Tag: Julia McCoy ’22
Tangents & Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on November 7, 2019
Opinion
The Benefits of DWC beyond the Classroom
This week, I watched a television show and thought of class.
That is not something you usually hear in an everyday conversation, but after taking Development of Western Civilization, many students notice a connection between what they learn in class and the real world.
The Good Place is a popular sitcom on NBC that focuses on the afterlife. It takes a fun spin on questions of ethics and morality that may otherwise be confusing or hard to grasp.While many viewers may have some prior knowledge of philosophy, Providence College students will notice many familiar names.
The knowledge of philosophy gained through the DWC program helps in more than just the classroom. From Socrates to Kierkegaard, The Good Place talks about many of the most famous philosophers of all time.
In fact, one of the first episodes makes a joke that PC students in their first semester would understand; Eleanor, one character, asks her philosophy teacher, “Who died and put Aristotle in charge of ethics?” To which, the teacher responds, “Plato.” (This joke can also be seen on a door in the philosophy department!)
References to philosophy are made not only in this show, but also in everyday life. Life certainly becomes more enjoyable when you understand what people are referring to when they mention The Republic.
Additionally, students often find it amusing to turn on Jeopardy! and have the skills to answer questions that leave others baffled.
So, who said Civ wasn’t fun?
—Julia McCoy ’22
Too Much “Tea”
Sometimes it appears as though every other sentence uttered on a college campus contains at least one reference to “tea.” While the phrase “what’s the tea” is not inherently one that promotes gossip and rumors, how it is used often does just that.
Approaching a friend and telling them that you “have the tea” gives the appearance that your information is the “inside scoop” on a particular matter, and this often pertains to another person. It is this context that turns a perfectly harmless and sometimes amusing phrase into an indicator of a conversation based on talking about others behind their backs.
Similarly, asking for “the tea” from a friend implies that this individual has some unique information about a person or situation, specifically something which is not widely known. Using the expression in this way betrays our culture’s obsession with discussing information that is not necessarily meant for our ears.
In an interesting parsing of expressions, “that’s the tea” does not carry the same connotation, as it is widely placed at the end of a declarative opinion statement that one views as the correct or right way to think about something.
If you use any of the “tea” expressions, do not think you necessarily have to stop doing so. However, the next time you hear some variation of “what’s the tea,” ask yourself whether it is inciting a gossip-fueled conversation or truly a light-hearted comment emphasizing a personal opinion in a discussion.
—Joshua Chlebowski ’21
Tangents & Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on October 31, 2019
Opinion
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
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
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
Making Space for the Politically Unaffiliated at PC
by The Cowl Editor on October 24, 2019
Opinion
by Julia McCoy ’22
Opinion Staff
With an election year on the horizon, it is not uncommon to hear politics being discussed on Providence College’s campus. In fact, there are many opportunities to do so provided by the College throughout the year.
Especially in a particularly polarized world, there are bound to be debates and conversations regarding politics at PC. One way for these issues to be discussed is through involvement in either Providence College Democrats or Providence College Republicans, the two clubs on campus with political affiliations.
PC Democrats and PC Republicans are great organizations that embolden party members and provide great outlets for students on campus who feel more strongly about politics than their peers. They are a great opportunity to run events on campus, including the debates, and helping with voter registration.
In these clubs, students are welcome to discuss their political views within a given party. Debates are held and students remain divided on most issues. But what PC does not offer is a club that disregards the party lines and discusses issues on a non-partisan level.
It is hard to imagine that many students—especially early on in their tenure at PC—have much experience with politics. Coming in at eighteen years old means that students have likely only voted in a handful of elections, if that. College should be a place to cultivate and discuss these beliefs.
But what about those students who do not yet have a political affiliation? Or those who do not fall fully on either side of the aisle? Many students may feel forced to “pick a side” in order to participate in these political discussions, but that should not be the case. There should be a place on campus that is willing to discuss issues in a less polarized manner.
Pizza and Politics, sponsored by the Board of Programmers and the political science department, is a great start to this initiative. It provides students who may not be involved in the political science department the opportunity to hear about today’s politics from experts.
This event, though it does not meet as often as a regular club meeting, helps students remember that there is a world outside of our campus, and that it is important to be involved in that world. The involvement of professors, however, makes the event seem more informational and less of a discussion than some students may like. Regardless, this event is incredibly important on campus as it gives students access to new perspectives.
In addition to Pizza and Politics, PC should offer a club for students to have similar types of discussions among themselves. The information and conversation students have with their peers may be more relatable and easier to understand. Similarly, students are often concerned with the same areas of issue and are able to discuss what they know with each other.
This would give students an introduction to politics and the ability to craft opinions and arguments that they had not yet been privy to. It can also be an important way to remind students of the world outside of campus, one that is defined by political struggles.
In today’s society, due to the intense polarization of party lines, many people are choosing to register with no party affiliation. Oftentimes, students feel pressure to choose a party because the media showcases the two parties as one or the other. It is important for people to know it is completely normal to have inclinations toward both left and right ideas, and this should be celebrated on and off campus.
Those students are in need of an outlet as well. Though they may have strong thoughts about politics, they may not be able to choose which club—PC Democrats or PC Republicans—is most suitable for their opinions. PC should encourage these conversations as much as possible and make sure that students are engaged in the politics around them.
After graduation, students will be entering into a world where issues such as politics are discussed in daily life. A college campus is a great setting to practice these discussions and craft your own personal opinions and affiliations. The College should offer more places in which these ideas can be discussed without feeling pressure from either side of the aisle.
Democracy Depends on Voter Participation, Not Just Registration
by The Cowl Editor on October 3, 2019
Opinion
by Julia McCoy ’22
Opinion Staff
Sept. 24 is National Voter Registration Day in the United States, a day to encourage citizens, and especially young people, to register to vote.
Though it is not necessarily intended to, this day tends to focus on college students and campuses more than anywhere else. Endorsed by organizations on campus such as Student Congress, a booth was set up in the Slavin Atrium to encourage voter registration across campus.
While this event and other reminders to register are fantastic, they do not necessarily lead to any change. Providence College, as well as all institutions across the United States, should continue this advocacy as actual elections approach.
Voter registration is a key step in preparing to exercise civic duty, but it is simply not enough to make an impact. The statistics, in fact, have proven that higher registration rates do not correlate with higher voter turnout, especially among students.
For example, approximately 75 percent of students on PC’s campus are registered to vote. This is a relatively high number, due in part to those events sponsored by campus organizations. However, in the 2018 elections, only 26.6 percent of PC students participated in the election. While this is relatively higher than the turnout in 2014—coming in at only around 15 percent—it still pales in comparison to the national average of 39 percent across college campuses.
The dismal numbers that come from PC are discouraging and should be changed. The question is, what are the causes of this small turnout?
One thing to consider is distance. Oftentimes, students will be discouraged from voting due to the arduous application processes for absentee ballots. Students often struggle with various loopholes that include strict “no mistake” policies or rules that prevent students from participating in absentee voting unless they have already voted once in their registered town.
Another option is to register in Providence and participate in the city’s elections. This often creates controversy within college towns as students can make up a large percent of voters in that town. While this is not necessarily significant in presidential elections, city council elections would certainly feel the pressure of a student-run electoral force more than anyone else.
When done successfully, either option engenders an easier path towards voting access. Students would have the option to send in their vote or cast their ballots on or around campus. These accessibility options could drastically increase our productivity as a school.
The College is required to make a “good faith effort” towards registering students to vote, according to the Higher Education Act. Unfortunately, that is as far as the mandate requires. As such, the College has no obligation to encourage voter activity and elections are not broadcasted as well as they could be.
The Higher Education Act is a phenomenal start towards the progress that this country needs in terms of elections. Historically, elections have been determined by those older than 65. These citizens tend to be much more active than any other age group. This act is a first step in the right direction in increasing voter turnout.
PC certainly provides that good faith effort towards voter registration that they are mandated to put forth. The student body is in great hands here, as organizations such as Student Congress and both the Providence College Democrats and Republicans take strides toward voter encouragement every year. Thus, if the Higher Education Act were expanded to recommend that the same “good faith effort” was applied to the actual civic duty of voting, the College would certainly perform quite well.
Another issue with college student apathy toward voting is the sentiment that midterm elections are not important. Regardless of the election type, students should constantly be reminded of upcoming election dates. Midterm elections have had historically bad voter turnouts because they are seen as inconsequential. Turning a blind eye to these crucial elections is almost worse than abstaining from a presidential election.
A president is nothing without his Congress. The media often draws much more attention to presidential elections, and rightfully so, due to their national impact. However, congressional elections can swing the House of Representatives or Senate to lean for or against the president’s party, which has an incredible impact on the progress of legislation.
If the College, or even universities across America as a whole, take it upon themselves to encourage voting as much as they do registration, the country will benefit. Voter turnout will increase across the board, and elections will become much more representative of the country’s entire population. And it starts on each individual campus.
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
Tangents & Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on September 22, 2019
Tangents
Donut Debate
Considering Providence’s abundance of small donut shops, the question must be asked: which is superior, Allie’s Donuts or PVDonuts?
Does accessibility play a role in this decision? It is clear that most Providence College students have easier access to Allie’s Donuts, as you can find a small selection in Eaton Street Cafe and the Ruane Cafe. This association makes it hard to believe that there could possibly be anything better out there.
But there is. PVDonuts is located a few miles away from campus, making it less known to students who have yet to venture into the city. But it is worth the trip. Rather than the conventional and traditional donut tastes of Allie’s, PVDonuts provides a wide selection that ranges from a classic blueberry donut to flavors such as Cosmic Brownie and the Girl Scout classic Samoa.
With an ecclectic selection, PVDonuts certainly wins points for style. While they offer traditional flavors as well, it seems that those who trek to this shop prefer to try the flavors that they cannot find anywhere else.
However, if you are a donut traditionalist, so to speak, Allie’s focuses on perfecting these conventional flavors rather than exploring the eccentric.
Although I lean toward the flavors offered by PVDonuts, it would certainly be blasphemous to not recognize the striking image of a sprinkled donut from Allie’s sitting in a display case.
So, while PVDonuts offers a spunk and uniqueness that is not matched by Allie’s, it is important to respect the perfection of tradition. I, for one, have to choose the spunk.
—Julia McCoy ’22
Tattoos and the Next Generation
Tattoos have traditionally been taboo in the workplace, as there has been a stigma associated with visible ink. It is assumed that if you have a tattoo, you also have a certain personality type. More specifically, people with tattoos tend to be associated with trouble or are perceived as being unprofessional in formal workplaces.
This commonplace concept tends to dissuade people from getting tattoos, even in the face of wanting to express themselves in a permanent way. Does it not seem wrong that self-expression via art on the body leads to unavoidable stigma?
However, this trend seems to be changing. According to Psychology Today, “47 percent of millennials have tattoos, in comparison to 36 percent of Generation Xers, and 13 percent of baby boomers.”
Even looking at the student body at Providence College, it is not uncommon to run into people with visible tattoos.
Each new generation seems more inclined to make the decision to have these permanent pieces of art inked on their bodies. Could this be the generation to end the stigma around tattoos in the workplace? Will there no longer be rules against having visible tattoos in formal workplaces by the time current college students receive their first full time jobs?
—Savannah Plaisted ’21
Tangents & Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on August 29, 2019
Opinion
Give Bingo a Go
Everyone has hobbies to occupy their time when they are not in class. Although many students enjoy playing sports or creating art, fewer students think to enjoy a game of bingo in their downtime.
Typically held in McPhail’s, the Office of Student Activities & Cultural Programming hosts weekly bingo on Thursdays for all students.
Multiple rounds are played each night, allowing for several students to leave with one of many exciting prizes based on that week’s theme.
Whether it is an assortment of snacks from Grocery Bingo or Providence College gear from Friar Fanatics Bingo, the payout can be very rewarding.
Even if you experience bad luck, you can still win in other ways. Free food is available every time, ranging from pizza to donuts to desserts.
Additionally, bingo night is a great way to catch up with friends. There are countless opportunities for you and your friends to recap your weeks in between rounds.
Bingo night is also the perfect venue to make new friends, as you can bond over the shared agony of losing by one square.
If you have a big exam on Friday, bingo is an excellent way to break up the monotony of studying the night before.
Even if you have an 8:30 a.m. class on Friday, celebrate the end of the week with bingo. You will return to your dorm early enough that you will not sleep through your alarm the next day.
Although you may not decide to become a regular, give bingo a try at least once this semester. Even if you do not win, you will still have a lot of fun.
—Kelly Wheeler ’21
Sustainability at School
There is a new wave of products being introduced to the public as we become increasingly more concerned with saving the environment from man-made issues. So how can we continue these efforts on Providence College’s campus?
Having a reusable water bottle is a great first step. Wherever you are on campus, there is a water bottle filling station within just a few feet. Reusable water bottles, therefore, become an essential, as they provide easy access to water and less need for single-use plastics—a true win-win situation.
Another easy way to make your daily routine more sustainable is by bringing a reusable cup to Dunkin’ or Ruane Cafe. This small effort of creating less waste will surely add up over time.
Remaining environmentally friendly in the dining areas on campus is also fairly simple. To continue maximizing your opportunities on campus, consider using the reusable cups in Alumni Dining Hall and avoiding plastic cutlery.
Always keep an eye out for groups on campus that advocate for environmental improvement. Most notably, PC Go Green is at nearly every campus event handing out metal straws and informational packets on ways to help out.
Recycling is also encouraged on campus. Each room is provided with a recycling bin and each trash room in the residence halls is equipped with a large recycling bin. Be sure to separate your trash from items that can be recycled in order to do your part to help our campus be as green as possible.
—Julia McCoy ’22
Co-Ed Housing Creates Stronger Community
by The Cowl Editor on May 2, 2019
Opinion
by Julia McCoy ’22
Opinion Staff
Regardless of what school you attend, freshman year is full of adjustments. Here at Providence College, those adjustments do not end after the first year.
Students in their second year are finally able to live in the same building as their peers of the opposite gender. For the first time, they will be walking by people in the hallways and sharing a laundry room with people they had not encountered before in this setting.
At first glance, this obviously appears to be a liberating and fun experience; but just how much adjustment does it take?
For some, the laundry room seems to be one of the biggest concerns. When asked about this subject, Abigail Pruchnicki ’22 said, “It’s definitely going to be an adjustment. And I’m sure, too, that it will always be busy in the laundry room.”
Socializing and being able to have easier access to your friends’ rooms is, to most, a major improvement. Instead of having to wait for them to open the door to a building for you or sign you in at night, students are now able to walk down the hall and see their friends.
The most notable features of both Suites Hall and Aquinas Hall are the magnificent study halls that the two buildings boast. These areas provide great opportunities for group studying with your peers and new neighbors.
These study rooms create a sense of community that is lost on freshmen. Of course, students have the opportunity to go to the library or a collaborative study room, but nothing tops the convenience of being able to stay in the same building that you live in to work on a project.
Within the last year especially, freshman students were limited on their shared study spaces, even within their own all-girls or all-boys dorms. For example, McVinney Hall lost its study rooms in favor of four extra dorm rooms to accomodate for overenrollment.
Some students have noticed a lack of community in their first-year dorms this year, and it appears that the lack of communal areas may have contributed to this fall. “It would be nice to have a big space to hang out with friends. I’m looking forward to that next year,” said Pruchnicki.
The College’s admissions levels seem to be always on the rise, and for this reason it is not unreasonable to believe that new dorm buildings could be a possibility if the trend continues in the coming years.
That would, of course, raise the question of how the building will be set up. Would the half-and-half style of Aquinas prevail, or would the school opt for more traditional single gender dorms?
Most likely, this decision would depend entirely upon the gender distribution of the students entering.
Regardless, being able to foster and cultivate relationships with the peers that you share a dorm with is integral to any college experience. It is important to feel comfortable and at home in your building.
As rising sophomores, it is important to consider this adjustment when we move in next semester.
Without a doubt, the first hurdle has been jumped. Nothing can beat the awkwardness and anxiety that freshman year contains. Whatever we go through now, it will be as a community.
Tangents and Tirades
by Andrea Traietti on April 4, 2019
Opinion
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
Captain Marvel Smashes Stereotypes: Why the Female-led Film is Important for the Future of Marvel
by The Cowl Editor on March 21, 2019
Opinion
at a screening of the movie in Washington D.C. on March 7. Photo courtesy of Af.mil.
by Julia McCoy ’22
Opinion Staff
In its over 10 year run of hit blockbuster films, Marvel Studios had not released a female-led superhero movie until the premiere of Captain Marvel this March. This monumental moment has set a new tone for the production studio and will likely bring serious change, as it marks an important movement for society, particularly women.
Marvel, as a whole, has included women in leading roles in their films for many years now, including Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, who has appeared in nine films to date. The company, however, produced only male-led films for the first 10 years of its prolific tenure.
Captain Marvel, starring Academy Award winning actress Brie Larson, was the best choice for Marvel’s first female-led superhero film. Her storyline not only fits perfectly into Marvel’s current timeline, which is gearing up for another big release with the final Avengers film in April, but it also introduces and highlights a strong female character in more detail than we have seen before.
Captain Marvel’s best friend and copilot in the film is also a woman. The role she plays, though not the lead, is important as well. Lashana Lynch plays Maria Rambeau, a single mother and retired Air Force pilot who takes care of her daughter while agreeing to help Captain Marvel.
Rambeau is an integral character in the film, not only for the role that she plays, but also for the significance of her character. Portraying a powerful single mother in a film is not done often and this role can resonate with so many women across the world, empowering them as women who can do whatever they want.
What is truly spectacular about this film is that it does not focus on the female aspect of the story. There is no particular need to emphasize the challenges that Captain Marvel faces because she is a female. What the film seems to portray instead is the undeniable strength shown by this new hero.
The lack of attention regarding her gender influences young viewers immensely. Instead of having to say that women are equal to men, or for her to have to fight for equality, Captain Marvel simply displays her power in a confident way that implies all of those things.
Many young women in particular are taking this movie to be a mantra for their lives. Seeing a woman doing what only men have done before is empowering. A similar phenomenon emerged after the release of DC Comics’ Wonder Woman in 2017.
It is gratifying to see the influence of movies such as these, and this positive outlook will hopefully continue in future films.
As with so many films, of course, there was some backlash when it came to reviews. An outbreak of internet trolls posted a plethora of negative reviews on the popular website Rotten Tomatoes; the film received a score of 33 percent from regular audience viewers as compared to an 81 percent critic score.
Upon further review, it appears as though the negative reviews came from accounts who posted scathing reviews of other female-led films such as Ghostbusters (2016) and Ocean’s 8 (2018). In addition, many male Marvel fans were reported to have negatively reviewed the film before it was released, due to an animosity for a female-led film and for Larson’s remarks about wanting a more inclusive press.
Whatever the case, the movie is a smashing success in the box office, as it has made $600 million worldwide in just over a week.
The impact of this movie is possibly more significant than the movie itself. It sets a precedent for the inclusion of strong women in future films and for an increased significance of their roles in group films, such as Avengers: Endgame.
Captain Marvel is a film that will continue to teach young women that they are just as powerful as men, and that their stories can be told in the same way. There does not have to be a distinction between the way a male superhero and a female superhero tells his or her story. Everyone can be powerful.just as powerful as men, and that their stories can be told in the same way. There does not have to be a distinction between the way a male superhero and a female superhero tells his or her story.
Everyone can be powerful.