by The Cowl Editor on September 28, 2017

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Opinion

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Let Commuters Park on Campus

This may not come as a shock, but there is a very small percentage of student commuters at Providence College—three percent to be exact. Perhaps there is a reason for this minute statistic. Commuting to any college is difficult, but this is especially true at PC. Previously, parking was already a highly debated topic. However, with the construction of the Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies, a significant amount of student parking was taken away. Commuters are able to park in three lots on campus: Anderson Garage, Glay Lot off of Eaton Street, and Fennel Hall Lot. Although this is a generous amount, the issue is that two of these lots are also used for resident students. Therefore, because these students live on-campus, their cars are rarely ever moved, especially during the day while students are in class. How are commuting students supposed to park when there is no turnover?

The only way around this is to dedicate a parking lot solely to commuters. The Anderson Garage is also often full with faculty and staff cars because it is a much shorter walk than parking in the Fennel Lot. Parking on the street is another option, but everyone else has already thought of this, and there are usually no spots left. There is always the option of taking an Uber to school, but doing this round-trip every day gets to be very costly. After doing the math, it actually equates to more than the full-time, year-round parking pass. Even though there is a very small amount of students who live more than a half a mile away from campus, we do exist. So, PC, please hear our message. This way I can avoid being late to class (again and again) after driving all over campus for a half hour to find a spot —and even then I sometimes don’t and have to park on an insecure side-street.

-McKenzie Tavella ’18

 

 

Respect the Quiet Zone

For those Providence College students who venture to the Phillips Memorial Library to get their studying done, I have a message for you all: keep the “Quiet Zone” quiet.

On many nights, I have come to Club Phil to escape the noise of Slavin, the commotion of my apartment, or the disruptions of the Ryan Center for Business Studies—only to find myself just as distracted by other students talking, texting, and using their phones in the “Quiet Zones” of the library.

While these noises and distractions may be acceptable in certain parts of the library, the “Quiet Zone” is not one of them.

The labels of the “Quiet Zones” throughout the library promise students sitting in these areas the peace and silence they deserve to study and focus.

But far too often, these labels go ignored as more and more students sit wherever they want, use cell phones with complete disregard for those around, and watch videos on their laptops, without headphones, at noise levels far too high for any library setting.

Students wishing to talk and text while studying need be more cognizant and respectful of where they choose to study. Library staff similarly should be more aware of the noise levels in these areas and not hesitate to enforce them through friendly reminders (or even a “Shh” now and then).

As a place of reading and study, the library should first and foremost promote an environment conducive to students’ learning and focus, and this starts with “Quiet Zones” that are actually quiet…

-Sarah Kelley ’18

 

Too Early For Christmas

Now that the end of September is near, excitement for colder weather and fall festivities is in full swing. It seems that every month in the fall and winter has a holiday that those who celebrate wait for in intense anticipation. But there is something strange about getting too excited for a holiday too soon.

For example, there are few things more disheartening than walking into a store in July and seeing the back to school section set up and fully stocked. It is also not uncommon to walk into a store in September and see Halloween or even Christmas decorations on display.

These premature holiday displays this time of year feel just as unnecessary as back to school displays in July. There is no need to the rush the anticipation of a certain holiday or event. It becomes more and more difficult to appreciate the present moment when holidays that are months away are constantly being advertised. No one needs to be thinking about how they are going to decorate for Halloween in August, or even in September.

There is plenty of time to decorate and get excited about holidays as they become closer. When the anticipation begins months in advance, it usually either becomes too hard to maintain or the expectations for the holiday become too high.

There is nothing wrong with preparing and being excited for a celebration, but no one needs to see Halloween or Christmas decorations every time they enter a store months and months ahead of time. Whatever month or season we are in should be appreciated while it is happening, not spent in anticipation for a day in the future.

-Bridget Blain ’19

by The Cowl Editor on September 21, 2017

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Opinion

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by McKenzie Tavella ’18

Opinion Staff

We are now in our fourth week of classes, which is pretty hard to believe. For seniors, though, we are merely days away from Senior Ring Weekend, which involves a lot of preparation.

Some might think of this as an exciting time, but I am here to set the record straight: this is a week full of stress.

The first thing girls have to deal with is making sure that their dresses are all ready. Some got them hemmed, while others scanned the Internet for online deals and are waiting for them to be delivered.

We all know this in itself is stressful because of how busy our campus mailroom is. Or if you were planning on wearing a dress from home to save money? If you are anything like me, however, you forgot it at home and had to go home over the weekend to get it.

Then you start second guessing your dress decision entirely. Is this too dressy? Is it okay to wear two black dresses back to back? And finally, will people notice if I just wear my prom dress again?

These questions evoke unnecessary stress for countless girls. When there are so many other things to be preoccupied with, especially as a senior, are these feelings of worry, and even anxiety, really worth it? The pressure that girls face in preparation for SRW is similar to that of a high school prom.

We must not forget about the boys. Tuxedo rentals are not only expensive, but if you rented through school, there is only a two-hour time slot in which you can pick them up this week.

What if you’re in class or at practice? You ask your friends and find out that they happen to be busy from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. as well; shocker, as it’s the middle of the day and there is always something going on at Providence College at this time. Many would argue that it is worth the rental discount, though.

On top of all of these SRW concerns, girls then have to ask themselves when they will find time to do their nails, get a spray tan, get their hair and makeup done, etc. All of these things begin to pile up.

The guys have to find time to order and pick up corsages, just as the girls have to do for boutonnieres. This custom seems more like a high school tradition than something seniors in college should be participating in.

As if all of this was not enough, we all have to handle our workloads as well. School doesn’t stop for SRW. Of course it would be nice if our professors, knowing it was Senior Ring Weekend, would lighten the workload, but I think we can all agree that’s not going to happen.

When it comes down to it, the torture of SRW only lasts a few days, hopefully leading to a weekend of memories.

by The Cowl Editor on August 31, 2017

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Opinion

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by McKenzie Tavella ’18

Opinion Staff

Each year, returning to the Providence College campus is different than the previous one. This is especially true for fall 2017 due to the countless renovations that are occurring.

Although the construction last year proved to be an annoyance to many students, between the early hours of loud jackhammering and the constant waiting for a tractor to cross the road before getting to class, most students agree that the burden of construction was well worth the benefits of the new buildings and landscapes on campus.

For example, construction of The Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies is one of the most major changes the PC campus has recently experienced. From its spacious atrium to the state-of-the-art classrooms, this building attracts business and non-business students alike for its modern layout and open design.

However, with this major architectural endeavor came huge construction undertakings as well. And while the construction did take considerable time to finish (and took away precious parking spaces), the end result  brought many more benefits than burdens for both students and faculty.

From the quiet study spaces it provides—with many students describing the Ryan Center as a “second Slavin”—to the late night meal options offered, it has catered to students’ needs and expanded both studying and dining options on campus. And despite interrupting many students’ sleeping schedules with noise pollution, this new addition to campus has definitely proven its worth.

Two other changes catching the eyes of Friars on campus have been the redesign of Huxley Gate as well as the landscaping of Guzman Hill. With a revamped stone structure and a picturesque path, the new Huxley Gate unifies our campus layout. Guzman Hill’s transformation also includes new steps connecting upper and lower campus, bringing not only a major physical change, but also an emotional change to campus.

While not everyone experienced the frustration of these various construction projects during the summer, those who remained on campus during this season did. It brought about even more tractors, bands of yellow caution tape, and orange construction zone signs.

Undoubtedly, the last few months were strenuous to say the least, but all the agonizingly early mornings paid off given the end product.

Despite all the inconveniences, we should all consider ourselves lucky. Students no longer have to make the burdensome trek up Guzman Hill in a last minute rush to class.

Nor do we have to concern ourselves with cars speeding by in our travels between lower and upper campus. The process towards a refurbished PC campus definitely took its time, but fortunately for us, we get to experience the amazing end result.