Montclair State University Digital Commons - Montclair State University ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Montclair State University Montclair State University Digital Commons The Montclarion Student Newspapers 4-1-2021 The Montclarion, April 1, 2021 The Montclarion Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/montclarion Recommended Citation The Montclarion, "The Montclarion, April 1, 2021" (2021). The Montclarion. 1363. https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/montclarion/1363 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Newspapers at Montclair State University Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Montclarion by an authorized administrator of Montclair State University Digital Commons. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@montclair.edu.
themontclarion.org The Montclarion themontclarion @themontclarion Montclarion Video
Volume XXXI, Issue 5 Thursday, April 1, 2021 themontclarion.org
The One Year Anniversary of the COVID-19
Pandemic: A Look in Retrospect
I ON
E DIT H :
IAL NT
E C MO
SP H E
O F T RCH
T MA
B ES
As the threat of COVID-19 grew nearer to the Montclair State campus, signage was posted in the residence hall bathrooms to encourage hand washing. The Montclarion
Kayla Mulligan rather empty campus as well. the new virtual mode has been Katerina, an international seeing fellow students’ faces
Vice President for Student trying on most, if not all stu- student from Ukraine studying scattered around campus.
Development and Campus Life, dents, particularly this year’s her masters who asked to only Sam Angelo, a sophomore
This March marks one year
Karen L. Pennington, believes freshman class. be identified by her first name, business administration major,
since the global pandemic and
that student life has unfortunately Neisha Bayard, a freshman shared the troubles of studying explains what he misses most
lockdown due to the coronavi-
changed in dramatic and difficult exercise science major, dis- in a foreign country during a about being on campus pre-
rus (COVID-19) pandemic that
ways. cussed her initial reaction pandemic. pandemic.
altered the way we live dramati-
“Seeing the Student Center when the lockdown started. “With the pandemic, I’ve had “What I miss most about
cally.
packed with students, hearing “It was senior year of high a lot of problems with travel- school pre-pandemic is the
Montclair State University ini-
many voices and music out in the school and it felt so rushed,” ing, looking for housing, and of amount of people on campus
tially conducted its classes and
quad on a Wednesday afternoon Bayard said. “It felt like high course, being an international everyday and being able to
day-to-day business fully remote
[and] seeing students lying in a school ended abruptly, which student, going into a new coun- meet new people,” Angelo said.
until fall 2020, when the univer-
hammock outside of the library,” turned into quarantine, which try I don’t know anyone and be- “Walking around, seeing our
sity began to offer mixed remote
Pennington said. “These are just a then suddenly turned into col- ing all virtual hasn’t allowed me campus so packed everyday
and in-person classes along
few things that I think we all miss lege. So, I didn’t really get to to meet new people or profes- was an amazing sight to see.”
with clubs and sports being able
and feel as a sense of loss.” enjoy the senior experience. sors,” Katerina said. Angelo is on the Montclair
to practice and meet following
She continued on to talk about There is definitely a discon- Both Bayard and Katerina State baseball team and cred-
safety guidelines.
her hopes to have a somewhat nor- nect because I have not gotten agree that going virtual has af- its his involvement on the team
Now in the spring 2021 se-
mal campus come the fall 2021 se- to meet new people since we fected their motivation and for helping him stay focused on
mester, there has been a rise of
mester and beyond. have been mostly virtual, so it made it more difficult to balance his work and keeping fit for the
in-person classes and involve-
“I believe that next year when also feels like I haven’t gotten different aspects of life. season.
ment as the COVID-19 vaccine
classes are back in person for ev- to enjoy the college experi- “It’s been difficult to balance The pandemic has presented
becomes more readily available
eryone, when students will be able ence yet either.” hours for work and for rest,” changes that not only students
to the American public. As a
to gather for events in the ball- Bayard continued about the Katerina said. “It’s difficult had to adjust to, but faculty as
one-year anniversary, we look
rooms, when the stands at Panzer, “new normal” on campus. when you have everything in well.
back on the difficult and abrupt
Sprague and Pittser are packed “The pandemic has definite- one place. The first month was Jacqueline Regan, an English
transition to a new era of living
with fans, that vibrant student life ly taught me to not take the hard, I was eating, resting and professor at Montclair State,
as well as learning.
we have come to know and expect normal for granted and this studying all in one place, it’s discussed that the most diffi-
The change to virtual remote
will return,” Pennington said. might even be our new nor- easy to feel overworked.” cult adjustment was the switch
learning has been notable in not
The transition from what used mal, so we’ll have to adjust to Despite the changes in learn-
only empty classrooms but a
to be normal in-person learning to it,” Bayard said. ing, some students simply miss Continued on page 2
NEWS FEATURE OPINION ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS
p. 3 p. 6 p. 20
The Montclarion Montclarion p. 10 p. 16 Brown’s Shot Of
Wins 9 NJPF State Confes- EDITORIAL: WMSC Recog- The Year Leads
Awards With sions and CAPS Forgive and nized Nation- To NJAC Cham-
Two For First Team Up Against We’ll Never wide With Four pionship Appear-
Place Depression Forget Awards
eance For Wom-
PAGE 2 • April 1, 2021 • The Montclarion themontclarion.org
THE MONTCLARION Continued from page 1
to virtual learning from the traditional in- and innovative ways of teaching, learning
School of Communication and Media, Room 2035 classroom learning. and community service,” Mees said.
Montclair, N.J. 07043 “Face-to-face classes create a community, Mees went on to credit the campus com-
The Montclarion is a publication of Montelican Publishing, Inc. pub- especially in the writing courses, where munity’s strength.
lished weekly, except during the 2020 fall semester, examinations, students learn not just from their instruc- “We continue to be in awe, though not
summer and winter sessions. The Montclarion is funded by student tor but from their peers as well,” Regan surprised, of how our community has
fees distributed by Montclair State University and incoming adver- said. “I am fortunate to have been able to pressed on and come together to ensure
tising revenue. The views expressed in the Opinion section, with the teach in a hybrid format, so I have an in- we can provide the same critical services
exception of the Main Editorial, do not necessarily reflect the views of person component to my class, but I am to students, faculty, staff and our surround-
The Montclarion.
looking forward to being back with a full ing communities,” Mees said. “It is a tes-
The Montclarion has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will
print corrections or clarifications if information is found to be incorrect. classroom in the fall.” tament to the character that makes every
To report an error of fact or a Letter to the Editor, email the Editor-in- Through the many hardships and chal- Red Hawk successful in whatever they
Chief at montclarionchief@gmail.com. lenges faced, the faculty, staff and students choose to pursue for the rest of their lives.”
Information reported in the Red Hawk Rap Sheet comes directly from that make up Montclair State have faced The university has come a long way since
the MSU Police Department. We do not print retractions to the rap the pandemic head-on and demonstrated last March, constantly adjusting to try and
sheet unless information directly from the police report is incorrect. We the resilience they have as a community. emulate the feeling of normalcy through-
can print an update to the events only if the newspaper is given access Media Relations Director, Andrew Mees, out campus while also ensuring the safety
to relevant documents to corroborate the information. discussed the perseverance of Montclair of everyone.
All submissions to the newspaper become property of The Montclarion. State to provide their students with the What was once an empty campus is now
The first issue of The Montclarion, then named The Pelican, was best and safest way to overcome the obsta- beginning to be filled with impromptu kick-
published on Nov. 28, 1928. cles the pandemic has presented. ball games, outdoor classes and cheers
“Our faculty moved the spring 2020 from sports events. It has been a difficult
STAFF courses completely online in just two
weeks, by itself a remarkable effort, and
transition and experience for many, if not
all, but it will take time to adjust to a new
Executive Board Editorial Board our students, faculty and staff have come way of living and learning post-pandemic.
together throughout the year to create new
Editor-in-Chief News
Thomas Neira Rosaria Lo Presti
montclarionchief montclarionnews
@gmail.com
Montclair State Students Share
@gmail.com
Managing Editor Feature Mixed Reactions on Lack of
Samantha Impaglia Casey Masterson
montclarionmanaging montclarionfeature Spring Break
@gmail.com @gmail.com
Ad Sales Opinion
Manager Brian Rooney
Marco Cundari montclarionopinion
montclarionadsales @gmail.com
@gmail.com
Entertainment
Business Samantha Nungesser
Manager montclarion
Kristen Walsh entertainment
montclarionbusinessmanager
@gmail.com @gmail.com
Assistants Sports
Corey Annan
News montclarionsports
Jenna Sundel @gmail.com
Opinion Chief Copy Editor
Anton Specht Brooke Alvine
Maddye Belov-Boxer It was announced in December 2020 that the Spring 2021 semester The Montclarion
Lauren Lamantia
Feature montclarioncopy
Samantha Bailey @gmail.com Jenna Sundel ping away from me,” Merulla said.
Jennifer Portorreal “Without a spring break we have no
Copy Web Editor grace period between large assign-
Michael Banovic Montclair State University admin-
Nathaly Martinez ments and midterms which creates so
Ariel Rogg montclarionweb istration decided not to have a spring much unnecessary stress. Professors
Alex Baumbush @gmail.com break during the spring 2021 semes- are not going easy either since online
Nicole Comly ter to discourage travel and slow the schooling is now our normal and we’re
Sofia Pena Photography spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) supposed to be used to it by now.”
Sports Emma Caughlan pandemic. Bryanna Rosario, a sophomore Eng-
Ryan Contino montclarionphotography@ The Center for Disease Control rec- lish major, views the decision different-
Jesse Liptzin gmail.com ommends avoiding travel at this time ly. Rosario originally wanted to have a
if possible. According to nj.com, al- spring break, but now understands the
Entertainment Video Editor most all four-year colleges in New Jer-
Megan Lim school wanted to make the safest deci-
Brielle Wyka sey cancelled spring break. However, sion possible.
Faculty montclarionvideo@gmail.com some opted to give students five non- “If people went away and came back
consecutive days off during the semes-
Faculty Advisor Social Media Manager ter, so students could still have a break
we might have more cases so I can
Tara George completely understand what they’re
Rose Kershner to de-stress and work on assignments.
georgeta montclarionsocialmedia@
doing when they took it away,” Rosario
@montclair.edu Cailey Merulla, a sophomore com- said.
gmail.com munication and media arts major, says Despite the school’s efforts to slow
that she feels stressed out and she the spread, Montclair State reported
Production Editor would have used the break to work on its highest weekly number of CO-
Erin Downey large assignments. VID-19 cases on March 18, with 42
montclarionproduction “The workload is incredibly over- positive cases.
@gmail.com whelming and I can feel my GPA slip-
Writers and Contributors
Samantha Bailey, Carley Campbell, Alex Centeno, Damien Flores, Trent Freeman,
Report Montclair State University COVID-19 policiy viola-
Rosario, Emma Richter, Ekaterina Zelenin
tions on the RAVE Guardian App
themontclarion.org The Montclarion • April 1, 2021 • PAGE 3
The Montclarion Wins 9 NJPF Awards
With Two For First Place
The Montclarion
be proud of their strength while Corey Annan is the sports edi- staff worked throughout the first editor of The Montclarion, won
working through this pandemic. tor of The Montclarion and won semester of COVID-19 proved a third-place award along with
It hasn’t been easy, and their second place for the biography/ they were a force to be reck- Wyka on their video coverage.
The New Jersey Press Foun- hard work during this crazy personality profile category. oned with, so I am not surprised “We published this piece at
dation (NJPF) awarded The year is being recognized.” “It’s truly an honor to win they went on to win nine awards the start of the pandemic when
Montclarion with two first-place The writing categories that another state media award,” this year,” Robertson said. “It is students were struggling to
awards followed by two second- won first-place awards were Annan said. “Ever since my humbling and heartwarming to adjust to the new changes so
place awards and five third- given to sports and the arts & freshman year, it’s been a goal know even after graduating, last I am very proud of everyone at
place awards in the statewide entertainment/critical writing of mine to win an NJPF, but be- year’s hard work on COVID-19 The Montclarion for coming to-
College Newspaper Contest. categories for “Montclair State’s ing able to win the award two related articles and photo es- gether and giving the students
College newspapers around Anniversary Football Season years in a row is a blessing. This says is being recognized by a platform to express their
New Jersey select their best Does Not Come To Be,” and award wouldn’t have been pos- NJPF.” concerns during this difficult
articles, photographs and vid- “The Simplicity of ‘If Anything sible without the support of the Jenna Sundel, assistant news time,” Reyes said.
eos each year to submit to the Happens I Love You’ Delivers editorial team and my fellow editor of The Montclarion, also Chris Krusberg is a staff
contest. Anything published be- a Complex Message,” respec- staff writers.” won the third-place award for writer/photographer for The
tween March 1, 2020, and Feb. tively. John LaRosa, a staff writer/ her coronavirus/COVID-19 cov- Montclarion and won a third-
28, 2021, was eligible for nomi- Megan Lim is the assistant en- photographer at The Montclar- erage. place award for the photogra-
nation, and the winners were tertainment editor of The Mont- ion, won a second-place award “I was so honored to receive phy category.
announced on March 17. clarion and won the first-place for his #FOCUSDEMOCRACY this award for my coverage of “I am very humbled to be
Thomas Neira, editor-in-chief award for the arts and entertain- photo essay. COVID-19,” Sundel said. “The recognized by the NJPF for the
of The Montclarion, won a third- ment/critical writing category. “Thanks to everyone for the pandemic has impacted every- top moment of the men’s bas-
place award for the arts and opportunities given to me,” one’s life this past year, so it was ketball season,” Krusberg said.
entertainment/critical writing “I feel like when it’s your voice LaRosa said. encouraging to know that we “Covering sports has always
category. He acknowledges the you’re putting out there, it’s so Third-place awards were are doing a great job covering been a passion of mine and to
commitment of The Montclari- much easier to doubt yourself given in the online video cat- this topic.” be noticed for my sports work is
on staff through a difficult time and your writing,” Lim said. egory for “Student Reactions Casey Masteron is the feature incredibly gratifying. I’d like to
period. “But this win is such a confi- to COVID-19 Pandemic.” “Top editor of The Montclarion and thank Ben Caplan and the rest
“I’m really proud of all the dence boost and I take it as a Moments of the Men’s Basket- also won a third-place award of The Montclairion team for
work our team has done,” Neira blessing and a sign that I suc- ball Season” won third place for her coronavirus/COVID-19 having the trust in me to cover
said. “It’s been a difficult year ceed in doing what I love.” in the photography category. coverage. a variety of different sports as it
but the editors and staff we have Kalya Francione is a staff Third-place awards were also “I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect is always a pleasure.”
on our team has really helped writer at The Montclarion and won in coronavirus/COVID-19 to win,” Masterson said. “We Samantha Impaglia is the
us overcome all the challenges won the first-place award for the coverage category and in edito- had so many wonderful articles managing editor of The Mont-
posed to us. Winning these sports writing category. rial writing for “Editorial: Every that were submitted this year, clarion and is proud of the
awards reflects that, and I really “This was the first piece I ever Crisis Has a Turning Point to but I was honored to be consid- team’s consistent hard work
couldn’t ask for a better team got to write for The Montclar- Recovery, Let’s Make Sure It’s ered a part of this.” through a pandemic.
than this one.” ion so I am honored to have it Now.” “‘The Little Things’ Miss- Brielle Wyka, video editor of “Seeing how this team ac-
Jen Losos, former editor-in- be recognized for this award,” es the Mark Big Time” also won The Montclarion, won a third- complished so much, espe-
chief of The Montclarion, won a Francione said. third place in arts and entertain- place award for her video cover- cially in a pandemic is the best
third-place award for her coro- The second-place awards ment/critical writing. age. feeling,” Impaglia said. “I’m so
navirus/COVID-19 coverage were given to one sports article Mackenzie Robertson, former “You know I’ve always dreamt proud of everyone for their con-
and is proud of the staff’s hard in the biography/personality managing editor of The Mont- of winning an award for my sistent hard work, especially
work. profile category and one photo clarion, won a third-place award work but I thought it would seeing my former sports team
“The Montclarion staff and all essay in the photography cat- for her coronavirus/COVID-19 come much later in my career,” writers take home multiple
of its contributors are truly the egory, for “Two-Sport Athlete coverage. She is immensely Wyka said. “I’m so grateful that awards, it’s paid off.”
most resilient and hard-work- Cameryn Martin Motivated to proud of the team for being able this is something I can celebrate Tara George, head of the
ing group on campus,” Losos Honor his Mother’s Legacy” to switch so quickly to an online- and that I have something to journalism and television and
said. “Despite the pandemic, and “#FOCUSDEMOCRACY: only publication and reporting show for what I contribute to digital media department in
they have persevered and have Photo Essay: Montclair Com- completely remotely. this amazing news organiza- the School of Communication
come out on top. The whole munity Rejoices in the Streets “It was a big challenge, but tion.”
staff of The Montclarion should for President-Elect Biden.” seeing how hard the editorial Annabel Reyes, former video Continued on page 4
PAGE 4 • April 1, 2021 • The Montclarion themontclarion.org
Continued from page 3
and Media, is also the faculty this really interesting period. If I
advisor to The Montclarion. She could give an award for running
is proud of the commitment The a great organization, I think they
Montclarion staff contributed would get first prize for that.”
throughout coronavirus (CO- The NJPF award winners
VID-19) pandemic. were invited to participate in
“It’s always really exciting to the on-site awards presentation
win awards at NJPF, it really which would have been held in
makes me feel proud,” George April, but was canceled due to
said. “They’ve really worked the ongoing pandemic. The win-
hard without stopping through ners will expect their award cer-
a pandemic, kept each other tificates and plaques in the mail.
going and continued coming
through with really important
stories of what’s been happen-
ing at Montclair State through
The Montclarion
Residential Students Hit With Restric-
tions After Spike in COVID-19 Cases
The Montclarion
Carley Campbell policy of mandatory required the small, but significant resi- supposed to protect us, and then new reinforced rules,” Hinson
testing every other week is dential policy on campus. they threaten to kick us out if it’s said. “No one should be getting
still in effect, with any form of For Tony Jordan, a junior mar- not completed,” Jordan said. kicked off campus for leaving as
More restrictions were test avoidance meaning imme- keting major who lives in Blan- Even on the other side of cam- long as students are taking pre-
announced to Montclair diate removal from residential ton Hall, the new policies are a pus beyond The Heights and halls, cautions everywhere else. You
State University residential buildings for the rest of the se- new pain. Clove Road students are still feel- just can’t keep students hostage,
students on March 20, as mester. “To be honest, the school is ing the impact. Unlike on-campus it’s ridiculous.”
Residential Life contacted The doubling down on re- punishing the rest of us [resi- students such as Jordan, Clove The school is working to ensure
students via email. The in- strictions comes as spring dential students] for the actions Road students are not required to that there are few venues avail-
crease in restrictions comes break season for colleges and of a few and it’s annoying,” Jor- have meal plans. This in turn ne- able for mass gatherings, but as
as transmission levels rise universities across the coun- dan said. “Like we all get tested cessitates grocery shopping and of now has not confirmed if that
according to unnamed uni- try begins. Montclair State is a lot and no we aren’t allowed to off-campus travel. will be extended to classrooms
versity contact tracers. Up to one of many colleges opting visit another dorm hall.” Asa Hinson, a junior television and laboratories as well. They
40 students have tested posi- to avoid a spring break for the Residents are expected to stay and digital media major, lives in are tightening occupancy limits
tive in the previous week, spring 2021 semester to stay on campus at all times unless Hawk Crossings, one of the many for dining hall venues and other
raising the total to double clear of the potential rise in they sign waivers with the Of- residential buildings on Clove indoor gathering spaces.
digits for the first time in the cases. fice of Residence Life to leave at Road. Hinson agrees with the ini- All students are still required to
spring 2021 semester. Residential Life asserts that highly specific times and dates. tial policies made by the school, wear masks in public spaces and
These restrictions include, none of the cases are from While good in theory, Jordan as- given that they were doing what practice social distancing, and
but are not limited to, no visi- classes or office visits, instead serts it is not completely safe. they could to ensure students noninvasive temperature check
tors at all until Sunday, April highlighting off-campus visi- “The school is putting their were safe. Now she feels it has stations are in every building and
11. This also includes those tors in residence halls in their efforts into the wrong thing in crossed the line. are a requirement to enter.
who live on campus, but not email as possible contamina- order to ‘protect us’ like acting “Although COVID-19 is a very se- The office of Residence Life
in the same building and in- tors for students. These re- like a self-assessment that most rious matter, I feel like the school could not be reached for
cludes overnight visits. The strictions are no surprise to people would lie on anyway is was extremely ridiculous with its comment.
themontclarion.org The Montclarion • April 1, 2021 • PAGE 5
Gender, Sexuality and Women’s
Studies Program Welcomes New
Creative Zine
Photo courtesy of Jonah Schwartz
the zine and how impactful she Restaino credits the creative “Coming to this school is where I be learned from zines so I re-
believes it will be to the pro- brains behind the project to Nina went with this, like coming to this ally hope that will inspire read-
gram. Farley and Jonah Schwartz, not- school as a freshman and seeing ers to seek out different educa-
As of recently, the gen- “I’m looking forward to the ing that they brought the idea that there’s a program with this tional avenues.”
der, sexuality and women’s ways that this project will em- to her attention in hopes of in- zine with all of these different Gabriel Gomez, a senior the-
studies program (GSWS) at body and forward the mission spiring new students within the queer and POC and different in- ater studies major, expressed
Montclair State University an- of the program,” Restaino said. GSWS program and campus- tersectional voices would’ve been their thoughts on the new col-
nounced that it is in the pro- “That it will be a space for not wide. really important for any person laborative zine with students.
cess of making a collaborative only diversity but freedom of ex- “When they said they wanted who feels any of those experi- “It’s magnificent,” Gomez
zine with the help of students. pression, I think it is going to be to do a zine I was moved, it feels ences to see,” Schwartz said. “It said. “It’s great that we are go-
A zine, historically known a deeply intersectional project. like a generational bridge for would’ve made them feel safer in ing to see queer imagination
as a small-circulated maga- In many ways, it will celebrate me,” Restaino said. our school and more excited about come alive. We are all every-
zine showcasing creativity of and hold queerness also at its Schwartz, a recent Montclair their education. I feel like that was where and it’s important for us
all kinds, has since symbol- center. The zine itself is a pas- State University alumni who what I was lacking.” to have this outlet. I want to see
ized the encouragement of tiche, it’s a physical rendering, worked as an intern for GSWS, Farley, a junior psychology ma- something that will make me
unfiltered, honest and raw you copy, and cut and paste and expressed how they think the jor who works as an intern for cry and laugh.”
voices to be heard that are assemble it. It has this activist zine can reach all kinds of audi- GSWS, expressed how they think Gomez also expressed their
typically not associated with history. It’s not supposed to be ences. the zine allows for more freedom encouragement of other artists
mainstream media outlets. necessarily clean, it can be non- “There’s a lot more freedom of expression among a college and looks forward to seeing a
Throughout ages, zines have linear.” with content and more range community and how that can be a widespread of creativity shine
acted as powerful statements Restaino continued, express- that can be encapsulated into positive. through the zine.
in regards to feminism and ing the passion within the voic- this project because students “These stories are deeply per- “I am an artist and I love see-
queer voices, impacting social es that lie behind each page of can come together and sort of sonal and I hope that readers are ing other artists shine through,”
movements while maintain- the zine. write or make art about their able to see themselves in these Gomez said. “It makes me
ing a sense of community. “The thing I find very moving own experiences,” Schwartz stories and be able to see that I happy to open it and see all of
The new collaborative zine about the zine is it’s a construc- said. “There’s no kind of central am in a school where people have these stories. We are amplify-
with students will showcase tion and that matters, because thing that we have to meet. It’s similar experiences to me or expe- ing queer creative expression
GSWS talent and encourage it’s an invitation to construct just a community coming to- riences that I want to learn more and it’s important to show our
student voices regarding fash- yourself,” Restaino said. “I think gether and I’m hoping that this about and I don’t think you find voices through this zine.”
ion, photography, manifestos for so many of us we had the ex- project will foster more com- that everywhere,” Farley said. More information on the
to written pieces and artwork, perience of functioning inside munity in the GSWS program Farley also expressed how they zine and the GSWS program
along with any kind of submis- of someone else’s construction. as well as other programs, we’re hope the zine inspires readers. can be found on Instagram @
sion regarding GSWS such This is about taking something hoping to kind of unite.” “First that they learn something gsu_msu.
as movies, playlists and more. apart, putting it back together, Schwartz also continued on different but also that they’re in-
Dr. Jessica Restaino, the di- newly, differently, radically and I their inspiration behind the idea spired to seek out old zines or oth-
rector of the GSWS program, think that’s part of the beauty of and how it grew from their own er zines that are happening now,”
spoke on the importance of the project.” experience at Montclair State. Farley said. “There’s so much to
PAGE 6 • April 1, 2021 • The Montclarion themontclarion.org
Ian Long | The Montclarion
Montclair State Confessions and CAPS
Team Up Against Depression
Casey Masterson Instagram page that I created to help peo- confessions that range from relationships “It was a gradual thing because
Feature Editor ple share their experiences,” Watson said. to raunchy activity. All posts are anony- right away the pandemic is new to
“It’s for people to get together and make mous, as they are filled out on a Google all of us,” Watson said. “Plus we
this school more of a community, because form. Even Watson does not know the were told it was going to be short, it
As we reach the year benchmark of this school is more of a commuter school, identity of those who post. was going to be like two weeks to a
the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandem- so some people don’t really know what’s Amidst the sea of fun, alarming cries for month. Now that it has been a year,
ic, the mental scars left behind on the going on inside these walls. So I’m giving help have surfaced. Watson has received you can start to see the effects on
population are making themselves people an outlet to voice their opinions seven confessions stating some form people.”
apparent. Among those affected are and their situations to see how people can of suicidal intent. Before the pandemic Watson, in a noble effort, made
Montclair State University students, connect with that.” these messages were rare, but as it rages two Instagram videos on the account
whose social temperature is taken The account is generally the face of fun on these messages have begun to surface. where he spoke to the larger Mont-
by the Instagram account Montclair clair State community about mental
State Confessions (@montclairstate- health issues. The sincerity in these
confessions). videos is palpable and one can hear
This Instagram account, usually re- from the tone of Watson’s voice that
served for fun anonymous posts, has
received seven confessions of suicid-
“Just to see everyone going through he wants to help his fellow peers.
“The first video I made was be-
al intent this winter. With rising men-
tal health concerns on the horizon,
what I’m going through and even cause that’s when I first really start-
ed to see them [the suicidal messag-
both Montclair State Confessions
and Counseling and Psychological worse it affects me too. You don’t want es.] I wanted to put that as a notice
that I was starting to see these,” Wat-
to see people go through that, espe-
Services (CAPS) want to assure the son said. “It was more of a personal
campus community that there is help video, that I’m here, there are people
available to them. here, there are things available for
Many Montclair State students are
aware of the aforementioned Insta-
cially if you can try to help them and you. Now the second video is more of
a call for action because the first vid-
gram account, but few know who the
student behind it all is. Justin Wat- change it.” eo I tried to bring awareness to it, but
it has only gotten worse. Now, some-
son, a junior information technology thing has to be done and that’s what
major, is the brains behind the @ I’m trying to do right now.”
montclairstateconfessions account,
with 298 posts and over three thou-
-Justin Watson, junior information technology This is a tall task for one person
to handle. Watson has reached out
sand followers, and counting. Wat- major and @montclairstateconfessions founder to the University Police Department
son started the account in order to (UPD) and to CAPS about these
bring the community together. confessions. Watson can not provide
“Montclair State Confessions is an names, as all confessions are anon-
themontclarion.org The Montclarion • April 1, 2021 • PAGE 7
ymous, but now he no longer has to service. 1 to 1,000-1,500 as recommended by the used for that reason.”
handle this situation alone. Receiving “Let’s Talk,” a quick, individual session, International Association of Counseling DuCoin believes that Montclair
confessions like these, while terrify- has been moved to Zoom and renamed Services (IACS.) CAPS has been approved State can also be doing more to aid
ing for others, has also taken a toll on “Let’s Tele-Talk” and is offered nine times by IACS since 2014. CAPS in their fight for student’s
Watson. a week. There are space constraints for Fried- mental health. Although he has
“I’m just like everybody else, so I “50% of the people who come here [for man-Lombardo and her fellow CAPS coun- seen the emails that come out oc-
deal with social and school stress,” Let’s Tele-Talk] sign up for sessions,” Fried- selors. Before the pandemic, there were casionally in the Red Hawk News,
Watson said. “Just to see everyone go- man-Lombardo said. “It’s one-on-one and a plans to give CAPS more space in the Stu- he would like to see more through
ing through what I’m going through brief confidential consultation,” dent Center, but Friedman-Lombardo ex- other avenues.
and even worse it affects me too. You There are also plenty of new options of- plained that these plans have been put on “More on their social media pag-
don’t want to see people go through fered through CAPS during the pandemic. hold indefinitely, if not canceled. A stand- es,” DuCoin said. “There might be
that, especially if you can try to help TAO Connect, online therapy assistance, still in the hiring process has also left a po- stuff I haven’t seen, but other than
them and change it.” offers many modules from relationship sition vacant within the CAPS offices. CAPS, I haven’t seen the Montclair
Watson has made a powerful ally problems to depression. It is accessible to With so much weight on the shoulders of [State] page talk about it.”
to aid him in advising the Montclair students, faculty and staff through a Mont- the counselors at CAPS, Watson believes Watson stands at the forefront of
State community. Dr. Jaclyn Fried- clair State email. that Montclair State administrators and this mental health crisis since he
man-Lombardo, the director of There is also a new feature on the CAPS campus institutions like Residence Life is a voice for the concerns of Mont-
CAPS, is happy to work with Watson directory, which transfers you to a men- should offer support to the students on clair State students. He received
for the benefit of the campus commu- tal health clinician if faced with an ur- campus. these confessions and made the
nity’s mental health. gent mental health problem. In the past, “If you have to tell the RA to do wellness noble stand to aid his fellow peers.
“I think if you have a social media if CAPS was closed, students would have checks, take everyone into the hallway In order to fight off the mental fog,
outlet where people talk about suicid- to contact UPD. Lastly, Kognito training is one-on-one to see how they are doing, just Watson wants to remind everyone
al thoughts and feelings, they should available through the CAPS website with a check-ins to make sure these people are that you have to fight for yourself
be prepared to give them [the stu- Montclair State email to train people to no- okay,” Watson said. “Something like that, during these trying times.
dents] the proper resources,” Fried- tice signs of depression in others. something small, so there are notes of peo- “You got to remember why you
man-Lombardo said. “I want him to Friedman-Lombardo acknowledges the ple who might not be okay, so we know if it came here to begin with,” Waston
have support in doing that to make hardship of these times but urges the com- is time to step in.” said. “There’s a goal you came here
sure the information is safe. I’m hap- munity to pull through because the light is The larger Montclair State communi- with. You can’t just forget it, you’ve
py he’s interested in collaborating be- at the end of the tunnel. ty has also seen suicidal confessions on got to let it push you. Maybe you
cause that would be ideal.” “All the loss we’ve experienced is sig- Montclair State Confessions. Edward Du- won’t be able to conquer the whole
It is important to note that CAPS nificant whether it’s loss of life, or jobs, Coin, a senior film major, noticed these thing in one try, but try taking little
is in operation, even during the pan- or experience,” Friedman-Lombardo said. alarming confessions surfacing among the goals and conquering one at a time.
demic and still accessible to students “There’s a lot of things we’ve lost this year usually upbeat content. It’ll help.”
in a COVID-19 friendly manner. Ser- and I think that contributes to the stress. As “I should preface that I’m not a mental
vices such as group sessions, phone we move to the spring and news gets more health expert at all, but it definitely seems Mental Heath Resources:
screenings and individual sessions hopeful, we have things to look forward to.” like the people who are sending those National Suicide Prevention Life-
are still available. If the average of six With all the help that CAPS is able to offer, things to the [Montclair State] Confes- line Available 24 hours: 800-273-
counseling sessions is not enough, it is important to acknowledge they are not sions account are mainly looking for help, 8255
students can transition to a group supermen. According to Friedman-Lom- or don’t know where to go and are using CAPS: 973-655-5211 (Option 2 af-
or be assisted in finding a long-term bardo, the ratio of counselors to students that as a thing,” DuCoin said. “It’s very jar- ter hours)
therapist through the CAPS referral is 1 to 2,000 rather than the recommended ring because no one expects the page to be
Dr. Jaclyn Friedman-Lombardo was happy to explain Photo courtesy of Dr. Friedman-Lombardo
the resources available to students.
the posters.
PAGE 8 • April 1, 2021 • The Montclarion themontclarion.org
Emma Richter | The Montclarion
Montclair State’s Own Goes From
Classroom to On-Set
Emma Richter her role on set and what exactly her job the director coming in, scoping out the even on lunch and people on their walk-
Staff Writer entailed. restaurant and her antennas shooting ies, handling issues.”
“My role was to check in all cast and up immediately. DiPippa also learned a lot about net-
Around their junior and senior years crew members,” DiPippa said. “So, as “Like the nosey person I am, I had to working, as she was pushed into rooms
of college, students start to venture they would come in, I would take their approach him,” Pocheck said. “I told him with aspiring and accomplished actors
out and look for internships, jobs and temperature, check on the clearance list I was a TVDM major and he reached out and directors. It made her appreciate
other potential opportunities within to see if they tested negative, to then al- to me a few weeks later.” the financial aspect of shooting produc-
their field. Here at Montclair State Uni- low them on set.” That nudge from Pochek got her and tion even more from seeing how much
versity, upperclassmen are doing just Bundled up in her winter hat, layers and DiPippa into the production. This is goes into a simple pilot episode.
that, but because of the coronavirus her production vest, DiPippa also was in not the first time the two friends have DiPippa’s boyfriend, Ethan Mersing, a
(COVID-19) pandemic, internships are charge of distributing personal protective helped each other out as well. DiPippa junior history major at Montclair State,
no longer the same. equipment, such as masks, gloves and helped Pochek land another opportunity got a firsthand view of how this intern-
Despite the virus’s best efforts to hand sanitizer. She also had to make sure in their field a while back with a different ship impacted her.
knock people down, many have man- everyone on set was respecting social dis- internship. “She was definitely excited about this
aged to stay afloat and regain their tancing regulations. As for DiPippa’s personal experience opportunity and she was very optimistic
footing. One of these people is Mont- The production was shot in different lo- on set, she claims that the only down- about it and did not want to pass it up,”
clair State’s very own, Sarah DiPippa, cations and Montclair State happened to side was having to be inactive at times. Mersing said.
a junior television and digital media be one of them. Bohn Hall was suddenly A huge part of her job was being the aide He knows that no matter what she
(TVDM) major with a minor in busi- transformed into a hospital, while the stu- for the cast and crew, so when the film- does, she will do it right and work hard
ness. Even through a computer screen, dio in the School of Communication and ing was actually taking place, she would for it.
you will continually find DiPippa in a Media served as a talk show scene for the stay in holding with background actors. With shooting on pause right now for
bubbly mood and always excited to talk new series. “Sometimes it wasn’t that boring,” the CBS production, DiPippa said that
about anything. DiPippa stated that the production last- DiPippa said. “I took the time to talk to the final part of it will resume shortly,
DiPippa recently had an amazing ed about fifteen days, ending a bit earlier them about their experience, about their but is unsure if she will be a part of it
offer land in her lap: being hired as a than anticipated. Prior to that, DiPippa careers.” with school now in session.
health and safety production assis- worked about 12-14 hour shifts, starting More than anything, DiPippa’s favorite In spite of it all, DiPippa still got the
tant at CBS. Her role was involved in her days at around 4 a.m. part about the whole experience was fi- most out of her experience, working
the production of a new drama series, DiPippa’s good friend Jessica Pochek, nally getting to be a part of the field she not just in her field, but in the time of a
“Ways and Means,” starring Patrick another junior TVDM major with a mi- sees herself working for in the future. pandemic, where assisting in health and
Dempsey. Dempsey is best known for nor in Italian, was the first to know about “I have such a bigger appreciation for safety production is now an in-demand
his role in the hit ABC drama series, this production assistant opportunity. the art now, [just from] going through profession.
“Grey’s Anatomy.” Pochek works at Raymond’s, a restau- this, experiencing the number of hours
With glistening purple lights behind rant in Montclair, where another scene [and] the amount of hard work,” DiPippa
her on a Zoom call, DiPippa explained for the episode was shot at. She recalls said. “People were constantly working,
themontclarion.org The Montclarion • April 1, 2021 • PAGE 9
Oatmeal is a great way to start your day and keep you full for your classes. Samantha Bailey | The Montclarion
Gourmet Bailey’s Essential Recipes
for College Students: Pt.1
Samantha Bailey -½ cup old fashioned oats Toppings: and mix them together until combined.
Assistant Feature Editor -1 cup almond milk (or water) -Peanut butter Take your bowl to the microwave and
-½ cup frozen blueberries (fresh also -Fruit cook for 2 ½ to three minutes.
The spring semester is in full swing works) -Granola Remove the bowl from the microwave
and with all of us becoming increas- -1 tablespoon maple syrup (add addition- -Nuts and stir again. Let your oats sit and ab-
ingly busier, I wanted to start sharing al maple syrup if you like extra sweet- To get started, pour your blueber- sorb your almond milk for five minutes,
recipes designed for college students. ness) ries, maple syrup, vanilla extract, al- stirring occasionally and check the con-
These are easy-to-follow recipes that -1 teaspoon cinnamon mond milk and cinnamon into a micro- sistency afterward. If you want your
you can execute within a dorm or -½ teaspoon vanilla extract wave-safe bowl. Next, pour your oats in oats to be drier, cook them for an addi-
communal kitchen. You can make tional 30 seconds.
these dishes when you’re lazy and While you’re waiting the five min-
still want something delicious. I’m utes for your oats to finish absorbing
calling the series, “Essential Recipes the almond milk, you can prepare for
for College Students.” the best part of any breakfast bowl: the
It’s only fitting that I start this series toppings. My personal favorite to top
off with the meal you start your day oatmeal with is melted peanut butter,
with: breakfast. I know many of us col- cinnamon and additional fruit. It’s the
lege students skip breakfast, but it’s perfect combination of sweet and salty.
my favorite meal and time of the day. I’d highly recommend it.
Eating breakfast has been proven to You can also top your oats with more
help you stay focused and do better in maple syrup and granola. For an extra
school, so try this breakfast out and amount of protein, top your oats with
see how you feel afterward. your favorite vanilla yogurt and roasted
One of my all-time favorite recipes nuts.
for breakfast is oatmeal. Oatmeal This recipe is college student and
isn’t just for the elderly, who prefer dorm room-friendly and it’s totally cus-
eating soft foods, it’s for everyone. It tomizable. It takes less than 10 minutes
has great nutrients to keep you full to make and it will keep you full for all
for hours and fueled for school. Trust your morning classes. Don’t knock oat-
me, this easy blueberry oatmeal will meal until you’ve tried it the “Gourmet
be thrown into your daily routine af- Bailey” way.
ter you try it. Samantha Bailey | The Montclarion Until the next bite.
What you’ll need: to your oatmeal.PAGE 10 • April 1, 2021 • The Montclarion !"#$%&!'()*+%&,%*-
Forgive and We’ll Never Forget
Ian Long | The Montclarion
A s young Americans move
up the educational ladder, they
that is, the percentage of stu-
dents who do not make a stu-
Before the presidential elec-
tion this past November, The
comes up, people are always
quick to argue how it would
ry because of a decision they
were told they had to make
are told from ages as young as dent loan payment after 270 Montclarion endorsed the be unfair to those who have their entire lives in order to
grammar school that they must days, was quite favorable, cal- Democratic ticket of Joe Biden already paid off their college avoid that exact obstacle.
attend college so they can get a culated at 4.8% in 2016. How- and Kamala Harris and it is tuition and student loans and Generation after generation
job and live a good life. ever, we have learned this past with disappointment and frus- that there is no reason why enters the workforce with doz-
Well, here we are, but the only year that everything can sud- tration that we acknowledge people in debt now should get ens of thousands of dollars of
thing lying ahead is decades of denly be turned upside down the Biden administration’s fail- a free pass. debt standing lockstep in the
debt. Meanwhile, a clear, sim- through no fault of our own. ure, thus far, to live up to the That argument is the same way of a financially stable and,
ple solution continues to take a Furthermore, tuition and standards we advocated for. as claiming it wouldn’t be right more importantly, mentally
back seat to greed. room and board costs have President Biden has claimed to give people the COVID-19 stable life.
For Montclair State Univer- increased exponentially each he would be willing to ex- vaccine because it’s unfair to A $50,000 expulsion plan
sity, in particular, over half of year and with state funding pel student loan debt up to those who suffered from it. would cost about $1 trillion.
students utilize federal finan- and student enrollment for the $10,000. However, it has yet It is understood that con- Often times, people hear that
cial loans to pay for their tu- university taking a hit due to to be made clear whether that tracting COVID-19 can be a number and immediately be-
ition, with payments averaging the pandemic, that incline will motion is even within his ju- matter of life and death, wheth- come turned off. The argu-
a little over $6,500 per year almost certainly be sharpened. risdiction. Even so, a $10,000 er it be for you or for those you ment is made that money
after graduating. That amount Generally, the average indebt- expulsion would only aid 30% may come into contact with, would be more valuable if put
may seem manageable, but for ed college graduate can expect of loan borrowers whereas an but decades of crippling finan- toward things like the military
those about to enter a decimat- over 20 years of student loan expulsion of $50,000 would cial debt carry a threatening or foreign aid or what have
ed economy and desolate job payments. That comes with take care of 80% of borrowers. risk as well. you, but what is more valuable
market because of the corona- no guarantee of a job within When asked about a $50,000 Living paycheck to paycheck, than the well-being of the new-
virus (COVID-19) pandemic, the field the degree belongs to forgiveness plan, Biden an- just trying to make it to your est members of our country’s
it’s anything but. or any job paying a wage large swered, “I will not make that next payday is not living. It is workforce? Nothing.
Up until now and the eerily enough to satisfy their loans happen.” surviving and no one should
uncertain future, Montclair while also paying for rent, utili- Whenever the topic of stu- have their entire future filled
State’s graduate default rate, ties or groceries. dent loan debt forgiveness with financial burden and wor-
Campus
Voices:
How has the
“The cost of student life is very “The cost of college financially “It gives me more to think “It didn’t really affect me be-
the cost of tution high. I lived in Hawks Cross- hasn’t been a benefact but re- about than what I would have cause I’m on scholarship so I
and room & board ing and I heard they recently
doubled the price to live there.
ally what it’s been is more of
a cost and not being around
before. In my day-to-day life, I
don’t really notice it.”
kind of go to school for free.
I think it affects other stu-
affected you? I was of the last people to get it people I grew up with. I’m from dents especially people who
for four thousand dollars a se- South Jersey so moving up to commute because everything
mester and now it’s eight thou- North Jersey to stay at school is online. The full cost of tu-
sand dollars. “ means I’m away from people ition isn’t worth it especially
By Joni Mae that I have known for long peri- if you’re staying at home. You
ods of time and I have to spend can get classes online for
De Los Santos more time traveling.” cheaper.”
- Dylan Kelly - Jamil Moris - Larissa Dirienzi - Jose Martinez
Film Business Adminsitration Psychology Criminal Justice
Graduate Junior Sophomore Juniorthemontclarion.org The Montclarion • April 1, 2021 • PAGE 11
My Fellow Student Body:
How Are We Really?
A
pay attention to our peers to make sure
s the spring no one feels alone in their battle with
semester begins mental health.
again and stu- It can be hard to admit to others
dents living at that the smile you wear on camera is
home get a sem- not how you truly feel at the end of the
blance of the col- night. This is why it is so important to
LAUREN LAMANTIA lege experience reach out to your classmates and peers
through a blue- if you see signs of mental health issues
EDITOR dimmed com- in someone you have encountered and
puter screen, they ask them how they’re doing instead of
can’t help but feel at a loss at times. ignoring what may just seem like them
Due to the lack of social interaction being withdrawn from class.
and stripping away of what was sup- In reminiscing on the times we did
posed to be our roaring 20s, students share meeting friends for lunch at Au
like myself can’t help but feel defeated Bon Pain and staying up way too late in
by endless days turned into nights our dorm rooms, we can look for other
thinking of what will happen in the ways to make each other feel less alone
months to come. by simply being there in one of the most
With students now facing all sorts of challenging times of our lives.
challenges the world has piled on top of We will get through this time of un-
us within the past year, attention to our certainty and look back in a couple of
mental health matters more than ever. years at the students starting their own
A year ago this March, the once inde- college experience, thankful we did ask
pendent social life we had on campus Ian Long | The Montclarion if that classmate was okay.
was pulled right from under us after
spring break. How do students now liv- grown, striving to be the adult versions ized to ask someone in your class if they
ing at home strive each day to rebuild of ourselves in environments we have are okay and even more normalized to
a life they once had? Our simple walks moved on from. This reality is hard to be able to email your professor that you
around campus are now replaced with face as we balance online classes, extra- are not in the best headspace mentally
the same sidewalks we stepped on curriculars and a personal life. to attend class.
walking to the grade school bus. The emphasis on mental health It is important to keep in mind as
Along with feeling as if we were sent among students needs to be recognized we continue the school year that no
back to the days before we even started and talked about more openly in class- one truly knows what happens behind Lauren Lamantia, a senior English major,
college, students are faced with trying rooms, meetings and among each other the faces we see on our screens every is in her first year as co-chief copy editor for
to continue to grow in places we’ve out- more than ever. It needs to be normal- week; but it is crucial that we at least The Montclarion.
Green Energy, We’re Not Quite There Yet
E nvironmental-
ly speaking, green
energy makes
for an incredible
solution to our
problems regard-
ing the use of fos-
EKATERINA ZELENIN sil fuels. Putting
STAFF WRITER economics aside,
even with its high
costs, green ener-
gy would eventually become profitable.
Over time, the United States would
see a surge in employment in energy-
producing companies, which in the end
could lead to greater investment.
The real problem is waste.
The most widespread new forms of
green energy are solar panels and wind
turbines. While the panels are efficient
and cost-friendly, getting rid of them is
not. To recycle and burn the metals out Ian Long | The Montclarion
of which panels are made requires the
use of expensive incinerators in a time- turbine blades, which are simply dis- tion would be cheaper, leaving more still under works and have yet to be
consuming and painstakingly slow pro- carded after use and left lying around. money for companies to recycle the perfected. However, the fact that gov-
cess. Nearly 8,000 are coming down over the panels into the incinerators. ernments and companies have already
In his article “Solar Panel Waste: next four years. If every country were to When it comes to turbines, 85% of found ways to reduce waste from green
The Dark Side of Clean Energy,” au- switch to wind energy with each nation the parts can be reused or recycled, energy leaves room for a promising fu-
thor Conor Prendergast writes, “It’s discarding thousands of blades every but the fiberglass and colossal size of ture and a bright green light at the end
more convenient for solar companies year, the waste levels would become the blades makes this task difficult to of the tunnel.
to drop the dead panels into landfills catastrophic. achieve. Currently, one method of solv-
or export them to third-world countries Luckily, solutions are already being ing turbine waste is to break down these
... [which is hazardous as the metals in researched. China, in particular, has blades and press them into pellets or fi-
the panels] namely lead and cadmium been replacing silicon with perovskite berboards used for flooring and walls.
— can leach out of the cells and get into to create a cheaper panel consisting of While the companies responsible for
groundwater,” affecting plants, animals nontoxic metals. Though the solar pan- this are still relatively new, with the use
and humans. els would still be costly to recycle, the of more green energy, they are expected Ekaterina Zelenin, an undeclared freshman,
An article on Bloomberg.com dis- risk of those being left for waste would to grow in accordance with demand. is in her first year as a staff writer for The
cusses a similar issue regarding wind be considerably less and their produc- As of right now, the top solutions are Montclarion.You can also read
