The Towerlight (December 5, 2017)

Towson’s campus and community news source

TheTowerlight.com

December 5, 2017

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File photos by The Towerlight staff, Photo Illustration by Jordan Stephenson/The Towerlight

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December 5, 2017

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December 5, 2017

Editor-in-Chief Marcus Dieterle Senior Editor Jordan Cope News Editor Bailey Hendricks Arts & Life Editor McKenna Graham Asst. Arts & Life Editor Kerry Ingram Sports Editor Karuga Koinange Asst. Sports Editors Michael Mills Billy Owens Senior Staff Writer Sarah Rowan Staff Writers Desmond Boyle

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FREE DANCE LESSONS

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Mary-Ellen Davis Michael Mills Jill Gattens Jessica Ricks Kevin McGuire Keri Luise Rohan Mattu Sophia Bates Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Mark Dragon Brendan Felch

Towson University Ballroom Dance Club provides a variety of beginner dance lessons to the school, and the surrounding community.

9 p.m., University Union, Potomac Room.

Lauren Cosca Amanda Carroll

Sarah Van Wie Muhammad Waheed

WEEKLY

5-9 CALENDAR.

Jesse L. Baird Natalie Bland

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TU EARLY MUSIC ENSEMBLE

The Towson University Early Music Ensemble performs vocal and instrumental music of the 17th and 18th centuries, on period instruments and copies.

Noon, Recital Hall, Center for the Arts Room 3066.

Open question and answer session about studying for science finals.

SCIENCE STUDY SKILLS Q&A

3 p.m., Smith Hall, Room 209.

Senior Staff Photographer Alex Best

DECEMBER

Staff Photographers Jordan Cope Joseph Hockey Simon Enagonio Joseph Noyes Brittany Whitham David Fisher Brendan Felch Proofreaders Kayla Baines General Manager Mike Raymond Art Director Jordan Stephenson

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TU ceramics students and faculty present handmade ceramics, jewelry, glass and more at our 44th Holiday Pottery Sale.

TU HOLIDAY POTTERY SALE

3 p.m., Center for the Arts, Ceramics Studio Room 3012.

DE-STRESS FEST

Join us for various destress activities, and take a break from studying for finals.

8 p.m., University Union, Paws.

Webmaster

EVENTS.TOWSON.EDU

Circulation Staff Shawn Halerz Dom Capparuccini Elssa Kenfack

TOWSON

TRENDING. 8000 York Road University Union Room 309 Towson, MD 21252 (410) 704-5153 editor@thetowerlight.com thetowerlight.com The Towerlight print edition is published by students of Towson University on Tuesdays.

The Towerlight is owned by nonprofit Baltimore Student Media Inc., BaltimoreStudentMedia.com.

The Towerlight’s advertising deadlines are firm: Wednesday noon for space; Friday noon for art.

Classifieds appear online and in print and are self-service at TheTowerlight.com/classifieds.

We encourage letters to the editor and online feedback.

Commentaries, letters to the editor, editorial cartoons and other editorials express the opinions of their authors and not necessarily the views of the newspaper.

The Towerlight does not discriminate based on age, color, condition of handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. ©2017 by The Towerlight, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD 21252. All rights reserved.

Please Recycle!

@africanbiatchh_ Wait a sec..... Towson already put the bill for spring??? Can I take my finals first?

@AmazonAtTowson Need a healthy snack for finals? We got some! We’ll be walking around Cook and LA with snacks and giveaways!

MORE EVENTS CAN BE FOUND AT

#

FINAL EXAMS

@PrettyAsh_CanBe

feel like everyone is taking finals with in the next two weeks but Towson wants to hold me hostage until December 19th

@UVTowson Can you believe that finals are in 2 weeks?? Then it’s winter break!

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Opinion

December 5, 2017

letters to the editor

Standing up to sexual harassment GOP sneaks through tax reform STEWART EPSTEIN Former Towson sociology professor

Dear Editor: When I was a 25 year-old college student back in the 1970s, attending a college that was not Towson University, I was very badly sexually harassed by a female college professor who had a lot of power over me.

But that is not what I want this letter to be about. I want to share what I have learned from the experience with all present, past and future victims and survivors of sexual harassment so that they will feel better about themselves than they may feel now, and so that they will, I hope, feel less inner-pain and innerhurt than they may feel now. I have been there.

I want people to know that it is vitally important to immediately report your sexual harasser to people in positions of authority so that this predator will never prey upon anyone

else in the future. I deeply regret that I did not do this. Please do not make the same mistake that I did.

In addition, I am telling you with total certainty that it was not your fault that you were or are being sexually harassed. You did not do anything to bring this predatory behavior about or to encourage it. Do not blame yourself for it.

Also, speaking as a former alcoholism, drug addiction, mental health, and marriage and family therapist, I want you to seek counseling/therapy if you feel you can benefit from it, but try not to wallow in self-pity forever.

Please do not give the harasser this much power over you. Instead, do whatever you need to do to feel better, but also be a positive force for good in society and in the lives of others. Use your voice to make positive contributions to society. If you do this, you will win and the harasser will lose.

Sincerely, Stewart Epstein

The importance of the body, mind and soul ANTONIO CAMPBELL Former Towson sociology professor

Thank you for your article entitled “Mental health accessibility at Towson University” in the Oct. 31 edition of The Towerlight. The information presented about the Counseling Center is very important in helping the Towson University community maintain physical, emotional and psychological wellness in their lives. I write to express my thoughts on another aspect of wellness – the resilience of the spirit.

The philosopher Plato in his work, “The Republic,” wrote each person has three parts – the mind, the body and the spirit. He further writes that a just person is an individual who is balanced in these three areas. In my experience as a former Army chaplain, the foundational being of the spirit has been pushed aside in favor of therapies which can be quantified. For example, psychological determinations

are quantifiable, and one can define progress based on treatment strategies based on response to medical intervention. Traumatic situations, PTSD or other stressors have the ability of depleting reservoir of spiritual resiliency. Simply put, it is extremely difficult to diagnose the soul.

With all the advancements in psychological evaluation and medical knowledge, our nation is in the middle of an epidemic. According to the CDC, suicide was the third leading cause of death between the ages of 15-24 in 2010. I believe one of the contributing causes for the rise in suicide is the loss of hope.

Spirituality is one of the reservoirs of hope.

In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the role of the soul is addressed in the therapy.

- To read the rest of this column online, visit thetowerlight.com

New bill will benefit the richest of Americans CONNOR McNAIRN Columnist

I have often heard college students scoff at political developments. From many, I have seen skepticism regarding the character of our lawmakers, apathy pertaining to elections and a general disinterest in the function of our government.This weekend, our Republican-dominated Senate rammed through a tax bill that, if not heavily revised through committee and another round of House and Senate votes, could severely disadvantage – no, harm – millions of Americans. Unfortunately, both the bill’s contents and the process through which it was passed validate the aforementioned attitudes of this nation’s future generation.

Around 2 a.m. Saturday morning, in a 51-49 vote, the Senate passed sweeping tax reform. Beneath the legislation lie myriad tax cuts, many of which are dedicated for corporations and the richest Americans.

But while the text of this bill is worrisome, potentially even more damaging is the process through which Senate Republicans forced the bill through the legislature.

The GOP passed tax reform through the “budget reconciliation process,” which simply requires 51 “yeas.” Usually, legislation passed through the Senate would require a supermajority, or 60 votes; but because the Senate has 52 Republicans and 48 Democrats, Republicans knew traditional confirmation was unreachable. So, in a tremendous show of partisan finagling, America’s current tax law was overhauled.

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But we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Orin Hatch, the leader of the Senate Finance Committee, released official text of the tax proposal just one week before the committee pushed the bill through. Tax policy is tricky and dense, as is evidenced by the over 500 pages required for Hatch’s text proposal. How, then, can American voters be certain that the committee thoroughly studied the ins and outs of a policy laden with loopholes and alterations?

Simply put, they could not have.

Adding to the opacity of this process was the Republicans’ controlled distribution of information regarding the bill and its qualities. GOP lawmakers offered the contents of the bill to lobbyists before journalists and Democratic lawmakers – a fact that illustrates the status of both money and a free press in the current American political climate. When the plan was finally brought to a vote in the early hours of Saturday morning, pen scribbles and other rough markings filled its text. The desperation and guile of Republicans pushing this bill are embarrassingly blatant.

The Republicans have often self-identified as the Party of “fiscal responsibility.” In passing this plan, however, it has proven itself anything but. The bill will add $1.5 trillion to the national deficit. Perhaps

more egregious, however, is the fact that Republican talking heads have offered baseless justifications for the bill, claiming it would “pay for itself.” There is quite literally no evidence to support this claim. In fact, the Joint Committee on Taxation, a bipartisan organization in charge of analyzing congressional tax policies, has confirmed that the bill will add over $1 trillion to the national deficit in the coming decade.

2017 has been the year of political tumult.

As Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the Trump-Russia scandal deepens, President Donald Trump continues to tweet, and the Republican Congress connives its way to a major policy victory, while Americans are left scratching their heads. I understand that this process is exasperating. But now, more than ever before, the American people must read, learn, and most importantly, challenge the narratives that are peddled from this nation’s highest political offices.

But now, more than ever before, the American people must read, learn, and most importantly, challenge the narratives that are peddled from this nation’s highest political offices.

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CONNOR McNAIRN Columnist

Opinion

December 5, 2017

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Senior Editorial

Russian cloud Welcomed with open arms hangs over Trump RYAN KIRBY

Columnist

Russia: the dark and ominous cloud that continues to hang over the Trump administration. Many conservatives have tried to brush off the allegations and investigations as Democrats trying to make an excuse for their losses during the 2016 elections. Conservatives have also tried to claim that Russia did not interfere because there is no evidence that any physical votes were changed at the ballot box. In reality, there is currently an independent investigation by former FBI Director Robert Mueller, and investigations in both chambers of Congress to investigate both the depth of Russian interference and to what extent were Americans involved.

There is absolutely no denying that Russia interfered with the 2016 election. In January 2017, the U.S. intelligence community issued a report that stated, "We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton and harm her electability and potential presidency.

We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Donald Trump.” During his confirmation hearing, John Huntsmen, the current U.S. Ambassador to Russia appointed by President Trump, stated that there is, "no question Russia interfered in the US election last summer."

So, what have these investigations led to? On Oct. 30, 2017, Special Counsel Mueller handed down indictments for former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort and Deputy Campaign Manager Rick Gates. The crimes ranged from money laundering to conspiracy against the United States. It was also revealed that George Papadopoulos, a former foreign policy advisor to the Trump campaign, had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and has been cooperating with investigators. On Dec. 1, 2017, Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and stated that he will be working with inves-

tigators.

Flynn's guilty plea is the closest link into Trump's inner circle as president. Flynn served as Trump's chief foreign policy advisor during the campaign and his national security advisor. Flynn's guilty plea indicates that the Trump transition team was actively undermining the thenObama administration's sanctions against Russia for its interference in the 2016 election. Flynn had supposedly lied to then Vice President-elect Mike Pence when he stated that there had been no communications between Flynn and Russian senior diplomat Sergey Kislyak, but Flynn's guilty plea casts doubt that Pence was unaware.

Flynn stated that he had been ordered by senior Trump transition team officials to contact the Russian government about the sanctions.

Because Flynn was a senior Trump official, there were not many people above him and meaning that the transition team was fully aware of what was going on. Vice president-elect Pence was also the head of the transition team. Recent reporting also indicates that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, was the senior transition official who ordered Flynn to make contact with the Russians which could further implicate Trump's own family members. It is also important to note that Donald Trump Jr. had his own contacts with Russians during the campaign when he agreed to meet a representative of the Russian government in exchange for dirty on Secretary Clinton and his contacts with Wikileaks.

The special counsel's investigation is clearly not a witch hunt like the president would like us to believe. The number of people related to Trump who had contacts with Russians seems to grow with each day that passes and it seems to leave me with only a few ways to interpret their actions. The Trump administration either intentionally cooperated with a foreign adversary to get elected, or the President is so grossly incompetent that he had no idea that so many of his subordinates were committing criminal acts. Either way, the future of the Trump presidency is in serious jeopardy.

JORDAN STEPHENSON Art Director

Towson’s campus and community news source

I will always find it ironic that I ended up in my college newsroom.

Growing up with Ugly Betty and Gilmore Girls really made me believe I was going to be a writer. Of course, later in life my interests changed, and I am no longer influenced by the shows I watch. But yet, here I am writing my “Bye bitches, I’m out!” blurb for The Towerlight.

I have spent the last three semesters hunched behind two large monitors as I worked on graphics for the newspaper. Though that computer screen wall held no match for The Towerlight staff. I was welcomed and inspired by everyone in the office all the time, and my only regret was not joining sooner.

I am holding on tight to this last issue with the best group of people -- and guys, this is really sad. I hope my legacy lives on through the knowledge of a round text wrap, and I know The Towerlight office will forever be a safe-haven for a group of wildly creative and weirdo people.

Thank you so much for all the

TheTowerlight.com

October 17, 2017

KAPOW!

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Michael Elliott, associate professor of sociology at TU, researches fandoms in the comic community, pg. 12 Courtesy by Michael Elliott, Photo Illustration by Jordan Stephenson /The Towerlight

The cover from this fall’s “Hero Worship” story, designed by Art Director Jordan Stephenson, who considers this cover to be one of her favorites. laughs, the never-ending support, the debates between jif and gif, and most importantly, thank you for being my human spell checkers. I love you

guys. Keep writing the important stuff. Keep challenging each other.

Keep Jordan entertained while I’m gone. Wait… which one?

uninterrupted

Take the time to enjoy yourself KYNDALL CUNNINGHAM Columnist

The end of the semester has finally approached us, and if you’re anything like me, it couldn’t have come soon enough. This past semester has been a newsworthy one, filled with shocking stories and the reckoning of systems that enable and condone sexual assault. I’ve certainly had a lot to write about, not to mention the slow reckoning of our current administration that is finally beginning to move forward. The events of 2017 have definitely been stressful and exciting all at once. The most important thing to remember in the midst of all the madness is your mental health and well-being. I have to remind myself on

a daily basis that I don’t have to get wrapped up in whatever people on my Twitter timeline are arguing about, or that it’s okay to take the time to gather my thoughts rather than jumping into a social conversation that I might not be fully educated on.

I urge you to do the same this holiday season, and neglect the guilt that we often feel when we do not fully immerse ourselves in the conversation of the day. Twitter will never run out of opinions, and there are always opinions like yours floating somewhere on social media. Sometimes, it’s better to click the like button or simply retweet rather than going on your own personal rant if you are not emotionally up to it. The other option, of course,

is to just close out of the app and give your Twitter fingers a rest. It’s okay to focus on yourself, your family and your friends this holiday season and throughout the rest of the year. Trust that you will never run out of issues to speak passionately about as the ugly injustices of our country and the world are given the spotlight.

If you are weary of the news, I also urge you dive into a fictional world by reading a novel, binge-watching a series (Stranger Things) or indulging in some new movies just in time for film award seasons. Art is always the thing that saves us during troubling times and keeps us imagining a better world.

- To read the rest of this column online, visit thetowerlight.com.

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December 5, 2017

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SGA relaunches #NotAtTU Alumni unveil Schatzel’s portrait MARY-ELLEN DAVIS Staff Writer

Alex Best/ The Towerlight

To kick off the relaunch of the #NotAtTU campaign, the SGA set up stations in the University Union on Nov. 29-30 to inform students about promoting inclusivity on campus and reporting hate/bias incidents.

MARCUS DIETERLE Editor-in-Chief ALBERT IVORY Contributing Writer

Towson University’s Student Government Association officially relaunched the #NotAtTU campaign Nov. 29 and 30 to provide information to students about maintaining and promoting an inclusive environment on campus.

In a statement following the events in Charlottesville, Virginia in August, SGA President James Mileo tasked SGA Director of Diversity and Inclusion Russhell J. Ford with relaunching #NotAtTU. Ford, who organized the relaunch tabling event, said the purpose of the event was to show that “having cultural competency is important, and to embrace diversity and multiple identities among students.” ”I expect students to not discriminate and not to make anyone feel unwelcome,” she said.

In addition to educating students about where to report hate/bias incidents and seek support, Ford said she hopes the #NotAtTU relaunch will foster an environment in which those incidents won’t occur in the first place.

The relaunch event, which was held in the second floor of University Union, consisted of activities, giveaways and free food. Students were able to participate in different stations that sparked discussion and provided information about promoting inclusion.

Students were asked to follow Towson SGA on social media to keep in contact with SGA’s initiatives.

Participants then picked a number between one and seven that corresponded with questions such as, “If you were to ever experience a hate/bias incident on campus, where would you get support

from?” and “Where do we draw the line between free speech and hate speech? Is there a difference?”

Using up to five words, participants used whiteboards to write their expectations for University administrators and the Towson University Police Department.

Students responded with messages for the administration and TUPD to practice accountability, transparency, empathy, good mental health, patience and other expectations.

Participants pledged their commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive campus by signing their name on a banner that said, “We are in full solidarity and committed to our mission against hate on campus!”

After signing the banner, participants answered discussion questions and submitted suggestions into a suggestion box on how the University can promote cultural competency.

Students were then given a pamphlet on how the Towson community can combat hate/bias incidents.

Any hate/bias incident can be reported via the Hate Crimes and Bias Incident Report Form at towson.edu/notattu.

People can find support for hate/ bias incidents on campus from the Center for Student Diversity (University Union Room 313), the Health and Counseling Centers at Ward and West, Housing and Residence Life (Marshall Hall, Suite 50) and the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity (Administration Building, Suite 214). Additional support can be found in student groups, clubs and organizations to help students connect with people who share similar interests.

Throughout the stations, participants earned giveaways such as laptop stickers, #NotAtTU T-shirts, and food and drinks.

According to Mileo’s statement in

August, the relaunch was also meant to expand the previously “primarily student-driven campaign” and encourage more University members and community partners to address hate in the Towson community.

Ford said she worked closely with the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity to broaden the scope of the #NotAtTU campaign.

“The Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity, which is run

by Dr. Leah Cox, has also helped me a lot in gearing me up for preparing this event and giving me pointers on what she does and how she tries to incorporate institutional equity within professors and stuff like that,” Ford said. “So having her insight has also helped me rebrand #NotAtTU so it can appeal to the broader sense of Towson.”

Senior Amara Hamilton said it was a good idea to market #NotAtTU to the Towson community as a whole.

“It’s important for everyone to be involved, not just students,” Hamilton said. “It’s important for students to be involved, but having everyone involved makes it such a bigger campaign.”

Junior Angelina Daramola supported SGA’s relaunch of #NotAtTU and the campaign’s effort to make Towson community members more aware of hate/bias incidents.

“I think it’s good, and it helps raise awareness since these are issues that occur everyday,” Daramola said.

“I also think it’s good that they’re revamping NotAtTU.” Hamilton, a family and human services major and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sister, called the event “eye-opening.”

“I was reading some of the posts on the board and I think people are more willing to share and they can write it down,” Hamilton said. “So I think it’s a good idea to do it like that: to verbally say it and to write it down.”

Dating back to the 1970s, the Towson University Alumni Association has commissioned a portrait for each president as a gift to them. Recently, TU President Kim Schatzel got her very own, and it has been unveiled.

Schatzel’s presidential portrait was unveiled Nov. 16, at a reception in the Auburn House, where it will hang alongside the portraits of previous presidents.

“We had lots of people in the community, both within the campus community as well as alumni as well as the business community, that came to the unveiling,” Schatzel said. “So it was wonderful to be able to have all the people that care so much about Towson and support the University to be there for portrait unveiling.”

For Schatzel, the most impressionable part of the unveiling was seeing her portrait as part of all the other portraits. For her, it was a humbling experience to have because she gets to add to the legacy left by previous leaders.

“We’re a 151-year-old institution, and when you take a look at the change and the transformation of the University from this very small 11 students that was a teacher preparation school, to this, and realize that each of those folks that came before me just did that,” she said.

Ned Bittinger, a Santa Fe based portrait artist, was the artist that the Alumni Association commissioned to do the piece. Bittinger had previously done the presidential portrait for Bob Caret, who was Towson University President from 2003

to 2012 and is now the University System of Maryland Chancellor.

In order to do the piece, Bittinger flew into Baltimore from New Mexico to take pictures of Schatzel, one of which he would use to base the portrait on. The picture the two decided on was one of Schatzel standing, with some work papers on a table in front of her, and a replica of the tiger behind her. According to Bittinger, the portrait also features a painting done by a professor at Towson hanging in the background.

“I wanted her to look dynamic, like she’s very engaged in running the University,” Bittinger said. “That’s why I chose to have her standing and, like I said earlier, to have some of her papers and folders that were on her table there just as they were I wanted to paint those in. I was delighted to find a piece of artwork, an abstract painting that was done by one of your faculty members to put in the background, I thought that would be another symbol, or a salute to Towson University and, you know, of course get the tiger in there.”

Alumni Association President Tony Hamlett said that Schatzel was very pleased with the work Bittinger had done.

“It was a reaction of sheer pleasure quite frankly,” he said. “As we unveiled it, you know, it was written all over her face how pleased she was with how the portrait turned out.

She was very impressed with it, and she was appreciative.”

Schatzel indicated the tradition being a way for University presidents to connect with Towson alumni.

“It’s a wonderful tradition, and that the Alumni Association has done this and commissioned this is just very special, and it creates a very special relationship that we have with our alums,” Schatzel said.

Courtesy of Towson University

The Alumni Association commissioned Schatzel’s portrait.

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News

December 5, 2017

Students “rumble” in debate Towson joins EcoLeader program AMANDA CARROLL Staff Writer

Billed as “The Rumble at TU,” the Towson University College Republicans and the College Democrats of Towson came together for an evening of debate, foraying into three topic areas: constitutional interpretation, education and guns.

The debate drew a large crowd, filling a large lecture hall in the Liberal Arts Building, and at times the attendees broke out in applause for points made by both teams.

The clubs’ presidents, Matthew Schwartzman (College Republicans) and Ryan Kirby (College Democrats) started the debate by introducing the format of the evening.

For each topic, three guiding questions were chosen by the moderator. While the debaters had a list of sample questions to prepare for the debate, they did not know which questions would be used the night of the debate.

The moderator for the event was Michael Korzi, a professor in the Department of Political Science.

The teams arguing the first topic – constitutional interpretation – were Schwartzman and Tyler Williams from the College Republicans and Kirby and Connor McNairn from the College Democrats. Kirby and McNairn are both columnists for The Towerlight.

Schwartzman opened by affirming that “we support originalism… we look at the Constitution and what the framers meant when establishing the provisions in the Constitution.”

He continued, “I think [originalism] promotes objectivism.”

Citing the separation of powers principle, he cautioned that “with the living Constitution, we have seen an absolute unconstitutional expansion of the executive branch … the diminishment of the legislative branch … and the judiciary has become one of the strongest branches of government, which was not intended.”

McNairn opened the College Democrats’ arguments by saying that the living Constitution perspective is “to allow our current political dialogue to change or reconstruct how we interpret our founding documents.” “[This approach allows] us to advance in society, it allows us to advance in our politics and dialogue,” he said. “Without that we would be lacking in a lot of the

things we need today as a society looking to achieve progress.”

In crossfire, debaters considered landmark Supreme Court cases to explore judicial activism and the role of the courts and legislature when interpreting the Constitution.

Korzi’s second question for this topic pertained to the First Amendment protection of free speech, specifically on college campuses.

Kirby opened by affirming support of free speech, but cautioned that there is a “growing stigma that college campuses are dominated by the left and liberals,” resulting in events like the violent protests that took place at UC Berkeley in September when controversial speaker Milo Yiannopoulos was invited to speak on the campus.

Contrarily, “events like this [debate] happen on college campuses, they are the norm,” Kirby said.

In rebuttal, Williams agreed, “free speech is free speech.”

“What is differentiated is when there is a call to action,” he said. “If there is no call to action, then regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what is said, [it is allowed by law].”

McNairn argued that free speech issues “should be case-by-case basis handled by university administration. That university has to protect the ideals of its community as a whole.”

Schwartzman noted that there has “been a suppression of the right in regards to speakers on campus.”

“Because there is a line being drawn that isn’t within the Constitutional bounds, it’s arbitrary to what people’s morals and political leanings are. That within the educational system hurts Republicans more than Democrats.”

Kirby countered that inviting speakers is “absolutely your right, but if you choose to invite him we have the right to protest peacefully.”

Both sides agree that violence should not be condoned.

The final question of the constitutional interpretation topic asked the teams to select and defend an argument for eliminating a constitutional amendment.

Kirby opened debate by saying that he would get rid of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, noting that it is not an official party stance.

“In 2017 it is no longer necessary or applicable,” he said.

McNarin followed, “we are not

arguing against that we should get rid of all guns. We’re arguing that there is no necessary function of the second amendment.”

For the College Republicans, Schwartzman made an argument for eliminating the Ninth Amendment.

The Ninth Amendment states that just because a right is not listed in the Constitution, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not protected by the government.

“We believe the Ninth Amendment has been arbitrarily expanded by the courts to mean something it doesn’t even mean,” Schwartzman said.

The second topic of the evening was educational policy. Arguing for the College Democrats were Sarah Rozmiarek and Dallas Matthews, and for the College Republicans were Garrick Ross and Matthew Pipkin.

Korzi opened debate by asking about each team’s support or opposition to Common Core standards.

“Common Core has failed all of us,” Ross said. “It has failed children, it has failed taxpayers. We would like to see each state have their own say of how they navigate education.”

Rozmiarek opened her argument in support of Common Core by saying “we need national standards in education to ensure states don’t fall behind … when it comes to education.”

Pipkin acknowledged that education is a bipartisan issue.

“Look, if the methods were working and we saw progress in schools with Common Core by all means we would be for that,” he said.

Rozmiarek acknowledged that shifting from a proficiency emphasis to a year-to-year growth perspective would correct a flaw in the standards.

The debate focused on the question of what level of education is necessary to get a job, and how regional differences affect educational priorities.

The second question was: “Do you support increasing taxes on the rich in order to reduce interest rates on student loans?”

Pipkin cited the lack of a redistribution policy in tax code to question how taxing the rich would directly correlate to reducing the interest rate on student loans.

Matthews pointed to skyrocketing costs of college as a barrier to entry for higher education. He argued that rich people can comfortably afford these costs.

- To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com.

KERI LUISE Staff Writer

Towson University is one of the first campuses to join the National Wildlife Federation EcoLeaders Program to help further assist the next generation of conservation and sustainability leaders.

The NWF EcoLeader program is an online community that allows the next generation of conservation leaders to access resources to get campus projects started and network with other students.

“The EcoLeaders program is an online platform for exploring environmentally related careers and launching and sharing environmental projects,” said graduate assistant for the environmental initiatives department Daniela Beall. “This program will help foster and support students who are interested in leading an environmental project.”

Beall was invited to participate in a NWF working group in the fall of 2016 to help develop their “campus partner” package. Soon after the package was fully developed, TU was invited by the NWF to be one of the first campus partners.

EcoLeaders is a resource for students to expand their involvement with environmental projects within the campus and around the nation.

“Students, faculty and staff at Towson have free access to EcoLeader career planning tools, and free registration to the annual EcoCareers conference, that would otherwise have a fee associated,” said Courtney Meadows, a TU Eco-Rep program member. “They also get a 50 percent [$15] discount on a EcoLeader Certification by leading a personal environmental project with help from EcoLeaders, it is a great experience and resume builder to have. While EcoLeaders is all about the environment, it deals with all aspects of it,

allowing a student to focus on the area they care about.”

Students are responsible for developing projects within the EcoLeaders program. Students can input their ideas and work towards the environmental issue they truly want to help with.

“The Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility and the Office of Sustainability are happy to work with students to help them succeed with their projects/initiatives,” Beall said.

“The Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility will host its third annual Retreat for Environmental Action next fall, which serves as a launchpad for student-led projects.”

Beall also helped to start Eco-Reps when she was an undergraduate. EcoReps are a group of student peer-educators who work towards promoting sustainability on campus.

“Eco-Reps work to share their enthusiasm and appreciation for the environment by educating the TU community about sustainability practices,” Meadows said. “The goal is to develop a culture of sustainability on campus where students, faculty and staff understand, practice and celebrate sustainable values in ways that transfer into their communities beyond TU.” The Eco-Reps program holds a number of activities throughout the year and tries to get students, staff, and faculty involved with furthering campus conservation and sustainability.

This fall, Eco-Reps got involved with the Project Green Challenge, a national effort to help make students be more aware of their environmental impact.

In addition, every spring, Eco-Reps participate in RecycleMania, a national recycling competition intended to raise awareness about waste reduction and to promote recycling.

- To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com.

Courtesy of Towson University

Daniela Beall helped start the NWF’s “campus partner” package and EcoReps, Towson’s peer educator group.

News

December 5, 2017

9

Student starts petition Prof. talks issue of policing for mental health KEARSTEIN JOHNSON Contributing Writer

Supports putting suicide hotline on backs of OneCards

ANTHONY PETRO Contributing Writer

A Towson University student has started a petition to have the phone numbers for the Suicide Hotline and the University Counseling Center added to the back of OneCards.

Kathleen Fiorello, a junior double majoring in sociology and communication, started the petition on behalf of Active Minds, a mental health club on campus, to provide students with easier access to suicide prevention resources when they or someone they know is in crisis.

“We noticed how much pressure and added stress everyone has in college to make life decisions and get good grades,” Fiorello said. “Having the numbers available is very helpful, and it releases the stigma of suicidal thoughts.”

According to 2014 CDC data, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among 10 to 24-year-olds.

Fiorello said she spoke with the OneCard office and indicated that they are considering the legislation required to add the numbers. She also

said she met with Auxiliary Services, and they have come up with a solution. Because the solution is still being worked on, Fiorello denied further comment about any details on the solution.

Leigh Anne Carter is the adviser for Active Minds, and is a counselor in the Towson University Counseling Center. Fiorello said Carter has started discussions among other counselors about the idea.

Junior mass communication major Sarah Orzach supports the idea of adding suicide prevention numbers on OneCards.“It’s a good idea to have those numbers readily available if someone ever needed it,” Orzach said.

Junior business administration and finance major Mustafa Sassy, said he agrees with the potential addition of the numbers since many Towson students already carry their OneCards with them.

“It would also serve as a reminder that they’re not alone when they see their OneCard,” Sassy said.

The petition can be found on the Towson University Active Minds Facebook and Twitter pages.

The most recent event in the Multiculturalism in Action Brown Bag series discussed the issue of the historic policing of black communities in Baltimore, as presented by sociology and criminal justice professor Elyshia Aseltine.

Psychology professor Danice Brown, the host of the series, wants to shed light on faculty research.

“This Brown Bag Series started last year when we received funding,” Brown said. “I wanted to highlight the fact that we great faculty doing research, and we needed a platform to host it. My overall goal is to create a space to talk about these issues.”

Aseltine conducted an investigation on the Baltimore police department from the 1960s to the present day. In her investigation, she focused on race being a contributing factor on policing in Baltimore today, as well as for the Baltimore crime-wave that was apparent in the 1960s.

According to Aseltine’s investigation of policing records of the 60s, there was a direct correlation to criminality and civil rights activists. Some of the public at the time believed that this was a direct attack on the civil rights movement of the 60s, with mass arrests occurring in African-American communities. “[Police used] criminality as a

way to exclude people from their constitutional rights that should be protected by the state and police,” Aseltine stated.

Police at this time denounced African-Americans by insinuating that they were gaining rights through terrorism and crime. Police made the statement that participants in demonstrations against officers are unpatriotic, according to Aseltine.

Family studies professor Sharon Jones-Eversley said that people had to be careful to check for accuracy in the news regarding African-American communities.

“You always had to read the Black Press newspaper to make sure that it was accurate news for the AfricanAmerican communities” JonesEversley said.

In addition to a “flying squad” raid, where police make themselves capable of reaching an incident quickly, by the late 1950s, Aseltine said police introduced the use of police dogs to create a crime deterrent for African-Americans.

These dogs were put in place to intimidate and terrorize AfricanAmerican communities, and to keep African-Americans in a constant state of fear, according to Aseltine.

Aseltine said that tension regarding police in the country led to the development of review boards for police departments, which elicited backlash from police who claimed the boards would weaken the police force and diminish the public’s trust in the police.

Students reflected upon Aseltine’s research and thought about policing in the present day.

“We don’t question our police enough, we just assume that they are doing the right thing,” said sophomore Quinn Bailey.

Senior Glennis Shaw considered how the behavior of police in the past could impact practices in the future.

“It was crazy to learn that the police had no respect or regard for the people,” Shaw said. “Seeing how systematic police brutality has been, makes me nervous for the future.”

Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

This was the last Brown Bag series event of the fall semester.

10 December 5, 2017

Year in Preview

The Towerlight looks at the new and continuing events and initiatives that will make headway on Towson University’s campus and the broader community in the coming year. Join us as we dive in to the future and predict what will occur in 2018. Compiled by Desmond Boyle, Tim Coffman, Marcus Dieterle, McKenna Graham, Bailey Hendricks, Meghan Hudson, Kerry Ingram, Karuga Koinange, and Matt McDonald.

SGA’s #NotAtTU campaign relaunches Towson University’s Student Government Association officially relaunched their #NotAtTU campaign Nov. 29 and 30, and that campaign will continue to grow and evolve next year, according to SGA Director of Diversity and Inclusion Russhell J. Ford.

“One of my goals for #NotAtTU next semester would be to focus on communities within the LGBTQ+ umbrella,” Ford said. “Basically not really focusing on one sort of umbrella of an identity, but also really shining and embracing identities that may or may not be visible.”

Ford said she hopes to tackle topics such as biphobia and issues facing non-binary and non-cisgender students.

“I’m going to work with the CSD to even learn more about how I can word a lot of things so I don’t come across as non-inclusive,” she said. #NotAtTU first launched in May 2016 under then-SGA President Kurt Anderson following the November 2015 #OccupyTowson sit-in to address hate/bias incidents and reporting procedures at Towson.

SGA President James Mileo tasked Ford with the relaunch as part of a five-pronged plan of action in a statement he released after violent white nationalist riots in Charlottesville, Virginia in August.

The Towerlight will continue to provide updates on the SGA’s initiatives in the coming year.

Alex Best/

The Towerl

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Towson examines its building-naming policy

Alex Best/

ight The Towerl

Towson University’s Student Government Association unanimously passed a resolution in support of renaming Paca House and Carroll Hall residence halls on Nov. 28.

The resolution highlighted that both William Paca and Charles Carroll, the namesakes of the residence halls in question, owned slaves.

The resolution, which was introduced by SGA Senator Alexander Best on behalf of SGA Vice President Breya Johnson, asserted that a name change would be in compliance with University System of Maryland Chancellor Bob Caret’s statement from Dec. 11, 2015 on the USM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“Many Towson University students, faculty, and staff alike find it reasonable to discontinue the ongoing pattern of memorializing the names of certain wealthy figures and families whose influence, affluence, power, and prominence came at the expense of countless others whose names go unacknowledged and their contributions under-recognized,” the resolution said.

If a formal request to rename Paca and Carroll is approved by the majority of constituents from the University Senate, SGA and/or Towson University Staff Council, the request will then be forwarded to TU President Kim Schatzel for consideration of the renaming.

Members of Towson’s Organized Network of Student Resistance advocated for the diversification of building names at a University System of Maryland regents meeting in September 2016.

The Towerlight will continue to provide updates on the building-naming process in the coming year.

Maryland gubernatorial elections In 2018, Maryland will hold elections for governor. The Republican and Democratic primaries will take place on June 26, 2018, and the general election will take place on Nov. 6, 2018. Eight Democratic candidates have declared that they are running for governor. There have been no Republicans who have declared to be running against incumbent Governor Larry Hogan, who is predicted to seek re-election in 2018.

The eight democratic candidates include Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker; Ex-NAACP chief Ben Jealous; Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz; Montgomery County Sen. Richard Madaleno; consulting firm owner Maya Rockeymoore Cummings; best-selling author, entrepreneur and former adviser to Hillary Clinton, Alec Ross; Baltimore attorney Jim Shea; and former policy director for former first lady Michelle Obama, Krishanti Vignarajah.

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Year in Preview

December 5, 2017

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Burdick is (finally) reopening Construction on Burdick Hall began August 2015. Since mid-September of 2015, the area between the West Village bridge and Burdick Hall has been closed for construction. With Burdick Hall’s original projected completion date of Fall 2017 pushed back, Burdick Hall will finally be open to show off its expansion next semester, in spring 2018.

The expansion of Burdick Hall will add about 94,000 square feet to the Hall’s existing 140,000 square feet and will feature a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course, recently named “The Jungle.” All Campus Recreation facilities will be closed from Dec. 19 through Jan. 26 to do finishing touches on the expansion and to train new staff. The expanded Burdick Hall will be officially open for the first time for use on Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. Campus Recreation is hosting a “Grand Opening Celebration” for Burdick Hall at noon on Jan. 31.

Brendan F

elch/ The

Towerlight

Continuing construction

owerlight avis/ The T

D Mary-Ellen

Construction around campus is continuing and is as abundant as ever. With Burdick Hall’s completion finally in sight, now the University has begun to focus on other big construction projects around campus, such as the new science facility. The new science facility’s construction is officially underway. It will be located between Stephens Hall and the 7800 York Road building and is predicted to be completed in fall 2020.

Starting mid-2018, the University Union’s renovations and expansion will begin; and next spring, the Residence Tower is set to be completed.

After the new science building, the next big construction project on the University System of Maryland’s list of priorities includes the new College of Health Professions building. The University hopes new health professions building, slated to open in 2023, will help to put Towson graduates into the high-demand field.

Albums to keep an ear out for in 2018 Fall Out Boy This group has been in a pattern trying to become more pop than rock lately. While they are one of the longest-standing punk-pop bands, the quality of their songs can be a little unpredictable. Let’s see just how far this balancing act on Patrick Stump and Co.’s part can go. Coming out on Jan. 19.

The 1975 These indie pop darlings have been making a name for themselves with their self-titled debut and their long-titled album in 2016. Their most recent album had undeniable pop production and songcraft but did feel a bit lengthy in places so we can only hope to see what the next step is for these guys.

Muse While there is no set announcement, the rock power trio have been in the studio and are rumored to release a new album next year. While the band has had no major missteps in the past, it still has the power to impress and we should expect nothing less from the flagbearers of anthemic rock.

Courtesy o

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Baltimore-area music festivals to look forward to

y f Tim Newb

Courtesy o

Charm City Bluegrass Festival From Friday, April 27 at 4 p.m. until Saturday, April 28 at 9:30 p.m. at Druid Hill Park will be the sixth annual Charm City Bluegrass Festival. If you buy your tickets before Dec. 11, admission for Friday, April 27 will be totally free! Admission for children under 10 is free. This festival features local bluegrass and folk bands from right out of Baltimore.

Frozen Harbor Music Festival With 10 stages and 160 acts this year, the Frozen Harbor Music Festival is back and bigger than ever. From Feb. 16-17, experience the festival that encompasses a variety of genres all within Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor. Stages are located at Rams Head Live!, Baltimore Soundstage, and several other venues. General Admission to this festival only costs $20.

Back to the 90s Music Festival Located at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, the Back to the 90s Music Festival is all about breaking out your old 90s outfits, and enjoying a day full of 90s video games, 90s movies, and of course, 90s music. This all-day, kid-friendly event will take place on Saturday, May 26, 2018 from 1-11:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30.

14 December 5, 2017

Year in Preview

Movies to see next year

f IMDB.com

Courtesy o

Think 2017 was an incredible year for movies? Think again! As always, Disney has a bunch in store for us, including “Wreck-It Ralph 2,” “A Wrinkle in Time,” a Mary Poppins reboot, and yes, the moment you’ve been waiting fourteen long years for, The Incredibles 2! Not enough? Marvel’s gotcha covered. Not only do Black Panther and Venom get their own solo movies, and Ant-Man and Deadpool get their sequels, but of course the internet-shattering “Avengers: Infinity War” finally soars into theaters! Into other fandoms? No worries, “Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” “The Maze Runner: The Death Cure,” “Aquaman,” and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” all hit the big screen next year! In addition to these, “Ready Player One,” “Ocean’s Eight,” and a new “Mission: Impossible” are in the works as well. My advice: if you don’t already own a MoviePass, get one.

Tigers gear up for a better football season in 2018 Towson endured a rocky 2017 season, but the team got a lot of experience in different situations and showed grit throughout the year.

The Tigers concluded their season with a 29-10 victory at Johnny Unitas Stadium over Rhode Island.

“We left Rhode Island last year and started planning for this,” Head Coach Rob Ambrose said following the win.

The primary question entering spring is who the starting quarterback will be. Oregon transfer Morgan Mahalak went down in the first quarter of the season opener and did not play for the rest of the year. After the win over Rhode Island, Ambrose announced that Mahalak suffered a concussion and would likely not be playing again for the Tigers.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Stover started for almost the entire season and played as well as one could expect out of a young, inexperienced player. He finished the season with 2,001 yards through the air and 11 passing touchdowns. He also contributed 335 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

“He’s going to have a chance at that starting job,” Ambrose said. “But if Morgan leaves, I only have two quarterbacks. That’s not enough. Not in this league, and not at this level, so I’ve got to go get one and the question is, ‘Am I going to get another young guy or get an old guy as an insurance policy?’ I don’t know yet.”

Younger players who will step into bigger roles, such as redshirt sophomore linebacker Keon Paye and redshirt sophomore defensive back Justice Pettus-Dixon, will need the guidance of seniors in order to grasp their positions better.

“There is no substitute for experience,” Ambrose said. “I’m going to expect them to be better.”

Joe No yes/ T

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Women’s Basketball looks to secure CAA title

!

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Towson looks to secure its first ever Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title under first-year Head Coach Diane Richardson. She took over the program this summer after Niki Geckeler resigned after four years in charge.

Richardson has her work cut out for her, as the Tigers have not had a winning season since their 2011 campaign, and have won just eight conference games out of 36 over the last two years.

“I would like us to be efficient even before the conference, so that we go in business as usual when we get to the conference schedule,” Richardson said. “We’ve got a tough out of conference schedule … so I think that is gonna prepare us for the conference.”

Richardson is still searching for the best lineup out of her young group of players early on this season.

“That’s something we’re still gonna work with to make sure that we get the best out of them when they’re out there and not run them too hard so that they get tired and slack off,” Richardson said.

Towson holds a 2-4 record so far, but senior forward Mary Cuevas said that the key to getting wins is sticking with the routines that the team has formed.

“We just gotta keep working and people need to get in the gym every day,” Cuevas said. “It’s all muscle memory.”

By the time conference play rolls around, Richardson hopes that her team can adjust to the up-tempo style that she utilized during her time as an assistant coach at West Virginia.

“We work hard, push the ball on offense and we are going to get after you on defense,” Richardson said. “My philosophy is if we’re pushing the ball in transition [our opponents] won’t have time to set up, so that’s our game plan is to continue to keep the game at our pace.”

The Tigers look to turn their season around before they open up conference play on Friday, Dec. 29, against Northeastern at SECU Arena.

Advertising

December 5, 2017

15

BIGGER, BETTER, BURDICK THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING We invite the Towson University community to join us for a

GRAND

Opening Celebration

12:00 p

.m. on We dnesday, January

COME AND SEE WHAT ALL THE EXCITEMENT IS ABOUT! The 94,000-square-foot Burdick Hall expansion will open with the start of the spring 2018 semester.

Take a tour of the state-of-the-art facility, try out new equipment, and see features such as: • • • •

Two large, multi-purpose activity courts.

A sprint hill and fitness stairs for interval training.

Five studios for group fitness classes.

A professionally designed ninja warrior style fitness course.

• A new outdoor adventure trip and education center with the re-opening of the 33-foot climbing wall.

• 22,000 square feet of fitness space for strength training with over 100 pieces of cardio equipment.

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CAMPUS REC CLOSURE In order to bring you a Bigger, Better, Burdick recreational experience, all Campus Recreation facilities will be closed from

December 19, 2017 - January 26, 2018 During this time, our spaces will be closed in order to:

Train and onboard our new staff of over 350 student employees.

Convert our existing fitness floor space back into a basketball court.

Relocate current fitness equipment.

We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you back on January 27, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.

MEMBERSHIP

Towson University faculty and staff will receive a complimentary membership through June 30, 2018.

16 December 5, 2017

Arts & Life

THEATRE’S METAPHOR IN “METAMORPHOSIS” ANN MORENO Contributing Writer

The Towson University Department of Theatre Arts presents a production of "Metamorphosis", a play based on the novel by Franz Kafka, in the Studio Theatre of the Center for the Arts Building on Nov. 3 to Dec. 9.

This unique play portrays the ideas of Jewish atheist writer, Kafka, about the alienation of people who are unaccepted. "Metamorphosis" was adapted by playwright Steven Berkoff in 1969 and is being directed by Towson theatre professor, Tavia La Follette.

Follette chose this play because she wanted something more abstract, and is a fan of Kafka.

“Realism is not really my forte,” Follette said. “I also wanted to do something that taps into and parallels our current political landscape.”

According to the program, the play deals with the concept of “otherness,” which is a term that means humans who are confined to “dark corners” because they do not fit the norm.

This concept is communicated throughout the play by creating a human "Metamorphosis" out of the character Gregor, played by sophomore acting major Daniel Rosen, who slowly evolves into a giant, repulsive bug. He is then shunned and feared by all, even those who have loved him all his life.

“The bug is a metaphor for ‘the other,’” Follette said. “The mechanical moment of the ‘other’ character is representative of their role in the

fascist machine, individual cogs that keep it in motion.”

The show begins with images of internment camps and all different languages being spoken. This is because Kafka, his identity and his ideas placed him as an outsider in his own life, according to Follette.

“He and his family grew up Jewish [in Austria-Hungary] at the turn of the last century, where political landscape put the whole family in a realm of ‘otherness,’” Follette said.

“He had no place to call home… but perhaps with artists, in an underworld-type atmosphere.”

Rosen said that society always has an outsider like his character, Gregor, so there are other people who know his pain.

“That’s why the book is so relevant to people nowadays -- because everyone has moments in their lives where they feel like ‘the other,’” Rosen said.

“Metamorphosis” is a very movement heavy play that requires a good amount of difficult physicalization on the part of the actors, and some very percussive sound design by senior speech-language pathology and deaf studies major Joseph Nicol, since many lines and blocking are spoken and moved in rhythm. The set, lighting and shadows combined to enforce the concept.

The sound design involved instruments such as kombucha bottles, spoons, vases, buckets, temple blocks, güiros, a rain stick, sleigh bells, a vibraslap, and a kalimba that created plunky melodic sounds for dramatic effect during the softer moments.

“The most interesting instrument

we used, by far, was the set itself,” Nicol said. “Since it was made of metal, I had the ensemble members tap, scratch, bang, smack and rub their skin on it to make all kinds of unique, disturbing sounds.”

Senior family and human services major Becca Altschul, who plays Mrs. Samsa, said that the hardest part was finding these rhythms in the music and making the abstract concrete.

“This show is really up to interpretation, and seeing everyone’s thoughts on the story and each character really shaped it, made it what it is,” Altschul said.

The characters really came to life in this show, and it was clear as to when they were suffering, sad, guilty, excited, and at many times terrified.

“My interpretation of Gregor stems mainly from his perception that he is the ‘other,’ or outsider, of society and I feel like that at least sometimes in my life,” Rosen said.

“He appears good-natured and fairly likeable, which are just some traits I admire.”

Sophomore acting major Aaron Schaffer says the most essential moment of the play is the scene where everything stops, and Gregor says, “I can hear you. I can hear every word you say. I know you don’t think I can understand you, but I can hear your every move and every moan,” which is the gist of Gregor’s monologue in this scene.

“I really feel like that monologue is essential to show the different status of the characters, and that his family has some type of hierarchy over him,” Schaffer said.

Photos by Alysha Payne/ The Towerlight

Director Tavia La Follette wanted to focus on the concept of “other.”

Altschul says that her favorite moment in the show is when father goes to work, and Grete and Mrs. Samsa try to clean the room.

“You finally see some true emotion from both women, and there’s a bit of suspense to it too,” Altschul said.

The bugs and lodgers were difficult characters to play physically, but these actors brought a sense of fun into this show that is so dark.

“As a bug, I was very afraid at first, but as the process went on I adjusted. I played off of other characters and bugs in the show, especially Gregor, who is the lead that turns into a bug in the show,” Schaffer said.

“Metamorphosis” has a very dark theme, yet is still able to hold a comedic effect through the magic of theatre and good acting. When the Chief Clerk, played by junior acting major Griffin DeLisle, first sees the giant human bug, he runs out of the theatre screaming in a hysterical panic. The three lodgers, played by Rose Hahn, Liam Watkins and Schaffer, were also sources of comedy and highlighted by audience members for their impact on the show.

“I knew I was going to enjoy the show to some capacity going into it, but I was not expecting to be captivated as much as I was; I really really enjoyed the piece,” senior theatre studies major Ana Johns said.

“I thought that the lodgers were a great change of pace and atmosphere, while still fitting into the absurdity of everything. But visually, I really enjoyed when Gregor’s true form was revealed as the very large bug in the corner.”

The bug was a strong visual addition to the show that was made

completely out of the actors themselves. It was extremely creepy and terrifying, especially with the red lighting as a dramatic touch.

“I am definitely most proud of the students,” Follette said. “They put in an incredible amount of emotional, mental and physical work into this show. As an ensemble driven director, I place the environment, but it is up to the actors to ferment these concepts. This play could not have come to fruition without the genius and brave flexibility of each actor’s own experiences and ideas.”

The most tedious part of the process was the syncing of the movement with the sound and the word scape of the show, because there was a lot of tiny refining all the time, according to Follette.

This is why the sound design was such an important element of the production.

“I most definitely enjoyed working with Tavia on this project, because she’s such a visionary director -- her method is to, for the most part, just let the play be created organically by the actors, which heightens their level of commitment and really makes things like music and sound happen naturally,” sound designer Nicol said.

“I am honored to work with such a strong production and design team. They really put the frosting on the cake and make us all look good,” Follette said. “I also can’t say how happy I am to have had the opportunity to work with students Joe Nicol, sound composition, and Max Gorman, choreography,... and of course the entire cast and crew.

This is a fantastic place to make art.

I am filled with gratitude.”

Arts & Life

December 5, 2017

Professional and professor MEGHAN HUDSON Contributing Writer

After 20 years of set designing for the Everyman Theatre in downtown Baltimore, Towson University professor Daniel Ettinger will have partaken in another successful production

with his upcoming design for “The Revolutionists.”

Ettinger has been designing sets for 43 years for over 260 productions so far.

“I saw a touring show in my hometown of Springfield, Missouri, when I was in grade school, and I was hooked

Photo by Meghan Hudson/ The Towerlight

Professor Daniel Ettinger is a set designer for Everyman Theatre.

from the very beginning,” Ettinger said. “Really, except for a brief career as a waiter in New York, which everybody does, it’s all I’ve ever done.”

At this point in his career, Ettinger has designed for around 60 productions for the Everyman Theatre, his most recent being “The Revolutionists” which runs from Dec. 6 to Jan. 7.

“The Revolutionists” is about four smart, strong, struggling women arguing about politics and feminism, all in the framework of 1793 and the French revolution. Although it is a period piece, it is filled with all sorts of modern language. Ettinger praises this play for its relevance and timelessness.

“With all the things that are being talked about in the news lately, it just comes roaring into the headlines,” he said.

In addition to being excited about “the new voice in the building,” new director to Everyman, Casey Stangl, Ettinger has also been excited about

Songs for a good study sesh CHLOË WILLIAMS Columnist

‘Tis the season for staying up late, writing until your hand cramps up, and consuming far too much caffeine.

No doubt about it, finals is the most stressful time of the semester. Keep calm with these soft and happy songs that will create the perfect soundtrack to your study sessions.

“Like Gold” by Vance Joy is a soft acoustic song that keeps a lighthearted, bouncy feel. The song rises to a powerful bridge while remaining gentle throughout its entirety. This song will keep you company through late night textbook readings.

“Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros is a folksy tune featuring guitar, whistling and tambourines. An upbeat song about love, this track even features a homey interlude of the singers’ own love story. Play this humble little track through all your hours of essay revision.

“Young Folks” by The Wind and The Wave is a groovy piece with shakers and piano that remains grounded with its prominently featured bass and backbeat. This indie rock song is echoing and ambient, yet driving.

Keep this song on when you are shuf-

fling through endless flashcards.

“400 Lux” by Lorde is a soft electronic pop track with placid vocals and a chill beat. Swirling effects and serene elements intermix in an original and pleasant way. Pulling an all-nighter? Let this song keep your headspace serene.

“Paris” by Magic Man is a spacey electronic tune about love and travel that features a catchy piano hook.

Brassy effects are used to introduce a unique soundscape that frames the vocals unexpectedly well. This song and the study lounge are a match made in heaven!

“Daisy Eyes” by I Know Leopard begins with hip drumkit work and leads into a floating chorus with clean, smooth guitar lines. The background vocals provide a cloudlike atmosphere in which to highlight the shining presence of the main vocals.

Motivate yourself before your biggest exam with this vibrant track.

“Junk of the Heart (Happy)” by The Kooks is a funky, feelgood track with the mellow vibes you need to keep the study session going. The moving beat of the bridge paired with a groovy guitar solo will keep your feet tapping when your head's in the books.

“Garden” by Hinds is a slow garage-

style song with faraway instrumentals and tender vocals. This song has a dynamic vocal performance, layering and trading off singers in inventive ways. The leisurely flow of this song is just right for early morning research.

“Eight Days a Week” by The Beatles is an animated track complete with handclaps, catchy lyrics and energetic instrumentals. Simple, yet exciting, this song is sure to keep your studies swingin’.

“Never Be Your Man” by Tom Lark begins with shining guitar lines and sparkling electronics. This track has a steady beat, a tranquil atmosphere and fades out delicately. Turn on this song when you are finishing up the PowerPoint for that big presentation.

“Never Be Mine” by Angel Olsen is a slow indie track that remains upbeat even with a lamenting voice performance. Vocals fall gently while the musical accompaniment floats softly in the background with guitars occasionally taking the forefront.

Stressing over your capstone? Let this sweet-sounding song cast all your worries away.

“5 Years Time” by Noah And The Whale opens with cheery whistling, xylophone and ukulele.

--Read the rest of this column online at www.thetowerlight.com.

all of the new technology this play will introduce. In collaboration with the other designers, the team has managed to make this set literally come to life.

“We are inventing the technology to do what we want to do, it’s one of the exciting things about working here at Everyman,” Ettinger said. “Scenery is moving in this show and it’s all being handled by motion control motors rather than people backstage pushing on things. It’s exciting to get to work with things like that.”

After 20-plus years of freelance work in New York, Ettinger decided it was time to begin teaching, as he always intended to do. The first job he applied for was right here at Towson University, exactly 20 years ago. Needless to say, he got the job.

“I just reached a point where I knew I had always wanted to teach,” Ettinger said. “My family are all university professors and it was something I knew I had wanted to do. I have to say, Towson is sort of a perfect sweet spot of a size of a university. Big

17

enough that it has almost any resources that students on campus might like to have, and small enough that there is still a chance that they can be involved in the programs they want to be involved in.”

Sophomore theatre major Ryan Sullivan is a student in Ettinger’s scenic design class. Sullivan said Ettinger has a way of really understanding his students.

“He’s a lot of fun,” he said. “He can really connect with his students because he really has the same attitude that students have…. If I have an issue, he’s so good at explaining it to me in a way I can understand.”

For Ettinger, his class is a time for students to explore their creative process, even when the product doesn’t work out as they expected.

“I try to impart to my students that the work they’re doing for me in design classes is their opportunity to just take a risk and try something,” he said.

--Read the rest of this article online at www.thetowerlight.com.

18 December 5, 2017

Arts & Life

Spring 2018’s beauty launches KERRY INGRAM Asst. Arts & Life Editor

McKenna Graham/ The Towerlight

Drag queen Miss Shangela Laquifa Wadley lip-synced a performance of a medley of Beyoncé songs.

The night I lost my drag virginity MCKENNA GRAHAM Arts & Life Editor

The past two years of college have taught me a few great things: professors work even harder than we give them credit for, (almost) everyone you meet at Towson will make your college experience better, and drag shows are best attended with no preconceived notions in mind.

That last one seems a little out of place and, believe me, I didn’t think it would make that list either, but Nov. 30 definitely changed any expectations.

I had never been to a drag show, or even seen a queen in real life -- the closest I’d gotten is my grandmother, a New York Jew with big makeup, bigger hair, even bigger heels, and the biggest attitude by far. Honestly, I found myself sitting in the University Union’s Chesapeake Room at 7 p.m. on a Thursday evening wondering what the hell I was doing.

The girl in front of me had a bunch of one-dollar bills sticking out of her UGG boot, as did the kid behind me with a medical boot and crutches. Each were contributing to the buzz of murmurs I could barely hear over the dramatic covers of “Hallelujah” and “Blank Space,” and any time there was a lull in the music, the talking swelled.

I was in a seat next to an aisle, in case I needed to get up and take photos from a different angle, but I definitely considered switching seats when one of the event coordinators walked past and, in conversation with another coordinator, said, “We need to make sure the aisles are clear because they’ll be walking up and

down them.”

Wait, who will be? There was a clearly defined stage front and center in the room, and the first two rows of seating were labeled “VIP.” Were the aisles and front rows like the splash zone at SeaWorld?

I didn’t find out because as I was wondering what I was in for, the lights dimmed and the most outrageous voiceover/song began to play, which advised people to ensure their flash photography was enabled, among other things.

“Some of the most beautiful women in the world have gigantic penises,” coached the intro, and then the emcee for the night, Miss Brooklyn Heights, came walking down the center aisle from the back of the room.

Any confusion about pronouns aside, Miss Brooklyn Heights was the most confident person I’d ever seen.

She appealed to the audience with lots of affectionate “bitch!” exclamations and lively comments -- when she asked who had traveled into the area for the show and someone replied they’d come all the way from Oklahoma, for instance, she snorted and questioned why the audience member was there.

The music started, Miss Brooklyn Heights started lip syncing, people started holding out ones for her, phone cameras started flashing, the audience started cheering, and I thought to myself, “We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore.”

It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Miss Brooklyn Heights wove between rows of people, taking selfies on people’s phones, collecting ones, and giving sexuality-bending lap dances, all while lip syncing to a song

I’d never heard before.

Post-performance, Miss Brooklyn Heights was rounding up any lingering ones when she said, “It’s not that confusing, y’all. From the waist up I look like your mama, from the waist down I look like your daddy.”

And that was that.

Miss Pariah Sinclair was next onstage; she was a Towson alum whose first performance was a lip sync to the song “Smell Yo Dick”

by Riskay. By the time it got to the 2017 Baltimore Drag Awards’ “Best Newcomer in Baltimore” winner Miss Tara Evans, who death-dropped, twerked and did the splits, I (and any other drag show “virgins”) had definitely gotten the hang of things -- if a queen was approaching you and you had a dollar, you’d better be waving it for her.

Early in the night, Miss Brooklyn Heights took a survey of the room, asking how many gay guys, straight women, and gay women were in the room before saying, “And now the one I know we’ve all been wondering: are there any straight men in here?”

One hand in the front row went up, and the entire room laughed, but we all soon found out who he was.

Eighteen-year old queen Miss Jasmine Hoe was performing in front of a crowd like that for the first time, and her mother and father were sitting front-and-center to support her.

This was the first time I really got a sense of the true appeal of a drag show. It wasn’t just vulgar jokes and Miss Brooklyn Heights describing the process of “tucking” to the audience.

--Read the rest of this column online at www.thetowerlight.com.

It’s time to finally celebrate the end of the fall 2017 semester, and I could not be more excited. This semester has been one full of busy schedules, political stress, shared stories of dealing with mental health and more. The time in which we can sort of start to breathe again (at least where school stress is concerned) has drawn near, and accomplishing the feat of survival means only one thing: it’s time to treat yourself! I’ve scoured the blogs and done some investigating of my own in order to compile a list of the beauty launches set to take place for Spring 2018, some of which will be here before we know it. Here are the launches I think you’d like to know about: ColourPop Luster Dust Loose Highlighters: This launch will be the brand’s first foray into the loose-highlighter world. The highlighters are set to come in three different shades, each finely milled with rich pigmentation. The highlighter trend does not look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile, and Lavender: The cult favorite face spray is returning, and this time with a new scent! Badescu’s rosewater mist has made its round all throughout the YouTube beauty community; this new spray is sure to make waves come spring.

Too Faced Glow Job: Glitter masks are coming for 2018! The cosmetic giant has decided to dip its toes into skincare by creating a pink, sparkly face mask meant to brighten the skin and add an overall radiance to the complexion.

This mask will be made in limited quantities, so make sure to stay on the lookout for when it launches!

Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation: Nars is known for making some fantastic complexion products, so I’m sure this one will not be disappointing. Their new formulation is meant to be the longest-lasting yet, having 16-hour resistant wear. It’s also meant to be transfer proof, sweat-proof and oxidation resistant (sounds like the perfect foundation, right?) The product is set to be medium to full

coverage, with 33 shades to choose from. Nars is setting the bar high for 2018.

A new Violet Voss Eyeshadow Palette: Violet Voss is coming out with a palette later this month that is rumored to be both mega-pigmented and mega-metallic. Teaser photos of the palette have been released; however, such photos have only been shown in black and white, thus leaving the beauty community’s imaginations to run wild with what colors will be provided. One thing that is certain: the palette will surely take over Instagram feeds once it launches.

MAC Cosmetics x Sia Collaboration: The brand announced its latest spokesperson via Instagram this past week. Sia’s first product to launch with the company will be a red matte lipstick in 2018. All proceeds of the lipstick will go towards the MAC AIDS fund.

Kylie Cosmetics Concealers: Kylie Jenner decided to tease her following by posting a short Snapchat video of her applying an unidentified concealer underneath her eyes (if you’re reading this and thinking, “Wow, do makeup lovers really take it so seriously as to play detective when watching something as simple as a Snapchat story?” – Yes, we do). No further information has been released, but considering skincare and clear complexions are always the talk of the beauty industry. In the first few months of a new year, it’s safe to say she’ll be launching concealers in the upcoming months.

Cover FX Mystery Product: Cover FX leaked a preview video of a product that is a liquid swirl of glittery pastel goodness. My guess ?

New Cover FX Radiance Enhancing Drops (aka liquid highlighters) in pastel shades, but I could definitely be wrong. For all I know, they could hit us with a random product, like glittery mascara top coats. We shall wait and see.

As the year comes to a close, don’t forget to praise yourself for all that you have managed to get through. 2017 was a wild ride; let’s plan to make 2018 one we’re more in control of. I have a feeling 2018 is going to be a beautiful year – if not, then at least there’ll be some new beauty products to help us get through this one, too.

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22 December 5, 2017

Sports

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Quarterback Joe Flacco finds wide receiver Chris Moore on a crossing route downfield. Flacco had his best game of the season, recording 269 yards through the air and two passing touchdowns on the day.

KARUGA KOINANGE Sports Editor

The Baltimore Ravens remain in the NFL playoff picture after a 44-20 win against the Detroit Lions Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Ravens got off to a slow start, but got on the scoreboard with a 38-yard field goal from kicker Justin Tucker near the end of the first quarter. Detroit looked to respond early in the second, but kicker Matt Prater shanked a 43-yard field goal.

Baltimore took advantage of the missed kick on the ensuing drive as quarterback Joe Flacco connected with wide receiver Mike Wallace for a 66-yard gain to put the team in scoring position. Flacco has had trouble with his accuracy on downfield throws this season, but launched a perfect bomb to hit his receiver in stride.

Flacco capped off the drive with a short touchdown pass to tight end Ben Watson, giving the home team a 10-0 advantage.

With a 10-point lead, the Ravens got aggressive on defense and gave Lions quarterback Matt Stafford several pressure looks.

On a Detroit third down attempt in the second quarter, safety Eric Weddle came off the edge on a blitz and jarred the ball loose from Stafford. Defensive lineman Willie Henry scooped up the

ball to put Baltimore in excellent field position with a chance to score.

Later in the half, Flacco hit Wallace on a back shoulder throw near the sideline for a 23-yard completion.

Flacco finished the drive with another short play action touchdown pass, hitting fullback Patrick Ricard in the flat for the score.

Tucker added a 46-yard field late in the second half, and the Ravens took a 20-0 lead into halftime.

The Lions came out of the break looking much more confident as Stafford marched his team downfield by connecting with multiple receivers.

He found tight end Eric Ebron for a 12-yard gain to move his team into Ravens territory, then threw a deep ball to wide receiver Marvin Jones for 44 yards, putting his offense near the goal line.

On the next play, Detroit running back Theo Riddick scampered into the end zone for a four-yard rushing touchdown to give the road team some life.

Detroit struck again late in the third quarter as Stafford stayed hot and found his rhythm. He hit Ebron and wide receiver Golden Tate on a few intermediate routes, before running back Tion Green recorded his first career score on a six-yard touchdown run to make it a one-score contest.

With the Lions threatening, Baltimore responded with another strong drive. The Ravens have been

inept offensively this year, but strong runs early in the game from running backs Alex Collins and Javorius Allen allowed them to open up their playbook and utilize play action passes.

After a few solid gains from the duo of running backs, Flacco found wide receiver Chris Moore down the middle of the field for a 23-yard gain.

Collins capped off the drive with a seven-yard rushing touchdown, extending Baltimore’s lead to 14.

Stafford responded with another quick scoring drive as he found Jones and tight end Michael Roberts deep for gains of 46 and 23 respectively.

Stafford connected with linebacker Nick Bellore on a goal line touchdown pass to narrow the score.

On Baltimore’s next drive, Tucker hit a 51-yard field goal to give his team a two-score lead late in the fourth. Looking to seal the game, Baltimore cranked up its intensity on defense after a sideline rally orchestrated by linebacker Terrell Suggs.

The home team’s pass rush pressured Stafford and forced him into an errant throw that was intercepted by cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

Humphrey had been picked on several times earlier in the game, but came through with the game-sealing play.

Baltimore looks to stay in the playoff hunt as the team goes on the road to face division rival Pittsburgh Sunday, Dec. 10, at Heinz Field.

Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m.

Sports

December 5, 2017

23

towson getting in tune The team captures a convincing 64-42 win over Wagner

Zane Martin Men’s Basketball

Sophomore guard Zane Martin had a strong game in the Belfast Classic this weekend in Ireland.

Martin scored 20 points in both games of the two-day tournament, and provided the spark that put Towson in position for a game-winning shot against Manhattan.

Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

Redshirt senior guard Raine Bankston penetrates the defense against Wagner at SECU Arena. Bankston finished the game as the second highest scorer with 16 points, and added two assists and three steals.

DESMOND BOYLE Staff Writer

Towson women’s basketball picked up its second win of the season over Wagner after an improved offensive performance.

The Tigers made a point to improve their shooting from beyond the arc, connecting on three-of-four three pointers in the first 10 minutes of the game.

The perimeter shooting made a difference as the Tigers jumped out to a 20-6 lead after the first quarter. Senior forward Mary Cuevas set the tone on offense early, connecting on the first two three pointers.

“

She finished the first quarter with 10 points.

“My coaches always tell me in practice to shoot the ball more, because they think I can make it,” Cuevas said. “Today [the shots] were wide open, so I was like ‘Why not?’”

Wagner managed to slow Towson down more in the second, and found a rhythm on offense to cut into the TU lead. Both teams struggled to hold onto the ball, as each team registered 16 turnovers in the first half alone.

“I was a little disappointed they outscored us in the second, and then again in the third,” Head Coach Diane Richardson said. “I was trying to find the combination of players to play, so that's some-

thing we're still gonna work with to make sure we get the best out of them when they are out there.”

Poor shooting doomed Wagner in the fourth as Towson built on its lead, and killed any chance of a comeback.

Cuevas put on an impressive showing. She registered 23 points, three blocks, two steals and one assist en route to a 64-42 win.

Towson's next game is Tuesday at SECU Arena at 7 p.m. against Saint Joseph's.

“We can't be passive against Saint Joe's, who's a really tough team, and they will come after you,” Richardson said. “We can't get out to a slow start, because they're gonna push the ball every single time.”

I was a little disappointed they outscored us in the second, and then again in the third. I was trying to find the combination of players to play, so that’s something we’re still gonna work with to

”

make sure we get the best out of them when they are out there.

DIANE RICHARDSON Head Coach

24 December 5, 2017

Sports

SOARING HIGH: TU TRIUMPHS IN BELFAST CLASSIC

File photo by Lexi Thompson/ The Towerlight

Senior guard Deshaun Morman puts up a layup in a game against Frostburg last season. In the championship game against Manhattan, Morman set a screen on an inbounds that freed up fellow senior guard Mike Morsell for the game-winning shot. The Tigers took home their second regular season tournament trophy of the year with the victory.

KARUGA KOINANGE Sports Editor

Towson University men’s basketball won its second regular season tournament of the year in dramatic fashion with an impressive showing in the Belfast Classic in Northern Ireland.

The Tigers (8-1) defeated the Manhattan Jaspers in the championship game Saturday night at SSE Arena, as senior guard Mike Morsell nailed a game-winning shot on the baseline to seal the 56-55 win.

"We were fortunate to win,” Head Coach Pat Skerry said. “Sometimes it's important to be lucky just as well as good. I’m happy for our kids and our program.”

The team started off the game cold, shooting just 33 percent in the first half. They struggled to break down Manhattan’s zone defense, and could not get many open looks.

Towson was also sloppy with the ball, recording 14 turnovers in the first half. For the first time this season, the team trailed at halftime

going in down by nine.

Despite the rough start, the team fought back in the second half.

The battle on the boards was a crucial component to Towson’s comeback. The team outrebounded Manhattan 42-23, including 19 offensive rebounds. The extra scoring opportunities allowed TU to get into rhythm.

"We found a way, and we're a real gritty team,” Morsell said.

“We have a bunch of veterans here, and we always believe if there's time on the clock that we can win any game. We stuck together today during the tight moments and trusted one another."

A few quick scores by senior guard Brian Starr and sophomore guard Zane Martin to start the second half pulled Towson within four, but the team didn’t surge ahead until late in the game.

Martin knotted the score with a free throw, and later gave the Tigers a two-point lead on a fastbreak layup with just over two minutes left in the game.

Manhattan responded with five straight points, but another score by Martin pulled Towson within one.

Trailing by one with under 15 seconds to play, senior guard DeShaun Morman missed a go-ahead jumper, but the offense secured the rebound.

Martin missed on a second-chance shot, but Towson got another offensive rebound and called a timeout.

On the ensuing inbound, Morman screened a defender to open up a passing lane for Starr. Starr found Morsell along the baseline, and he hit a fadeaway jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining to seal the win.

“Mike made a great shot off of a nice pass from Brian,” Skerry said.

“It's something we work on all the time during practice."

Towson kicked off the twoday tournament with a 67-60 win against La Salle (0-0) at SSE Arena Friday night.

The Tigers couldn’t pull away in the first half, and the game was tied at 33 going into halftime.

In the second half, the team went back to playing strong

defense that has allowed them to control the pace of the game so often this season.

The Tigers held the Explorers to 20 percent shooting in the second half, and outscored their opponents 19-8 in the final seven minutes of play.

“This reminded us of something we're going to see in the conference tournament,” Skerry said.

“Kudos to the fans for coming out, the city for its hospitality and to the committee that organized this tournament. It's special. This is a great win for us over a very good La Salle team."

The team competed earlier in the week before the tournament as well.

The team convincingly defeated St. Mary’s College (1-3) 90-57 Monday night at SECU Arena.

Martin led all scorers with a career-high 24 points, and sunk five baskets from beyond the arc.

He also tied with Morman for four assists on the night.

The home team was getting whatever look they wanted offensively,

but the exclamation point was a thunderous alley-oop dunk from Morman late in the second half off a lob from freshman guard Travis Ingram.

The Tigers hope to extend their eight-game winning streak as they host Morgan State on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Tipoff at SECU Arena is set for 7 p.m.

NEXT@ 12/6 HOME 7:00pm