Tag: Brian Garvey ’20
Bursting the PC Bubble: Polar Vortex Sends Temperatures Plunging in the Midwest
by The Cowl Editor on February 7, 2019
National and Global News
Brian Garvey ’20
News Staff
Last week, the U.S. was hit by a wave of record-setting low temperatures across the country, causing widespread disruption and disfunction. This was the result of a relatively common weather phenomenon called a “Polar Vortex.”
A Polar Vortex is a wide expanse of swirling cold air that forms in polar regions, and during the winter months, the polar vortex at the North Pole expands, sending cold air southward.
Temperatures dropped to life-threatening levels across the country, particularly in the midwest. According to the National Weather Service, more than 340 daily low minimum and 340 daily low maximum temperature records were broken or tied across the Midwest from this Arctic outbreak.
Thief River Falls, Minnesota recorded a RealFeel low temperature of -77 degrees, and the lowest actual temperature recorded hit -56 degrees in Cotton, Minnesota. Illinois’ Mount Carroll set a state record temperature of -38 degrees, and Chicago dropped to its own record low of -28 degrees.
These extreme temperatures are exceedingly dangerous, and at least 20 deaths, including a student at the University of Iowa, are believed to be related to the bitter weather system, government officials say. Cause of death, according to local police and other officials, range from hypothermia and freezing to death to traffic collisions and faulty home heating systems.
Despite all the dysfunction and emergencies caused by the freezing weather, countless first responders, as well as volunteer workers and random citizens, stepped up to help those in need. The Illinois State Police assisted more than 1,300 drivers whose cars had stalled out in the cold over an eight-hour period on Wednesday, about 10 times the troopers’ normal workload.
In Chicago, a woman named Candice Payne and a small group of unnamed people rented out 60 rooms for three nights to provide for over 80 homeless people, likely saving many of their lives.
Both Lyft and Uber offered free rides for all homeless people in Chicago, transferring many people out of harm’s way into the safety of the many homeless shelters working overtime to save the lives of those most in need.
Managing these temperatures was no picnic for those in the midwest, but people can look forward to warmer times ahead. Temperatures are expected to swing as much as 70 degrees in some areas, as most of the country can expect to see much milder temperatures in the coming days.
Featured Friar: Brendan Cooney ’20
by The Cowl Editor on January 31, 2019
Features
by Brian Garvey ’20
News Staff
Brendan Cooney ’20 loves his Irish roots; he has always wanted to travel to Ireland and explore his history.
“I hadn’t left America before, and I was excited to see Dublin. I wanted to connect with my heritage, and I wanted to experience what it was like to live in the country where my ancestors were from,” says Cooney.
Cooney found, surprisingly, that he learned a lot just from small talk with the local people in the pubs. “I found that I really enjoyed the rich history of the pubs, and I engaged with many enriching conversations with locals.”
He even met a former Prime Minister of Ireland. “After my school-sponsored trip to Belfast, I was sitting at the pub when an older man recognized my American accent and started talking to me. He asked me if I knew who he was, and he introduced himself as Bertie Ahern, the former Prime Minister of Ireland. I shook his hand and took a picture with him, and we talked for hours about the traditional Irish sport, hurling. It was really cool.”
Dublin was certainly not all play and no work. Cooney worked as an economics intern for the Business & Finance Media Group, where he got a real crash course in Irish culture.
“It was definitely interesting and challenging working in Ireland. The workplace environment was very different from the U.S.”
Cooney had daily meetings and presentations with professionals much older than himself, and had to get used to a very different mentality and lifestyle. “The Irish people take lots of breaks during the day, and I had to get used to working weird hours with people who expected a lot from me. It was definitely really valuable experience.”
Cooney also did not just explore Ireland. He took advantage of the amazing cities throughout Europe, traveling everywhere from Barcelona to Belfast. Prague, in the Czech Republic, was his personal favorite. “I am a massive art fan, and the architecture and museums of the city were truly beautiful to see.”
Cooney also found the beauty of the churches across Europe to be astounding. “The churches were definitely one of my favorite parts of Europe. They were really beautiful and the history was incredible.”
Cooney’s advice to those going abroad in the future is to make as many new friends as you can and to travel as much as possible.
“Don’t just stick with the same kids from home; try to branch out and meet new people. I really connected with my classmates from all over the country, and I made lifelong friends. You should also travel as much as possible. While I may have had some early mornings and late flights home, it is well worth seeing the most beautiful cities on earth.”
Brendan’s time in Ireland was an experience he will never forget, with memories and friends to last a lifetime. But he is still happy to be back at Providence College. “I definitely missed being at Providence College; it made me appreciate the Friar Family more.” For Cooney, while Europe was amazing, there is no place like home.
Featured Friar: Winifred Kennedy ’20
by The Cowl Editor on January 24, 2019
Campus
by Brian Garvey ’20
Providence College is home to countless talented students, but a star might be in the making before our eyes.
Winifred “Wini” Kennedy ’20 is from Grafton, Massachusetts and has a bright future ahead of her. “I actually hadn’t even heard of Providence until my sophomore year of high school when my Anatomy teacher talked about it non-stop,” Kennedy said.
“She wore her Friars long-sleeve shirt every Friday and constantly talked about how PC was the best experience of her life. Every time she came to Friartown or flew into the T.F. Green Airport and saw the Friartown mural, it felt like coming home. Because she was one of my favorite teachers, I took her advice and decided to tour PC and from the moment I set foot on campus, I instantly had the same feeling—it felt like coming home.”
A talented singer and guitarist, Kennedy said, “I always liked to sing, but it took me a long time to work up the courage to be comfortable performing. I performed at my first open-mic night my junior year of high school to an instrumental backtrack and was a nervous wreck.”
After teaching herself to play the guitar her senior year of high school, she found that performing with a guitar made her feel less vulnerable and, as a result, performing became much easier.
To her, music has given her a sense of belonging in the world. “When I was younger, I always used to get upset that I wasn’t the best at sports or the smartest person in the room, and felt like I didn’t have a passion or something that made me ‘me.’ Over time, music has become that for me. Performing is what makes me feel the most like myself.”
Many people may recognize Wini from her amazing performance of “Shallow” from A Star is Born with Adam Hanna during the fall semester.
“Up until this point, I had never performed any sort of solo like this, other than playing at low-key open-mic nights, so this was HUGE to me,”she said. “I was extremely nervous but so honored and excited that someone as well-known as Adam thought that I would be a great fit to perform with him. I had an amazing time and the whole experience was one that I will never forget.”
It is undoubtedly a big step to go from performing at open-mic nights to headlining an event in front of hundreds of your peers.
Kennedy’s message to those who want to take that step is that getting out of your comfort zone will lead you to great things.
“Performing and making yourself vulnerable is honestly, at first, terrifying. It is hard in any situation to make yourself vulnerable. However, I’ve always been someone that believes that life occurs outside of your comfort zone.”
To her, pursuing one’s dreams is well worth the risk. “It has always been about how performing makes me feel, and as long as you love something, putting yourself out there and being vulnerable almost always results in reward. If you love something, go after it.”
Kennedy does not just perform solo; she is a proud member of PC’s A cappella group, Strictly Speaking.
“Making it into Strictly was honestly the best thing that had happened to me at PC. It gave me a ‘place’ on campus, a feeling of belonging, and a sense of family. I love everyone in our group so much.We are a family and PC wouldn’t be what it is to me without them.”
Whats next for Kennedy? “Beatboxing has become a newly discovered talent, and that’s definitely something I have a lot of fun with.”
Besides beatboxing, Kennedy has also orchestrated an event that brings together her BOP involvement and A cappella; Riff-Off.
“This is the first BOP event that I’ve planned, and it brings my A cappella world right into it. I’m extremely excited to see how it goes and hopefully it’s a successful event.”
Kennedy is on the lookout for her next performance, and is ready for any opportunity. “I will always be performing at whatever events come my way, and whenever opportunity knocks again, I’ll be ready.”
Health Care Club Hosts Alzheimer’s Walk
by The Cowl Editor on April 26, 2018
Campus
Fifth Annual Walk to Take Place at PC on Saturday
by Brian Garvey ’20
News Staff
On Saturday, April 28, Providence College’s Health Care Club will be holding the Fifth Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., students can come to Hendricken Field and participate in entertaining yard games, eat delicious (and free!) food, and purchase T-shirts and raffle tickets.
This event will be held in an effort to raise donations and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit organization. The club will also hold a walk around Ray Treacy Track, demonstrating the participant’s commitment to fighting Alzheimer’s disease and their support to those afflicted by it.
Alzheimer’s disease is a very common disease among the elderly, with approximately 5.5 million people living with the disease in the U.S. Memory loss and confusion are the main symptoms, as brain cell connections and the cells themselves degenerate and die, eventually destroying memory and other important mental functions. Unfortunately, there is no cure.
Founded in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.
Their official mission is “to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.” The Alzheimer’s Association spreads its message throughout the world; it is what inspired the Health Care Club to hold their own Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Arrianna Arroyo ’20, current treasurer and future president of the Health Care Club, is one of the chief organizers of the event. Working directly with the Alzheimer’s Association through a representative from the organization who is also a PC alumnus, the club was able to bring together many like-minded people to pull off this uplifting event. “We really wanted to raise money for a good cause. This is an issue that is very important to me personally, and I feel that we can really make a difference,” said Arroyo.
The event is not just limited to PC students; PC Pals and local church groups will also be involved in bringing the event to life. Arroyo said, “This is a chance to spread awareness about the disease. It’s not just about the donations, it’s about bringing the community together and engaging everyone from local children to elderly advocacy groups in the area.”
Students who want to get more deeply involved are welcome to talk to any of the Health Care Club members at the event and new members are always welcome. “We’re really excited for this event,” said Arroyo. “Students can come enjoy a beautiful spring Saturday outside, supporting a good cause with the entire Providence community.”
Undoubtedly, the Fifth Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be a rousing success; an engaging and energetic event is expected. While donations are not required to attend the event, they are very much appreciated.
PC Republicans Hosts Discussion on Free Speech
by The Cowl Editor on April 19, 2018
Campus
by Brian Garvey ’20
News Staff
Recently, students packed Ruane 105 to hear a debate of the “Freedom of Speech On a Catholic Campus” sponsored by the Providence College Republicans. The event, which took place on Tuesday, April 17, consisted of a panel of three speakers: Dr. Joseph Cammarano, associate professor within the political science and public and community service departments, Father Bonaventure Chapman, O.P., an assistant chaplain for Campus Ministry, and Grant Strobl, a senior at the University of Michigan and the National Chairman of Young Americans for Freedom.
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Strobl is also the founder of Young Americans for Freedom at his school. He gained notoriety at UofM and in the news when he took advantage of a rule in the UofM handbook that allowed students to choose the pronouns by which they are referred. To generate awareness of the rule, he set his pronoun as “His Majesty,” and encouraged other students to write similarly outlandish names. Grant has given over 30 presentations and speeches “about his experiences fighting for the freedom of speech on college campuses and how to promote conservative values to millennials.”
While every seat in Ruane 105 was filled, the atmosphere at the event was quiet and respectful. The talk was formatted in an informal debate style, in which there were three questions provided by PC Republicans that were answered by each panel speaker; one from the theological perspective, the educational perspective, and the conservative millennial perspective. After each panel member responded to the question, two questions from the crowd were posed, with the process repeating after each question.
The first question posed was, “Regardless of the provocative nature of Catholic tradition in a progressive era, should the expression of religious ideals be protected by freedom of speech?” Fr. Bonaventure spoke extensively on this subject, stating, “Speech is about the true revelation of yourself. If your freedom is not for truth, then it is not really freedom of speech. Hindering truth is denying a right to a person. Every protection of religious truth, especially at a Catholic institution, is therefore a necessity.”
The second question posed was, “Are some people’s feelings of offense more important than others? If so, how is that category defined?” Strobl spoke the most on this subject, stating, “I wouldn’t create a hierarchy of who deserves a right to speech because that implies we are going to sensor those who are willing to speak. I think that is a dangerous path. I would rather approach this as fighting speech with more speech.”
When asked by a student if even communist supporters should be given a safe space to speak on campus, Cammarano stated, “At an institution of higher education, a member of the communist party must have a safe space. A member of the Fascist Party, a member of the Democratic Party, a member of the Republican Party, a member of the Socialist Party, a member of the Libertarian Party, must all have the opportunity and freedom to speak.”
The third question posed was, “Is the idea of protecting a person from hearing viewpoints that they find offensive compatible with the project of education?” To answer this, Cammarano stated emphatically, “Hell no!” Fr. Bonaventure also stated, “Simply quoting authority won’t do. There has to be reasonable dialogue. You can’t just say ‘someone said this’ and assume it must be true! You have to tell me why. You have to deal with objections in order to learn.”
Overall, the event was well-received by the students who attended it, and the decorum was respectful and restrained. “While Providence College Democrats does not agree with the politics of Strobl, the main speaker from this event, many of the things said last night actually resonate with the condition of liberal or Democrat voices at Providence College,” said PC Democrats in a statement about the event.
“It is no secret that PC is a generally conservative campus, and liberal organizations such as PC Dems have found it very difficult to promote events or bring speakers on campus,” the statement continued.
The club went on to say, “Protecting Freedom of Speech is not limited to and should not be limited to preserving conservative voices but to keeping an open platform for all voices. We hope that moving forward, Providence College can move towards removing unnecessary barriers to political activism for all ideologies.”
Undoubtedly, every club, student, and professor can resonate with the message of free speech for every individual. For more information about Strobl, you can visit his website at www.GrantStrobl.com.
One Year Later: Juniors Still Wish to Live Off Campus
by The Cowl Editor on April 19, 2018
Campus
Administration Explains Their Decision Behind the Policy
by Brian Garvey ’20
News Staff
One of the most polarizing issues on campus in the past few years has been the off-campus housing situation. There have been plenty of debates concerning who gets to live off campus and when, with strong feelings on both sides of the argument.
This situation has also spilled over to the on-campus housing situations.The presence of more upperclassmen living on campus, as well as a steady rise in enrollment over the past four years, has contributed to an unhappy living situation for some students.
However, there are many misconceptions about the reasons behind restricting who can live off campus. There are three motivations for the change to the off-campus housing policy: the first being to increase revenue, the second being to make the campus the center of social life, and the third being to stick to the idea of being a purely residential campus.
In terms of revenue, Kristine Goodwin, vice president of student affairs at Providence College, stated, “We are a tuition-dependent institution, and the kind of revenue loss we were experiencing was significant. This was a primary reason for looking into the policy.”
The administration believes that the school should follow through with the idea of being a “residential campus,” in that students should be residing on campus and taking advantage of everything the campus has to offer.
“Our studies have shown that there has been an increase in participation and utilization in regards to involvement,” said Steven Sears, associate vice president and dean of students. “Some of that success varies on the individual too, in that if you don’t take advantage of what’s offered to you, you may never experience the positive impact of things we are providing.”
Another issue students have debated and discussed is the quality of residence halls. As stated above, the student population at PC has been on the rise, and as a result students have questioned why they are being asked to live on campus for an additional year. Joe McDonald ’20 said, “I feel that after two years of penance in residence halls I should be able to make the choice to move off campus. Sometimes I feel as if there simply isn’t enough rooms to go around.”
Jana Valentine, director of residence life, stated, “I think that there is a perception that there is not enough space for everyone, but we can accommodate everyone on campus.” Dean Sears also stated, “We are really looking to review our residence halls and the quality of our facilities.” The board of trustees will also be voting on a residential master plan this coming June.
Off-campus housing is mainly controlled by the 02908 Club, with very few different options. This is due to the quality of 02908 homes, as well as the location and recognizable brand; most students have a 02908 shirt somewhere in their wardrobe. Bob McCann, a head partner of the 02908 Club, stated, “Some of the most attractive parts of 02908 reside in the fact that you have access to the house throughout the summer and over breaks. I also feel that being off campus is part of the student experience, as I feel that the experience of being in your own nice house is unmatched.” Some students, however, feel that more off campus options would be more desirable.
“I really like the quality of the house, but it’s tough signing a lease in the first few weeks of sophomore year,” said Ryan Gallahue ’20. “Without the flexibility of being able to make decisions closer to senior year, it is tougher to choose off-campus housing over the simplicity of an apartment on campus senior year.”
Other students also expressed complaints over the early lease, and Goodwin stated, “We are fundamentally opposed to students needing to decide their freshman and sophomore years where and who they would be living with years later.”
Ultimately, the administration wants students to know that if students want their questions answered, if they want to suggest changes, the door is always open. “The student voice at PC is so important. When Jana [Valentine]says come to office to talk, she really means that,” Stanley Vieira, director of citizenship and off-campus life, said. “I’ve yet to see a Residence Life office that works so collaboratively with students. That’s just what PC does.”
Students are more than welcome to visit the residence life office, as well as talk to their respective hall directors about questions or ideas they have.
Tuition Increase Coming in Fall 2018
by The Cowl Editor on March 1, 2018
Campus
2018-2019 Tuition at PC Increases By 3.6 Percent
by Brian Garvey ’20
News Staff
Last week, the Providence College Board of Trustees approved a 3.6 percent tuition increase and a 3.2 percent increase in room and board for next year. Tuition has been on a steady rise for the past few years as PC has tried to maintain a competitive price in regards to other schools in the same relative region and price level, while also managing the costs of campus improvements.
In an email sent out to the general student body, Father Brian Shanley, O.P., stated, “We have seen a steady increase in the number of students who apply for admission in the Early Action or Early Decision pools, which is helping us secure commitments earlier in the admission process. In an effort to facilitate timely financial aid packaging for ‘early’ admits, a multi-year tuition and room and board cost plan is being developed. In addition, the Finance Committee continues to work with consultants from the Art & Science firm to maintain a market-appropriate price point for Providence College in relation to our peers.” The rise in tuition is not limited to PC, as tuition has been on the rise across the country for decades.
A large part of the rise in tuition is due to the discount rate. The discount rate is the percentage of tuition paid that goes back into student aid. For example, PC’s discount rate is approximately 37 percent, which means that for every dollar a student spends on tuition, 37 cents are given back into financial aid.
This 37 percent is an average, as not every student has the same discount rate. In comparison to similar schools, PC is consistently ranked seventh out of the 10 schools in their peer group in regards to tuition price, while also having the third highest discount rate. This includes schools such as Villanova University, Boston College, and Holy Cross.
John Sweeney, a senior vice president and the CFO of Providence College, said, “We try to price along to our peers, so when students are considering a college, they’re looking at our prices and determining that our price is not too high or too low. Part of our big strategy is staying within the middle of the pack.” While PC has a lower tuition than the majority of its peer group, it still is about $13,000 higher than the average tuition of a 4-year private college ($32,410 via CollegeBoard), and has a 7 percent lower discount rate than the national average (44 percent via CFO).
Another important component of the rise in tuition is the investment in the campus itself. The additions of new faculty, new technology, and new buildings have been a factor in the rise in tuition, as PC has been a flurry of construction over the past few years. However, the rise in tuition is mainly a result of financial aid. Sweeney stated, “Most of our financial aid is need based. We are spending overall about $70 million on financial aid, and our overall revenue at the college is about $210 million.”
PC has been strident in its attempt to stay in the middle of their peer group, as the school feels that too low of a tuition will result in the school being unable to deliver the quality expected of the institution, and that too high of a tuition will drive away prospective students.
Sweeney also said, “We are also really trying to increase our fundraising and building the endowment to increase the amount that is available in financial aid. Father Shanley wants to raise more money so that financial aid doesn’t have to come from tuition, but rather from generosity.”
The increase in room and board is the result of prospective planning for more upgrades and additions on campus. While the rise in room and board is linked to a consistent rise throughout the country, it is also to make needed improvements on campus. Housing on campus has been a hotly debated topic at the College over the past few years, and this increase is meant to address some concerns. Sweeney stated, “One of the big plans is the renovation of Aquinas Hall. That is definitely a huge one. Another one is starting to plan for the renovation of Raymond Dining Hall, as there is constant pressure on trying to improve the quality of the dining program. We have great leadership with Sodexo, and we are trying to figure out how to offer more options, like Eaton Street Café, while also managing costs.”
Ultimately, the rise in tuition and room and board will be put in place for next year. Students can hope and expect to see their money put to good use, as PC tries to make every effort to continue to build the institution up to greater heights.
Bursting the PC Bubble: Valentine’s Day Shootings
by The Cowl Editor on February 15, 2018
National and Global News
Shooting at NSA Headquarters
by Brian Garvey ’20
News Staff
On Wednesday, February 14, a vehicle attempted to force its way into the front entrance of the National Security Agency Headquarters in Maryland. After stopping the vehicle, shots were fired, but no injuries or fatalities related to firearms were reported. Three men were taken into custody, with the driver currently in the hospital due to injuries sustained during the crashing of the car.
An NSA police officer and a civilian onlooker were injured as well, but no serious injuries have been reported. The NSA is a national-level security agency and a wing of the U.S. Department of Defense. Specializing in global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes, the NSA has been riddled with political controversy over the tracking and storing of “metadata,” or the personal information of millions of citizens.
The FBI special agent in charge, Gordon Johnson, said, “We don’t believe there is a nexus to terrorism, we believe this was an isolated incident. We are still trying to figure out why they were there. We’re still in the fact-collecting business right now.” The driver and two other men have not had their identities made public, and the two uninjured men are currently under questioning with the FBI. At this point in time, the FBI has said that this is not an act of terrorism, but rather an isolated incident. Law enforcement sources told news sources that the suspects were not “targeting” the NSA or Fort Meade. It is unclear whether they were running from local police, but they ended up at the gate, crashed through it, and then tried to exit the gate. The incident shut down MD 32 in both directions at Canine Road during rush hour. Anne Arundel County fire personnel assisted the Fort Meade Fire Department and cleared the scene around 8:45 a.m. Maryland State Highway Administration reopened the road before 9 a.m. This is not the first time an incident like this has occurred at the NSA front gate. In May 2015, two people attempted to drive a stolen SUV through the front gate, resulting in one being shot and killed and the other injured.
According to the White House, President Donald Trump has been “briefed on the shooting” at Fort Meade. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected,” said spokeswoman Lindsay Walters in a statement. “We will continue to provide updates as they become available.”
Shooting at a Florida High School
by Gabriella Pisano ’18
News Editor
A shooting at a South Florida high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, marks the 17th school shooting in the United States in 2018. While the story is still developing, as of Wednesday night many were injured and at least 17 were killed.
After having a fire drill earlier in the morning, the fire alarm was again pulled at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14 when shots were fired at the high school in Parkland, Florida. Just last year, Parkland was named the safest city in the United States.
With a student body of around 3,000, the school was immediately evacuated. Some students and faculty locked themselves in classrooms while some left the building. The SWAT team and emergency responders rushed to the scene. Parents gathered outside the school waiting to hear from their children.
Fourteen-year-old Hannah Siren told a reporter, ”The people next door to us must have not locked their door. They all got shot.”
Nineteen-year-old suspect, Nicolas de Jesus Cruz is in custody. A former student of the high school, Cruz’s motive is still unknown. Jim Gard, a former teacher of Cruz, told the Miami Herald, ”There were problems with him last year threatening a student, and I guess he was asked to leave campus.”
Bursting the PC Bubble: A Review of the Larry Nassar Case at MSU
by The Cowl Editor on February 8, 2018
National and Global News
Student to Student, We Asked MSU Students What They’re Thinking
by Brian Garvey ’20
On Wednesday, January 19, Dr. Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison on charges of criminal sexual conduct. A former USA Gymnastics team doctor and sports medicine physician at Michigan State University who treated stars such as Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, and Simone Biles, Nassar has been accused by over 150 women in court. Before her ruling, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina stated, “It is my honor and privilege to sentence you. You do not deserve to walk outside a prison ever again. You have done nothing to control those urges and anywhere you walk, destruction will occur to those most vulnerable.” Yet the guilt does not lie solely on Nassar.
USA gymnastics has been accused of neglect and attempt to cover up the abuse. In a report by the Indianapolis Star, approximately 360 cases spanning 20 years were uncovered in which athletes accused coaches of sexual misconduct. The entire board of USA Gymnastics has resigned, and three members of the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors have already stepped down, including chair Paul Parilla and vice chair Jay Binder.
Three-time Olympic gold-medalist Aly Raisman stated, “I’m so angry that, after realizing that we were abused, they let him continue to molest other gymnasts when they told me there was an investigation going on. They told me to be quiet. I thought that they were doing the right thing, and I didn’t want to tip off the investigation. I trusted them, and I shouldn’t have.”
Michigan State University, Nassar’s former employer, has also come under fire. Former athletes have come forward saying that MSU showed the same disregard for accusations as USA Gymnastics. ESPN interviewed four women who said they told MSU coaches or trainers about Nassar as far back as the 1990s. Two of those women said that they told Kathie Klages, MSU’s longtime gymnastics coach, about Nassar in 1997. Klages resigned in February.
Maddie Desnoyer, a sophomore student at Michigan State, said, “I think both the students and staff are feeling disappointed and embarrassed with the way that the administration handled this Larry Nassar scandal.” She went onto say that this situation makes her very upset knowing that something this terrible and disgusting has been going on for so long. “This trial is going to follow MSU for years to come in a very negative way and this isn’t the reputation I want my university to have,” she said.
MSU president Lou Anna Simon resigned hours after the sentencing, deflecting accusations. The popular MSU athletic director, Mark Hollis, retired the following Friday. The controversy has also spread to MSU’s most vaunted sports, with beloved head football coach Mike Dantonio accused of negligence, and Hall-of-Fame basketball coach Tom Izzo also accused of covering up incidents.
As a result, MSU’s campus has been in a state of uncertain turmoil, with much of the student body angry and demanding answers. Eryn Van Der Hoeven, another student at Michigan State, voiced the discontent that many students feel, saying, “I think students on campus feel let down. There’s a lot at stake for students to hear that administration doesn’t have their back in terrible situations.”
Students have been clamoring for updates and answers, and the school has been attempting to be as open as possible about the investigation. Emma Frame, another student at Michigan State, explained that the school has overall kept its students very updated on what’s been going on. “I have had most of my professor’s talk about it in the beginning of class, and express their feelings on everything,” she said. “I have also received many long emails on the topic of the trial, ex-president Simon, and the victims from multiple people.”
While Nassar’s fate is very much sealed, the future of Michigan State University remains unclear. The university could be facing serious legal trouble, as the U.S. Department of Education and the NCAA have opened a formal investigation into the university. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is embarking on a “full review” of the Nassar case as well.
A Look at How Clubs are Created on Campus
by The Cowl Editor on February 1, 2018
Campus
What Students Do To Bring Their Club Dreams to Life
by Brian Garvey ’20
News Staff
Last week, Student Congress approved two brand-new clubs to be introduced on campus. The first club introduced will be the Excel Club, which wants to provide the learning experience that some students feel that the Computer Applications in Business class (CAB) does not provide. Connor Ayers ‘18, chair of the committee on clubs and organizations, stated during the hearing for the club’s approval that the club was “super organized,” and had “excellent plans to work with others.”
Originally founded on the feeling that the one-hour-per-week CAB class did not do enough, a group of students began meeting weekly. Soon, a group of 10 to 15 students were meeting religiously and decided to create the club to attract more members and expand their scope.
One idea proposed was to expand the help available to students majoring in non-business disciplines; for example, tutoring sessions for students in the biology department. They felt that CAB was not necessarily available to their disciplines and that they needed to be exposed to this vital skill in any sort of professional environment.
Arriana Arroyo ’20 said, “I definitely feel that there will be a lot of interest in this club, especially from the sciences. I feel like I don’t have a lot of Excel experience, and I would definitely love to really develop that skill.” Excel Club would also like to expand to help other organizations, like the Athletic Department and Student Council.
The second club, while vastly different, is just as promising as Excel Club: Music Production Club. Founded by Mark Healy ’20, Ayers stated during the club’s hearing that there was a strong interest generated and that “they had been meeting extensively on their own.”
Healy founded the club out of his own love for music, specifically rap. He writes and produces his own songs out of his dorm room, with several popular songs on SoundCloud.
Healy said, “Rapping, to me, is an outlet to perform that both makes me happy and relaxes me, and I want to be able to bring that to other people.” Healy went on to talk about how he wants to teach people the skills to produce their own music and hopefully give them an avenue towards the same satisfaction he gets out of making music.
One of his ideas was to meet at an off-campus studio so that club members can experience what it is like to be in a real studio and hear what their music sounds like through professional equipment. Healy added, “My end goal is to have a studio on campus. I feel like it is something the campus is missing, and I feel that it could be a huge benefit to the culture of the school.”
Healy also felt that his club could provide an outlet for all types of musicians. For example, many students on campus played an instrument in high school, yet cannot find the time to fit a lengthy instrumental class into their schedule. This club has a massive potential for success with this type of student, as it could be an outlet for their own musical ambition.
Tom McMahon ’20 said, “Being an accounting major, I find it tough to find time to play my saxophone. Maybe now that this club is available, I can bring it back from home and start to play again.” Be on the lookout for the Music Production Club; they could be performing at Providence College events soon!
These two clubs, while vastly different in their premise, have great potential to bring a new aspect of diverse learning experiences to PC. Interested students are highly encouraged to join, and beginners are more than welcome to test the waters. Undoubtedly, these two clubs will leave a great impact on its members and this campus.