs its impact of restoring a regular breathing pattern and resting heart rate by attaching itself to opioid receptors, efficiently reversing their effects and blocking any further threatening symptoms.

Common indicators of an overdose are unconsciousness, shrunken pupils, vomiting, shallow breathing, pale complexion, inability to articulate words and limpness in the limbs. These are advantageous references that medical professionals, bystanders and even loved ones can use to gauge the necessity of Narcan intervention.

Narcan’s Naloxone, which comes in the form of nasal spray and muscular injections, was developed utilizing NIDA-funded research and was approved by the FDA in 2015. Historically, Narcan has been used by first responders and community outreach programs to effectively revive and aid individuals experiencing an overdose.

Both models of Naloxone offer the same effect, relieving dangerous symptoms accompanying high levels of opioids in the blood. Muscular naloxone injections, however, are typically administered in conjunction with emergency medical treatment, and thus recommended training from a pharmacist or medical professional is desired before usage. The Narcan nasal spray is a needle-free apparatus with no necessary assemblage, administrable to the endangered individual through a nostril while laying on their back and necessitates only reading of provided instructions before immediate use.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Naloxone is a “life-saving medication” that is carried, wielded and ascertained with ease. The nasal spray enables accessible and rapid aid in life-threatening situations before emergency medical help can arrive. With its minuscule size encasing 2 mg to 4 mg of Naloxone, it is easily carried and transported. Many experts add that there are few repercussions or safety hazards pertaining to the use of Narcan and no prevalent addictive properties. The only concerns brought to light are the immediate reuptake impacts of drug withdrawal symptoms after using Narcan when an opioid dependence is present and the vitality of proper time allocation of three minutes between

According to the committee, the benefits of increasing the attainability of Narcan far outweigh these concerns. This is attributed to the “opioid overdose epidemic” raging throughout the United States. The CDC voices that releasing Narcan to the public for ready use is “no different than carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known by the brand name EpiPen) for someone with allergies. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for those at a higher risk for overdose.”

Despite the recent vote in favor of making Narcan purchasable over the counter, the FDA is still weighing all factors before making the committee’s decision official. This initial advisory committee that gathered on Feb. 15 specifically discussed Narcan naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray 4 mg/0.1 mL submitted by the company Emergent BioSolutions Inc. Another Advisory Committee meeting will be held on March 20 to discuss ReVive naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray 3 mg/0.1 mL, proposed by Harm Reduction Therapeutics Inc.

Though both committee meetings aim to reinforce the FDA’s “shared commitment to a comprehensive federal response to increase naloxone availability and reduce overdose deaths,” the FDA utilizes the decisions to seek advice and gain insight. The information is then separately processed with official decisions made subsequently–formally instituted by the FDA into practice nationwide.

The University currently offers Narcan training workshops that cover information on the opioid epidemic facing the nation, as well as instruction on administering Narcan.

University student Quintessa Morris expressed her thoughts regarding Narcan over-the-counter availability. “I think easy access to Narcan has been long awaited and is the change that needed to happen.”

University student Giuliana Correa also agreed with Morris’ sentiment. “I think it was a great decision. It gives people the power to help strangers and loved ones quickly instead of just waiting for emergency services. The fact that it opens up the option of saving lives to more than just people who have easy access to medical care is amazing.”

The University and its students also come together through various programs on campus to augment awareness and educate the community on the impacts of drug use, including assessment and support for “problematic alcohol and other drug use” through the Counseling Center, and educational workshops such as “The Drinking Game” and “Weed Wars.” All of these resources focus on the University’s commitment to health and safety guidelines and support students struggling with drug usage.

Despite the committee’s united discernments, the FDA will take their recommendations under review before officially substantiating public access to Narcan by March 29.

Patrick Kane makes his debut as a New York Ranger

MARCH 4, 2023

After 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Kane has officially traded in his black and red jersey to join the New York Rangers.

Kane’s emotional exit was one fans had been dreading for quite some time, as it signifies the end of an era for Chicago, which is in a period of rebuilding. Kane solidified his legacy in the NHL during his 16 years as a Blackhawk, from being drafted as the No. 1 overall pick at just 18 years old to bringing three Stanley Cups home to Chicago in only six years. There is no doubt that No. 88 will be raised to the rafters of the United Center once he decides to retire. It’s bittersweet, but it may have been the best move for all parties involved.

Ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the Rangers made some big moves in hopes of putting themselves in an even better position for the upcoming postseason. Along with the Blackhawks legend, they acquired forward Vladimir Tarasenko, ex-captain of the St. Louis Blues, and defenseman Nikko Mikkola. These additions, combined with New York’s already solid roster, have created high expectations amongst analysts and spectators alike, who are referring to the Rangers as a “super team,” according to Bleacher Report.

Kane made his debut in blue and red against the Ottawa Senators on March 2, although he didn’t come out with the bang his fans were hoping for. The Rangers lost 5-3, and the right winger had no goals or assists in the game, leaving the ice with zero points after his 19:36 minutes of playing time.

Nevertheless, New Yorkers were thrilled to see his number on a Rangers’ jersey.

In the lineup with Kane were two of his former Chicago teammates, Artemi Panarin, who is currently leading the team in points, and Vincent Trocheck. It appears that the Rangers were counting on the chemistry they had in the past to work in their favor, but only one of New York’s three goals was scored by this line, with assists coming from Panarin and Trocheck. While there is definitely potential with this pairing, it may take some time for Kane to adjust, which can only be expected after spending his entire career with one team.

This may seem like an underwhelming debut, but it does not necessarily come as a surprise. Although Kane is undeniably talented, it is evident that the 34-year-old is nearing the end of his career (most hockey players retire in their 30s). Still, he is the best player to ever wear a Blackhawks uniform, which automatically makes him an exciting addition to New York’s roster.

As for Kane’s future with the Rangers, it is unclear what that looks like in the long term. He currently has two years left on his eight-year contract and has yet to reveal whether or not he is considering extending that with New York. Regardless of that, his main focus is on taking home a fourth Stanley Cup this season, which is a very conceivable notion. Where it stands, the Rangers are in a playoff spot with plenty of hockey to be played until the end of the regular season on April 13.

From left to right: George Davis (’24), Aman Islam (’24), Joe Paradiso (’24), Dante Dallago (’25) and Vanessa Sanchez (’24) / Mandi Karpo, Editor-in-Chief

ANAIS DENUCCIO Staff Writer

Biden Administration grapples with increase in immigration in ruling mirroring Trump-era

FEB. 25, 2023

Eli Lilly caps insulin cost for customers at $35 per month

MARCH 20, 2023

cost, causing prices to rise tremendously.

EMILY SHAFER News

Editor

The Biden Administration is taking a controversial step to managing migration at the U.S.-Mexico border with their strictest ruling so far to entice immigrants to come to the U.S. legally.

Among many changes, the new ruling would deny asylum to migrants arriving at the border without previously seeking and being denied protection from countries they traveled through to get there. Migrants from Mexico are also going to be required to schedule an appointment at the border using the CBP One mobile app to reduce wait times at entry points.

The new requirements will be waived for individuals experiencing medical emergencies, are at risk for murder, rape, kidnapping or are victims of human trafficking. Children traveling alone will also be exempt.

Though these changes do not entirely bar migrants from crossing the border for anyone who has to pass through a country to get to the U.S., this move will likely curb tens of thousands of migrants from seeking asylum if they are from countries other than Mexico.

Former President Donald Trump had tried to enlist similar restrictions on migrants at the border during his presidency, but the restrictions were denied by the federal court. This ruling is likely to face legal challenges as well and has already received scrutiny from civil rights organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The White House released a statement on the matter, stating that this ruling will “increase security at the border and reduce the number of individuals crossing unlawfully between ports of entry.” The statement continued, “These measures will expand and expedite legal pathways for orderly migration and result in new consequences for those who fail to use those legal pathways.”

A presidential aide also stated that evoking this law wasn’t their first preference, and that “these temporary measures are being taken out of necessity.”

Many activists are concerned that this move is too strict in limiting the number of asylum seekers that the U.S. will take in and are prepared to fight it. Lee Gelernt, an ACLU attorney,

said, “We successfully sued to block the Trump transit ban and will sue again if the Biden Administration goes through with its plan.” Advocates also are concerned that this ruling will require migrants to apply and wait for asylum from their home countries, many of which are not safe.

The ruling will also allow 30,000 migrants a month to immigrate from Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua and Cuba who have U.S. sponsors and successfully pass background checks. But many activists are concerned that there simply aren’t enough sponsors and that the people from these countries, many of which are politically corrupt or facing humanitarian crises, cannot wait for the approval.

The Biden Administration is racing against the clock as pandemic restrictions related to migration known as Title 42 are anticipated to end on May 11. The Title 42 public health order was put into effect at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 by the CDC. This allows the U.S. to regulate border crossings to combat the spread of communicable diseases, primarily COVID-19, which gives border patrol agents the ability to remove migrants from the U.S. if they arrived from a country with high levels of disease. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries in the world had very high levels of infection, though most expulsions through Title 42 happened to Mexicans. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there have been over two million migrants removed from the U.S. under the guise of Title 42 since the pandemic started in 2020.

The implementation of the new U.S.-Mexico border restrictions is an attempt to manage the foreseeable increase of illegal immigration after the ability to expel migrants using Title 42 comes to an end. These restrictions will not go into effect for another 30 days and will have to be reviewed again before being implemented for a temporary span of two years, though it will have the ability to be extended after its duration. This new ruling will also send additional personnel to the border, $23 million to Mexico and Central America for additional aid and hopes to expedite asylum application processing among other aids, but many activists still worry that it will do more harm than good.

Broadway Vision project to begin renovations

MARCH 30, 2023

LYDIA LUTCHMAN Staff Writer As the cost for necessary everyday items increases in America due to inflation, the healthcare industry experiences a rise in cost as well. This ushered the pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, to lower the cost of insulin, a hormone that helps glucose in the body be absorbed so it can be used as energy, by 70 percent, capping what individuals would pay out-of-pocket at $35 per month. This would help millions of Americans with diabetes in the U.S. gain affordable access to this life-saving hormone.

There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and a third less common type, gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as juvenile diabetes, first occurs in children and adolescents 4-14 years of age and is a life-long chronic condition that is genetic and currently has no cure. Individuals with type 1 diabetes have pancreas that do not produce insulin and therefore require store-bought insulin shots at every meal and snack throughout their days. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It often occurs later in life as a result of too much sugar in the blood over a long period of time. Type 2 diabetes most commonly occurs in people with a poor diet and exercise routine. People with type 2 diabetes are able to produce their own insulin but often their production is much less than it’s supposed to be. They require some supplemental insulin in order to accurately manage their blood sugars.

More than 37 million individuals have some form of diabetes, and a third of those require insulin to manage it. Danielle Dexter, lead nurse practitioner at Caraway, a digital healthcare company for college women, stated, “From 20012017, there was a 45 percent increase in type 1 diabetes and a 95 percent increase in type 2 diabetes among people under age 20. Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes among this population and always requires insulin.”

In August 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act to help health care become more accessible for a range of people with varying income levels. This became effective in Jan. of this year when insulin prices were capped at $35 for older individuals with Medicare insurance.

Insulin in America is very expensive, and many struggle to find the hundreds or even thousands of dollars it costs to afford it. The reason why insulin has such high costs is due to a process called “evergreening,” in which companies attempt to lengthen the period of their patent by altering an aspect of their product, thereby complicating the supply chain, and providing the drugmakers with the copyright to set the market

Pritha Dutta, Business Analytics professor at the University, commented on how the high price of insulin and their supply chains have been under scrutiny for a long time. “The announcement by Eli Lilly could have major policy implications that could make insulin more affordable across the U.S. This could prompt policy makers and legislators to create a federal cap on prices of diabetes medicine and investigate in depth the role of the Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).”

Dutta added, “In 2018 only 47 percent of the insulin revenue went to the manufacturers while the rest went to the PBMs. It is important to study the insulin supply chain and identify areas from where cost-cutting is feasible. Eli Lilly’s decision also puts pressure on its competitors to lower their prices. Some experts believe that this drastic reduction in price will save Eli Lilly millions of dollars that it would have had to pay in rebates to state Medicaid programs due to a federal rule that penalizes companies charging Medicaid high prices for older branded drugs taking effect in 2024.” Eli Lilly’s most prescribed insulins are Humalog, which is fast-acting, and Humulin, which is slow-acting. Both are going to experience a price drop of 70 percent starting in October. By May, the generic version of Humalog will be cut down to $25 a vial. This is a significant decrease in price given that a 2018 estimation found that the average listing price for a single vial of insulin in America was $98.70 and given that many patients require at least two to three vials each month. Insulin in the U.S. is almost 10 times higher than the average price in other countries.

David Ricks, the CEO of Eli Lilly, said that the price cap decision came after much pondering between the company and government members, further explaining that both he and the company believe that patients should not have a frustrating encounter at their pharmacy and encounter fair and consistent prices. Due to competition and the political climate, other pharmaceutical companies are beginning to discuss ways where they could also implement affordable prices to the market while maintaining a good profit margin as well.

LYNDSEY BROWN Treasurer

Starting this month, New York City will begin efforts to make a seven-block stretch of Broadway car-free. This movement is part of the Broadway Vision project, and is funded via Major Eric Adams’ $375 million budget for new public spaces throughout the city. The renovations are projected to be complete by this summer.

Two new plazas will be created, along with shared streets and new bike lanes to make the street safer for pedestrians. Between 25th and 27th St., cars will be completely banned on Broadway, allowing for outdoor dining to begin in these plazas as part of a partnership with Flatiron NoMad.

From 27th to 32nd St., Broadway will be made a shared street in order to discourage vehicles without an outright ban. New Citi Bike docks will also be added to the street to support this movement. With the shared street design, local vehicles will still have access for deliveries, pickups and dropoffs, while still promoting a safer environment for pedestrians.

NYC Department of Transportation commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated that the Department of Transportation (DOT) “is creating a people-first Broadway.”

The announcement of such construction followed the crash of a taxi cab on Broadway near 29th St. on June 20, 2022. Three people were in critical condition as a result of the taxi driving over the curb and into a café trapping two female tourists underneath. A group of passersby lifted the 4,200-pound vehicle off of the victims, but three others were hurt in the crash. Mayor Adams released his plans for revising Broadway only three days later, starting with the section of the street between Union Square and Columbus Circle.

“We should not have to accept, and I will not accept, a reality where New Yorkers die from traffic violence,” Mayor Adams stated.

The DOT has decided to work quickly toward creating a pedestrian prioritized space and met earlier than scheduled to address the issue. Mayor Adams and the DOT also believe that this renovation will be a great way for Midtown and our city to bounce back from the economic tolls they took during the pandemic.

Despite the efforts for safety, some believe that this will only cause more traffic on surrounding streets and won’t solve this issue. However, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi commented, “Broadway Vision is one of the most significant public space transformations in the heart of Manhattan. It will improve quality of life and traffic safety while boosting foot traffic, which is key to our city’s economic recovery.”

Harvey Weinstein sentenced to additional 16 years for decades of sexual abuse

FEB. 28, 2023

Harvey Weinstein, the co-founder and producer for Miramax Films, was sentenced to an additional 16 years in a California State Prison consecutively following his current 23-year sentence in New York on Feb. 23. The film mogul is serving his current sentence at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in New York where he was convicted of rape in the third-degree (related to Jessica Mann’s allegations) and criminal sexual act in the first degree (from Mimi Haleyi’s 2014 allegations). Since his sentencing, many more women have come forward and spoken out about their non-consenting encounters with Weinstein. The women who have shared their stories have inspired what is known as the #MeToo movement. The #MeToo movement was founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke, which inspires individuals to share their experiences of sexual abuse or sexual harassment with the hopes of bringing awareness to the sexual harassment crisis in Hollywood. Since the original Weinstein trial, the #MeToo movement has created pathways for people to have their stories heard and has provided resources to help them heal.

SOPHIA WEISS-GOLDNER Staff Writer

els and former assistants have accused him of criminal sex acts.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Cara Delevingne, Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Lupita Nyong’o, Léa Seydoux and Salma Hayek are just a few of the multitude of women in the film industry who have fallen victim to Weinstein’s actions.

Following Weinstein’s convictions, Bill Cosby, Kevin Spacey, Roman Polanski, Chris Noth, James Franco, Morgan Freeman, Matt Lauer and more men in Hollywood have been accused of sexual harassment and paying off their victims to maintain their innocence.

Weinstein’s 39-year prison sentence indicates that the 70-year-old producer-turned-predator will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

“I would like to see him rot in prison for life. I think his sentencing would have been even harsher if it was handled collectively and not state by state,” said University student Maddy Turunen. “I also worry that there are grounds for him to appeal based on biases created by the number of trials. There is no way to find an impartial jury at this point. The amount of harm he created will never be rectified completely and his victims deserve more than ever-changing outcomes,” she stated.

Though his sexual abuse had gone on for decades, his first rape allegation did not come to light until Dec. 1993 when “The Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra said the mega-producer raped her in her apartment after a film industry dinner. Between 1994 and 2020, actresses, mod-

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual harassment, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for support and resources.

EDITORIAL THE PACE PRESS

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Mandi Karpo

Editor-in-Chief

Jaeden Pinder

Executive Editor

Gia Sparacino Secretary

Lyndsey Brown

Treasurer

Adam Klein & Lanie Presswood

Faculty Consultants

EDITORIAL BOARD

Emily Shafer

News Editor

Sarah Bergin

Arts Editor

Zoe Poulis

Features Editor

Priya Persaud

Opinion & Editorial Editor

Chloe Fuller

Photo Editor

Mikayla Meachem

Social Media Manager

ADOBE INDESIGN PRODUCTION TEAM

Lexi Krakowski

Adobe InDesign Production Manager

Olivia Eleni Athan

Adobe Illustrator and Graphics Manager

Josh Ilano

Adobe Photoshop Designer

The Pace Press is the student newspaper of Pace University’s New York City Campus. It is managed and operated entirely by members of the student body as it appears above.

The Pace Press reserves the right to not publish any submitted material, both solicited and unsolicited.

All submissions must include the author’s full name and contact information.

The Pace Press

41 Park Row, Rm. 906 New York, NY 10038 www.thepacepress.org

editorthepacepress@gmail.com

Copyright 2023

Dear fellow readers,

We have reached the pinnacle landmark of the Spring semester. In a world post-Spring Break, the finish line looks as though the light at the end of the dark tunnel is only a few strides away. For my seniors reading this, there are only 46 days between now and when we walk across the stage at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY, on May 15, 2023.

As the semester progresses, we take for granted the everyday, mundane and ordinary pleasantries of our daily routine. It’s the peers you wave to in the hallway walking past the Caf; chatting in the library for three hours, having done none of the homework you planned on because you’re reliving the memories from the weekend before; the Chipotle Tuesdays you and your friends have planned after your 1:20 p.m. class. They say the friends you make in college are the ones that last a lifetime, but only time will tell if this sentiment stands true.

Our lives come in chapters. As the pages turn, people come and go. Some stay for a while, some make the occasional appearance, some come into your life when you least expect it–so much so that it sends shockwaves through your brain and others drift away. And then there’s the terrifying realization that one day, the people you find closest to you in this very moment won’t be around the corner in a classroom or a few blocks away from your dorm or apartment. Some of us will stay in New York City, some of us will move back home and some of us will travel and work abroad. The opportunities are endless, and many find them uncomfortable. I, for one, find that too many options are intimidating; too many opportunities for error.

But time and time again, I have had to learn the hard way that the most pivotal growth in life comes when I’m marinating in the uncomfortable. It is human nature to run in the opposite direction of anything unfamiliar, fear of the unknown triggering our fight-or-flight. In reality, these moments are the ones that unmask a new you to reveal a person you didn’t know could exist. Looking back at the last six months, I have faced more adversity than I have in my 21 years, made memories to last a lifetime and some that I can live without. Regardless, I wouldn’t change anything and yet, the aching curiosity of what could have happened if I chose or acted differently is haunting. But as I have restated in almost every single one of my Letters from the Editors, I encourage you, dear reader, to live in the moment.

We at The Pace Press take pride in living in the moment, so we can later write about it and relish in it with you. Our team of writers, engagement and quality of content is ever-growing and will continue to do so far after the 2022-23 Executive Board is gone. With that said, it is with immense gratitude and excitement to share the elected 2023-24 Executive Board of The Pace Press:

Lyndsey Brown, President, Editor-in-Chief

Gia Sparacino, Vice President, Executive Editor

Jules Kelly, Secretary

Jeremy Sanders, Treasurer

Additionally, The Pace Press is hosting our long-anticipated “Ask the Industry Expert: Multi-Media Speaking Panel” today, on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in the Student Center of One Pace Plaza from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. I want to give a special thank you to our panelists Lauren Hard, Tara Nurin, Aaron Tabas, Abigail Tracy and Cat Zhang for coming to the University to speak to the student body about their career journey, leading them to publish their first book and/or working at The New York Times, VOX Media, Vanity Fair and Pitchfork.

As always, I would like to reiterate that The Pace Press is a rolling admission organization and it is never too late to join as a contributor. We meet every Monday at 12:30 p.m. in Room W509 in One Pace Plaza. Please join us in continuing to provide a voice for the student body to be heard, recognized and appreciated; leave your legacy at the University with us, embossed in black ink on newsprint forever–or digitally within cyberspace.

Sincerely yours,

Mandi Karpo President, Editor-in-Chief

DISCLAIMER: These opinions are expressed by contributors (students, faculty, administration and staff) to The Pace Press. These opinions are solely those of the individual writers and do not reflect the opinions of The Pace Press, the members of The Pace Press staff or Pace University. The Pace Press is not responsible and expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind of arising out of use or relevance to any information contained in this section.

Nostalgia creeps in: March Press-Playlist

SARAH BERGIN Arts Editor

“Turn Me On” – David Guetta (feat. Nicki Minaj) Would it be a nostalgia playlist without mentioning the chokehold that David Guetta had over the radio in 2012? The producer’s album “Nothing

But the Beat” saw quite a few Billboard charts, making his music unavoidable. Nicki Minaj is no stranger to the charts, either, making this an inevitably successful pair. Guetta is still working with multiple artists to this day, his most recent release being a remix of Coi Leray’s “Players.”

“Get Lucky” – Daft Punk (feat. Pharell Williams and Nile Rodgers)

Daft Punk is one of the most popular acts in electronic music, let alone the art form in general. “Get Lucky” comes from the Grammy award-winning album “Random Access Memories.” The French duo made music together for nearly three decades, ending their run in 2021. Despite this, their critically acclaimed album has a 10-year anniversary reissue coming out on May 12, containing several unreleased tracks. Fans of the duo are anxiously awaiting its release after their indefinite hiatus was announced.

“Good Time” – Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen

Owl City, the artist behind the hitturned-meme “Fireflies,” was also prominent throughout the early 2010s. Best known for “Call Me Maybe,” Carly Rae Jepsen has since received a comeback with her new album “The Loneliest Time.” Regardless of their ups and downs in the industry, both Owl City and Jepsen continue to receive an immense amount of streams. Their 2012 song “Good Time” was extremely catchy, which made the earworm appear at every pool party that summer.

EMILY SHAFER News Editor

MARCH 23, 2023

With March comes Daylight Savings, rainy showers and midterms. For graduating seniors, a new realization has been setting in: college will be over sooner than we think. Many staff members of The Pace Press are currently anticipating this daunting and exciting endeavor by spending an endless amount of time applying to jobs, studying for the LSAT and browsing graduate schools.

Sometimes it’s beneficial to take a look back in time to the songs that we listened to growing up – no matter how much they make you cringe. Take a step back in time with The Pace Press in this month’s playlist.

“Back in Time” - Pitbull

This list would also be incomplete without Pitbull, the Latin pop artist from Miami, Florida. Not only is the song itself applicable to the playlist’s theme, but it also was on everyone’s iPod Nano at the time of its popularity. Mr. Worldwide is a legend in his own right, mixing genres and styles by working with country and pop artists. Pitbull is still making music to this day; his most recent single “Mami” was released on March 3, 2023.

“Let’s Go” – Calvin Harris (feat. Ne-Yo)

Similarly to David Guetta, Calvin Harris is another dance genre specialist. While he is more widely known for his song “This Is What You Came For” featuring Rihanna, “Let’s Go” was another popular song during this time. Ne-Yo, the featured artist on this song, has nine albums and has been featured in many television shows and movies. This duo created yet another pop hit that dominated the charts in the early 2010s.

“Can’t Hold Us” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Ray Dalton)

Nearly everyone has an opinion on the Washington-based duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Regardless of how you feel now, this song was impossible to miss while it played over the intercom in every grocery store and doctor’s office. Its snappy beat is memorable, making it fair to say that they were persistent in their familiar tunes, as shown in “Thrift Shop” and “White Walls.” If this wasn’t played at your middle school dance while everyone was awkwardly fist-bumping and making a dance circle, you are lying.

“Clarity” – Zedd (feat. Foxes)

Zedd, like some others on this list, was a competitor in EDM and dance. I vividly remember showing up to the Hot 99.5 Jingle Ball 2015 event (mainly for Shawn Mendes, 5 Seconds of Summer and Demi Lovato, among others – an iconic lineup), and when Zedd took the stage, he performed “Clarity,” shining lights across the audience during his DJ set. Since then, his music is still being played in multiple venues and even trending on TikTok. He releases singles every now and then, his collaboration with Maren Morris and BEAUZ, “Make You Say,” being the most recent.

“Don’t You Worry Child” – Swedish House Mafia (feat. John Martin)

Swedish House Mafia, a three-person group from Stockholm, Sweden, has headlined festivals, released a documentary and gone on multiple tours. They are known for being many artists’ inspirations, including Calvin Harris. If you’re a fan of house or dance music, chances are that you have quite a few songs from this group in your playlist already. If not, you’ll definitely remember this track from your adolescence.

Maya Hawke adds Pace University to 2023 concert tour

MARCH 15, 2023

Maya Hawke, breakout “Stranger Things” star and up-and-coming indie musician, awed University students on March 10 by making the University a pit stop on her 2023 tour.

Many students, those who snagged one of the limited tickets for the event, arrived an hour early to buy exclusive merchandise, chat with other fans and get involved with the P.A.C.E. Board social media.

P.A.C.E. Board was all over Instagram, making videos and posting photos of students attending the event.

Doors opened at 7 p.m. and students entered the dark and purple-lit Student Center in One Pace Plaza. Though there was ample space in the room, students crowded toward the stage, which was a rustic setup complete with a Pace Press newspaper stand, Caf drink stand, maintenance ladder and miscellaneous smaller objects such as an empty Altoids tin and Perrier bottle, hoping to get as close to Hawke and her band as possible.

Before Hawke came out, her grandparents, mother and two younger sisters got settled into their reserved seats beside the stage. Whispers of students erupted at the sight of Uma Thurman, but her presence was quickly forgotten when Hawke took the stage promptly at 8 p.m.

Hawke appeared nervous at first, alongside her three band members, but warmed up to the student audience very quickly. She joked when she first walked on, “I’m very aware of all the empty space at the back of this room. There’s a part of me that feels like as the show goes on people could sit down… My heart beats with the space in the back of the room.” She rambled on for a few seconds before stopping and saying, “Maybe we’ll try it later.”

She then asked students if this event was mandatory, and a resounding “no” sounded throughout the room. Pleased, Hawke said, “I’m really glad to hear it’s not mandatory. That was my deep and profound thundering fear.”

Hawke sang songs from both of her full-length albums. “Moss,” a September 2022 release and the reason for her tour, took up most of the concert, though she sprinkled in songs from her 2020 “Blush” album and even gave students a sneak peak at a song they are working on for her upcoming album.

Hawke spoke to the audience in between each of her songs, telling stories of how the songs were written and of her own personal life. She stated that she regretted dropping out of college after one semester, even though she had a successful gig on the infamous “Stranger Things.” She stated that she felt like she was missing out on the college experience but was happy that she was asked to perform for a university.

To the side of the stage, her younger sisters giggled at some of the sexual explanations of her songs–she gave the audience advice, “You should never fake an orgasm”–while her grandfather gleamed with pride and recorded nearly every song on his iPhone.

Her band was complete with three other members, who introduced themselves and the instruments they play, as Hawke stated she is not as familiar with musical instruments as they are. Will Graefe, who switched between various electric and acoustic guitars, also provided backup vocals for each song and was a featured vocalist on one. Benjamin Lazar Davis, also on guitar and backup vocals, was tasked with playing the smallest keyboard and even used University props as a drum for one song. Michael Riddleberger completed the band on drums and backup vocals.

Toward the end of the concert, Hawke looked toward Graefe and asked him, “Should we do it?” Will looked at her and said, “We have to.” Hawke then took the mic and said, “Okay, we’re going to pretend to encore,” and explained that they’d be right back after they pretended to leave so they could do their threesong encore.

Students laughed and cheered when they came back out for their final three songs, and after the concert was over, students moseyed around the room and lined up at the merchandise table while they chatted with other concertgoers about the spectacular experience.

Credit: Chloe Fuller, Photo Editor

Watching ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ is a chore that everyone must complete

FEB. 27, 2023

The much anticipated “Ant-Man and Wasp: Quantumania” takes the responsibility as the first film of Marvel’s Phase Five, but turns out to be just a hodgepodge of one-sided characters, tumultuous CGI and plot lines that are confusing to follow in its pandemonium.

ASHLEIGH O’GRADNEY Contributor

Since the early ‘00s, superhero movies have been plagued by the three-film franchise, and “AntMan” is no different. “Quantumania” is easily the biggest film to hit theaters so far this year, and as the third installment in the “Ant-Man” franchise, both die-hard Marvel fans and casual watchers alike will be flocking to the theaters. The film had already reached $46 million at the box office on opening day, much higher than its predecessors, but the 48 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, one of the lowest in the MCU’s history, may leave some wondering where it all went wrong.

The film follows Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton), Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and her parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), as they find themselves trapped in the Quantum Realm after a communication device Cassie invented goes awry and sucks them down under. Once they find their respective family, they encounter strange creatures, environments and technologies that challenge anything they thought they knew about the Quantum Realm.

The film opens with a warning addressing the flashing lights and sequences that would be highly present in the film, and it certainly lived up to this reputation, as the whole movie felt akin to some psychedelic trip. Although beautiful and quite impressive at first, the visual effects that encapsulate the design of the Quantum Realm quickly felt overdone and chaotic. The special effects cycled between cartoonish colors and patterns to the kind of elements that are seen in “Star Wars” or “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

It would be easy to believe that the plot got second priority to the beauty of the film, as many of the characters fell flat or didn’t fall at all, given their lack of screen time. Hope, Hank and Janet became secondary characters, only serving as the rescuers for Scott and Cassie most of the time.

Comparatively, the newly introduced characters that reside in the Quantum Realm seem to play an even bigger role than any of the Pym-Van Dynes. Scott Lang goes from being a superhero to a super dad, and Cassie’s intense desire to help people unfolded far too quietly and was overshadowed by other unnecessary plot points.

“Quantumania” also served as a way to introduce Kang the Conqueror, played by the beloved Johnathan Majors. Audience members versed in the tellings of recent MCU shows will recognize Kang from his cameo at the end of “Loki.” Although Majors’ performance was a large film highlight, his character is painted as just another Thanos; a man who believes genocide is the key solution to all of society’s problems.

Unfortunately, those who skipped the shows and any more recent Marvel features may have difficulty connecting the dots presented in “Quantumania.” For the average viewer, this film may feel like a homework assignment instructing you to engulf yourself in all things Marvel–from “Iron Man” to “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”–to understand every detail. Don’t forget the half-dozen limited series’ on Disney+ that focus on the less-explored characters of the MCU.

The film also missed the mark in its comedic value. Lovers of the first two “Ant-Man” films attribute much of their enjoyment to Luis’ extensive yet lively tellings of real-life events, the playful romantic tension between Hope and Scott or the strict comic nature that comes from fighting crime on a much, much smaller scale. The few moments of comedy in “Quantumania” felt out of place, awkward or just entirely unnecessary that could have been omitted from the script completely.

Kara Wilczynski, a first-year student at the University, said, “I was expecting more since it’s the first movie of Phase Five, but it felt like every other Marvel movie, just with different characters.”

Given how unimpressive most of the MCU’s recent productions have been, “Quantumania” is hardly the worst of the bunch, but the central point of the film paints itself as some tired foundation to set up new stories that will be present in Phase Five. For those still working through the previous Phases, watching this film will feel more like a chore than enjoyment.

Genre-defying 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' stole the show at the 95th Academy Awards

SARAH BERGIN

Arts Editor History was made at the 95th Academy Awards with a diverse group of nominees being represented. Due to the backlash that the Academy received last year for cutting awards such as Best Editing and Production Design from the roster, they worked to include all categories in this year’s televised broadcast.

Shortly before the event began, there was a sudden switch in the presentation order. This alteration put Animated Feature Film first, confusing the audience. Although it was subject to change, viewers didn’t expect this to happen an hour before the event began.

Host Jimmy Kimmel took the stage as soon as the event started, playing on the box office hit “Top Gun: Maverick” by coming down from the ceiling in a parachute. He primarily focused on wordplay to drive the humor for his jokes, referencing the movies and their nominees.

The infamous incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock at last year’s event was front-and-center, with Kimmel making multiple references to the “slap” throughout the event. He also reassured audience members that enhanced security was in place if a similar event occurred. “Seriously, the Academy has a crisis team in place,” Kimmel announced, “if anything unpredictable or violent happens during the ceremony, just do what you did last year: nothing… Maybe even give the assailant a hug.”

The night’s first award went to “Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio.” The stop-motion film was in tight competition with “Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish” and Pixar Animation Studios’ “Turning Red.” Del Toro’s win marked the second time in a decade that the Animated Feature Film award went to a production company not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company or Pixar.

Fan-favorite “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was a frontrunner with seven wins out of 11 nominations. With Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis’s awards, it became the first film to obtain three acting awards since “Network” in 1977.

Yeoh made history as the first Asian woman and second woman of color to be awarded Best Actress. She stated, “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that… dreams do come true.”

MARCH 14, 2023

“I really wanted Michelle Yeoh to win; she is an extremely talented actress,” University senior Julia Miller said. “This is huge for representation and the Asian community and it’s only the beginning... There is this space for female figures that play roles of mothers [and] Michelle showed just how important those roles are, how much range you can have and that no matter who you are or where you are or how old you are, you can be a superhero for your community, yourself and audiences around the world.”

Quan accepted the Best Supporting Actor award with an emotional speech, dedicating it to his mother. “My mom is 84 years old, and she’s at home watching. Mom, I just won an Oscar!”

He continued, “Dreams are something you have to believe in. I almost gave up on mine. To all of you out there, please keep your dreams alive.”

Curtis proclaimed that she was, in fact, “all of us” during her Best Supporting Actress speech, referencing Ariana Debose’s performance at the BAFTAs: “I know it looks like I am standing up here by myself, but I am not, I am hundreds of people… To all of the people who have supported the genre movies that I have made for all these years… we just won an Oscar together!”

Discourse quickly spread about the decision to give the award to Curtis instead of nominee Stephanie Hsu for her role in the same film. “I don’t think Curtis was necessarily undeserving, she was great in the movie, but Hsu was definitely more deserving. Her role made such an impact on the film and her performance was out of this world,” University senior Leigh Bauer said. “I’m sick of the ‘oh she’s young, she has time’ take because a young actress is capable of winning an award.”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert accepted three Oscars, including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture awards for their film. Coined as “the Daniels,” both directors have worked closely together on music video direction for songs such as DJ Snake’s and Lil Jon’s 2013 hit single “Turn Down for What” before making feature films.

When accepting the Best Director award, Scheinert said, “We want to dedicate this to the mommies, all the mommies of the world, to our moms. Specifically, my mom and dad, Ken and Becky, thank you for not squashing my creativity when I was making really disturbing horror films… or dressing in drag as a

kid, which is a threat to nobody!”

Due to Smith’s absence, the Academy had to find a new presenter for Best Actor, breaking the tradition of the successor passing down their legacy. The award went to Brendan Fraser of “The Whale” in a cut-throat competition. From Colin Farrell’s role in “The Banshees of Inisherin” to Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis in the titular film, cinephiles have seen this award as a tossup ever since its nominations were announced.

Gaining two awards, “The Whale” has more wins than director Stanley Kubrick does in total, which received criticism from IndieWire reviewer David Ehrlich on Twitter. Alongside Best Actor, “The Whale” also took home the accolade for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

“All Quiet on the Western Front” also secured awards with four wins, including Best Original Score. The Netflix feature film received high viewership in North America before the ceremony while being labeled in the Best International Feature Film and Best Picture categories, similar to the critically acclaimed film “Parasite.”

“RRR” received “Best Original Song” amidst fans’ dismay at the film not being nominated for Best Picture. The cast’s performance of “Naatu Naatu” captured audiences alongside Lady Gaga’s performance of “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick.” However, it has been reported that the “Naatu Naatu” performance contained little to no South Asian performers and, considering the anti-imperialist themes present in “RRR,” has drawn severe backlash.

Other films that did not make much of an appearance on Sunday night include Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave” and Charlotte Wells’s “Aftersun.” While “Aftersun” did receive a Best Actor nomination for Paul Mescal’s performance, the film received radio silence throughout the event.

The 95th Academy Awards were a showcase of career-defying comebacks. Yeoh preached, “Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you [that] you are ever past your prime.” As Yeoh encouraged the audience, it became clear that she wasn’t backing down anytime soon. With a television adaptation of the graphic novel “American Born Chinese” premiering May 24 on Disney+, it is likely that “Everything Everywhere All at Once” co-stars Yeoh, Quan and Hsu will be coming after the Emmys next year.

‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ attempts to bring emotions front and center

FLAVIO MOREIRA

Staff Writer

MARCH 23, 2023

In the long-awaited sequel of a not-well-known DC Comics superhero, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” may have lost the battle to reach its full potential.

The story in this installment is simple even though it tries to put very complex issues on the screen: Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu’s characters are daughters of Atlas, the Greek god. The Wizards, interpreted by the always amazing Djimon Hounsou, gave Billy Batson the power to become Shazam and later gave it to his family. Parallel to that, Billy is worried about being kicked out of the family’s house, as he is almost turning eighteen and aging out of the foster system. Through this recipe, very similar to the first movie, director David F. Sandberg navigates the plot with a few mishaps along the way.

Zachary Levi leads the cast as the adult “Shazam!” He is known mostly for his title role in the TV comedy “Chuck” and meshes the silliness of his previous character into his superhero counterpart. There is no doubt he is talented in comedy, but there is a notable difference in his portrayal of Billy Batson and the teenage one played by Asher Angel, who is dealing with the rejection of his biological mom and the fear of growing up. This duality is so aggressive in the sequel that it makes Levi’s performance annoying to watch. Every dramatic decision made by Angel to deepen the story seems to be overshadowed by the jokes Levi makes minutes later. There seem to be two different stories happening on the screen.

The real star of the show is Jack Dylan Grazer, who gained notoriety for his role as Eddie in 2017’s “IT.” Grazer returns as Billy’s side-kick, Freddy Freeman, who is also Captain Marvel Jr. He is much more natural and nuanced as a teenager than anyone else in the cast–his portrayal is honest, sincere and maybe the only one in the movie where there is no imbalance. Rather, the human Freddy is probably the heart of the story in contrast to Billy Batson, who is set aside to make Levi’s “Shazam!” the real star. The rest of the family is also delightful to see on the screen. Although they seem pretty flat at times and their dilemmas are just inserted for the sake of it, they are amusing and have good chemistry, especially when they are just playing teenagers and not superheroes.

The first scene in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” depicts Mirren and Liu in a fight scene to recover an ancient artifact from a museum in Athens. Antagonists in superhero movies usually have very vague motivations, and here it’s no exception. Something that is observable in most DC and Marvel movies is the frequent threat that aliens might make it to the mortal world. There is also usually a villain consequently threatening to destroy the Earth with the most nonsense explanation whatsoever. Maybe the last villains who had a plausible motivation were Thanos in the “Infinity War” saga and Cate Blanchett’s Hela in “Thor: Ragnarok.” Sadly, “Fury of the Gods” leans into the predictable construction of a blockbuster formula. It is hard to make sense of the writers’ reasoning.

Overall, the feature does not lead the viewers anywhere. Not even the surprise ending nor the two post-credit scenes give the audience an idea of what the future holds for Billy Batson and his family This is because the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is being rebooted with “The Flash” to make James Gunn, who became co-chairman of the DCEU last year, able to create things from scratch, not based on someone else’s work like the controversial “Zack Snyder’s Justice League.”

The pulsing force of the first installment in 2019 was compiled of the rejection the main characters received from the world, and not how the superpowers made them incredible, but their hearts. This is what made “Shazam!” so approachable and successful at a time when Marvel released the popular “Avengers: Endgame.” In “Fury of The Gods,” just like Batson’s portrayal by Angel, this matter is thrown away. There are just a few emotional scenes with the younger characters, while the menacing, godly characters of Liu and Mirren are all over the place. In fact, the latter recently told CBR that she thought the story was too confusing. As mentioned before, everything seems unbalanced and rushed to compete with Marvel’s success, even when the public is suffering from superhero fatigue. The script leans on clichés and simple monologues, which leads the audience to congratulate the cast for making the best with so little.

The real March Madness is female rage: March’s Literature Lineup

MARCH 23, 2023

With all the talk of basketball and sports brackets that goes on this month, I feel that we need to talk about the real March Madness: female rage. If you’re wondering exactly what female rage is, you’ve come to the right place because there are plenty of examples in literature. And what better time to get to know these raging heroines than during Women’s History Month? With these picks from our all-women staff, you can fully embrace what it means to be a woman (in all its intensity) this March. Keep in mind you don’t have to dismantle modern society as we know it–it’s hard enough to be a woman who’s simply trying to find herself in all of that. But who knows, maybe one day you too can incite a rebellion or disturb the patriarchy just like some of the women in these books!

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

Zoe Poulis, Features Editor

– “Catching Fire” by

Suzanne Collins

If your social media looks anything like mine right now, it’s flooded with “Hunger Games” content, and you’re not mad about it. With all four movies on Netflix and the prequel coming out on Nov. 17, the hype surrounding the series is inescapable but understandable. For those who are looking to revert back to your 12-year-old self for 391 pages, might I offer you the crowd favorite book of the trilogy, “Catching Fire.” Not only does this sequel introduce several new characters for readers to obsess over (you already know I’m talking about Finnick), it gives us a closer look at exactly how the Games have impacted Katniss and fueled her hatred for the Capitol. With Katniss now as the unlikely face of the rebellion, the Capitol threatens to destroy everything she’s tried so hard to protect. “Catching Fire” is where things really start to heat up for Katniss (pun intended) as we see her step even further into her role as the Mockingjay. There’s a reason she’s called “the girl on fire”–she’s not going down without a fight. seeing a girl with a soft heart absolutely lose their sh*t and for good reason.

Mandi Karpo, Editor-in-Chief – “Cresent City: House of Earth and Blood” by Sarah J. Maas

Female rage is multifaceted and can spawn differently in all women. Sarah J. Maas understands this to a T, as every one of her series follows a female protagonist who, at one point or another, will fight to the death (literally) for what they believe in, spewing their feminine energy and dismantling the male hierarchy. The first installment of her Crescent City trilogy is “House of Earth and Blood” and follows half-fae, half-human

Bryce Quinlan, who becomes notorious for excessive drug and alcohol use and partyism throughout her college campus and among the Crescent City police. She uses drugs and clubbing as a coping mechanism and expression of the rage and guilt she feels after what happened to her best friend, Danika, the granddaughter of the powerful Werewolf Prime and alpha of the Pack of Devils and her pack. Stepping into a world of fantasy, magic and searing romance, Bryce becomes a phoenix and rises from the ashes to seek revenge on the entity responsible for killing Danika. While the story building takes about the first 200 pages to settle, one can’t help but wonder if they themselves have magical feminine rage that can kill.

Jaeden Pinder, Executive Editor – “Good Morning, Midnight” by Jean Rhys

Dr. Johnson, if you’re reading this, thank you for introducing me to Jean Rhys! I read “Good Morning, Midnight” last fall in her modernism class and now I champion it as one of my favorite novels (even though I say this about all of my Lit Lineup picks). Rhys wrote about female rage before it had a name, and ultimately, prototyped the Sad Girl genre that is adored today. Over the course of two weeks, Sasha Jansen goes to desperate lengths to fit into Parisian society and I think anyone will feel seen when she has a breakdown and gets her hair dyed. This is not to downplay or romanticize her downward spiral because what she faces is tragic, but Rhys generates a protagonist with a consciousness terrifyingly close to the present, despite its publication in 1939. I don’t like to compare books to each other, but for the sake of convincing students to read Rhys, think of “Good Morning, Midnight” as a predecessor to “The Bell Jar,” but better.

Lyndsey Brown, Treasurer - “The Days of Abandonment” by Elena Ferrante

Translated into English in 2005, this Italian novel follows the decay of a seemingly happy relationship (and the subsequent breakdown of the protagonist’s mental state) as Olga’s husband announces that he is leaving her and their two children for another woman. Despite all of the tragedies occurring in her life, Olga realizes that she is strong enough to persevere. With moments of feminine rage, Olga shows true strength in her journey toward happiness when the world is seemingly against her. With a heartwarming ending, “The Days of Abandonment” shows that we are more than our failed relationships and that we are always deserving of love.

Emily Shafer, News Editor – “Paradise” by Toni Morrison

As a huge Toni Morrison fan, it’s surprising that I only just read “Paradise.” This novel follows a small-town community throughout different generations who are bothered by a nearby convent of women. The story jumps between the perspectives of the townspeople and the members of the convent. It’s hard to know who to root for, considering the book opens with the end of the story; the first sentence reads, “They shoot the white girl first. With the rest, they can take their time.” That is the sole reason I decided to read this book, and I 100 percent would recommend it. This story is full of powerful writing and some of the strongest female protagonists I’ve ever read in literature. If you love classical literature, “Paradise” is a must-read!

Sarah Bergin, Arts Editor – “Fleabag: The Scriptures” by Phoebe Waller-Bridge

No one writes rage quite like Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creator of the hit series “Fleabag.” The show is based on a one-woman play that revolves around an unnamed woman and her everyday experiences. Following the success of this dark comedy, she published the scripts as a compilation piece. If you haven’t seen the acclaimed show or read the script, add this to your list! It is great to rewatch or even reread as time goes on. While this is not a conventional pick for the Lit Lineup due to its format, it is worth checking out as you embrace feminine emotion and listen to “mad woman” by Taylor Swift.

Priya Persaud, Opinoin & Editorial Editor – “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides

Alicia Berenson, a famous artist turned notorious, has killed her husband Gabriel by shooting him five times. Alicia hasn’t spoken a word since that moment, and her refusal to speak captivates both the public as well as Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, who is determined to work with Alicia and discover what precisely made her willingly mute. Michaelides’s emphasis on heavy subjects that are not typically found in fictitious stories outside of a melodramatic context, such as suicide, self-harm, mental illness and trauma, as well as his usage of greek legends as a literary motif, became a pivotal factor of why so many enjoy this psychological thriller. “The Silent Patient” has a riveting plot twist that is guaranteed to make you wide-eyed and whisper “girlboss” to the pages in front of you.

Five women-owned businesses to support during Women’s History Month

MARCH 12, 2023

The most uncomfortable comfort food experience in NYC

MARCH 19, 2023

KATELYN NOLAN Contributor

Over the past hundred years, great strides have been made in women’s rights advocacy. Suffragists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries worked tirelessly protesting for the right to vote, and on March 19, 1911, women around the globe celebrated International Women’s Day in their honor (though the holiday is now celebrated on March 8). In 1980, President Jimmy Carter announced that the week of March 8 would be National Women’s History Week, and then in 1986, it became a month-long event. To celebrate Women’s History Month, here are five women-owned businesses to support this March and every month thereafter!

Haven Tattoo Studio

It can be intimidating to get a tattoo for many reasons–whether it’s your first one or because it can be a vulnerable experience–but none of those things should deter you from being able to express yourself through artwork. In 2019, Jes Valentine founded Haven Tattoo Studio in Brooklyn as a result of the negative experiences she had in the past at tattoo shops. Her goal has been to create a safe space that feels welcoming for everyone, no matter their body type, color or size. Haven Tattoo is completely owned and operated by women who share this same goal of inclusivity.

McNally Jackson Books

Calling all bookworms! Instead of purchasing your favorite novel from a larger corporation, check out McNally Jackson, which is conveniently located in the University’s backyard in South Seaport. For commuter students, there are also locations in Williamsburg, Nolita and more. The independent bookstore was founded by Sarah McNally in 2004 and sells new, used and rare books. In addition to an abundance of reading material at your fingertips, the shop also has its own café and seating area. Grab a snack or beverage, get comfy and escape into a great story!

Ovenly Got a sweet tooth? Head on over to Ovenly, with locations in Brooklyn and the West Village, to satisfy all your cravings–but beware, it is highly addictive. Founded by self-taught bakers Agatha Kulaga and Erin Patinkin in 2010, Ovenly is a retail space and commercial kitchen that provides over 6,000 baked goods on a daily basis. Aside from being home to an array of delicious treats, Ovenly is in the business of humanity, employing political refugees, the formerly incarcerated, immigrants and anyone else who wants to make a difference in the community. This shop is a must-visit for all foodies.

Simple Shoppe Candle Co.

If you’re in the market for some new candles, look no further; this women-owned and Black-owned business was founded by Carla Friday in 2019 and operates in Westfield, New Jersey. According to their website, they “only use lead-free cotton wicks, and premium fragrance oils infused with natural essential oils in our line for a clean burn.” Simple Shoppe Candle Co. crafts hand-poured, high-quality candles using locally sourced, American-grown soy wax. This means you don’t have to worry about any toxic fumes in your house!

Chill House

After a long week, the best way to unwind is by treating yourself to a relaxing spa day. Chill House, located in SoHo, was founded by Cyndi Ramirez, a second-generation Columbian-American in 2017 “to combat an increasingly stressful world.” In addition to being passionate about her spa, Ramirez is also a passionate advocate for mental health and donates one percent of Chill House’s proceeds to support the cause. Whether you’re looking for a facial or a unique set of press-on nails, this oasis is the place to go.

KATHERINE PAPPAS Staff Writer

If you are looking for a one-of-akind place to grab a bite, look no further–Karen’s Diner has got you covered. Karen’s Diner is a tasty, retro-themed pop-up joint located in the West Village, with service provided by literal Karens to create a “Rude Dining Experience” on purpose. A unique experience that pokes fun at and exaggerates the famous Karen character that has gone viral over the past few years. Whether you love them, hate them or are frightened by them, for better or for worse, Karen’s Diner is here to stay (at least until the end of this year).

Upon entering the restaurant, you are immediately teleported into the past based on the ambiance alone. Vibrant colors and loud patterns fill the walls and tabletops, ‘60s music plays from a jukebox and the smell of burgers grilling makes your mouth water! It’s all good vibes until you are greeted with a very unfriendly look at the hostess stand. “You better have a reservation!” yells one of the Karen hostesses. After checking in, Karen stomped her way over to a table and slammed some menus down before we had a chance to get situated.

The diner offered classic American food: french fries, burgers, hot dogs, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, chocolate cake, milkshakes, beer and wine. One of my friends made the mistake of asking Karen for her recommendations. An extremely long eye roll later, Karen replied, “It’s not that deep, sweetheart. Just pick something quick, so I don’t have to talk to you any longer. You irk me!” We all ordered the I Want To See The Manager Burger!, served with two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, bacon and lots of pickles, complete with a giant knife stabbed right down the middle. It was filling, to say the least, as the portion sizes were more than generous. But while the burger and fries were incredibly tasty,

there was nothing that special about them–it was just your average American meal. “Eat quickly and get out!” Karen stated firmly.

The environment of the restaurant was filled with the loud sounds of Karen screams and insults accompanied by deep belly laughs from customers. “What are you laughing at?” was a common question. Customers were clearly trying to get a rise out of the Karens for the fun of it (who wouldn’t?). When our Karen asked if she could bring us any dessert in her unenthusiastic tone, we kindly turned her down as we were already extremely full. “Cheapskates!” she yelled, then slammed the bill on the table. Our $45 tickets went towards our tab, but we did put in some extra money to tip our lovely Karen.

Karen’s Diner is definitely a noteworthy experience, but a somewhat pricey one. While it was a fun time, it’s hard to say if it’s worth returning for seconds. Although hilarious and unquestionably memorable, some would prefer a more relaxing meal with kinder service. Before the adventure came to an end, Karen was asked if she would like to say anything to The Pace Press. Her response was a simple one.

“College kids irritate me!”

NPR’s ‘Life Kit’ host shares tips and tricks on entering the media field

MARCH 2, 2023

The University’s Communications and Media department held a talk-back with Marielle Segarra, host of National Public Radio’s (NPR) hit podcast “Life Kit,” on Feb. 28. Michael Huertas and Zoe Hocker, members of the Communications and Media Honor Society (Lambda Pi Eta), had the opportunity to interview Segarra about her experiences leading up to her career in podcasting and journalism.

Segarra graduated from Brown University in 2010, where she studied English and was an active member of her campus’s radio station. She started off working for Brown’s student newspaper but ultimately decided that she wanted to pursue audio journalism. While Segarra currently works for NPR, she has previous experience with Latino USA, WNYC, WHYY and Marketplace.

She described her immediate post-graduate experience to be especially difficult, with the state of the economy being what it was post-recession–Huertas pointed out that the issue regarding the economy is a top concern for many of today’s recent graduates or those approaching graduation. When asked for advice, Segarra emphasized that “the mindset, grit, persistence” and “not giving up right away” are most important.

Segarra built her career primarily from internships, explaining that those opportunities made it possible for her to “cobble together a journalism education.” Through Segarra’s journey, she described that a formal journalism education does not particularly fit every pathway toward a career in the field. “You learn in the process of doing,” the professional said. However, Segarra also pointed out that choosing your major is still important. Throughout her undergraduate years, she took many political science and international relations classes that gave her context on how to be a journalist, which became especially handy when she worked in economics reporting.

After graduating, Segarra bounced in and out of different internships, even doing some that she wasn’t particularly interested in, and used the positions she had already secured to obtain those she was passionate about. She provided an anecdote about when she had an internship as a financial writer and decided to pitch clips to WNYC to

Which

obtain a position there. She eventually got offered an internship in Philadelphia, where she worked for two and a half years, leading her to a position at Marketplace, where she stayed for six years before moving on to NPR. After detailing her career path, Segarra discussed what it’s like to work at NPR, where she’s been since April of last year. One distinct difference is having a visual element to the radio station–there is now a makeup team to prepare her for the YouTube videos and Instagram reels that radio stations now implement in addition to the traditional auditory factor. “We have a really strong YouTube team at NPR,” she said, “NPR’s adaptation to social media displays how the radio industry has managed to remain alive and well, utilizing the tools that are potential threats.”

With all these experiences under her belt, Segarra is now working in the podcasting industry, which has been booming in recent years. “Journalism is really needed in podcasting; there’s value in saying we did the reporting on this topic–it’s what makes an audience trust you, which not every podcast does. We have a solid fact-checking process [at NPR].”

She went on to explain the key elements that make a good podcast. “It depends on the type of show it is…if you’re doing something narrative, you want action and reflection, there has to be a point.” She elaborated on the concept of trust explaining, “When I stop listening to something, it’s because I feel like people are reading a script, and sometimes we are reading a script, but we can’t make it seem like we are…too much throat clearing is pretty terrible too.”

The journalist and media professional left the room of curious students with an important note about self-care. “If it becomes all about work, I just feel like a shell,” Segarra shared, emphasizing that it’s essential to take care of oneself physically and mentally by staying active.

Lambda Pi Eta hopes to make events such as “Talk-Back and Pizza” an annual occurrence. The Communications and Media department also announced that the University will have podcasting and audio equipment available for students to use either professionally or simply for experimentation.

Displaying the evolution of hip hop style

MARCH 19, 2023

From puffer jackets to Jenni Bui nails to Kygo hats, the “Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: 50 Years of Hip Hop Style” exhibit showcased the innovative and ever-changing style that was created right here in New York City. Located at The Museum at FIT in Chelsea, this limited-time and free installation includes over 100 pieces of clothing and accessories dating back to 1973 and emphasizes hip-hop’s influence in mainstream media.

“Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous” features two rooms, one focusing on the early conception of hip-hop in the Bronx, the other focusing on newer fashion ensembles and accessories. On display were classic streetwear looks that utilized an urban flare of custom graffiti designs, designer jeans and shirts that served as an ode to the films of Spike Lee and Black liberation, accompanied with shoes like Nike Jordans and Timberland boots. The exhibit displayed casual yet fashionable looks designed and worn by Black hip-hop artists like Beyoncé’s House of Deréon jeans, Cardi B’s Reebok collaboration, Rihanna’s Puma look and Wu-Tang Clan’s Wu Wear brand.

The museum cited the hip-hop community as pioneers of making something as simple as jeans a notable clothing item, with artists such as Run-DMC and Grandmaster Flash name-dropping famous jean brands in their songs. It also shows hip-hop’s influence on fashion by demonstrating the change from the baggy clothing worn by artists like TLC in 1989 to the tight, low-rise Apple Bottom jeans Flo Rida sang about in 2008.

Hip-hop style has become intertwined with high-end fashion brands over the years, and the museum features famous pieces made by Gucci, Tommy Hillfiger and Polo. Alongside these more formal looks, the

exhibit gives recognition to Black clothing designers of high-end streetwear like Dapper Dan and Karl Kanvi, with a vest he designed that was worn by Tupac Shakur in the ‘90s. More modern designs are also exhibited, including ones from the late Virgil Abloh, arguably the most famous streetwear designer of the past decade, such as his iconic OFF-WHITE “Hoodie” and his Louis Vuitton collaboration.

One section of the museum displayed custom pieces worn by famous hip-hop musicians of the past few years. Cardi

B’s 2019 Grammy’s shell look (a vintage ‘95-’96 Mugler piece), Flo Milli’s denim ensemble by Misa Hylton for Paper Magazine and Megan Thee Stallion’s Moschino gold gown worn to the 2022 Met Gala were included. Several of Hylton’s pieces were showcased throughout the museum, and in conversation with Paper Magazine spoke about her collaboration with Flo Milli: “The relentless attempts to diminish the Black woman led me to create a fashion story that celebrates the power that lives inside of the Black Woman through the lens of hip-hop, my favorite lens.”

Hip-hop style has constantly redefined fashion norms, which is highlighted in this exhibit by the display of male designers’ looks that were worn by women and vice versa. Doja Cat’s brightly colored avant-garde Thom Browne dress worn at the 2021 MTV music Awards and Alessandro Trincone’s kimono and kosode trousers worn famously by Young Thug on the cover of his critically acclaimed mixtape “JEFFERY” were there as well, showcasing androgynous and unique looks within the genre.

As you look around the installation, you can see how many styles remain relevant in fashion today and why the hip-hop wave was so influential. This exhibit runs through April 23 every Wednesday to Sunday.

MARCH 20, 2023

Maria’s Tower Located on floors seven through 16 of One Pace Plaza, Maria’s Tower houses approximately 480 (mostly) freshman students in the University’s main building, which also encapsulates the library, gym, dining facilities and numerous classrooms. Respectively, the rooms provide double occupancy, with each floor having two to three study lounges, every other floor having a kitchenette and a laundry room operating on the 17th floor. The downsides to Maria’s include that a fridge and microwave must be rented or provided personally and restrooms are communal, with four being shared per floor. Depending on an individual’s perspective, an extreme lack of separation from school and personal life based on proximity can be one of the biggest cons to Maria’s. Positives from residing in this hall include potential sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge, a socially enhanced environment ideal for the first-year experience and again, depending on individual outlook, convenience and accessibility to the University campus.

182 Broadway

182 Broadway is another University residence hall made up of predominantly freshmen, housing about 600 students and less than a 10-minute walk from the main campus. Residents reside on floors five through 23 of this building. Each double, triple and quad room is accompanied by a personal ensuite restroom, a micro-fridge unit and microwave. Located on the corner of Broadway and John St., this residence hall was added to the University in 2013 and imparts a laundry room, student lounge, study room, kitchen and fitness center on the fourth floor of the building. The disadvantages to this building are its remoteness from the rest of campus (including those that bear the dining hall and classrooms), as it is the furthest residence hall offered by the University.

Perks of residence at 182 Broadway are undoubtedly its amenities located on the fourth floor (including a gym), relatively new furnishings and sizable rooms, some of which display views of the Freedom Tower and World Trade Center.

55 John St.

55 John St. houses residents on floors two through 17, located a few blocks from One Pace Plaza. Students share a lobby lounge-space, a full kitchen, laundry facilities and a gym. Rooms offer double and triple occupancies, including private bathrooms, a full-size refrigerator, a microwave and a

small television.

Drawbacks of residence within 55 John St. include lack of natural sunlight exposure due to surrounding obstructions, distance from the rest of the University and the basement locations of the fitness and laundry facilities. Advantages of John St. pertain to the sky lounge and study areas located up a stairwell from the 17th floor, accessibility of kitchen spaces on the second floor and adjacent to the sky lounge, as well as the privacy of personal restrooms in each room.

University student Cliona Pasek said “I dormed at 55 John St. my freshman year, but I thought it was one of the better dorms I stayed in at the University. I loved how close it was to the [campus], the gym that was available and the laundromat. Of course, it was during the summer, so it was a lot more quiet and clean.”

33 Beekman

Lastly, 33 Beekman is located one block south of the University’s One Pace Plaza and stands 34 stories high, earning it the title of the tallest residence hall in the world, according to the University’s website. This building offers single, double, triple and quad occupancy rooms, with a private restroom per unit or suite, one provided micro-fridge, microwave and a second floor with various amenities. On the second floor, these amenities include a laundry facility, fitness center and study spaces. The downsides of this residence hall constitute the notoriously temperamental elevators, and the sheer volume of students (upwards of 700 residents) who inhabit it, creating immense traffic during common hours. Assets of this building include striking views of the city, its advantageous positioning as a center point in the city campus and the amiable lounges offered alongside various amenities.

The University’s disparate offerings of residence halls foster several unique experiences, provoking certain incidents and inconveniences while also delivering comfort and amenities. Individual preferences and circumstances will dictate overall perception and contentment with each of the University’s housing options, but infamous characteristics have gained each building notoriety among University students.

The beauty and precision of miniature art

MARCH 27, 2023

The “Small is Beautiful” New York art exhibition is a unique miniature art universe that began in Paris and London with over 150,000 visitors and numerous positive reviews. It is said to be the biggest international exhibition entirely devoted to miniature art and the incredible journey of creating the pieces. The first international exhibition represented the work of 32 worldwide miniature artists, giving them an opportunity to present their creations to the general public. After its success, miniature art became a phenomenon on social media, thus unveiling some of the world’s greatest artists of the movement.

I had the privilege of seeing it for myself and experiencing the magical (and somewhat unusual) pieces that are part of the “Small is Beautiful” exhibition. The experience is engaging from the moment you enter the studio. Each worker seems to know the full history of the work on display and expects the viewer to give a top three (if not top five) of their favorite artifacts from the showcasing by the end of the self-led tour. The studio is set up like a maze and showcases a surplus of miniature artifacts within each section of the walk-through. The exhibition was so detail-oriented that even the more conventional objects in the space were used to create a story. In one area, the building fire extinguisher was ornamented by tiny men with parachutes who seemed to be escaping from it, and inside the fire alarm was a miniature scene of a woman and a man trying to extinguish a fire by themselves.

Some of the most impressive pieces were the miniature sculptures, paintings and architectural designs that were each individually made by the dexterous hands of the artists themselves. Some of the sculptures were as small as the lead end of a sharpened pencil and yet were as intricate as a life-sized sculpture. Some pieces were made specifically from household objects to illustrate shadows on canvases that made animate images. Though there was much to take away from the experience, what was most striking was the ongoing tribute to popular culture that the exhibit seemed to maintain throughout.

Pop culture has begun to overtake society, which was evident in the thematic art presented in the museum. Two distinct works of pop culture stood out: a Beatles concert that was strictly made up of LEGO people and a hobbit-esque house that was a tribute to the “Lord of the Rings.” There were even some modern twists on pre-established art pieces like the Statue of Liberty. Much of the world already knows about the incredible detail of the Statue of Liberty, but seeing the sculpture in a miniature form is quite amazing when you take into account the vast difference in the dimensions of each.

As thousands of people have visited the pop-up exhibition in France and the United Kingdom, people are sure to explore the phenomenon of miniature art in the United States. “Small is Beautiful” is a reminder to appreciate the beauty that comes from the precision and process of creation. Each piece in the exhibit has immaculate detail, sparking the imagination and allowing the viewer to create their own narrative for the artifact. Open until April 9, this experience is an intriguing engagement that students will not want to miss.

Credit: @smallisbeautifulart on Instagram

MALAK KASSEM Staff Writer

TAMARA FRIESON Staff Writer

SAVANNAH FORD Contributor continued from PAGE 1

JULES KELLY Staff Writer

The Internet is obsessed over celebrity feuds

MARCH 19, 2023

The internet is invested in a new celebrity feud these past few weeks: Selena Gomez vs. Justin Bieber’s wife, Hailey Bieber. The decade-long feud was reignited over the past week after TikTok users claimed that Bieber and close friend Kylie Jenner shamed Gomez after posting a bikini photo during her vacation and a video commenting on her eyebrows. Since then, many on the internet have decided to defend Gomez, calling themselves “Team Selena,” and began to look more into Hailey Bieber’s past.

The supposed feud between Bieber and Gomez started in 2013. Tabloids and gossip columns fueled the rivalry. Rumors of the feud began around 2013 when Justin Bieber was first seen hanging out with Hailey Baldwin and her friends Kylie and Kendall Jenner. During this time, Bieber was in an on-and-off relationship with Gomez, and during their breaks, he would go out with other women, one of which was Baldwin. In a tweet, Baldwin seemingly shaded Gomez when she said she did not like her new song. Many fans once again attacked her, which led her to take to Twitter, writing, “And to the people calling me immature, I think immature is taking the time to learn a dance to diss someone and posting it on the internet,” referring to a video in which Gomez danced to “Everybody Knows” by Dustin Tavella.

From 2015 to 2016, Justin Bieber and his now-wife were officially announced to be in a relationship. During this time, she liked a tweet about Gomez, “RT for HOT, Like for NOT,” which again sent fans into a frenzy. After this, the couple broke up, and Justin Bieber started dating model Sofia Richie. After being on a break for a few years, Gomez and Bieber got together again in 2018 but broke up for the final time after a few months that March. The Biebers began dating and got engaged in July of that year. Two months later, they got married at a New York City courthouse.

From 2018 to now, they have seemingly squashed the beef, but Jelena fans have not stopped sending Bieber hate. At last year’s Met Gala, fans of Gomez shouted “Selena!” as the married couple posed for photos.

The drama was reinvigorated after Hailey Bieber posted a TikTok in which she, Kendall Jenner and Justine Skye lip-synced to an audio that said “I’m not saying she deserves it, but God’s timing is always right.” TikTok users speculated that she was referencing the body shaming comments that Gomez was getting after posting a bikini photo while on vacation. After that, many once again suspected that Bieber and her celebrity friends were bullying Gomez because they posted close-up eyebrow photos after Gomez talked about her over-laminated brow mistake.

In a TikTok discussing the situation, Kylie Jenner and Gomez both commented that the drama is unnecessary and being taken out of context. Because of this, clips of Bieber’s shady moments resurfaced on TikTok, one of which was a clip of her pretending to gag when Taylor Swift, Gomez’s best friend, was mentioned. Gomez commented, “So sorry my best friend is and continues to be one of the best in the game.” As people began to dig into Bieber’s past, tweets and clips were found of her fangirling over the singer before she was friends with him, which started the theory that she was obsessed with Justin Bieber, and because of that, she is jealous of Gomez. Bieber and Gomez have both since announced a break from social media. The former has only returned to wish her husband a happy birthday.

The recent feud between the two has sparked a discussion online about the internet’s obsession with celebrity feuds. Because of all this drama, the internet and the media have attacked Bieber and her character to lift Gomez. However, this accomplishes nothing. Both parties have decided to take social media breaks because of how bad the drama has gotten. Gomez has had to speak up, telling people to stop taking things out of context. Bieber has indeed had a past with shading Gomez and her friends, but it’s important to note that Gomez has also come after her ex’s girlfriends. Both of them have done wrong things in the past, but this was almost seven years ago. Both have better things to do than focus on an old rivalry primarily fueled by tabloids.

In response to the recent drama, freshman and longtime Justin Bieber fan Suhani Singh said, “To be honest, there’s a lot of bias here. Lots of people have been labeling Hailey as a ‘mean girl,’ and Gomez has done an equivalent amount of things to be labeled [with] the same title. I’m not dismissing what Hailey’s said and done, but the other party should be held just as accountable. I genuinely don’t think people care, the only thing the public eye cares about is tearing down images and feeding on gossip and drama. In my opinion, this Hailey, Gomez [and] Justin drama needs to die already.”

At the end of the day, this feud is something that the internet will cling to for the next couple of weeks before it dies out and is forgotten. The internet will always do what it loves to do, which is gossip.

J.K Rowling renders separating art from the artist, moot

FEB. 20, 2023

A phrase commonly seen when controversy with a public artistic figure arises is whether their creative outlook can truly be separated from their harrowing opinions on sensitive subjects.

We live in a world where we tend to idolize those who rise to fame without paying attention to the fact that those people don’t always have an empathetic or understanding mindset. This can be hard to wrap your head around, and disappointing when partaking in their art has become part of your everyday routine.

With almost every big-name star being on social media, along with cameras following them around, one’s digital footprint becomes increasingly harder to erase as internet sleuths can easily dig up information on someone’s past, dating back multiple years or even an entire decade. It further begs the question if the knowledge of their problematic side can impact how one views their previous works and if it truly can be ignored. Are we able to view their art as a separate direction of creativity?

There is no simple or direct answer to this, as it varies depending on the circumstances and how reflective the art form is regarding one’s personality. There are times when fans will put their foot down and refuse to partake in the artist’s content, but more often than not fans will allow a separation of art from the artist, believing that the creative form can still be enjoyed. This is something that fans of the “Harry Potter” universe have a difficult time deciphering, as J.K. Rowling, the author of the books and creator of the franchise, seems intent on making it as hard for them as possible.

“Harry Potter” played a big part in many people’s childhoods and even adulthoods. With the first book published in 1997 and six more after, individuals became engrossed with the plot, favorable characters and magical world. If only Rowling had continued building her well-received fictional world and stayed off Twitter with her brash thoughts, the author then maybe the author

would still have a loyal fanbase, rather than being known for her harmful viewpoints of the transgender community. Starting publicly in 2018, her blatant transphobia has only increased, with her most recent Twitter comment on Jan. 28 saying, “Deeply amused by those telling me I’ve lost their admiration due to the disrespect I show violent, duplicitous rapists.” This was in response to the criticism of the new franchise game “Hogwarts Legacy,” which was released on Feb. 10, allowing players to create their own wizard or witch to explore the Wizarding World. Many have attempted to boycott the game due to Rowling’s beliefs. Warner Bros. has responded to the backlash, stating that Rowling is not directly involved in the game, but rather, her team. The hope is that her lack of involvement will urge people to buy the game–it is unsure how effective that will be, as Rowling will still earn royalties since it’s a part of the “Harry Potter” franchise.

To further distance themselves from Rowling and provide more inclusivity, the game features a trans character, which is progress, right? Well, the character does have a bit of a peculiar name, Sirona Ryan, and has been pointed out by individuals who believe it to be a mockery of the female character’s identity given that it starts with “Sir.” However, these are just speculations and the name itself is feminine in origin. But the fact that Rowling previously used stereotypical names for her characters, like naming an Asian character Cho Chang, does leave a bad taste in one’s mouth. Even so, the game has become quite popular.

Separating art from the artist is necessary at times, but it is equally challenging to do, especially with the cognitive dissonance that occurs from it. This is why some end up choosing to completely disregard the art as well, especially when the artist refuses to take accountability for what they have said or done and makes zero effort to be properly informed on the matter.

The decision to alter classic Roald Dahl stories is a step in the wrong direction

MARCH 6, 2023

Roald Dahl has a legacy. A prominent figure in the children’s literature and publishing world, Dahl has published some of the western world’s most classic children’s stories, like “James and The Giant Peach,” “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda,” all of which have been made into films (and even remade several times). However, Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, decided to re-edit Roald Dahls’ books to “accommodate modern day readers” so that the “wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today.”

Puffin altered Dahl’s original work and substituted words such as “fat” or “ugly” and replaced “cloud-men” with “cloud-people,” yet those words were Dahl’s thoughts. A decision like this is threatening the future of freedom of expression. Altering original voices may cause an unhealthy amount of uniformity and ultimately strip writers of their freedom of speech. What if the “cloud-men” really were all men, and if a character really was “fat?” They are Dahl’s characters and originated from his imagination. If some readers dislike his word choice and choose to boycott the stories because of scattered words that they consider offensive, then they have the right to do so. If books are edited to please some people, then all books should be revised to please all people.

It should also be considered that countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have long been safe havens for writers to write without consequence and the fear of censorship. This is direct censorship. It’s not a good reflec- tion of either the Constitution or its promises.

Some argue that these changes allow for Dahl’s books to be read by future generations without young readers encoun- tering offensive language. How- ever, by making these edits, future generations will lose their sense of history and have no sense of a linguis- tic background. If other publishing companies follow suit, how will future generations analyze, compare and contrast classic writers to modern writers?

Others worry that children may imitate the insen- sitive language they find in books, but let’s face it, today’s children are on the Internet and it is also filled with insensitive language. While parental controls exist, should every video on TikTok be edited for content? It’s truly a double-standard.

It’s also worth noting that Puffin Books is not entirely making these changes to Dahl’s work because they necessarily care, it ultimately comes down to a marketing tactic. Forbes, a business magazine, broke down what they called the “scam-er, marketing genius:” Those who are opposed to changes rush to purchase older versions and used copies of the books. Likewise, those who support the change will order the new version.

Before rushing to support the edits because it seems like the inclusive way to go, it’s critical to think more broadly and understand what it means now and in the long run.

Credit: @selenagomez and @haileybieber on Instagram

Credit: @roald_dahl on Instagram

Credit: Creative Commons Licenses

CARLA PAZ Staff Writer

LYDIA LUTCHMAN Staff Writer

MALAK KASSEM Staff Writer