Tangents & Tirades

by The Cowl Editor on October 31, 2019


Opinion


Photos courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.

 

Take the Challenge, Not the “Easy A”

As spring 2020 registration comes around the corner, students should focus more on what classes interest them rather than if the class is an “easy A.” 

The website RateMyProfessor.com has been a blessing and a curse for college students when deciding their class schedule. While it is nice for students to look up their professors and see what type of teaching style they have and other reviews, this can also limit a students full learning experience. 

Every student has a different teaching style that fits them best, and a lot of people can disagree about whether or not they enjoy a certain professor. For this reason, RateMyProfessor.com can be a waste of time and opportunity for many students. 

For some Providence College seniors, this upcoming spring semester can be the last time taking classes as an undergrad student. Therefore, students should take into consideration their interests or even challenge themselves to take a thought- provoking class instead of one that is boring or does not require attendance. 

Being a liberal arts college, PC offers a variety of very different courses ranging from the arts to the sciences and more. Students should explore other fields of study in their electives to broaden their range of knowledge and spark new interests. 

With class registration approaching in the coming weeks, PC students should consider other course options besides what is the easiest and focus on what can expand their learning and interests. 

—Marie Sweeney ’20

 

 

Photos courtesy of Public Domain Files and Pixabay.

 

Appreciating Underground Films

This year, the theatres have been inundated with blockbuster hits from Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame to the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Every few months, box office records are being shattered and people flock to the theatres to see the latest installment of their favorite franchises. While this record breaking year is certainly notable, the blockbuster culture has made it much harder for smaller, independent films to get the advertising they need. 

Films with smaller box office numbers tend to be showcased only for the few months leading up to the Academy Awards. Additionally, they have to spend much more money on advertising as a way to increase the possibility of a successful opening weekend. Because they often are not attached to a particular franchise, audiences will question if the movie is worth seeing. 

This phenomenon is particularly disheartening, especially considering the fact that these lesser anticipated movies are often the most celebrated films during the upcoming awards season. 

For example, last year’s Academy Award winner for Best Picture—Green Book—had a fairly dismal opening weekend in the box office. Though it had steady success and was obviously a masterful craft, the movie was not granted as much attention as sequels and extensions of already beloved franchises.

While these long-running movie series are a fantastic staple in our society, they often take away from the success of independent movies as a whole. 

—Julia McCoy ’22

 

 

Photo courtesy of clipart-library.com.

 

Clean Your Dirty Laundry (Room)

Doing laundry is a necessary part of living independently on a college campus. Yet, it is also a difficult part of living on a college campus and is often a burden. 

The laundry rooms for some buildings at Providence College are co-ed, which poses an awkwardness when people are moving clothes out of a machine. Some of the machines are also broken, which causes students to waste time when a load is not actually washed or dried. 

There is an unspoken rule at PC that when clothing is left after a cycle in a machine for too long, people move it onto a table to put their stuff in. But this becomes slightly uncomfortable in the co-ed laundry rooms when boys’ and girls’ clothing are sitting out in the open. 

People also tend to empty others’ clean clothing on the floor. This is appalling because those clean clothes are becoming dirty from the floor, and because boys’ and girls’ clothing are laying out in the open on the ground for everyone to see and step on. 

In certain buildings, Suites Hall for example, some of the machines are broken. Two of the dryers in Suites do not work, so students waste 50 minutes of their lives waiting for their clothes that actually are not even dry. 

PC needs to work on improving the laundry rooms by encouraging people to take care of their own clothing as well as others’ clothing, and by ensuring that all machines function properly. 

—Emily Ball ’22

Tangents & Tirades

by The Cowl Editor on September 26, 2019


Opinion


The Death of Cursive Writing

Cursive writing is a dying art. 

Formerly a widely practiced technique, cursive writing was designed to teach elementary school children how to write formally. Students often learn the basic alphabet first, and work their way towards being able to write full essays in this aesthetically pleasing font.

One of the more applicable aspects of learning cursive writing is the ability to cultivate a legible and professional signature, something that people often build upon once they learn the basics of the style. Unfortunately, with cursive becoming less and less common in elementary schools, children do not always know how to craft a classic signature.

It is not uncommon to accredit this unfortunate extinction of handwriting to a rise in technology. Whether through writing essays, letters, or even taking notes, the art of proper handwriting has become less necessary through the years.

To kill cursive is to take away from the individuality and creativity that accompanies this particular practice. Each student becomes accustomed to their own particular style and thus crafts a special signature unique to their hand. 

With computers, students are not given those same opportunities. And, as small as this may seem, computers hinder them from being as creative and hands-on as they have the potential to be.

To keep cursive from dying we must encourage students to take time away from the screen and give them the ability to refine and personalize their writing style in whatever way they choose. This personal touch makes the learning process much more entertaining and longer-lasting. 

—Julia McCoy ’22

 

AQ: A Commendable Second Choice

Every upperclassman knows the feeling of relief—and panic—once their housing decisions are made for sophomore year, since this is the first year that one has more freedom to choose about where to live. Of course, most people’s first choice is Suites Hall. But there are a lot more positives to living in Aquinas Hall than one might realize. 

Aquinas is considered a traditional dorm style building, as residents have one to two roommates and a shared bathroom with the floor. This living style is something that people take for granted. Passing other people on your floor, saying “hi,” and making small talk all helps with making friends and is probably the biggest part missing from living in Suites or apartments. 

Kenneth Fullerton ’22 said he felt rather lucky getting Aquinas because he knew a lot of people on his floor already. Fullerton says, “being able to walk outside of my room and see people that I already know and am friends with is probably the biggest plus.”

Fullerton said the lack of a kitchen and private bathroom was the biggest downfall in AQ: “I can’t really say too many negative things about living in Aquinas. I’m in a triple so I have a good amount of space, but I think the one thing I would really want that Suites has is my own bathroom and kitchen.”

While not getting Suites at the end of freshman year can be disappointing, just know that it is not as bad as you might think. Of course, the luxury of having your own bathroom and kitchen is indeed very nice, but there are still many positives to living in Aquinas. If sharing a floor with all of your friends or knowing you can make new ones by walking down the hall is not enough, just remember that you do not have to walk up the steps outside of Guzman and Accinno to get pretty much anywhere on campus. 

—Katie Belbusti ’22

 

Attend On-Campus Events

Bingo, bubble soccer, Black and White Ball—all of these events are put on at Providence College for students to enjoy.  

With such a wide variety of events and activities, students are sure to find something that interests them. PC students should take advantage of events on campus because they encourage a sense of community among the students and take away from the daily stressors of academics. 

By offering events that all students can attend, PC fosters a sense of community. School dances like Black and White Ball allow all students from all grades to join together for a night of dancing and socializing. 

“Going to events builds community, even if it’s just stopping by, because you never know what you might get out of that experience and who you might meet,” Kevin Rockwal ’22 said. 

Additionally, PC offers events that promote stress relief; Providence College Board of Programmers is offering a Late Night HIIT & Flow this coming weekend in order to encourage exercise as an effective stress reliever. Another popular activity at PC is late-night bingo on Thursdays, which allows students to hang out with their friends and forget the daily stresses of schoolwork. 

“Bingo is such a great way to unwind on a Thursday night after a long week and hang out with friends that are ‘regulars,’” Kate Donohue ‘22 said. “Plus, the free food and prizes make it a no-brainer!” 

PC feels like home because of fun events and activities that distract students from all the hard work college necessitates. Next time you see a poster for a PC or BOP event you are interested in, gather a group of friends and stop by!

—Emily Ball ’22

Spin Class Just Got Political: Why Boycotting SoulCycle is Counterproductive

by The Cowl Editor on August 29, 2019


Opinion


Exercise classes like spin, in which everyone participates at the same time, foster a sense of community. Nicholas Crenshaw ’20 / The Cowl.

by Emily Ball ’22

Opinion Staff

Exercising is the time where people are 100 percent focused on themselves and working to improve their well-being. Whether one prefers a long run, a class taught by an instructor, or a trip to the gym, exercising is a way to form a supportive community with other people. 

SoulCycle is a well-known community that unites people of all different backgrounds and values in a common love for exercise and inclusion. For this reason, many people are especially upset that one of SoulCycle’s investors, Stephen Ross, hosted a fundraiser campaigning for President Trump’s reelection. Now, people are choosing to boycott SoulCycle and Equinox, companies in which Ross is an investor.

However, boycotting SoulCycle is not an effective solution because, in reality, Ross does not oversee the function of the business, and the studios and company executives have never explicitly shown support for Trump. Instead, they promote inclusivity and openness, which are ideals that Trump is not known to promote. 

The main supporters of this boycott believe that taking classes at SoulCycle and Equinox is an endorsement of Ross’s political motives and approving of SoulCycle’s choice to continue a partnership with someone who has controversial ideals. 

“I’m very upset,” Evan Johnson, a New York native and SoulCycle desk attendant, said. “I feel like it goes against everything they tell people to work toward and all the values they say they promote. I think Mr. Ross should consider his constituency and the base which supports his business.” 

According to the New York Times, Stephen Ross is a chairman for the Related Companies, a real estate firm that holds major shares in both Equinox and SoulCycle. “The holding is divided among the firm’s partners, of which Mr. Ross is only one, making him a minority investor,” New York Times reporter Katherine Rosman said. 

Although Ross does hold a financial stake in both companies, he does not hold a functional stake. He is not in charge of the functionality of the businesses and his political impact is not present in the operation of the businesses. 

“SoulCycle in no way endorses the political fund-raising event being held later this week,”Melanie Whelan, the CEO of SoulCycle, said in a statement. “Mr. Ross is a passive investor and is not involved in the management of SoulCycle.” 

Aside from Whelan’s statement detaching the company from Ross’ personal values, the company also communicates its support for diversity and inclusion in other ways.SoulCycle celebrated Pride Month this past June. The company released a line of Pride-themed retail merchandise for purchase, and they also designed downloadable Pride posters for their riders to take to the various Pride parades occurring around the nation.

SoulCycle also held an array of Pride Rides throughout the month dedicated to promoting love and inclusivity. In fact, SoulCycle offered a 10-class bundle called the “Pride Pack” which donated a portion of its proceeds to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization committed to reducing suicide rates within LGBTQIA+ youth. 

“Other than being the best physical workout I have ever had, SoulCycle also pushes me to become more inclusive of others and treat everyone like a team member no matter their size, shape, color, or sexuality,” Lauryn Anthony ‘22 said. 

With Ross’ lack of impact in the day-to-day functions of SoulCycle, boycotting the business would not have any direct impact on Ross’ political actions, it would only make the employees and people directly involved in the company suffer. Furthermore, boycotting SoulCycle because of Ross also means sacrificing the positivity and inclusion that SoulCycle promotes. 

PC Students Scour for Finals Study Spots: The Best Places to Branch Out from the Deep Quiet Zone

by The Cowl Editor on May 2, 2019


Opinion


The Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies, located in Aquinas Hall is a quiet space for students to study for final exams. Brianna Colletti ’21/The Cowl.

 

by Emily Ball ’22

Opinion Staff

 

With finals season approaching quickly, Providence College students are scouring the campus to find their perfect study spot. Even with the smaller campus size, PC has a vast amount of study spaces for students to use.

Although the library seems to be the ideal spot for most students, there are many other spots that offer a more physically-appealing space.

Students, no matter their major, should feel comfortable studying at any academic building or study spot on campus. In fact, as an English major, the new science building is my favorite spot to study. 

Some may argue that there is a level of discomfort for students to study in an academic building if their major does not correspond with the classes in that building; however, everyone is there for the exact same purpose: to study.

“Even though I am a biology major, my favorite spot to study on campus is Ruane because I like to study in a classroom setting,” Maddie Guth ’22 said. “Nobody cares at all if a non-humanities major uses the study spaces in Ruane.”

With a large selection of classrooms, Ruane is the perfect spot for students who enjoy the classroom-like feel. 

For a more modern building and feel, both the Science Complex and the Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies offer new technologies and a more 21st century appearance. 

Although all students are able and welcome to study in these buildings, students with majors that have classes in those specific buildings should study there because it allows them to learn the information in the setting where they take their classes.

“I study in the business school sometimes because I have classes there and it helps to study there for the classes I have,” Kevin Rockwal ’22 said. “It is also a modern environment and you can get a nice, quiet spot upstairs.”

Nevertheless, students whose majors do not apply to these academic buildings enjoy and use them because they offer a unique space that differs from their typical academic settings.

“I am always studying in the science building even as a finance major because I feel most productive when I am there,” Sam Ciaburro ’21 said. “I think that mixing up the setting where I study works well for me. It helps me to study in a space that is different from my typical business classroom.”

Nevertheless, the library is still the ideal study space for some students who are unable to get work done in any other building on campus.

“The library is the only place where I will study because I get my best work done the quickest there,” Aidan Schifano ’22 said. “I find that there are minimal distractions there, especially with the deep quiet zones, which other buildings do not have.”

Because there are plenty of spots on campus to study, students have many options in choosing where to get their work done. Students with any major are able to study at any of the academic buildings, and they should experiment with different study spots across PC’s campus.

Tangents and Tirades

by Katherine Torok on April 4, 2019


Opinion


50% off sale tag

Ballin on a Budget

As a college student, money is scarce and often used for off-campus food and transportation. Naturally, shopping for clothes is not a priority for broke college students, but it is necessary.

In order to save money while buying clothes, many college students shop at discount stores such as Marshall’s and TJ Maxx that offer inexpensive, high-quality clothing.

Some may argue that these stores do not offer clothing that is as stylish as brand-name stores, but this is untrue, as department stores often carry name-brand styles and incorporate clothing that complies to current styles.

“The good thing about stores like TJ Maxx is that they keep up with the styles,” Lauren Petrillo ’22 said, “As a college student, I find it hard to find clothing that is stylish with a low price tag.”

Unlike name-brand stores, stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s offer multiple options in brands and styles. Instead of selling one type of clothing, these stores incorporate all different types of clothing from maternity to beachwear to nightwear.

“There is a variety of options at every store and a bunch of different brands all at discounted prices,” Cassidy Molinare ’22 said.

In order to save money for Postmates and Ubers into the city, college students should shop at discount stores that allow them to stay stylish at affordable prices.

—Emily Ball ’22

 

McDermott Boys Do Not Stink

There are several distinct smells around the Providence College campus—some more pleasant than others; however, the best smell on campus comes from a surprising source: McDermott Hall.

Yes, the all-boys freshman dorm is providing upper campus with the homey scent of clean linen, all while proving to their mothers that they are, in fact, still doing their laundry.

You can encounter the delightful smell behind McDermott Hall on the main pathway that runs from the Ruane Center for the Humanities to St. Dominic’s Chapel. While it is most prominent during peak laundry hours, it is a nice surprise for your nose.

Unlike the area between Raymond Dining Hall and the Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies—which has an indescribably horrid smell—the McDermott laundry room literally provides campus with a breath of fresh air.

Thus, McDermott is like an air freshener for upper campus.

In the few seconds that it takes to walk past the back of McDermott, you feel like you are being engulfed by a warm, freshly washed blanket.

Although you can find a similar smell emitted from the front of Suites Hall, McDermott’s central location on upper campus and its residents are what makes the fresh laundry scent even more enjoyable. How often can you walk past an all-boys freshman residence hall and think that it smells good?

While other parts of campus may smell, one thing is for sure: McDermott boys do not stink.

—Katherine Torok ’20

 

Fight the Flu and Wash Your Hands

Sickness spreads fast, especially when you live with and share a bathroom with 30 plus other people, or even just a few. As a courtesy to our fellow students, everyone at Providence College should add something quite simple to their daily routine: wash your hands!

It sounds like something a kindergarten teacher would say to her five-year-old students, but it is a problem on this college campus as well.

This season, like many others, the College has seen bouts of the flu, the stomach bug, and a plethora of other illnesses.

PC’s campus is small; once one person gets sick, it will spread. That is nearly undeniable.

Some students argue that these coughs and colds are unavoidable, that they are bound to happen. While that may be true in some cases, you can never be too safe. For that reason, it seems necessary to take precautions to prevent these ailments.

Not only is it an issue of sanitation, the handswashing issue is one of respect. Once you exit the bathroom, you are bound to touch doorknobs, elevator buttons, and many other objects.

If you are one of those people who enjoys going out while sick, take your peers into consideration: wash your hands, cover your mouth, be polite.

It is all really just a matter of courtesy and respect, we are all adults and we should understand the consequences of spreading illnesses, and especially how to prevent them.

—Julia McCoy ’22

The College Admissions Scandal: Parents Must Teach Their Children to Earn Their Success

by The Cowl Editor on March 21, 2019


Opinion


Like most colleges and universities, the University of
Southern California uses the Common Application. Laura Chadbourne ’20/The Cowl.

by Emily Ball ’22

Opinion Staff

 

SATs, ACTs, college essays—all of these things are crucial aspects of the college admissions process. Although this time can be stressful, the outcome is usually rewarding and well-deserved—an admission to one’s future college. However, for certain students with wealthy parents, the outcome was neither rewarding nor well-deserved.

Recently, dozens of celebrities and wealthy parents were revealed to have taken part in an illegal college scandal. “[The scandal] involved either cheating on standardized tests or bribing college coaches and school officials to accept students as college athletes—even if the student had never played that sport,” said Holly Yan from CNN.

The schools involved in the scandal included top-tier universities such as Yale University, Stanford University, Georgetown University, The University of Southern California, and The University of California Los Angeles.

Some argue that the students are as much to blame as the parents; however, many of the students were unaware of their parents’ involvement in this illegal activity.

For the kids—those who allegedly were unaware of their parents’ actions—this scandal takes away from their feelings of accomplishment and success and unfairly teaches them that they do not need to put in hard work to succeed. 

“I am upset that I was unknowingly involved in a large scheme that helps give kids who may not work as hard as others an advantage over those who truly deserve those spots,” said Jack Buckingham, son of youth-marketing expert Jane Buckingham.

“[Jack] did not know his mother allegedly paid a $50,000 bribe to have another student take his ACT college-entrance exam,” Julie Miller from Vanity Fair said.

The children that were unaware of this scandal are punished in two ways: their reputations are sullied, and they are hindered from feeling deserved recognition for their own efforts and individual hard work.

For one student, Olivia Jade Giannulli, her YouTube career and partnership with big brands are destroyed due to this scandal in which her mother, Full House actress Lori Loughlin, allegedly paid over $500,000 to have her daughters admitted into USC.

A Sephora spokesperson told CBS News, “After careful review of recent developments, we have made the decision to end the Sephora Collection partnership with Olivia Jade, effective immediately.”

Students should walk away from their college experience feeling proud that all of their hard work paid off. Throughout high school, most parents encourage their children to put in enough effort and work in order to accomplish their goals. For these students involved in the scandal, their parents are not teaching them the lesson that hard work pays off.

Litigator and crisis-management expert William M. Moran advises the students involved in the scandal to get “themselves a hardworking, regular job—as a waitress, waiter, something where they get an idea of what real work is, and then start over.” 

Moran’s advice replicates what good parents would tell their child—to work hard in order to feel accomplished. These children were never told that they need to earn their recognition, which is unfair and detrimental to their development as young adults.

Writer vs. Writer: Does Campus Look Better in the Winter or Spring?

by The Cowl Editor on February 28, 2019


Campus


Students sitting on Slavin Lawn doing homework.
When the weather gets warm in the spring, PC students migrate from the library
to Slavin Lawn or the outdoor classrooms to get their homework done. Nicholas Crenshaw ’20/The Cowl

by Emily Ball ’22

Snow, holiday cheer, sledding down the hills on campus—winter on a college campus is something indescribable.

As students get excited for the holiday season, school becomes more bearable and winter activities such as tree lightings and drinking hot chocolate occur.

The Providence College campus is more beautiful and far livelier during the winter season. 

People argue that the spring and summertime are better because it is too cold on campus during the winter months. However, the heat in the dorm rooms and academic buildings during the spring and summer is often intolerable.

“It’s pretty hard living on campus during the summer when the dorm rooms get very hot,” Lauryn Anthony ’22 said. “I definitely find it more tolerable when all the buildings cool down in the winter.”

With snow comes snow day cancellations, which are far more enjoyable in college.

When classes are cancelled, students have the opportunity to hang out with their friends who live in close proximity.

Further, the campus is full of excitement during the winter months as students who came from far away experience snow for the first time. First experiences are a big aspect of the college experience, and winter provides a first exposure to snow for many students.

During the winter, the campus becomes more dynamic as dorm rooms across campus blast Christmas music. Students are excited for the upcoming break and also for the holidays that are approaching, so the energy on campus picks up.

In contrast to spring and summer nights, students are outside during the winter nights to play in the snow and go sledding down the small hills on campus.

“A bunch of my friends and I brought a tube and sled down one of the little hills near our dorm,” said Maddie Guth ’22. “It was really fun to bond with my friends over such a fun night.”

With all of the holiday spirit and fun opportunities on campus, the winter season is far superior to the spring and summer seasons in college.

 

by Andrea Traietti ’21

Whether it is playing SpikeBall and KanJam in front of the Slavin Center, spreading a blanket on the quad to sit and chat with friends, or listening to the music blasting out of some open window in McDermott Hall, you simply cannot beat springtime at Providence College.

That is not to say that winter at PC does not have its benefits, like the lit fireplace in the Fiondella Great Room, the Christmas lights outside of the Ruane Center for the Humanties, holiday activities on campus, and maybe the occasional snow day if we are lucky.

But as the snow quickly begins to melt away into a slushy, dirty mess, the magic of winter melts away with it. We are left with nothing but grey sidewalks, days that get dark at 4 p.m., and freezing cold weather.

With spring, on the other hand, the benefits last longer than a few hours, and they have an even greater effect on the campus community.

On the first warm day of spring, everyone and everything seems to burst back to life, and this liveliness could not come at a better time.

With finals right around the corner, the warm weather and sunshine creates a mood of hopefulness and positivity that permeates campus and makes everyone forget about their exams and papers, at least for a little while.

And speaking of things that come back to life, the PC grass returns to its incredibly vibrant green color, the trees have leaves again, and flower buds pop up all over campus. It is hard to not feel enticed to go outside, and the fresh air after a winter trapped in stuffy dorm rooms is much needed.

The list of specific reasons why spring is the best season at PC could be 20 pages long. But the biggest reason is one that really cannot be described. Seeing everyone outside with their friends, relaxing, playing games, and listening to music on Slavin Lawn or in front of Aquinas Hall, there is simply a different energy on campus.

Amidst the business of jam-packed schedules, the fact that everyone takes a moment to slow down and gather together cannot help but make you feel like a part of the Friar Family and grateful just to be here at PC.

PC Parking Problem: Campus Security Must Prioritize Parking Spots for Students

by The Cowl Editor on February 7, 2019


Campus


Photo of parking lot outside Suites Hall.
Parking lots such as the one located behind Suites Hall is reserved for upperclassmen who purchased parking spaces. Photo courtesy of Steve Sydlowski/The Providence Journal

The debate surrounding whether or not students should have their cars on college campuses is omnipresent. 

There is an evident divide in the amount of schools that do allow cars on campus and the schools that do not: in the 2016-17 academic year, 46.8 percent of students brought their cars to campus. At Providence College, freshmen and sophomores are not allowed to have their cars on campus. 

The parking spots at PC are only for the staff as well as upperclassmen students; however, PC must create more parking spaces to allow underclassmen to have the option to bring their cars to campus. 

As of now, the issue is that there is a severe lack of parking spaces, even for the juniors and seniors.

“There are only about 400 spaces available for any student parking,” said Koren Kanadanian, chief of the office of public safety. “Each year over 1,500 juniors and seniors apply for parking so it has never opened up to freshmen or sophomores.”

For underclassmen at PC, Uber is their main source of transportation. They take an Uber to get food off campus, to pick up prescription medication at Walgreen’s, or even to have a huge shopping spree at the Providence Place Mall.

Although using Uber is convenient, it is an extremely expensive option for getting places, especially on a college student’s budget.

In fact, to Uber to Walgreen’s, which is only 0.4 miles away, it normally costs around $6. Not to mention, the Uber ride back to campus is another $6, making it over $10 round-trip—a ridiculous amount of money for such a short car ride.

Another option is the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). However, the buses are not always on time, and sometimes do not arrive at all.

Some may argue that if underclassmen have their cars on campus, they will be inclined to go home more frequently. Thus, they will have a harder time adapting to the college life.

However, this issue is only relevant for students who live in close proximity to campus.

Further, most students do not have the desire to use their cars to get back home, but rather want to use their cars to get food off campus, shop, or explore the areas surrounding campus.

In fact, having a car on campus would actually facilitate the adjustment process to college as students would be able to easily travel to popular spots around campus and explore new places. 

“One of my favorite things about going to school here is being near Providence and trying out the food, coffee, and shopping options in the city,” Maddie Guth ’22 said. “The only thing that makes it hard is finding a way to get into the city without spending a lot of money on transportation.”

Having a car on campus is convenient for students who live far away from campus so that they do not have to rely on methods of transportation, such as trains or buses, to get home.

Additionally, parents often have to drive a few hours to pick up their college student only to turn around and make the drive again.

“It would be more convenient for me to have a car on campus when it comes to going home for breaks,” Aidan Schifano ’22 said. “I live over two hours away from Providence, so it is hard for my parents to drive to pick me up and scheduling trains is so difficult and a hassle.”

Currently, PC does not even have enough parking spots for all of the juniors and seniors.

“I will be hiring a transportation and parking manager soon who will work with the college to address the current parking situation and look to the future to recommend transportation and parking programs to assist all students with transportation and parking needs,” said Kanadanian.

The school must work to find space for more parking spots, or accommodate transportation needs, to allow underclassmen to have easier transportation access while on campus.

Tangents and Tirades

by The Cowl Editor on February 7, 2019


Opinion


Poster of the Netflix show "You."
Photo courtesy of YouTube.

I’m Watching ‘You’

The new Netflix series that has secured many binge watchers is “You.” If you tell someone what show you are watching, you will literally say “I’m watching ‘You,’” which may just be the perfect double entendre in this instance. 

Without giving away any spoilers, this show is about a guy who aggressively stalks a girl, even after he becomes her boyfriend. While real-life stalking might not always be as extreme as it is in the show, the concept of cyber-stalking is one that teenagers, specifically, know all too well.

It is important to think about what you post and how you portray yourself once you have graduated and are on the job hunt, because all those pictures stay with you even when you think they are gone.

Upon meeting someone new, within minutes you can find information on their hometown, birthday, and their cousin’s dog’s favorite chew toy. If you truly think about how much of your life you make public for anyone to see, it can be scary. Anyone can find this information, not just the perfect stranger.

Teenagers do this mostly to learn everything about the cute someone in their XYZ class who sits three seats away from them.

Social media can be fun for portraying the best version of yourself, but it is also the way that you portray yourself to the world that you don’t know “IRL.”

Because of this, it is important to be conscious of how you present yourself online. You never know who might be on the other side of the screen.

—Katherine Belbusti ’22

 

To Remove or Not to Remove: The Laundry Debate

It’s 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning and you make the wretched discovery that you have finally depleted your supply of clean clothes.

Being forced to finally take care of the mountain of dirty clothes accumulating in your closet, you make the trek to the laundry room. However, you soon discover that the machine that you thought was available is actually full of wet clothes, as the person who used it before you failed to claim their load on time.

There is much contention about what the proper protocol is in a situation like this. Some people maintain that no one has any business touching clothes that are not their own. However, if your fellow resident is not mindful enough to remove their clothes on time, you should never feel guilty removing them to start your own load.

Laundry rooms are shared with all residents of the building, and it is selfish for anyone to assume that their lack of punctuality will not affect anyone else. There are only a handful of machines in every dorm on campus, so people must recognize this and plan accordingly when starting a load.

Laundry machines at PC tell you exactly how long it will take for a cycle to complete. It is not difficult to set an alarm to remind yourself when to retrieve your clothes. If someone is not responsible enough to do so, they cannot be mad if someone touches their clothes to use the machine that they were negligently hogging.

Please be considerate in the laundry room. And if others are unwilling to do so, do not hesitate to take matters into your own hands. 

—Kelly Wheeler ’21

 

The College Bookstore: More Than Just Books

As a busy college student, one rarely finds the time to leave campus to purchase groceries, toiletries, or more school supplies. 

Luckily, the Providence College bookstore has everything college students need, with the convenience of being located centrally on campus, so students ought to make use of these amenities.

Not only does the bookstore sell Friars apparel and textbooks, but it also has entire sections filled with essentials that students would otherwise have to go to an off-campus store to purchase.

The PC bookstore offers a wide array of snacks as well as a shelf filled with all of the necessary toiletries including toothpaste, shampoo, feminine supplies, mouthwash, and facewash.

With a wide selection of toiletry products, students do not have to leave campus to purchase these items at a convenience store or a pharmacy. As such, having all of these items at the bookstore on campus saves college students a lot of time and effort that would be spent leaving  campus.

Further, the bookstore’s selection of notebooks, folders, and binders helps students who need a last-minute binder for a new class, or did not have the time to go school supply shopping before coming back to campus.

Most students visit the bookstore solely to purchase clothing and books; however, students must become aware of the other items that they can purchase and take advantage of this convenience to save time.

—Emily Ball ’22

Success Starts with a Made Bed

by The Cowl Editor on January 24, 2019


Opinion


Admiral William McRaven’s “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World” was published in 2017. Photo courtesy of Medium.

by Emily Ball ’22

Opinion Staff

After waking up to an alarm in the morning, it is customary to lay back down and hit the snooze button a few times. When it is finally time to get up and get on with the day, most people start with getting dressed, brushing their teeth, or eating a balanced  breakfast. 

All of these tasks are necessary for a healthy morning routine; however, the most important activity to begin each and every day with is making your bed.

There are many reasons why making your bed is important, aside from the fact that there is nothing better than climbing into a made bed at the end of a long day.

Admiral William McRaven of the United States Navy explains the value of making your bed in respect to living out a fulfilling and productive lifestyle in his well-known speech “Make Your Bed,” which he delivered at the University of Texas at Austin commencement ceremony in 2014.

Admiral McRaven underwent six months of rigorous training to become a Navy Seal. During these months, he received physical training, mental training, and even training on how to successfully make his bed.

“Every morning in basic Seal training, my instructors, who at the time were all Vietnam veterans, would show up in my barracks room and the first thing they would do was inspect your bed,” Admiral McRaven said.

At first, Admiral McRaven did not see why his instructors put such a strong emphasis on this seemingly trivial task. Nevertheless, as time went by, he began to recognize the effect this routine had on his ability to achieve small victories throughout his day.

“If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another,” Admiral McRaven continued. 

Many people claim that they do not have enough time to make their bed in the morning. However, this simple task takes no more than a few minutes and will increase productivity and motivation throughout the day. 

The sense of purpose and accomplishment that people feel after making their bed is what drives them to work harder and harder to accomplish simple tasks throughout their days.

Further, the simple pride that one receives from successfully making their bed provides them with a sense of purpose even when things are not going so well in the bigger picture.

“Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right,” Admiral McRaven said.

Being able to successfully complete small actions is what gives people the ability and motivation to accomplish the larger and more time-consuming tasks.

Furthermore, after a difficult day at work or at school, there is nothing more comforting than having a made bed to come home to.

Admiral McRaven offers a very positive argument that highlights the powerful impact that making your bed can have on your day and productive lifestyle in the future. This is a message that everyone can benefit from.