October 24, 2026

Providence College's Student-Run Newspaper Since 1935

Category: News – Campus

Oct82026The Beginning of the End: Class of 2027 Kicks Off Senior Year with Record-Breaking Event in McPhail’s

Charlie Hergott '27

Oct82026Congress Update: October 8, 2026

Student Congress held another busy general assembly, opening with the guest speaker, Providence College Chaplain Father Simon Teller, O.P., who...

Annie Martino '29

Oct222026Reporting Hate Speech: Simone Tubman of Equity Compliance Speaks

by Magdalena Sisto '29 on October 22, 2026

Simone Tubman. Image Courtesy of Linkedin

The Office of Equity Compliance at Providence College plays an integral role in maintaining the promise of a Beloved Community that the institution collectively strives to uphold. The process of reporting and investigating alleged hate speech has recently undergone some structural changes between the establishment of the Office of Equity Compliance and the restructuring of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office. This article aims to remind students of the resources the OEC provides and to investigate the 135 percent increase in reports of hate speech, from 17 to 40, over the past academic year. Members of the PC community have a responsibility to stay informed of these resources and to take advantage of them accordingly.  

How does Providence College define hate speech? 

According to Simone Tubman, Assistant Vice President for Equity Compliance | Title VI  and Title IX Coordinator, “Providence College’s policy defines hate speech as any unwelcome speech or conduct that is motivated by bias, is subjectively and objectively offensive, or is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the  College’s education program or activity.” She added that “hate speech or hate conduct does not need to be targeted at the complainant or reporting party to create a hostile environment. Conduct may be directed at anyone, and/or may be based on an individual’s perceived or actual protected characteristics or affiliation with an individual or group of individuals maintaining protected characteristics.” 

What happens after a report? 

Within about 24 hours, or the next business day, the OEC sends an email with resources,  support, and a voluntary option to connect. Tubman said the office typically makes three outreach attempts. If there is no response, they tell the impacted person they can reach out whenever they need support. An investigation only begins when a Formal Complaint has been filed. Tubman declined to say exactly how many cases ended in academic discipline due to privacy concerns. She did, however, confirm that the consequences range from warning to expulsion. She emphasized that every case and outcome is different.  

Navigating the process of filing a Formal Complaint may seem difficult and needlessly complicated. There are federal regulations and laws that the College has to follow. The OEC is charged with making those laws digestible. The legal system is rigid; the College’s process doesn’t have to be. Even the language reflects that: outcomes are “responsible” or “not responsible,” not  “guilty” or “not guilty.” Notably, the office has a responsibility to support both parties and aims to hold people accountable in a way that nurtures their development. PC is first and foremost a learning institution, and that ultimately informs the way they proceed with reports.  

Why the increase?

Tubman attributes the increase in reports to the College’s investment in a centralized office. Before the establishment of the OEC, Title VI concerns could always be reported to other offices, but the OEC is specifically designed to handle these reports with care. They are equipped with the time and tools necessary to launch engagement efforts and raise awareness.  “An increase in reporting means that members of our community understand community values,  know where to go to share concerns, and are open to sharing concerns,” Tubman said. 

What can you do? 

Tubman urges students to attend programs, workshops, and events, and respond to campus surveys. The OEC values student input and wants every student to have a voice. Tubman noted  that “when those opportunities are underutilized, we miss valuable moments to learn from one another and inform institutional efforts.” Further details of the OEC’s policies and procedures can be found at https://equity-compliance.providence.edu/

Oct12026PC Fashion Society & American Marketing Association Co-Host Guest Speaker: PC Alumna Stephanie Iaonnone ’17 Shares Her Story

Last Monday, Sept. 21, Providence College Fashion Society and the American Marketing Association co-hosted a PC alumna, Stephanie Iaonnone ’17, as a guest speaker. Iannone talked about her experiences as a senior manager of store initiatives at Ralph Lauren.  Iannone studied business management at PC. Outside of her course studies, she was involved in PC […]
Izzy Mignardi ‘27

Oct12026The NERLab at Providence College

The Providence College mission statement reads, “Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican, liberal arts institution of higher education and a community committed to academic excellence in pursuit of the truth, growth in virtue, and service of God and neighbor.” But what does it mean to be in service to your neighbor, or even neighborly, specifically as a PC student?

The Neighborly Engagement Research Lab is currently conducting a research study based on this very question. The NERLab is a community-engaged research lab that collaborates with students, community members, and campus partners to study and strengthen neighborly relationships between colleges and the communities they call home. The lab recently launched a “Student Perceptions of Neighborliness Survey” to the PC student body, inviting students to reflect on how they experience the 02908 neighborhoods (Smith Hill, Wanskuck, and Elmhurst) that surround PC. The survey is designed to examine how PC students perceive, engage with, and experience the local neighborhoods in which the campus is situated. With “neighbor” being a key word in PC’s mission statement, the NERLab is curious about students’ understanding of this word and its implications. Consider how you interact with local residents, businesses, and communities that surround campus. Would you consider your interactions neighborly? Findings from the survey aim to support the NERLab’s central mission of building more sustainable and reciprocal community-campus relationships. In this, the NERLab seeks to better understand how students and local community members can learn from and contribute collaboratively with each other.
Emilia Farrell ‘28

Oct12026Congress Update: October 1, 2026

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Student Congress was pleased to welcome Bryan Hodgson, head coach of the Providence Friars men’s basketball team, and Steve Napolillo ’98, the director of athletics at Providence College. Hodgson expressed that he was offered positions at five different institutions, but was inspired to come to Providence after seeing the excitement of […]
Christian Cintron '28 & Annie Martino '29

Sep242026Providence College’s Newest Department: The Launch of the Communication Department and Communication Majors

Providence College’s School of Arts & Sciences has officially launched its Communication Department and Communication major, expanding a program that began as a minor in 2021 into a growing academic department with new partnerships, more courses, and a dedicated media and learning space on campus.  The department now offers both a major and minor in […]
Dr. Andrea McDonnell & Dr. Rana Hassan

Sep172026Welcome Back to Friartown: New Year, New Friars

On Aug. 31, the 2026-27 academic year officially kicked off with an early start. A week before Labor Day and the Friars could already be seen hanging out on Slavin lawn, eating in Raymond Dining Hall, and attending classes. Over the summer, Providence College made some exciting changes to campus, including Schmear and an Aquinas […]
Victoria Miele ’28

Apr302026Providence College Students Create Animal Welfare Initiative

Paw Pals: Animal Welfare Awareness for College Students Anna Gardiner ’28, along with Kaley DeGennaro ’28, Hollis Humphries ’28, Gabriella Fainelli ’28, and Victoria Healey ’28, were encouraged to develop a nonprofit organization in their Management 101 class with Dr. Erickson. The group determined a mutual interest in animal welfare. With this, they created an […]
Sarah McCall ’26

Apr302026Business School Names Dr. Ronald Dufresne as New Dean

On Friday, April 24, Dr. Thomas Smith, Providence College’s provost, announced that Dr. Ronald Dufresne will be the next dean of the School of Business. His term begins on July 1. Currently, Dr. Dufresne works as a professor of management in the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He has served […]
Shannon Kelly ’26