Tag: Bridget Blain ’19
Check Your Awareness: Mental Health Events on Campus Need More Student Attendance
by The Cowl Editor on November 8, 2018
Campus
by Bridget Blain ’19
Opinion Staff
Every day millions of people deal with the realities of struggling with mental illness and college students are no exception.
Considering how stressful college life can be, it is crucial for students to be given resources that provide information on dealing with mental health and learning the importance of self-care.
Events held on college campuses, such as the ones at Providence College this past month, do not always garner the attendance that they should.
This is upsetting, as it suggests that the stigma surrounding mental health is still prevalent, and as a result, students may not be willing to seek out the help that they need.
In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week, which was the first week of October, PC hosted a number of events throughout the month to help bring awareness and work to break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Clubs on campus such as Active Minds are constantly working to create events that raise awareness about mental health issues.
These on-campus events focused on topics such as mental health, mindfulness, and self-love, but all received low attendance.
Perhaps students do not want to attend an event focused solely on an issue they do not relate to. However, many workshops and events focused on how to have healthier relationships and build self-esteem, which are subjects that everyone can benefit from learning more about.
One of the most well-known events held on campus during Mental Health Awareness Month is Fresh Check Day. One of the benefits of Fresh Check Day is that since it is so interactive, students who attend are directly engaged in the topics and are able to have important discussions with fellow students. Fresh Check Day covers a wide variety of topics surrounding mental health, and everyone that attends can learn something new.
All students should feel comfortable attending these type of events—wanting to learn how to better take care of yourself is something to be proud of.
Events such as Fresh Check Day should not only be held during a certain month. Students should be encouraged to constantly take care of their mental well-being and help destigmatize mental health through more mental health events.
While significant progress on how students discuss mental health has been made, there are still misconceptions and a general lack of awareness on campus.
Students may feel shy about speaking publicly about mental health or ashamed of how they feel which may hold them back from opening up about what they are experiencing.
According to the American Psychological Association, colleges across the country have been seeing an increase in students who seek out counseling by 30 percent between 2009-2010 and 2014-2015, so it is imperative that students are educated on the signs of mental illness, not just for themselves, but to help their fellow students.
Events held on college campuses that focus on mental health are not extremely valuable because students can be exposed to ideas and topics that are as openly discussed in the public sphere.
In order for students to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health, all students should try to attend these events.
Normalizing discussions about mental health will be much easier if we all offer support to the clubs and individuals who work to put on these events.
Tangents and Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on October 25, 2018
Opinion
Time to Learn Climate Change
Last week, a report released from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change detailed the devastating impacts that global warming has on our planet, and will continue to have unless serious changes are made.
The effects of climate change are wreaking havoc on our planet and it is only going to get worse.
Thinking about how devastating climate change will prove to be in the future is scary, but it is important to start making effective changes now while we still can.
This is not a problem that can be dismissed or ignored any longer, and becoming educated on how to combat climate change is more crucial now than ever.
We do not have to radically change every aspect of our lives: small and simple changes to our everyday lives will eventually make a big difference. Recycling, using less electricity and water, and buying and using less plastic are all easy changes that really do make an impact.
Even bringing reusable cups and straws to a coffee shop makes a difference. We are all responsible for taking care of our planet and making sure it is the best it can be for future generations.
There are no longer any excuses for not being educated on what to do about climate change, and ignoring it will certainly not make this problem go away. We owe it to ourselves and to each other to protect this planet in any possible way we can.
-Bridget Blain ’19
McVinney Showers Need to Cool It
Due to the outdated water system in McVinney Hall, girls have no control over the water temperature, for when the valve trim may be set to cold, the water can unexpectedly become boiling.
It is a known fact amongst McVinney residents that if someone flushes the toilet while you are showering, the water temperature will increase rapidly, burning your skin.
One hack that residents have learned is that the last two showers on each floor, for some reason, have a somewhat controllable temperature, resulting in a constant line to use them.
Showers are supposed to be relaxing, and one could expect that at least we would be able to control the temperature of the water, but thanks to the dysfunctional water system, that becomes an impossible task.
Last Thursday, McVinney’s water system further proved its incompetence as it stopped operating entirely. With 38-degree weather, it was a burden that all the showers had cold water.
However, to try and alleviate the problem, FixIt worked rapidly to fix the problem, and by Friday at 10 a.m. the water system had been fixed. Nevertheless, this was only a solution to the immediate problem, and it did not solve the long-term problem that freshman girls have encountered while taking showers.
-Angela Bueso ’22
Bring Theme Cuisine Back
When the theme station was removed from Raymond Dining Hall, there was supposed to be less traffic, more space, and overall a more open and welcoming atmosphere. However, after nearly two months without it, this has prove not to be the case.
The theme station was well known for its grilled cheese bar, turkey club quesadillas, and other dishes students had a particular affinity for. While these foods will occasionally be featured at the main station, we no longer have the daily option of trying something new.
Instead, our choices are limited to sandwiches, pizza, pasta sauté, and whatever is being served at the main station.
Rather than improving traffic in Ray, the removal of the theme station has made every other line for food significantly longer. Students have to wait twice as long to order a sandwich at lunch.
Oftentimes, there will even be a line outside the door just to swipe your card and enter the dining hall. This used to only be the case on Thursdays for chicken nuggets, but now we have to wait a few minutes just to get inside at peak lunch or dinner time.
With 100 extra students admitted this year, it seems counterintuitive to remove an entire station in the dining hall.
For many students, the meals offered at the theme station were a favorite and provided a satisfactory alternative to the same food that is usually served.
-Hannah Paxton ’19
Tangents and Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on October 18, 2018
Tangents
Treat Yourself to a Good Cry
Midterm season is upon us. With so many assignments, deadlines, and responsibilities quickly approaching, stress is inevitable.
There are lots of great ways to reduce some of the tension that you may be experiencing, such as exercising, meditating, or setting aside some time to watch an episode of your favorite T.V. show. But don’t forget the one way to de-stress that is often negatively characterized: having a good cry.
Many people are hesitant to shed tears, but there is a lot of benefit in letting yourself release your emotions.
If you do not acknowledge how you are feeling internally, you will most likely find it difficult to focus. Your mind will be overwhelmed with various thoughts and worries that may prevent you from accomplishing what you need to. Although tears won’t write your papers for you, they can help clear your head and make you more productive.
In fact, the University of Utah installed “The Cry Closet” in their library last spring so their students could have a safe space to experience the cathartic effect of crying. Students can go into this closet for 10 minutes at a time, allowing them to privately release their emotions and regroup before returning to their work.
Even though we don’t have a designated place to cry here at Providence College, you should still consider having a good cry wherever you can when your stress level increases. Whether it be in your dorm room, the shower, or an empty classroom in Feinstein, let it out!
-Kelly Wheeler ’21
Appreciating Fall in New England
Now that we are in the midst of autumn, it seems as if everyone is spending their weekends going apple picking or visiting pumpkin patches with their friends.
It is hard to go on Instagram and not see someone posting about all of the chai tea they are drinking or the apple cider doughnuts they are eating during all of their relaxing, cozy fall weekends. But two crucial aspects of being fully immersed in the fall season are weather and time which, for the most part, are out of our control.
As a college student, it can be hard to find the time to take out of your weekend to go apple picking or to do any other quintessential fall activity.
When you spend most of your time in the library studying for midterms, it can be hard to really get into the fall spirit. Additionally, New England weather is known for being extremely fickle. It seems that this time of year is either unseasonably warm or cold and rainy.
By the time the weekend rolls around, burnout from the previous week, combined with unpredictable weather, can make it difficult to feel like Halloween and Thanksgiving are right around the corner.
Despite the struggle of balancing homework and socializing, along with planning activities around the unpredictable weather, fall is arguably the most beautiful season in New England and it’s important to get outside and enjoy all that the season has to offer.
It can be as easy as going for a walk or lighting a fall-scented candle (if you live off-campus, of course). Appreciate this season before it’s gone. Soon enough we will all be complaining about the snow and sub-zero temperatures.
-Bridget Blain ’19
Combat Academic Burnout
In the midst of midterm stress, it’s important to find some time to free your mind of the compiling thoughts of school work. Mental health is very important to maintain, regardless of how much work you may have. It’s important to take time to yourself away from the schoolwork for even just a few minutes.
Take some time to hang out with your friends. Watch a movie. Do a face mask. Take a yoga class and learn how to focus only on meditation, even if it is only for for an hour or two. Doing puzzles and Sudoku can also keep your mind engaged.
It’s understandable to want to focus only on work for 24 hours a day, but going nonstop can make you wear out much faster than normal. Of course, it’s important to get all of your work done, and that should always be the main priority, but taking time to focus on yourself and your emotional well-being is an important factor of college as well.
Extracurriculars are another easy way to give yourself a designated break from study time. In this case, you give yourself a scheduled time to do something other than schoolwork for at least one hour every week.
Intramurals are the easiest way to do this. Grab some friends and pick a sport. This way, a team of you can combat your busy schedules by hanging out together in an activity that takes your mind off of work.
Clubs, sports, or even just Bingo night or a night in with friends can give your mind the rejuvenation it needs to continue to succeed academically. It is so much better to give yourself time off than to find yourself burnt out from an excessive amount of work.
-Julia McCoy ’22
Exploring Post Grad Options: Going Abroad
by The Cowl Editor on October 4, 2018
Opinion
studies abroad each year. Photo courtesy of Global Studies at Providence College.
by Bridget Blain ’19
Opinion Staff
Last Tuesday afternoon, an informal information session regarding abroad opportunities for Providence College graduates was held by Joseph Stanley, the dean of global education.
During the information session, students were informed about the process of applying to graduate schools abroad as well as the process of applying to the Fulbright Program.
While the event was mainly advertised to students who studied abroad during their time at the College, all students were welcome to attend. This provided students with the occasion learn about moving abroad—a viable option for those who are uncertain about their future.
As a senior who studied abroad last year, I was thrilled to learn more about the opportunities to study abroad again. It can feel overwhelming to not have concrete plans for life after graduation and this session was perfect for a student in that situation.
I was slightly afraid that I would leave the session feeling more confused than ever, but I left feeling the complete opposite. The information that we were given was extremely helpful and I left confident that the global education a will be a great resource throughout the year.
It seems like every college boasts about their study abroad programs, offering up impressive statistics of how many students go abroad to potential students during campus tours.
Once you are in college, there are study abroad fairs and information sessions for interested students to attend.
When you return from studying abroad, however, the conversation seems to stop. Opportunities to go back abroad to work or study after graduating are not nearly as advertised as opportunities to go abroad as an undergraduate student. The information session held last week was a great opportunity for students to learn more about what steps they need to take to successfully apply for graduate school or jobs abroad.
The session was also beneficial for students who may feel completely lost when it comes to planning life after graduation and simply want information about possible career paths.
Of course, it is not necessary to have studied abroad during your undergraduate year to pursue opportunities to study, work, or volunteer abroad post-graduation.
Any student, regardless of travel experience, should feel confident in seeking information about what possibilities are available after graduation. If you chose not to study abroad during your time as an undergraduate student, but now have a desire to experience life in a different country, there are still plenty of opportunities to do so.
The global education office here at PC is a great resource for any student interested in pursuing opportunities abroad, no matter how concrete or developed your plans are.
Although thinking about life after graduation is often overwhelming, it is in every student’s best interest to attend some sort of information session or event regarding post-graduation opportunities that sparks their interest.
Whether you decide to pursue an opportunity abroad or not, it is important to explore all of your interests and passions and see where they lead you.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to furthering your education or pursuing job opportunities in a different country, but as any student who has studied abroad will tell you (and I’m sure they have, many times), it may just be the best decision you ever make.
Her Voice Matters Too: Female Students Feel Silenced in College Classrooms
by The Cowl Editor on September 20, 2018
Opinion
by Bridget Blain ’19
Opinion Staff
As the #MeToo movement continues to bring the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual assault in professional and academic environments to light, women still often find themselves being discouraged from using their voice.
The most recent public example of this silencing occurred when Serena Williams was charged with the violation of “verbal abuse” during the 2018 U.S. Open Women’s Championship last week when she defended herself against a charge of “coaching.”
This recent event involving Williams brings up the ongoing issue of women being silenced by men.
Silencing women does not just happen on the large scale, but in our very own daily lives, especially in the classroom and workplace.
Gender stereotypes affect women in academic settings from the time they are in elementary school until they graduate college.
Young girls, particularly those who have an interest in entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, face many biases from teachers and male students.
An article written by Soraya Chemaly published by Time Magazine in 2015 noted that in 2014 “rates of girls taking STEM-related advanced placement tests reached a record low,” and that, “In two states not a single girl (in some states there were also no boys of color) took the Computer Science AP.”
Despite the significant advancements women have made in terms of receiving equal education, women are still often boxed out of certain fields.
There is also a noticeable difference between male and female students when it comes to how students ask or answer questions in the classroom.
It is far too common to see female students in the classroom begin their answer to a question with “This may be wrong but..” or “I’m not sure if this is right but…”
Oftentimes female students find themselves starting emails with, “I’m sorry to bother you but…” But why should asking a professor for help be something to apologize for?
It is rarer for a male student to preface their answer with such doubt or with an apology.
Unfortunately, as Williams’ recent controversy reminds us, the silencing of women continues into the workforce.
An article recently published by Bloomberg, written by Felice Maranz and Rebecca Greenfield, features research done by Prattle, an automated research company, requested by Bloomberg.
Prattle found that, “In a study of more than 155,000 company conference calls over the past 19 years, Prattle found that men spoke 92 percent of the time.”
One of the reasons for this is that women simply do not hold as many higher-up corporate positionas as men do. But this data also suggests that even if women are supposed to be involved in discussions, they are being interrupted by their male co-workers.
Maranz and Greenfield also write that, “Studies have found that men talk more than women in all kinds of group settings, including school board meetings and the Supreme Court.”
These findings validate the experiences that women like Williams are publicly speaking out about.
Far too many women experience being silenced or being treated differently in their profession solely because of their gender.
Women everywhere should use Williams as an example to show that they do not deserve to be treated any differently, nor do they need to speak any differently.
Williams is a role model for anyone who has felt silenced or disregarded because of their gender, race, or sexuality, and her now infamous quote, “You owe me an apology,” is the new rallying cry for all who feel silenced.
Because of women like Williams who dare to call out sexism and injustice when they see it, hopefully more women and minority groups will feel confident in demanding the apologies and respect they deserve.
Tangents and Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on September 13, 2018
Opinion
Give Students More PC Prints
Any alternative to buying over $200 worth of textbooks per semester seems worth it. This includes printing out packets of reading for every class.
Initially, $40 worth of PC Prints appears to be more than enough to cover five classes. But before you know it, you find yourself adding money by the third week of the semester.
While it is a tremendous help to students to be given money to cover printing costs, it is unfair for those who might take four or more classes that contain a hefty amount of reading.
Many students prefer to have physical copies of their assignments so that they are able to mark the paper and make notes. However, this becomes impossible when they use up their $40 within the first couple of weeks.
Students who major in subjects such as English, history, or political science often have extra readings on top of textbooks, and with two or three classes a week, the cost becomes significant.
In order to better assist students with this predicament, it would be helpful if they were given more PC Prints at the beginning of each semester.
This would help to alleviate any stress that comes along with having to mentally budget the amount of money students can spend for each class or week. The $0.08 cents per page does not seem like a lot, but over time it adds up.
-Hannah Paxton ’19
Don’t Stress About Senior Events
Senior year of college is notorious for being the most fun and laid-back year. However, at times, the stress and chaos can be overwhelming.
Whether you are trying to find a balance between studying for the LSATs and spending quality time with your friends, or choosing between doing homework and picking out the insane amount of outfits that are needed for Senior Ring Weekend, it is a lot for any Providence College student to handle.
Senior year is full of exciting events, however, it is almost too easy to get caught up in the stress of preparing for it all that these events can become difficult to actually enjoy.
It is hard not to get caught up in the little moments of stress when homework is piling on and the countdown to SRW is getting shorter and shorter, but this is when self-care is crucial.
Sometimes we all just need to take a break. This is true at any point in the semester, but especially so in the beginning when you are so excited to be back that you just want to dive in and say yes to every opportunity.
In order to really enjoy every moment of college, we all need to be the best, least-stressed versions of ourselves.
Try not to panic when it starts to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day for you to get everything done.
Take a step back and treat yourself to something that helps you relax. The world would not stop spinning because you took a break to watch your favorite show for an hour or two.
-Bridget Blain ’19
Serena Williams Speaks Out
“I have never cheated in my life,” she said. “You owe me an apology.”
Serena Williams spoke these words to the chair umpire, Carlos Ramos, while competing in the 2018 U.S. Open Women’s Championship final this past weekend.
Her comments, delivered directly to the umpire while she was on the court, earned her a warning and set off a series of other penalties for the tennis star—including a point penalty and a game penalty. In total, Williams was fined $17,000.
Her comments are raising critical questions about the fairness of the rules of tennis, and moreover about the discrepancies in how women—especially women of color—and their male counterparts are treated.
If Williams were a white man, like tennis player Novak Djokovic, would her actions have incurred the same penalty, or any penalty at all?
It is critical that we continue to ask questions like these, because they apply not just on the tennis court, but in real life as well. Now is not the time to ask whether Williams’s so-called “outburst” occurred in the appropriate forum or if her comments were delivered in the wrong place and the wrong time.
Where and how she delivered her comments should not distract from the real social problem at hand, nor should it detract from the valuable lesson this incident offers.
In the end, Williams was just a woman in her own workplace, and she spoke up against what she rightly viewed as an injustice. In that way, her bravery and boldness are things we can all learn from.
-Andrea Traietti ’21
Raysing the Bar: Changes in Dining Hall Improve Campus Atmosphere
by The Cowl Editor on August 30, 2018
Campus
by Bridget Blain ’19
Opinion Staff
A quintessential part of being a Providence College student, particularly during freshman year, are the daily meals at Raymond Dining Hall.
Ray is one of the few spots on campus that most students visit at least once a day. Needless to say, Ray becomes a very comfortable place for PC students.
As each academic year goes by, students become increasingly familiar with the meal options that Ray provides.
While the current freshman class has no past experience at Ray to compare to the updated look, upperclassmen will almost certainly be a bit taken aback when entering Ray for the first time this semester.
The most noticeable addition to Ray are the symbols on the windows that can be seen when first entering the dining hall. These symbols indicate each food station that Ray has to offer.
For example, the Comfort Foods station is represented by a crossed fork and knife, the grill is represented by a flame, and so on.
Finding the exact food station you are looking for has now become very simple: just find the corresponding symbol on the wall above the station.
At first glance this does not appear to be a significant change, but with the chaos that can be found in a crowded dining hall, any sort of organization is helpful.
Hopefully, the new display of symbols will assist freshmen who may be overwhelmed with the mayhem of mealtime at Ray.
Long gone are the days of everyone bumping into each other because we just cannot seem to remember which station is which.
Returning students will also notice that the interior of Ray has been painted electric green and bright yellow, a noticeable and positive change.
This is another relatively simple alteration that can make a big difference. A new color scheme helps enhance the feeling of new beginnings that the fall semester brings, a sentiment shared by most students at this time of the year.
Painting the walls of a dining hall may not seem noteworthy, but it is enough to make returning students take a step back and realize that small changes can add up to create a new atmosphere in a familiar setting.
These small changes will contribute to student appreciation for how willing and excited PC administration is to constantly improve the campus and make all of our lives a little easier.
Leave Malia Obama Alone: Media Should Focus on More Pressing Issues
by The Cowl Editor on November 30, 2017
Opinion
by Bridget Blain ’19
Opinion Staff
It can sometimes be easy to forget that a person in the public eye is still a real human being who can be very negatively affected by what is said about him or her in the media. It is even worse when the person being speculated about did not actively choose to be in the public eye in the first place.
This is what happened to former first daughter Malia last week when videos of her smoking at a college party surfaced on social media and quickly spread. Malia was suddenly on the front page of virtually every major news outlet and was being talked about on social media. It seemed as though the world had forgotten that Malia is just a 19-year-old college freshman who did not choose to be the daughter of a former president.
Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka Trump both came to Malia’s defense on Twitter. Chelsea and Ivanka, representing both sides of the political spectrum, both emphasized that Malia’s personal life should be off-limits to the media, and she should be able to live a normal life as a private citizen. Especially in today’s political climate, it is telling that both first daughters agree that the recent focus on Malia is uncalled for and inappropriate.
Chelsea especially has insight into what Obama is experiencing, as she was only 13 when her father was elected president. Just because a child is living in the White House does not mean he or she should constantly be under observation and face public scrutiny.
This is not the first time a video or photo of Malia has been leaked to the media. Both Malia and Sasha Obama have been photographed at college parties and at music festivals. There is absolutely no reason that the personal lives of the daughters of a former president should be front page news.
Malia and Sasha did not ask for their father to become the president and now that their father is out of office, their privacy should be respected. It is a total violation of privacy to release photos of a young woman who did not have any choice in becoming a public figure. Malia was only 18 years old when her father left office and has every right to be a normal college student. While Malia’s peers and the media cannot ignore that she is the daughter of a former president, her father’s political role does not mean that all of her personal moments should be put on display.
There is not a single college student who would want all of their personal moments, whether positive or negative, to live on the Internet forever. The children of presidents do not ask for their family to be put in that position.
Coming to the defense of Malia Obama is something that both sides of the spectrum should have in common, as the statements made by Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka Trump show. This is not a political issue, but a responsibility to respect the privacy of a young woman who did not ask to be in the spotlight in the first place.
Time to Take Climate Change Seriously
by The Cowl Editor on November 9, 2017
Opinion
by Bridget Blain ’19
Opinion Staff
Climate change has quickly become one of the most significant and pressing world issues. The impacts of climate change are becoming more and more obvious and destructive.
On Friday, a report released by the U.S. Global Change Research Program stated that humans are the largest cause of climate change. The irony of this report is that it contradicts the beliefs of the Trump administration.
During Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and so far during his presidency, Trump has frequently downplayed climate change, claiming that it is a hoax.
Trump even went so far as to announce that he planned on withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, an international climate change agreement.
More recently, the Trump administration announced that they will work to end the Clean Power Plan, which was created by the Obama administration in an effort to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions.
The White House appears to be doing everything in its power to prevent any possible progress that could be made in creating more options for clean energy and stopping any further damage to our climate.
Trump has been focused on saving the fossil fuel industry, which he often promised to do while he was campaigning. It was, therefore, not too surprising when the announcement was made about ending the Clean Power Plan.
According to an article published by USA Today titled, “As globe warms, Trump doubles down on fossil fuels,” the Clean Power Plan “would undoubtedly result in less burning of coal, the dirtiest fuel. But coal was already in decline—with or without new environmental regulations—as utilities embraced cleaner-burning natural gas and alternatives such as wind and solar.”
Trump’s climate team ending the Clean Power Plan shows how dangerous their complete denial of climate change will be. Trump is attempting to save an industry that is already declining and has proven not to be the best option.
The Trump administration would rather promote the fossil fuel industry instead of considering the impact that humans have on the environment. The climate report released on Friday also shows how dangerous Trump’s views toward climate change are. It is hard to believe that the Trump administration will be able to deny climate change for much longer.
The White House would be wise to take the findings of the report issued by the government seriously. Urgent action needs to be taken if there is going to be any hope in alleviating the damage that has already been done due to our environment and to prevent further chaos.
It is troubling that the findings in this report, which was ultimately released by the White House, directly contradicts what they have claimed about climate change. In order for any progress to be made, Trump and his climate team need to seriously consider the harmful effects that climate change has had on this planet, and what will continue to happen if action is not taken immediately.
In light of this report, it is crucial that the White House admits the impact that humans are having on the state of our planet, and urges the U.S. to take responsibility. If Trump continues to ignore the findings of this report, it is scary to think about the consequences we might face.
Tangents and Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on November 2, 2017
Opinion
Save Water -Turn Off Sprinklers
Throughout the past couple of months, Providence has experienced a few rainy days here and there. Although these stormy days often bring a sense of gloom and despair to campus, they allow for the various foliage around Providence College to be thoroughly watered, free of charge. From the trees outside of Suites Hall to the weeds growing around Calabria Plaza’s construction site, campus always seems rejuvenated after a nice rainstorm.
Yet, PC does not believe that a couple hours of steady rain provides enough water for the grass on Aquinas Quad.
In order to make sure that every inch of the AQ Quad gets thoroughly soaked by water, all sprinklers turn on regardless of the weather. It does not matter whether there have been light showers throughout the night or if it is been down pouring since the early morning; the AQ sprinklers always go off.
This is a big problem, especially if PC is making small steps towards becoming an environmentally conscious school.
In general, watering grass uses an extraordinary amount of water. In order to properly water a 10-foot by 10-foot section of lawn, you would need just over 62 gallons of water. To put this idea into perspective, it would take around 103 gallons of water to properly water a notoriously small McVinney dorm room. Just imagine how many McVinney rooms fit on the AQ Quad—a whole lot.
Although it is nice to see how much PC cares about its beautiful lawns, the AQ Quad does not need to be manually watered by sprinklers as it is being watered naturally by the rain. It is not only a huge waste of water, but it also just looks a little absurd.
-Katherine Torok ’20
Trump Needs a New Approach
On Thursday, President Trump declared the current opioid crisis in the United States a public health emergency, but many take issue with his approach.
One of the most significant criticisms of Trump’s decision is that there will not be nearly enough funding made available to assist with research and medical care. Without this crucial funding, it is unclear what impact this decision will have on those suffering from opioid addiction.
It is troubling that it has taken the Trump administration this long to address the severity of the opioid crisis and to declare it an emergency. It is unclear how much this decision will really help those who are in desperate in need. At this point, extra funding from the government is the only way to make significant progress in helping those struggling with addiction. It is scary that getting this funding will now take more time or may not happen at all.
Much more needs to be done if Trump is going to end the opioid crisis during his presidency. Thousands of Americans die every year from opioid overdose and without the proper funding for treatment and prevention, the death toll will only increase.
Communities will continue to be affected without the proper financial and medical attention that, at this point, can only be implemented by Trump. The Trump administration needs to realize that while declaring a public health emergency is a good start, it will not be nearly enough in the long run.
-Bridget Blain ’19
PHOTO COURTESY of Nashvile NACE
Be Mindful of Food Waste
Last week, Raymond Dining Hall took on a “Clean Plate Challenge” for a day during lunch. Students were encouraged to only take food they would eat, and to finish all of their food, thus becoming a member of the “Clean Plate Club” and helping to limit Ray’s food waste for that meal. In front of the dish return area were buckets full of food that students had taken but never ate. The piles of food proved that Providence College has a problem when it comes to food waste.
The Clean Plate Initiative is a great way to combat this problem. With the help of the Sodexo Staff, PC is able to donate all of the food that is left over, but nothing can be done with the food that students take, but never eat. Ultimately, this leads to a lot of food waste, which is neither environmentally nor economically friendly. There is not a way to limit the food that students take for themselves or to institute different portion control options, but the Clean Plate Initiative can serve as a great reminder for students. Even though the actual program was only set up for a day, perhaps posters or reminders set up in Ray could help encourage students to limit waste on a daily basis.
We all have moments where our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, but if PC can embrace the Clean Plate Initiative and students can remember that the food they do not eat will go to waste, we can make our campus a more economical and environmentally friendly place.
-Andrea Traietti ’21