by Maria Mantini ’26 on March 19, 2026

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Opinion - Society

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As I approach the end of college, the benefits of social media have become even more apparent. My mother graduated from Providence College in 1988, and while she remains in touch with her close friends to this day, it was measurably more difficult for them to keep track of each other. With no cell phones, email, or internet, they would receive an occasional letter or phone call to check in as everyone started their new careers and next steps. There are some members of her graduating class that she has only recently reconnected with on Facebook or at reunions.

On the other hand, most people in our generation have had access to social media since their early teen years. When opening up Instagram, I still have posts that will pop up from people I went to middle school with, or a post on someone’s story will prompt me to reach out to someone I haven’t spoken with in a few years. Gen Z is among the first to have connections that span from childhood to adulthood in this way.

Despite the benefits this connectivity offers, I often find myself going down the rabbit hole of entertaining content made by people I don’t know instead of looking at posts from friends. If I have 10 free minutes before heading to my next class, it is all too enticing to open up the Explore Page on Instagram and choose from a screen full of videos curated to my specific interests, all but a small amount of which are posted by people I do not know and do not follow.

Finding that most of my time online was eaten up by looking through posts that offered nothing more than 30 seconds of entertainment, I decided to give up my Explore Page for Lent. Maybe if I were unable to mindlessly click through videos, I would spend more time interacting with friends, both on and offline.

However, within the first few days of Lent, I realized that I did not miss my Explore Page, but not for the reason I had hoped. While I didn’t have the option to look over and click on the posts that I wanted, my feed was essentially offering me the same content; all I had to do was just keep scrolling. As I open the app now and take a look at my feed, out of the first 10 posts, three are accounts I follow, three are ads, and four are posts marked “suggested for you.” The category with the largest percentage of space in my feed is posts that Instagram deemed I might like, not anything that I am choosing to look at.

Of course, the rationale behind this discovery is simple: the more people see content they like, the more they keep scrolling, and the more they keep scrolling, the more space there is to sell to advertisers. Instagram makes the majority of its money by gathering engagement from its users, which is why it is free to make an account. I am sure most have heard of the algorithm used by social media companies to analyze your engagement with content and give you suggestions that will keep you scrolling. Everything, down to the order of the posts on your screen, is arranged intentionally to fuel engagement.

That is not to say that these algorithms are entirely bad. Suggested content has allowed users to discover new recipes, activities, and helpful accounts they would have never otherwise come across. When suggested content has become the vast majority of our feeds, though, I argue it is time to call it into question. While I do not claim to fully understand the way social media algorithms work, I can say for certain that these companies are taking into account the way you interact with their platform. Next time you look at your feed, consciously notice what you are being shown and make a choice about what you want to interact with. Trying to fully shape your feed is a losing battle, but every move you make online is a message to tech companies about what you want to see.

by Grace Pappadellis ’29 on March 19, 2026

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Opinion - Society

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I don’t necessarily endorse the hackneyed phrase: “If he wanted to, he would.” I also don’t see the benefit in gendering such terms, as no person is bound to a certain relationship restrictions. I am a young woman, I want many things, and I do them. If I don’t want something, I won’t give it my energy, unless it is required of me. However, I find it true that the absence of effort will lead to the absence of an ideal or well-rounded relationship.

Thoughtful humans seek companionship in all its forms. When my father shares stories about his friends growing up, I can feel the compassion carefully threaded through his words as memories infiltrate his head. At that juncture in his life, his friends were all that he needed. Friends were the center of his life, providing the reliable laughs, promised mischief, and trusting other halves. The friendships people share reveal their ability to bond with everyone else. 

Romantic relationships are also built on developed, loving friendships. My father and mother have been married for over 30 years, and I believe the success in their marriage emanates from the committed friendship they nurtured during their younger years. Even when they were romantically dating, they spent real time together, traveled, explored, and shared meaningful experiences—in the same way that best friends would. Their relationship and marriage were not successful merely because my father “wanted” to make it work or because my mother recognized that he was displaying effort as the saying seems to imply. Sure, effort is integral to a relationship where two are both seeking the same outcome—marriage, children, commitment—but how is that effort balanced? How is it allocated throughout the relationship? A fulfilling relationship where both parties are happy and continuously satisfied does not depend on one party deciding that they want to be there and acting accordingly. The relationship calls for equilibrium. It calls for a steady, balanced scale.

If I wanted to, I would. Friendships, romantic relationships, and even being a dedicated family member, all warrant the desire to be there. The compassion one feels towards another person only enhances that magnetism, a force that leads people towards each other who are just meant to be there, to connect, and to experience each other. Each day, from the moment I wake up to the moment I end my night, I am making perpetual decisions that lead me closer to an outcome I wish for. My energy and the choices I make based on what my heart sings for linger around the relationships most important to me. I am emboldened by the hobbies that fulfill me, and my personal achievements that build my identity, or my foundation to be a steady, applied member of a relationship. Without any idea of who I am, what I enjoy, or where my values lie, I would be unable to sufficiently dedicate myself to anyone else. It can be a work in progress, a continuous climb towards who I long to be, because no one can ever truly be there at all times. If I start at the grassroots, promise myself to remain authentic and consistent, I’ll understand a great deal about myself and I’ll feel confident that I can show these parts to another person.

There have been junctures in my life where I was unsure of who I was and what outcomes I’d like to strive for. I knew I loved to write, but I never made the time to exercise my creativity. I loved sports, physical activity, and being outside, but I’d make excuses for myself like, “I’m too tired today,” “I am busy with something else,” or “I’ll start tomorrow.” These common phrases do not so much indicate a lack of interest in what I love, but are telling that I hadn’t learned the power of applying myself and my effort, and seeing how those outcomes expand, flourish, and reflect who I want to be in new, profound ways.

It is not always a feasible process in discovering your own potential, and how your potential becomes transferable throughout your relationships. Maybe you can expect a comfortable, healthy space for growth between yourself and another person when you are learning who you are, but finding the people who are willing to stay with you, as staunch supporters of your flexible, fluid identity, is a representation of secure compassion. They are the other side of your scale, your balance, the anchor to your drifting boat.

We need to meet people where they are. It is impossible to bind someone to the notion that they must do something just because they want to. We do things when we realize how important they are to us, which is a concept we can only grasp when we’ve dug deep enough into our core in an attempt to scoop out the answers. Humans are always seeking answers, so eventually, we’ll all be doing what we want because it matters to us and because our passions are guiding us through what is still left undiscovered. We must stop placing trust in cliché phrases and allowing our relationships to be dependent on them. Instead, we can trust that with time, trial and error, and through quiet, thoughtful states, we’ll all find what we deem the most valuable to us. Our cores will breathe with clarity, bursting with light, and we’ll share these passions with each other. Then, after great consideration of what one desires to fulfill in their life, the phrase, “If he wanted to, he would,” could be justified.

by Courtney Wight '26 on March 19, 2026

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Opinion - Society

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Driving on the highways is a necessity for most Americans. Being from a small town means I had the luxury of avoiding highways for as long as possible. When I started driving, I thought highways were a scary place, mostly due to the other drivers on the road. Despite what some of my passengers might say, I would like to think I have upgraded my skills in recent years, unlocking the highway as an area in which I am comfortable driving. For spring break, I drove home to Albany, which is a straightforward drive, as it is basically just the Massachusetts Turnpike for 100 miles.

On my drive home, I experienced a frustration with highway driving that I have been feeling for a while now. I believe many on the road do not abide by the key concept of keeping right except to passNow, I understand driving on the highway is not a part of the driving test, and driving on the highway might not be a part of a person’s daily life. However, I think the concept of keeping right should be pretty self-explanatory and easy enough to follow for most drivers.

On my drive home, I experienced many scenarios where a fellow car was simply hanging out in the left lane. While this might not be a problem on a wider highway, the majority of the Mass Pike for my journey is only two lanes. This means that drivers looking to pass are forced to either wait and hope the person driving slowly ahead catches on and moves over, or pass the car while in the right lane

Despite never officially being taught how to drive on the highway, the one concept I remember from my training course was to not pass on the inside (the left lane), as it is considered more dangerous. However, many times on my drive, the individual in front of me in the left lane, contently driving barely 70 mph in a 65 mph zone and passing no one, left me with the option to either wait for them to notice, or to pass on the inside. Many did catch on and move over, yet there were times I felt forced to pass on the inside.

I would like to make it clear I am not advocating for people to speed on the highway, but I would argue it is generally accepted to go at least five mph over the posted speed limit. As many know, most drivers will go faster than that, usually using the left lane to pass the righteous law-abiding citizens.

I know many drivers may feel embarrassed about being passed, but it is a part of life since there will always be someone on that road going faster than you (unless you are the person going over 90 mph on the highway). I also know many might use the justification that their slow driving in the left lane is to send a message to other drivers to slow down. I would argue this reasoning is foolish, as those who want to speed will do so anyway, so the slow driving in the left lane is actively causing more danger than the speeding of other vehicles.

In many cases, my frustration was due to the congestion caused by drivers hanging out in the left lane. It created stressful situations where I was unsure if they were going to move over or if I should pass in the right lane. Additionally, in the cases where they did not move, it caused anxiety as I tried to time my quest to pass them on the inside.

Overall, my journey home taught me that many drivers cannot follow basic directions. I am not saying drivers should be constantly switching lanes. Obviously, a person can pass multiple cars at a time before tucking back into the right lane. Yet, I argue the issue stems from an underlying root problem of drivers not paying attention to their surroundings. I passed drivers blatantly utilizing their phones while driving, or cars that seemingly never noticed the car behind them was a foot off their bumper. Tailgating, as a result of slow cars hogging the left lane, is also inherently dangerous.

I am not here to preach that I am the greatest driver ever and know everything. I acknowledge that I am not the best driver. I get probably unreasonably angry at slow drivers obstructing my path in the speedy left lane. Being from a more rural area means I think any car on the road restricting my movement from lane to lane is traffic. But, in all my highway driving, I constantly remind myself to stay in the right lane unless I am actively passing another vehicle. While it might be more annoying for me, it is the best course of action to ensure I am not creating an unsafe situation where a fellow driver feels forced to pass on the inside. Drivers need to have a greater awareness on the road and actively check their surroundings to ensure the safety of all those on the highway.

by Alex Pittelli ‘26 on March 19, 2026

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Opinion - Campus

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Like the rest of the Providence College community, I was devastated to hear of the fire at Bradley Cafe, or Brad’s, as it is known to many. Having worked there, even if it wasn’t for long, I felt truly welcomed and like a part of the family. I made countless memories, including attending their Christmas party and taking part in their Secret Santa, and formed connections that will last a lifetime.

Once I could, I went to see the scene and to be there with the owners, fellow employees, and regulars as the fire department finished up their inspection. The scene was certainly somber, not just because the damage will close the building for months, but because each decoration had represented so much; there were pieces of sports history from both PC and Boston teams, photos from the bar’s history and charitable events, and memoriams dedicated to local neighborhood members who had left their mark on the community. While the firefighters tried to do what they could to recover the memorabilia, much was destroyed by the fire.

It is clear that Brad’s is more than a building, or even what’s inside, and no fire can destroy its legacy. While the moment was solemn, there were plans to restore the bar before the smoke had even settled. In the time since, the community has rallied; a GoFundMe was created and has raised thousands of dollars, and other local restaurants have held events to raise money for the cause. In this moment, I feel hope because I know that Brad’s will be back, and soon we will #MeetAtBrads once again.

by Emily Paratore on March 19, 2026

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Letters to the Editor

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Dear Editors of The Cowl,

We are writing to you as students of Beyond the Closet: The LGBTQIA+ Experience, a class offered by Providence College. We are writing to provide an alternate perspective regarding the concerns raised in the letter to the editor in the Feb. 27 issue. To jog your memory, this letter condemned the use of an image from “a highly explicit homosexual TV show” (Heated Rivalry) as an image of love in the Valentine’s Day issue. Our class discussed this letter extensively, and we wish to respond.

First, the author of the letter places Heated Rivalry in the arena of counterculture and takes issue with the reference to it in The Cowl, suggesting that the show misrepresents Catholic notions of love. The only claim made by The Cowl was that the show represents a large “pop culture reference to love.” It does not endorse the show nor claim that it represents Catholic love. Rather, it explicitly states that it is a pop culture reference. Two years ago, a similar Valentine’s issue contained a reference to the couple from Netflix’s You, which depicts stalking, murder, and relationship violence. No one spoke up when this non-Catholic view of love was published. Heated Rivalry is arguably the biggest show of the year, making it a relevant pop culture reference to the readers of the student newspaper, and the opposite of countercultural.

Our biggest concerns regarding the letter are the ways in which microaggressions against the LGBTQ+ community are incorporated in the letter, drawing parallels to “outcasts, the scorned, the unwanted,” but indicating that LGBTQ+ individuals (or representations of that love) should not be “welcomed in,” because they represent sin. Per PC’s mission statement, “Providence College seeks to reflect the rich diversity of the human family. Following the example of St. Dominic, who extended a loving embrace to all, it welcomes qualified men and women of every background and affirms the God-given dignity, freedom, and equality of each person. Providence College promotes the common good, the human flourishing of each member of the campus community, and service of neighbors near and far.” LGBTQIA+ people are part of that human family that we attempt to create on this campus. We think that it is troubling that the letter’s author calls for respect when he is openly disrespecting a group of these brothers and sisters. The late Pope Francis called for Catholics not to judge those who have the Lord’s goodwill. It seems important that goodwill be extended here.

Jesus taught us to love each other. In John 8, he refuses to stone a woman for her sin. This example proves that Jesus preaches not to judge and condemn others, unlike what the Feb. 27 letter does to the LGBTQIA+ community. Times are inevitably changing; it was a mere 50 years ago that women could not enroll at PC. A central pillar of this college is respecting human dignity, and that dignity includes allowing different types of love to represent the love in the world and our Friar community. 

Sincerely, 

Students of Beyond the Closet: The LGBTQIA+ Experience. 

Gracie Batsie ’28, Sophia Cremona ’28, Olivia Taveira ’26

by Benedict Bergeron ’29 on March 19, 2026

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Portfolio - Poetry

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There he lay upon the field
With shivered spear and broken shield
And armor punctured o’er his heart,
Punctured by a well placed dart.
Glamorous life, he lived it well
With wine-dark drink and revel unquelled,
And fame he won with war-worn hands,
Leading his troops across the lands.
Yes, it would approach one day:
That doom what steals his breath away.
He lay there then with that in mind:
Fate had dealt him death in kind.
But not with grudges did he die,
No tint of vengeance bleared his eye,
Nor lack of wealth to draw forth tears,
Neither sloth to shame him ‘mongst his peers.
For one lone virtue he did want
Which neither saints nor sinners vaunt.
From the blood-soaked ground to the blue above,
He said, “I wish that I had loved.”
There he lay upon the field
With shivered spear and broken shield.
From the blood-soaked ground to the azure sky,
He spoke a prayer and then did die.

by Ian Gualtiere ’27 on March 19, 2026

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Portfolio - Poetry

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There’s a growing cloud on the other side.
It rumbles across the fence posts and barns.
Bursts of light will come down on animal hide
running away from drops, away from alarm.
For now, let’s sit and wait for daylight dark,
whistle with the winds as they blow the sheets
across the yard, where chasing dogs bark
in an oncoming storm molded by summer heat.
Chimes pick up, green trees breeze to white.
Our porch starts to creak with the new traffic
of footsteps, lamenting lost yellow kites.
Pattering rain reaps the dirt, tilling horrific
streaks of mud across the driveway.
Table lights flick on with giddy cheers,
awaiting the bleak end in a wooden hideaway.
Waiting for thunder to roll with joyful tears.

by Ian Gualtiere ’27 on February 27, 2026

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Portfolio - Poetry

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The silence that seeps into my mind
keeps me staring, looking up into the night.
Snow lands evenly, knowing it will be kind
to the passers. Treading their steps so light.
Out here, only lampposts break the walk
across the land. Disturb the sleeping world
when harsh beams break. No animal stalks 
small their prey, icy pack, with feet unfurled.
Colder the air, warmer the thoughts that 
treat me. Dreaming of mountains draped 
across my view, God’s ordained matte;
dripping colors, dotting lines in landscape.
To where I am going, I know not where 
I journey. Into the dark, I am off the path 
which lights my way. Eyes out there 
protect me, saving me from their wrath.
Deeper into the frost, no voice can carry
what I see. Winds thrash, tug my bones
from their warm hidings. The longer I tarry,
the farther I get. Time has come to roam.

by Sam Silva ’28 on February 27, 2026

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Opinion - Campus

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Many professors would call artificial intelligence usage a crisis in the classroom, and I do not disagree that AI is becoming an issue. Nonetheless, this raises the question; who is going to protect the students from being wrongfully accused of using AI? In the ongoing conversation of where AI belongs inside schools, is the use of AI detection programs adequate? Oftentimes, students who are good writers are accused of using AI when utilizing proper grammar or professional punctuation such as the Oxford comma.

While I have never been accused of using AI, many people I know have. My sister, for one, who is the best writer I know, has. For some context, when I need someone to peer edit my essay, help me word a sentence, or group my thoughts, I ask my sister. Last semester after submitting a writing assignment, she received a very poor grade from her professor, with one comment highlighting that she used AI. Immediately, she emailed the professor that she definitely did not use AI and could share the transcripts of her writing to prove it. He then professed that her writing was too “pedantic,” meaning too wordy or detailed, but he said he would raise the grade. He only raised it to an 80 percent, which in itself was not an accurate representation of her writing. So, the 80 she received was likely an unjustified poor grade on a well-written paper because a professor had an inclination. My sister is not the only person to have been wrongfully accused of using AI. Another friend of mine was accused of using AI for a final paper and the professor was so sure of it. When the student met with the professor and confessed their innocence, the professor wouldn’t hear it and kept the grade a 0 percent.

While I will acknowledge the difficulties that come with AI use, how can a professor just be allowed to accuse you of using AI, when so many studies show the inaccuracies of AI detection tools? A study published by Advances in Simulation investigated the ability of humans and AI detection tools to accurately detect AI. They used three different detection tools (GPTZero, Grammarly, Phrasly AI) as well as humans to differentiate between a few different levels of AI usage and human-written work. They found that human detection of AI is indistinguishable from just guessing if it is AI-generated. While the AI detectors were more reliable, they still heavily ranged in accuracy from 57 percent to 95 percent. The conclusion of this study found that while these detectors can be helpful in potentially determining AI use, they should not be relied upon. 

Here is the problem with AI detection: it has a much more significant bias towards great writers and people whose first language is not English. Detectors look for small grammar mistakes, predictability and structure of the writing, as well as natural human tone and style. Yet, in the case of academic writing, a great writer does not make mistakes, the tone of their writing would be less human and “conversational.” Instead, it would be formal and effectively polished, it would most likely sound impersonal. Furthermore, someone whose first language is not English would be targeted by AI detection. The detector looks for predictability and often non-native writers will use shorter sentences or simpler grammar, which is identified with AI-generated writing. AI is trained from native English speakers, it understands how they write and it copies that. So, when a non-native English speaker writes, it is detected as AI-generated because it has not been trained to understand the grammar and structure of those writers.

Students should be protected from the accusations that too often get thrown around. The damage from being wrongfully accused of AI is detrimental for a student’s academic career and more importantly their mental well-being. And until AI detection makes leaps and bounds of progress in accuracy, it should not be used for judgment.

by Andrew Auclair ’29 on February 27, 2026

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Portfolio - Poetry

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Within the white and wintry snow,
I tread along the shrouded path.
My destination is unknown,
but I hope it leads to you.
Each step I take a quarried mark
as I wage through the towered banks,
my leather boots leave a fine art—
just to be filled anew.
When it’s your turn to trek the storm,
with luck you’ll find my engraved gift.
look for the grounded snow I formed—
I pray you step there too.