The Connector - October 17, 2017

Campus Living Series: Donahue Hall â–ş Page 6

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

October 17, 2017

The final homecoming celebration

In This Issue

River hawks defeat UNO 5-2

Campus safety

Andrew Sciascia

â–ş Page 3

Connector Editor

Bladerunner 2049 review â–ş Page 5

Rise Up! celebration of sport

â–ş Page 8

Final River Hawk Scores Team

Score

Volleyball vs. Hartford

L 3-2

Overall Record 5-13

Field Hockey at Vermont

W 4-2 8-7

Women’s Soccer vs. UMBCW

W 2-0 2-9-3

Men’s Soccer vs. Vermont

L 2-1

6-5-1

Rick and Morty: Good, but not enough Brendan Jacques Connector Editor

“Rick and Morty� is a show that always appeared to have no boundaries. Since its debut in 2013, the series has made a name for itself tackling all manner of science fiction trope with a wry, nihilistic attitude unlike anything else on TV. And with the show ending its previous season on a surprisingly heartfelt cliffhanger followed by a massive year-and-a-half long wait for season three, the series’ die-hard fanbase has been chomping at the bit to find out what is next. And the result is not the best season by any means, but by far the most interesting to date.

For those unaware, “Rick and Morty� is an animated sitcom following the adventures of Rick, a crackpot super-genius with a penchant for intergalactic and interdimensional hijinks, and Morty, Rick’s hapless assistant and beloved grandson. Each episode follows the duo as they partake in equal parts fantastical and deeply traumatizing adventures on top of dealing with the painfully mundane problems of suburban life, as well as keeping their extended family alive when the two inevitably intersect. Season three begins with these two halves coming into more direct conflict than ever, with Rick’s plan to systematically destroy every group that has ever threatened him leading to Morty’s parents getting a

Following festivities surrounding the Tsongas Center on Saturday, Oct. 14, Homecoming came to a close with the UMass Lowell men’s ice hockey team rounding out the series against the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) with a 5-2 victory.

University alumni and current students dispersed among the 5,376-attendee crowd were treated to a more confident and urgent River Hawks team.

Truly making their 201718 Homecoming, UMass Lowell snapped out of their three-game, season-starting slump and bested the Mavericks in a hotly contested tilt. “We’re pleased with the outcome. I thought it was a good effort tonight by

Croix Evingston breaking out of the huddle ready take on UNO.

a lot of people‌ We’re pleased with the effort. It was a good start, and the guys were able to nail it down in the third which is nice to see,� said UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin.

The first period of play saw a fresh, fiery start for UMass Lowell. Dominating possession and connecting on passes, the River Hawks established their presence early.

Senior forward John

Edwardh was able to score one early, finishing on a lengthy cycle in the offensive zone. Assists on Edwardh’s second goal of the season came â–ş See “UMass Lowell,â€? page 7

Adjunct faculty face tension at hockey game Hannah Manning Connector Editor

During Homecoming festivities

on Saturday, Oct. 14, some of UMass Lowell’s adjunct faculty distributed informational flyers in

â–ş See “Rick and Morty,â€? page 4

Sections

News.............................3 Campus Life..................6 A&E.............................. 4 Sports........................... 8

Matt Dwyer/Connector

Courtesy CourtesyofofUMass UMassLowell LowellAthletics Athletics Courtesy of Tess George/Facebook

Tess George, secretary of Union of Adjunct Faculty, responding to police response against adjuncts on July 27.

front of the Tsongas Center, and the situation became tense quickly.

While an adjunct and university police officer exchanged civil words, an unidentified student came up and began to heckle the officer. The student taunted and blew kisses at the officer, which led to a confrontation between the two.

As the student took out his phone and began to record, standing in the middle of the road in front of the building, the officer asked him to leave the premises. “It’s like [campus police does not] really quite understand the First Amendment,� said the adjunct professor who was speaking to the officer.

For adjunct professors, tension is par for the course when protesting what they believe to be unfair standards given to them by UMass Lowell.

While distributing flyers to incoming freshmen on July 27, the adjuncts were told by campus police to stop giving out papers to â–ş See “Adjunct,â€? page 3

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

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October 17, 2017

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS Discussions, donations and hard conversations How many more until we solve gun control?

Alex DePalma

Connector Contributor

I am only 25 years old, but I am already too familiar with the cycle of discussion after a mass shooting. The initial confusion and absence of answers opens a vacuum for unsupported speculation. The casualty numbers are firmed up into final, definitive totals. The shooter’s name, history and tentative ideology come to the fore.

The public figures emerge to deliver the canned tears, the hand-wringing,and the pantomime of grief undercut by the unstated certainty that this will all happen again. We will mourn, Courtesy of iStock we will send thoughts and prayers, but shame on the opportunist who would After the Las Vegas shooting, many are questioning gun control laws and are advocating for change. take advantage of this tragedy to try to most people with a conscience are as on “bump stocks.� people die to gun homicides, suicides reduce the risk of future violence. well. I am tired of tragedy dressed up We deserve political representation and accidents every year.

And the chatter moves on from sub- as spectacle and the hollow emotion- that has the courage to say the average The cycle will continue until we stance to hot air, discussing the gamut al outpouring. I am tired of expecting citizen does not need access to hand- take guns seriously as dangerous of causes from mental illness to polit- Republicans to favor weapons manu- guns and assault rifles. We deserve weapons that should be regulated, not ical affiliation to modern media. Fi- facturers and insecure gun fetishists leaders who have the confidence to playthings for living out survivalist nally, the fire burns out, material and over public safety. I am tired of ex- say that the Second Amendment was and action hero fantasies. The struginterest exhausted until the next crisis pecting Democrats to offer only piece- conceived in a different time, and that gle to change the culture and the law rears its head. meal solutions like the proposed ban the constitution should be reinterpret- will take years, and will take longer I am tired of this, and I imagine ed or rewritten to suit our current sit- than this presidential administration, THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

UMASS LOWELL CONNECTOR

uation.

When we have properly addressed the problem of gun violence in the United States, perhaps then we can grieve. We cannot grieve while the violence continues, while thousands of

but it is a goal worth fighting for.

Start a conversation, make a donation or get involved with a group. The choice is up to you, but there is always something you can do to change the world for the better.

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TAYLOR CARITO Editor-In-Chief

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ANDREW SCIASCIA News Editor KATHRYN LEEBER Sports Editor

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Staff PATRICK CONNELL SHANE FOLEY EMMA HARGRAVES ANDREW HAVERTY JESSICA KERGO ALISON MARC-AURELE

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UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

October 17, 2017

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NEWS

UMass Lowell a safe city campus, but students must take continued responsibility for their safety Kathryn Leeber Connector Editor

Despite living in Lowell’s urban environment, UMass Lowell students said they felt safe on campus, and university police agree that the campus is secure. However, some are wary about their safety off campus, and the police said that students should be aware of resources available to them to help alleviate some of the anxiety. Sources such as safety talks held by clubs on campus, the university’s transportation system and an app that connects students directly to the school’s police department are available to all students, commuter or residential.

“People have a different impression of what reality is because of what goes on in the city, but the campus itself is very safe, and for the most part the neighborhoods that the kids are living off campus in are good,” said UMass Lowell’s campus resource officer Jeffrey Connors. “Maybe some are better than others, but the actual issues kids are having are not necessarily related to crime.”

According to the Annual Security Report for 2016, the UMass Lowell Police Department has 34 full-time officers who patrol the campus, “conduct criminal investigations, and provide crime prevention and educational services.” In 2016, the campus police received four reports of rape, six instances of fondling, seven instances of aggravated assault, six of domestic violence and three of burglary, among other reports.

While almost all of these occurrences have gone in down in number from the previous two years, there are numerous factors that could contribute to that, and the police say it is better to call them if there is an issue, especially off campus where they otherwise would not know. Additionally, the officers also said knowing how to protect oneself and ensuring safety both on and off campus could lead to even fewer offenses.

Despite the relatively low criminal activity, some students are still hesitant about going downtown or any-

where off campus, even if they are in a group. That is due, in part, to the ideas people have about Lowell as Connors said.

“It definitely makes me nervous [going out]. Like I know when my friends go out, I definitely get nervous. I think I would just be more focused on staying in a group and that type of thing, like not being alone,” said Michelle Janiak, a commuter student. “All I really know about is the blue lamps, and I know about the app. I don’t use it because I’m not really here, but I feel like if I lived here I definitely would.”

In an attempt to address some students’ concerns, the university police hold a talk at the beginning of each school year for all freshmen students.

But for commuter or transfer students, they would likely miss the opportunity to learn about the campus police resources or additional ways to protect themselves.

“For freshmen, we do first-year presentations. We talk about over-drinking, being careful walking around off campus, using the transportation provided by the university and keeping your dorm locked, all these different kinds of things,” said William Emmons, an officer and partner to Connors. “We address all the issues we’ve seen over the years to keep them safe.”

The Annual Security Report also in-

cluded over 30 different talks or events held by UMass Lowell that focused on sexual assault prevention and awareness. But Connors and Emmons said that at least with the ones the campus police are involved in, the turnout is usually not what they were hoping for.

“If you go around and don’t heed anybody’s advice, there’s a good chance someone is going to take advantage of you at some point in your four years here.”

“We have [seen large turnouts]; we’ve had some that got really no turnout, but that was something we organized,” Connors said. “We contacted all the group presidents, threw it out there—day, time, made it right at the Club Hub—and we had like two, three people.”

One of the tools that the officers recommended was the Rave Guardian app, which provides a direct contact to the campus police. If a student presses the emergency button in the

app, it will contact the campus police dispatchers and give them their GPS location, as long as the student is using the campus Wi-Fi. Aside from individual tools, there are various clubs on campus that can help inform students. Vanessa Dichiara is a member of the Campus Advocates for Prevention Education group, or CAPE, which seeks to educate students on resources for sexual assault safety and suicide prevention.

“Part of CAPE’s job is to try to introduce students to those resources and just show people more ways to get involved so they know the resources,” Dichiara said. “I have most of all the [police] numbers saved in my phone and I think that’s another thing that students should just have in their phones for a precaution.”

Ultimately, police said that it is up to students to get involved in clubs, attend informational meetings and utilize campus tools to aid in their safety both on and off campus.

“People have a responsibility to read the stuff that’s given to them, to listen to their RAs, to lock their vehicles, lock their rooms, secure their own possessions,” said Connors. “If you go around and don’t heed anybody’s advice, there’s a good chance someone is going to take advantage of you at some point in your four years here.”

Courtesy of UMass Lowell

UMLPD Officer Jeff Connors converses with a university student at Coffee with a Cop event.

Adjunct professors struggle to have voices heard ►Continued from front page

students.

The university is notorious for paying their adjunct faculty less than the other schools in the UMass system pay their adjunct faculty. On top of that, UMass Lowell does not offer health insurance to its adjuncts.

“In the state that has led the nation in expanding health insurance access,” the informational flyer said, “one of the top public universities treats half of its faculty no better than McDonald’s or Walmart.”

Adjunct faculty at UMass Lowell typically teach freshman and sophomore students and get paid less per course than all of the other schools in the UMass system by almost half.

“We’ve been in negotiations for two years and the university is not budging at all,” said Ellen Martins, the president of the adjunct faculty union at UMass Lowell. Martin has worked at the university for over 30 years in an adjunct position in the music department.

Frustrations have come to a head between the adjunct union and the university.

“We have people who have been teaching four to six courses a semester and they don’t get any health insurance,” said Martins.

The union’s goal is parity with the other adjunct professors at the other schools in the UMass system.

As the informational flyer states, raising adjunct’s wages will improve the student learning experience

as well.

“We’re willing to move to find a path to parity because I believe... the 500 members [of the union] are doing the work,” said Martins.

Even as tensions rise as seen at Homecoming last weekend, the adjunct faculty are dedicated to their cause.

“We’re not UMass Lite. Our students are not lesser. And it shouldn’t cost the students anything more,” said Martins.

A petition to support the adjunct faculty can be found at bit.ly/umladjunctjustice.

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October 17, 2017

October 17, 2017

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ‘Rick and Morty’ new season is too ambitious for its own good ►Continued from front page divorce, leaving Rick as the de-facto leader of the family.

What makes this season of “Rick and Morty” so interesting is that not only does it represent the show at its most dark and depraved, but also its most introspective. While the supernatural aspect remains an integral part of the show, the duo’s adventures this time around are less concerned with their own self-contained plotlines and more on performing a psychological deep-dive into the flaws of the Smith family, from how they are coping (or failing to cope) with recent events to how they both want to support each other and actively prevent each other’s growth. Rick is not spared from this treatment either, with the show being more critical than ever of his self-destructive tendencies and pen-

chant for leaving the consequences of his actions on the shoulders of the people he cares about most. This introspective angle is surprisingly effective, leading to some of the series’ best episodes to date.

The problem with this introspection is that it exposes a serious problem with how the show is constructed: while it may be interested in developing its characters past their starting archetypes and telling a complete story arc with them, it cannot actually go through with that arc because the show is, at its core, a sitcom. For them to actually give these characters a satisfying arc and grow as people in a substantial way, the series has to have an ending. But at this point, with the show easily being the most popular in Adult Swim’s history, it cannot end yet. To be fair, progress is made by the end of the season and the show im-

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution

Series creator Dan Harmon has expressed interest in doing more than 10 episodes for the fourth season.

head on. This is not a deal breaker by any means, but the season is at its absolute worst when this conflict comes to the forefront.

All of this is not to say that “Rick and Morty” season three is bad; it is far from it in fact. The sharp dialogue and raunchy wit that made the series popular is still present in full force, the cast gives some of their best performances to date and it still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve to surprise its audience. But if this season proved anything, it is that the status quo is not good enough anymore. The show has earned enough good will to give this season a pass, but if “Rick and Morty” cannot decide how to push the envelope further, it is not going to survive another season. The one hope on that front is that, from how this season ended, the creators know this too.

Final Grade: B-

‘Metroid: Samus Returns’ after 18 years Vernon Gibbs Connector Contributor

“Metroid: Samus Returns” does its predecessor “Metroid II: Return of Samus” justice in this amazing remake. Released on September 15, the player follows the bounty hunter Samus Aran on her mission to terminate a deadly alien species, the titular Metroids. Armed with only her blaster and her armor, she goes through the depths of the Metroid’s home planet on a side-scrolling, action-adventure journey.

With the level of polish that Nintendo is known for, it is not surprising to see how stunning this game’s visuals are. Each new screen looks different from the last, immersing the player into a world of vicious wildlife and deadly hazards. Despite such an atmosphere, the environment never pulls the player away from whatever they may be doing, and does a stunning job at placing the player in a lonely journey through a strange and unnatural world.

Coming as a remake to a much older game, “Samus Returns” also comes with new gameplay mechanics. Where the original game had a clunky and frustrating four-directional aim, players can instead enjoy the remake’s new 360-degree aiming.

With a core mechanic in the Metroid series being how one shoots their way through, this change means everything in the player’s enjoyment.

The Metroid series has a reputation for its challenging gameplay, and that holds up in its latest game. Placed into a variety of situations, the player is tasked with fully understanding and utilizing their growing arsenal of weaponry and equipment,

going in an upward spiral as their abilities gain them access to more and more options.

But even when the player thinks things could not get any better for them, the game always finds a way Courtesy of Nintendo

MercurySteam and Nintendo collaborated on “Metroid: Samus Returns.”

to keep up. Huge credit has to be put towards Arturo Sanchez, the lead in this game’s stellar level design. Each map is cleverly laid out, and the journey between destinations is never a boring one. Indeed, the strongest aspect of Samus Returns is how en-

‘Blade Runner 2049’ is a near masterpiece Connector Editor

Dan Harmon credited the long time it took for the third season to be written on his perfectinonism.

proves by fleshing out its characters further, but the impact of that progress overall is minimalized in order to keep the status quo intact.

This can be seen most plainly in the relationship between the two leads, which constantly feels like it is resting on the tipping point of either massive change or total collapse. Rick clearly cares deeply for Morty, but his massive superiority complex and his reflexive need to demean his grandson’s feelings at every turn does nothing but strain their relationship. And Morty, while still loyal to his grandfather to a point, has by now learned better than anyone what Rick is capable of and the danger he could pose unchecked.

But nothing ever comes of this conflict, with both characters often defaulting back to their standard routine either because of some science fiction deus ex machina or their own stubborn refusal to face their problems

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Owen Johnson

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution

joyable it is to move to and from each individual challenge.

The gameplay mechanics are interesting; each map holds a variety of upgrades for Samus and can only be completed by using them to their fullest. As one progresses through the game, the player will never feel as if the latest upgrade is anything uninteresting. From rolling through narrow passages, to scaling walls and even flying through caverns, each ability is still relevant and useful all the way through the journey.

That being said, each of these strengths come with inherent weaknesses. “Samus Returns” focuses heavily on its gameplay with the story as a result being minimal at best. One could say that this is a good thing or that games this simply do not mix well with a focus on its story. However, it cannot be denied that the premise of Metroid is average at best, but this fact can often be overlooked. “Samus Returns” has a simple and irrelevant story, but the game does not need a story to keep the player engaged. The gameplay itself is enough of a story to make up for it, with the player going ever deeper into the planet and gaining stronger powers for fighting ever deadlier monsters.

Regardless of any potential flaws, “Samus Returns” provides a fun and engaging remaster of its predecessor. A single run can last anybody 10 to 15 hours as there are only so many Metroids to be hunt down. “Metroid: Samus Returns” is a must-have for anyone with a Nintendo 3DS. Final Grade: A-

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Following the discovery of deceased replicant that has been buried for 30 years, Officer K (Ryan Gosling) is assigned to investigate the mystery.

During his investigation, K comes across a discovery that could potentially change the world.

“Blade Runner 2049” is a sequel 35 years in the making, which automatically raises the problematic possibility that the movie is nothing more than a studio trying to cash in on a popular and classic film title all these years later. There is evidence to point towards the studio’s profit interests based on some blatant product placement and certain elements of the third act, but for the most part it feels like the film was someone’s genuine idea.

In universe, “Blade Runner 2049” is 30 years after the original “Blade Runner,” and the aging to the world feels organic. Not only has the technology of the world become more advanced, but the artificial humans that the franchise focuses on have progressed as well, allowing the film to feel like the most logical step for the “Blade Runner” universe.

The effects of the movie are simply astounding. “Blade Runner 2049”

goes above and beyond, especially when it comes to the effects used for Joi (Ana de Armas). It is aesthetically beautiful too, with the best set piece being the interior of the Wallace Corporation headquarters. Because of these effects, the movie is a masterpiece.

An unfortunate downside is the quality of the characters. Both K and Joi are interesting and well developed,

(Sylvia Hoeks) is just an obedient replicant.

Just like the characters themselves, the cast in general only does a passable job. Ford seems like he does not want to be there. Gosling fluctuates between stoicism and showing genuine emotion. He is believable when he performs these emotions, but it is weird that he only seems to do them part of the time. Leto is just overly

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Despite high critical approval, “Blade Runner 2049” underpreformed at the box office, only grossing $32.8 million its initial weekend.

but in terms of characters who play a major part in the story, they are the only two. Harrison Ford’s character, Rick Deckard, could have easily been written out of the story and replaced by a new character; Jared Leto’s character, Niander Wallace, just acts weird; and Leto’s henchwoman, Luv,

weird in every scene he is in. The only stand out is de Armas as Joi. The first “Blade Runner” examined what it meant to be human, and this movie does the same in its own way.

It pits reality and artificiality against one another through the characters of K and his holographic companion Joi

as well as through certain story elements.

Unfortunately, while this story is strong throughout the first two acts, it starts to fall apart once the third act begins. The story of the first two acts revolves around the mystery that K is trying to solve. It has a slow pace to it, but the amount of story points mixed with the exploration of the movie’s themes makes it so it never becomes dull. At the beginning of the third act, the themes stop being explored and action set pieces and the possible set up for a third movie, or even an entire franchise, sets in. With no intricate story line or exploration of themes, and with the events that K deals with in the final act not being that interesting, the third act feels boring.

“Blade Runner 2049” was a movie so close to being outstanding. Had some of the characters been fleshed out more or were at least better utilized, and if the third act had been done better, it would have easily been one of the best movies of the year. It is still a great movie that fans of science fiction would enjoy, but it ends on a disappointing note.

Final Grade: B+

Third time’s the charm with Citizen’s ‘As You Please’ Emily Toomey Connector Staff

Citizen has just released their third studio album, “As You Please.” The band has managed to stick to their punk roots while also experimenting with a new style. They have included piano along with some slower songs on this album to create a sense of diversity among their range. This album is most reminiscent to their album “Youth.” Their sound definitely takes influence from bands such as Nirvana while still creating their own atmospheric take to their musical style.

“Fever Days,” one of the middle tracks on the album, sticks to Citizen’s traditional roots. The track starts off slow with a peaceful melody. The singer, Mat Kerekes, then helps pick up the melody and ends the first verse with, “You remind me of something I’ve lost,” in a rather somber tone. Then the Courtesy of Run For Cover Records

“As You Please” was first announced by Citizen’s Instigram page in early 2017.

chorus picks up right away as his vocals become more powerful and emotional as he sings, “I can’t give anything. I can’t give anything. I can’t give anything. I can’t give anything. I am only a fleeting thought.” The beginning and ending instrumental gives the song a different vibe as they only use a simple acoustic guitar instead of the heavier rifts throughout the rest of the song.

“Discrete Routine” is undoubtedly a slower track on the album, but also one of the more diverse tracks.

The beginning instrumental teases the listener with a quick piano sample that does not pick up until later in the song. The slowness of the song allows it to sound raw and innocent. The first verse and chorus transition right into each other. He is nearly echoing, “You’ve learned to forgive but I have not yet, but I have not,” before transitioning right into the chorus while still keeping the same tone and melody. The middle of the track provides a soft melody on the piano while he slowly sings, “Volatile scene a crack in the sky. Peeking inside peeking inside.” The last few versus repeat the chorus but drastically pick up the guitar riff to create a grungier riff.

“In the Middle of it All,” the second single to be released, is one of the sadder songs on the album.

It starts off almost like a church choir as he says “in the middle of it all,” repeatedly. Then, the first line transitions into a distant voice: “Fellow dies with no one there to care for him.” His voice is faint which adds a sense of darkness to the song. The chorus becomes louder as he says, “Maelstrom; you are my only God. Absent into the fog, I succumb to your every want.” His voice is holding a sense of authority as his vocals become louder. The darkness is fading into an authoritative state and his voice is loud and clear, which gives the track a clear vision.

“Ugly Luck” is one of the more unique songs on the record. The melody is one of the more upbeat

Courtesy of musicradar.com

The band formed in 2009 when the members were still in high school.

on the record, but the lyrics still have a sense of darkness to them. The first verse starts off at a moderately paced tempo: “The choir aches, the trumpet stings our hearts.” By the chorus he has picked up his vocals and the lyrics become more pronounced.

He is singing with such calm to his voice, but the lyrics overall are rather somber. “I am vague to you; a fly on the wall… and I’m a trick to you; a deserted thought.” Their musical range is really highlighted on this track as he is able to sing so calmly despite the gloominess to the lyrics.

Overall, this album has certainly delivered. Citizen took a step in the right direction with their sound while sticking to their familiar roots. Their new takes on their sound have certainly paid off in the end. They will be performing at the Royale in Boston on Oct. 22 to promote their new record.

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October 17, 2017

CAMPUS LIFE

Campus Living Series: Suite life of Donohue residents Andre Ragel Connector Staff

There are many residence halls that students can select from around campus, and surely there is one for just about everyone. One of these buildings, named Donahue Hall, continues to be a popular choice for many students who want more than just a traditional dorm room.

Each suite in Donahue Hall comes with a standard set of furniture that includes a bed, mattress, chair, wardrobe and dresser, as well as a large common area that includes a sink, two bathrooms and showers. On the first floor, there is a spacious student lounge where students can play pool, grab snacks at the vending machines or sit in groups to study or watch TV. Students living in Donahue Hall rave about its central location in East Campus. Donahue sits directly in front of Fox Hall which houses University Dining Commons and Fox Common, a popular late-night hangout spot where students can grab freshly baked Sal’s Pizza and basic necessities at the POD. Donahue Hall houses close to 350 co-ed students, primarily those who belong in the Living Learning Communities (LLC) of .ICS (Innovation in Computer Science), Business Innovation and iTeach, as well as a handful of Division 1 athletes. Many students like freshman Pooja Patel enjoy living in these LLCs because she is able to talk to other students in the same major as her, as well as meet others who she shares the same interests with.

Patel felt challenged making friends with people around her LLC in her first weeks living at Donahue Hall. During the first week of school, Patel and her suitemates left their front door open inviting people to come in, but nobody stopped by and she felt that it was “a waste of time.” However, she did not let this challenge stop her and instead went around the LLC and introduced herself and her suitemates to other residents. She is proud of doing this, adding that it helped her build relationships with others especially that there are not a lot of girls taking com-

puter science in the LLC. “I’ve never taken [computer ccience] in high school, so it’s nice to be able to ask others questions especially when we do homework,” said Patel.

Cassandra Harkins, a computer science freshman living in the .ICS LLC, shared similar thoughts with Patel but remarked how nice everyone on her floor is.

The price of living in Donahue Hall is about average at $9,833 per year, similar to what a student would pay living at a suite in Sheehy Hall, but not as expensive as living in University Suites.

Donahue Hall is a very accessible residence hall as the main bus stop for East Campus is located infront, making connections to University Crossing and South Campus a breeze. Students who have purchased parking permits may park in several lots around East Campus including the East Campus garage, Fox lot and Perkins Street lot.

Although relatively minor, a few concerns were shared by some students like business majors Nitai

Kortua and Andrew Feng.

“Furnitures here are not comfy; the couch that came with the suite feels like rocks,” said Feng.

“I know that it’s college and that’s I can’t expect a lot, but like it’s not comfortable to sit or sleep on at all,” said Kortua.

Feng and Patel said they agreed that the dryers in the laundry room at Donahue should be replaced.

Feng said one time when he did laundry that he had to run his clothes through the dryer three times, and they were still barely dry.

Computer science student Taren Chen wishes to have water bubblers be installed on every floor.

All students that were interviewed agreed that besides these minor inconveniences, they would each recommend living in Donahue Hall to their friends.

If living the “suite life” near the center of the hustle and bustle of East Campus sounds interesting, then Donahue Hall may just be the right place for you.

Courtesy of Flickr

Donohue Hall accomodates eight, six, and four person arrangements in close proximity to Fox Dining Commons.

Business Analytics Society: An analytical approach Kelly Skelton Connector Staff

The formerly-known Operation and Information Systems (OIS) club has a new look this fall. After re-branding their name to the Business Analytics Society (BAS), the organization has seen an increase in members and interest. Newly appointed president, Jack Carroll, cited rapid growth within the data and analytics field as reason for the sudden change. Carroll said, “Both the emergence of the analytics industry and the more welcoming switch from club to society sparked the idea of rebranding our organization”.

After noticing the stagnant member participation, Carroll decided to change a lot more than just the organization’s name. By adding new events and recycling old successes, the Business Analytics Society is aiming to appeal to more members than ever through the upcoming opportunities provided.

Carroll was not shy when asked about this year’s goals and objectives.

“We are avidly trying to establish a platform for students interested in the

supply chain, information systems, operations, and the analytic fields,” said Carroll. Through their weekly meetings and events, the BAS organization hopes to create an umbrella of connection for these majors.

industry lies on keeping up with technological trends. By proactively researching the current field and interacting with professionals, the group hopes to stay ahead of the race. “Analytics is crucial to relatively all future Courtesy of Busness Analytics Society

Last year, the organization toured key companies within their field such as UPS and iRobot. In addition, they hosted a unique event with a representative from Microsoft, in which students were able to participate in a question-and-answer discussion.

The main focus within the BAS

developments and breakthroughs in the business world,” said Carroll.

With the growth of data rising exponentially, Carroll and the Business Analytics Society have their work cut out for them. The sheer capabilities of the industry are extraordinary in themselves. “Every year the amount

of data produced outweighs the total of all years in the past,” said Carroll.

Some may see this statistic as daunting, organizations like the Business Analytics Society enjoy the opportunities.

The e-board of the BAS identified more urgency when it came to collaboration. “One of our main challenges is exposure,” said Carroll. However, the team is currently discussing co-hosting opportunities for a number of upcoming events with other business societies. “We’re looking forward to teaming up with some of our classmates with overlapping interest to provide more impactful events” said Carroll. Aside from other student-run organizations, the Manning School of Business administration has also voiced its support of the Business Analytics Society.

Meetings for BAS are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 5-6 p.m. For more information, students are encouraged to follow BAS on Twitter @Manning_ BAS or contact the organization via email at jack_carroll@student.uml. edu.

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UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

October 17, 2017

SPORTS

Men’s hockey earns first win of the season ► Continued from front page

from junior forward Ryan Dmowski and freshman defenseman Croix Evingson.

Despite outshooting UNO 16-3 in the first, Edwardh scored the only goal of the period. The early goal proved to be a morale booster for the River Hawks, and the calm offensive touch carried throughout the game.

“I think our detail work was key [with] strong sticks. We were able to increase our level of urgency from yesterday,” said Edwardh.

The Mavericks did, however, return reinvigorated from the first intermission, and they carried a new energy with them throughout the rest of regulation. They kept UMass Lowell to just four shots in the period, yet UNO was unable to deny the River Hawk offense, who still managed to score twice in the second period.

UMass Lowell’s first goal came at the hands of sophomore defenseman Mattias Goransson who was able to finish a rebound on a 2-on-1 opportunity for Edwardh and junior forward Nick Master.

Evingson increased the Maverick’s deficit to three, scoring his first career goal with the River Hawks when he was given a breakaway pass by senior

defenseman Chris Forney as he exited the penalty box.

In spite of two early goals against in the second, UNO was finally able to establish a presence in the offensive zone where they peppered junior

were scored by junior forward Mason Morelli within three minutes of each other.

“Hernberg came in and relieved from yesterday and I thought he did a great job,” said Bazin.

Christina Laderoute/Connector

Captain Tyler Mueller gets a shot off past Omaha.

goaltender Christoffer Hernberg with 14 shots, two of which found their way to the back of the net. Both goals

Amid the fervent cheers, Hernberg, who had stepped in the night before after 2016-17 Hockey East

Tournament starter Tyler Wall gave up four goals in 30 minutes, weathered the storm in the second period for the River Hawks.

Stopping 24 shots and coming away with a .923 save percentage, Hernberg was a standout performer in the River Hawks’ first regular season victory, giving the team a chance to answer UNO’s momentum with a pair of their own goals to close out the game.

UMass Lowell’s final tallies both came unassisted at even strength in the third. The first came from sophomore forward Kenny Hausinger in the offensive zone. The second came by way of Tyler Mueller who scored on an empty UNO net from upwards of 140 feet away in his defensive zone.

A dominant third period of play was exactly what UMass Lowell needed, and exactly what Bazin thought allowed the 2016-17 Hockey East Tournament Champions to snap out of their three-game losing streak.

“The third period I was happy with,” said Bazin. “We came in and there was really no doubt… I thought we took the play to them, and we were able to get pucks deep. The way we played in the third period is the way you have to play in order to have a chance and we did it.”

October 17, 2017

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

Page 8

SPORTS

Miracle of the huddle and River Hawk pride: Rise Up! celebrates UMass Lowell athletes Taylor Carito Connector Editor

After five years of transitioning to a fully Division I (D1) athletic school, UMass Lowell’s 2017 Homecoming was not shy of celebrations for every River Hawk. Riddled with athletes, faculty, administration, alumni and friends of the university, Rise Up! was a celebration of sports that highlighted the many accomplishments of the D1 teams as well as the new inductees in the UMass Lowell Hall of Fame.

On Oct. 12, the university celebrated all the River Hawks, past and present, for their athletic accomplishments as all D1 sports teams enter the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) completely, meaning all teams can now compete in NCAA conference postseason competitions and playoffs. Rise Up! brought together new players with old, faculty with alumni, and students with a love of sports. A continuing theme throughout the evening was replaying the song “Rise Up” in different arrangements, including on featuring Hawkappella, Vocality and the UMass Lowell gospel choir.

Dana Skinner, the UMass Lowell athletic director, kicked off the night night by introducing what the event was about by thanking the athletes, coaches, administration, the athletic department and several others who helped with the transition. He concluded his statement by reading the letter from the NCAA board that arrived late-August stating their full transition. He read it aloud with Chancellor Jacquie Moloney.

“It was an aggressive, optimistic, forward-thinking and campus-wide strategic plan that Chancellor Moloney and UMass President Marty Meehan instituted that resulted in amazing progress,” said Skinner. “Not only is UMass Lowell the fifth fastest

growing public research university in the country, but we are now one of a very small number of institutions that has successfully elevated its athletic program to division one.”

Moloney took to the podium and spoke about the NCAA representative who spoke to her prior to the transition about the university’s uniqueness in terms of its growth and dedication to athletics.

“When the chairman of the visiting [NCAA] team came to visit me, and he looked at me, and it was kind of quiet for minute. I have to say I was a little surprised,” she said. “He looked at me and he said, ‘You know, I know there should be something that we should tell that’s a gap, but there is no gap at UMass Lowell. You are the poster child for how [members] should move through the NCAA elevation.’”

After Moloney and Skinner, Danielle Niles, a former Division II (D2) soccer athlete at UMass Lowell, took over as the master of ceremony. She introduced each inductee to the Hall of Fame over the course of the evening. She spoke about her love of soccer, UMass Lowell and the “miracle of the huddle.”

“It’s in the huddle where race doesn’t matter, economic background doesn’t matter, sexual orientation doesn’t matter; nothing matters except coming together as a team and working together towards a common goal,” said Niles.

In light of the miracle of the huddle, the first inductees into the UMass Lowell Hall of Fame were the 2005 field hockey team, who defied all odds and won their D2 NCAA national championship. Not only was this the first major win for the team, but they were the first women’s team at UMass Lowell to win a national championship and one of the first to win one in the university’s history.

“It was all sort of surreal to me,” said field hockey

U P C OM I N G

River Hawk Games Thursday, Oct. 19

7 p.m.

WSOC at UNH

Friday, Oct. 20

3 p.m.

FH at Maine

Friday, Oct. 20

7 p.m.S

Friday, Oct. 20

7 p.m.

WVB at UNH

Saturday, Oct. 21

7 p.m.

MSOC at Binghamton

Saturday, Oct. 21

7 p.m.

MICE at St. Lawrence

MICE at Clarkson

For more sports information and full game schedules visit goriverhawks.com

coach Shannon Hlebichuk. “They were the first class of young women that I recruited and they were all seniors going to a national championship.”

Other inductees followed including Jeff Daw, an ice hockey player from the 1996 season, Julia Barrett from the track and field team of 2010 who won an NCAA national championship for shotput, and Ruben Sanca, member of the track and field team who went on to become an Olympic athlete and champion in the 2012 summer Olympics in London.

All inductees feel a special connection to UMass Lowell and acknowledge the impact that sports had on their lives. They all said they feel incredibly honored for this prestigious award and are truly proud to be river hawks.

“To be a River Hawk means to never really give up. It’s to carry a chip on your shoulder and going into every game or every race thinking that you are an underdog and trying to prove yourself,” says Sanca.

Volleyball falls to Hartford 3-2 in competitive match Jason Ounpraseuth Connector Staff

The UMass Lowell women’s volleyball team lost against the Hartford Hawks 3-2 on Friday, Oct. 13 at Costello Athletic Center on Alumni Night.

Fans and alumni were treated to a thrilling America East matchup that featured two determined teams that were looking to get out of the bottom of the conference.

UMass Lowell head coach Resa Provenzano spoke highly of her team’s play and their ability to play the hardest in close matches.

“I’m proud of the girls. It stings, those close games,” said Provenzano. “They fought really hard.

They talked about leaving it all out on the floor, and I think they did that.”

Team captain Lindsey Visvardis was the anchor for the team with 24 digs. The junior libero, or defensive specialist, kept the River Hawks composed throughout each set.

“She always does a great job back there. She leads the team in so many ways. She has an incredible work ethic and discipline in the backrow and wants it, like all of them, and will sacrifice a lot for it,” says Provenzano.

Junior setter Delaney Mendez and sophomore setter McKenna Bova led the team in assists with 30 and 24, respectively.

Junior middle blocker Lade Adeniyi and sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Madi Bell were core contributors in the attacking end.

Sophomore outside hitter Katherine Claybaugh tied

for a team-high 14 kills along with 14 digs on the defensive end.

The first set began with back and forth action throughout with neither team able pull through with a significant lead. Each team had an answer for each lead change with strong defense, stable communication and advantageous serving. The competitive first set went all the way into a deuce with neither team faltering and giving up a first set

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

Delaney Mendez had 30 assists against Hartford.

lead. Adeniyi provided the key points to give the River Hawks the first set with a score of 30-28.

The second set began the same as the first with high intensity from both sides, but with Hartford maintaining an early advantage. UMass Lowell remained composed and patient in their play to try to keep even with Hartford. The River Hawks lost the second set 25-22 due in part to key mistakes and errors during the last few rallies.

UMass Lowell gained the edge in the third set keeping a slim lead as large as four points early on. Balanced play and sturdy communication were the keys in the River Hawks keeping their lead and answering any attempts from Hartford to gain the momentum. UMass Lowell took the third set 25-20.

The fourth set ended the with the same score, except this time in Hartford’s favor. The Hawks held on throughout the fourth set with UMass Lowell not providing many answers against Hartford’s attack.

The River Hawks got off to a fast start in the fifth and final set of the match by leading 4-1. Hartford answered back and brought the set into a tense back and forth affair. UMass Lowell ultimately fell 1614, but nevertheless earned high praise from alumni and fans.

The River Hawks will take on University of Maryland at Baltimore County in a home tilt on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 12 p.m. and then go on the road at the University of New Hampshire on Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.