Tag: Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. King
by The Cowl Editor on January 18, 2018
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
For the first time in Providence College’s history, a spring academic convocation took place on Thursday, January 18, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s daughter, Bernice King, addressed the campus community. The convocation is part of a whole week of events that honor and celebrate Dr. King and all of his work.
This April will mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, and will also mark the 50th anniversary of the College’s MLK Scholarship.
According to Ralph Tavares, assistant dean and the director of multicultural student success, after Dr. King’s assassination, three professors at the College were deeply affected by his loss, and fundraised across campus to raise funding to create the scholarship. Fr. Robert Morris, who lived in the priory at the time, matched all the funds the professors raised.
“Through their fundraising efforts, 11 African American men were able to come to PC that fall,” said Tavares. Today, there are 105 scholarship recipients enrolled at the school, and an alumni base that stretches over 600.”
According to the College’s website, the full tuition scholarship “assists undergraduate AHANA [African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American] students and others who demonstrate a desire and ability to contribute to Providence College’s diversity.”
This year for the first time ever, the College will be presenting the MLK Vision award to honor the three professors (Dr. Francis MacKay, Dr. René Fortin and Dr. Mark Rerick) and Rev. Morris.
Prior to Bernice King’s address, the College celebrated Dr. King through a variety of events. The week kicked off on MLK day, where students from local middle schools and high schools were invited to the College to participate in storytelling activities that honored Dr. King’s vision.
On Tuesday, a student celebration took place in ’64 Hall entitled “Strength of Our Roots,” where different cultures represented at the College were showcased.
Sara Jean François ’19 explained the night went well, especially the portion of the fashion show. “You could really feel the energy of the crowd,” she said, and applauded Phionna Claude ‘18 and Kiana Michels ’18 for their wonderful job MC-ing the show. She also noted the power of a poem written by Estarlyn Hiraldo ’21, and explained it was very relatable to her and likely several others in the crowd.
“I loved seeing students being themselves,” said Tavares when asked about the event. He explained that wearing traditional clothing, sharing food and reading spoken poetry can be very intimate, and he was proud of students for sharing. “I felt so much pride,” he said. “It felt like a homecoming to me, because that’s what I did as a student.”
Wednesday, the MLK Vigil took place in the St. Dominic Chapel. This candlelit tradition has been occurring for years, where Dr. King’s famous “I have a Dream” speech was read for all to hear. “For me, the vigil is always moving, from it being in the chapel to so many different faces being in that dimelit room, it is a moving experience and a time to reflect,” said Jean-François. “I’d encourage anyone to go and listen and experience that beloved community.”
Tavares expressed that he felt students returned to campus this fall “splinted and frustrated” after the Princeton Review article dubbed PC as an institution with little race or class interaction, and was glad this week could bring the College together. Plus, he was grateful that so many offices could come together to collaborate and plan for the week. “This took a lot of people and a lot of effort,” he said.
Jean-François explained that she is thankful for the work that went into this week. “I thank Dean Tavares and his team, without them I don’t think this would have ever came about and I have much love and respect for them,” she said. “I hope this becomes a tradition here at PC for many years to come.”
Bernice King’s speech took place today in Peterson. A secondary article regarding her address will be available on The Cowl’s website this Friday.
“I was so excited, like telling my family about it excited,” said Jean-François when asked how she felt when she learned Bernice King would be speaking at PC. She explained that not only is this a big deal due to her connection to MLK, but also due to the strength and courage within her. “I think having Bernice King come to PC shows a very intentional look at Dr. King not just as a legacy or a historical figure, but as a man, and that is a beautiful thing that I don’t think many people on this campus have stopped to think about.”
This Friday, at three in the afternoon, the Humanities Forum will also celebrate Dr. King, and will discuss how to make his dream a “present day reality.”
Providence Remembers
by The Cowl Editor on December 7, 2017
Campus
PC Community Recognizes Lives Lost in 1977 Aquinas Fire
by Sabrina Guilbeault ‘18
News Editor
photo courtesy of providence.edu
This Wednesday, December 13 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Aquinas Fire that took place in 1977, and like every year since the tragedy, Providence College will be holding a memorial mass that Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
The fire took the lives of 10 women living on the fourth floor of Aquinas Hall.
“There was an over-whelming sense of sadness and disbelief as to what had happened. It was so horrific,” said Jacqueline MacKay, director of Parent Programs at PC, who at the time of the fire was the only student counselor on campus. “People were comforting one another and I can still remember feeling a tremendous sense of helplessness.”
Although the tragedy occurred almost half a decade ago, multiple members of the PC community lived through the night like MacKay, including Father Brian Shanley, O.P., who was a student at the time.
“I remember the night vividly, and I remember the incredible sadness that just descended on the campus,” said Fr. Shanley in Promise of Providence, the centennial video created last year by Mike Leonard ’70 & ’00Hon. “I remember the next day they canceled classes and brought us to Alumni, and Fr. Peterson said that mass and preached, and I don’t remember what he said, but I remember sitting there and thinking, ‘somehow we’re going to get through this.’”
Today, a memorial plaque can be found outside of the original Aquinas Chapel that lists the names of the deceased, as well as a quote from Fr. Peterson’s original sermon after the fire. The plaque reads: “In memory of those whom God called to Himself and of those whom God called to show Himself to others by the love they showed one for another.”
MacKay explained a mass has been said every year on the anniversary of the fire, and 10 roses are placed inside St. Dominic Chapel—one for each life lost.
“The College community came together on so many different levels to support one another,” said MacKay. “When something like this happens it is natural for people to feel a terrible sense of helplessness.”
MacKay explained her role as a counselor during the aftermath of the tragedy, and as it was 40 years ago, there was not a lot of literature on grief and loss, but appreciated the support she received from the community. “I remember very fondly a group of student leaders who reached out to me in very special ways,” she recalled. “They drove me to the hospital, took me to wakes, even cooked me dinner at one point. I will never forget their kindness to me.”
The fire took place during the reading period before final exams. Exams were postponed to after winter break after the College was closed for a month.
According to a New York Times article published in 1977 and from conversations with alumni who lived through the event, Aquinas Hall was able to pass an annual fire inspection that September, even though it lacked features such as sprinklers and fire escapes because it was built under prior codes and had been upgraded since. The fire resulted in multiple national headlines and saw many buildings across the country upgrade their fire codes.
MacKay explained that Fr. Peterson, the College’s president at the time, moved into the dormitory and lived there for a year after the fire. “He provided so much love and care to the students living there,” she said. “His presence in that hall was comforting to all members of the college community.”
“As Catholics we believe in the communion of saints, and the souls of the departed are still in relationship with us,” said Father Dominic Verner, O.P., when asked how today’s Friars (who were not yet born when the fire took place) can still reflect and remember the lives who were lost. “Just as we are called to love our brothers and sisters of this Earth, we are called to love our brothers and sisters who are no longer with us,” he said.
“I truly believe that our faith, our Dominican presence, Fr. Peterson our president, and so many more are what got us through a traumatic and painful time,” said MacKay. “The fire is part of the history of the College and has had a profound effect on so many lives, in so many ways.”
“When we remember this tragedy we offer our prayers to those souls who we are still united with, along with their family and friends who are also united with,” Fr. Verner said. “Many times throughout the years, I think about the lives we lost and as the anniversary approaches I say a special prayer for their families,” MacKay said. “There are no words to describe my feelings towards a community that came together to love and to heal.”
All members of the campus community are welcomed to attend the memorial mass on Wednesday, December 13 at 4:30 p.m. in St. Dominic Chapel.
Study Abroad Popularity Continues to Grow
by The Cowl Editor on November 30, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
Right before Thanksgiving break, the Center for International Studies (CIS) received the news that The Institute of International Education ranked Providence College number 10 among Masters’ Colleges & Universities for semester-long study abroad.
The report, called Open Doors, also ranked PC Number 25 for undergraduate participation in study abroad, and used data from the 2015-2016 academic year.
Adrian Beaulieu, dean of international studies, explained that PC began seeing an increase in students who study abroad in 2011, when the College implemented the homeschool tuition policy. With this policy, students pay the College’s tuition while studying elsewhere overseas, and therefore still qualify for the financial aid packages they would receive at PC.
“This made a world of a difference,” said Beaulieu. “It’s a big change, and allows more students the possibility to study abroad.”
“I wanted to study abroad to get the experience to study in a new context and to travel and experience different cultures,” said Megan Manning ’18 who spent last fall in Dublin. “For me it was easy to study abroad at PC because so many of my friends did as well and the study abroad office was very helpful in advising me what programs would help me stay on track with my major and have the experience I wanted.”
Beaulieu explained that CIS is composed of a four person staff who advise students as they prepare and make study abroad plans. “We advise on discipline rather than destination,” explained Beaulieu “and we hope to find students a program of study that would be a good fit for their major or minor.”
According to Beaulieu, this is a different mindset than other study abroad programs at other institutions as it distinguishes study abroad as a semester of academic study.
According to their website, CIS hopes students will benefit from studying abroad and would develop “a diverse and knowledgeable worldview,” “comprehend the international dimensions of their major field of study, develop cross-cultural sensitivity and adaptability,” and carry global competence throughout life.
“Studying abroad also seriously enhances students’ career prospects after graduation,” said Beaulieu. Also according to the goals layed out on their website, CIS advises students to select programs that will help them “acquire the knowledge, skills, and the intercultural agility that will help them to integrate their study abroad experience with their career aspirations or other post-graduate opportunities.”
“Studying abroad was the best decision I made at PC,” said Kellen Buckley ’18, a double major in global studies and Spanish who studied abroad in Madrid. “It really improved my Spanish, gave me new friends, and taught me a lot about being independent.”
For students who are weighing the options for whether or not to study abroad, Beaulieu stressed that studying abroad can be possible to all students, as the advisors do work with students to make it possible financially and with any major.
“I would tell anyone considering study abroad to do whatever it takes to make it happen, it was one of the highlights of my PC experience,” said Manning. “Not only did I have so much fun and meet so many friends, but I was also able to learn and grow so much and it gave me the confidence to tackle whatever comes next.”
The Institute of International Education also reported that study abroad participation nationally grew by 3.8 percent. The 10 most popular countries were the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, China, Ireland, Australia, Costa Rica, and Japan. Eighty-seven students even studied in Antarctica.
“We do hope that this can be a life changing experience,” said Beaulieu. “This should be an integral experience students have while at PC, as it opens countless opportunities.”
“Even though I always knew I wanted to study abroad, I got very nervous the week before leaving,” said Buckley, who remarked that she refused to pack because it meant she had to face her fears. “I don’t think I know anyone who wasn’t a little bit scared to go abroad, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
End of Semester Holiday Traditions Prevail at PC
by The Cowl Editor on November 30, 2017
Campus
BOP, Campus Ministry, and Student Activities Spread Christmas Cheer
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
With finals looming and assignments piling up, many students may feel like the holiday season is a long ways away, even though the days until winter break are dwindling. However, thanks to student organizations like the Board of Programmers and long standing traditions put on by the Office of Student Activities and Cultural Programming and Campus Ministry, Christmas comes early at Providence College.
“I think it is so important to help keep the students’ spirits up during this time of year because the holiday season is such a special time at PC,” said Libby Jancsy ’18, president of BOP. “We have so many ways to get involved, celebrate the holidays, and spread Christmas cheer, and sometimes we forget that amongst the hustle and bustle of the finals.”
Holiday themed events start as early as this Friday at 7 p.m., as Campus Ministry is hosting a “Jingle Bell Bash” in the Campus Ministry Center. The event will feature a cookie exchange, Christmas carol bingo, and a hot chocolate bar. At a Student Congress meeting this past Tuesday, Fr. Peter Martyr Yungwirth, O.P. stated that ugly Christmas sweaters are highly encouraged.
That same evening at 8 p.m., Student Activities is sponsoring a Christmas Karaoke, Cookies, and Craft Night in McPhail’s. On Monday, December 4 at 4:30 p.m., Student Activities is also putting on their annual Christmas tree lighting. The event will feature music, refreshments, and a blessing of the tree. The tree that will be used for the lighting has already been placed on Slavin Lawn.
Rita Murphy ’19 shared that the Christmas tree lighting is something she always looks forward to. “It gets me in the holiday spirit and brings the community together right before the end of the semester,” she said. “I love leaving Slavin, the library or anywhere else late during finals studying and seeing the little tree lit up, it brings me a lot of joy.”
Lots of departments have gotten involved with decorating for the holidays, and the campus is seeing more decorations than previous years. Highlights include the front entrance of Harkins Hall, the lobby of the Smith Center for the Arts, and the business school.
“I think it is absolutely special when departments decorate for Christmas,” said Teddy Kiristy ’19, who helped decorate the lobby of Smith. “We all came together decorating Smith lobby and listened to Christmas music while drinking apple cider and eating brownies.”
“In general I love seeing all the decorations go up around campus,” said Murphy. “It feels very home-y.” She went on to explain that she looks forward to the A cappella concert at the end of they year as well.
Other holiday festivities BOP puts on are their annual holiday events and study breaks. Jancsy explained she always looks forwards to the Tuesday Time Outs, which occur every other Tuesday during the year in McPhail’s. “This coming week we have a special Tuesday time out for the holidays,” Jancsy said. “There will be fun holiday games, activities, and Christmas music.”
She also encouraged students to submit videos to BOP’s annual holiday video contest. “Students can submit their own holiday movie and we will stream them on the night of the event,” Jancsy said.
Another tradition students can look forward to this weekend is Lessons and Carols at 7 p.m. on Saturday. At this event, stories from the nativity passages in the Bible are read, which are broken up by songs from choirs such as I Cantori, the Liturgical Ministries choir. “I only attended Lessons and Carols last year, but I really enjoyed seeing the PC community mix with the surrounding Providence community to come together to celebrate advent,” said Murphy, who will be reading at the event.
“Sometimes it can be hard to get into the holiday spirit when you’re not at home with your family or with all of the work at the end of the semester, so they sort of give you a chance to stop and remember what this season is really all about,” Murphy said. “The music is beautiful and the PC students and staff always do a wonderful job.”
Regardless if students celebrate Christmas or not, Murphy and Jancsy both stressed that with the craziness of finals spending time with friends is so important during the end of the semester. “This is a time for students to take a break from studying and grab some free food, and enjoy,” Jancsy said. “We love hosting events that bring students together to relax for a bit during this hectic time.”
Slippery Steps: Analyzing Recent Student Injury
by The Cowl Editor on November 16, 2017
Campus
Addressing the Rumors Regarding the Stairs by Guzman Hall
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
After a student’s injury earlier this semester, Dr. Steven Sears, dean of students, is currently accepting any reports regarding “slips and falls” that may occur on the new stairs by Guzman Hall. Although students have shared stories of friends slipping on the steps, no official reports have been made to the Office of Public Safety and Security within the last month.
“I heard from Dr. Sears about six weeks ago that a student had fallen on the stairs and he thought that it may have been due to the water on the stairs from a sprinkler head,” said Mark Rapoza, assistant vice president of Capital Projects and Facilities Planning at Providence College. He stated that upon hearing this news, his team readjusted the head so that it would not spray the stairs, but pointed out that the water from a sprinkler head would not create a different condition on the stairs as a rainy day.
“I have asked Public Safety to forward me any reports they may have regarding ‘slip and falls’ so that we can investigate further,” said Rapoza. He explained once he had the dates and times of any additional incident, he will be able to investigate what else may have been happening that could have caused the fall.
“Other than this one incident, I have not heard of any others.”
After interviewing Lt. Eric Croce from the Office of Public Safety and Security, it was made evident that within the last month, no official reports have been made regarding injury from the Guzman stairs.
Croce explained that he was not aware of any injuries near the steps and after going through the ARMS Records Management System (a database his office uses to track medical or injury reports), saw that the majority of injuries that have been reported have occured near Peterson, which he deems to be due to intramural sports.
“There’s no pattern jumping out,” Lt. Croce said. “We tend to catch patterns quickly in our chain of command, and if we saw something we would most certainly bring the report to Physical Plant.”
“Whether this is an issue or not, we will investigate to ensure that we do not have a potential trip hazard on these stairs,” said Rapoza, who stated the incident is still being looked into. “Once I have this information we will use the resources available to us to determine the cause and corrective action,” he said.
In general, the Campus Transformation Project, including the stairs by Guzman, has been well received by students. “Not only did we beautify that part of the campus, but we made it more functional and ADA friendly,” said Rapoza, who explained that the area between Accinno Hall and Guzman Hall was a challenge due to the steep grade of the topography. “We not only had to design a stair pattern to accommodate the hill, but also design a way to allow those who may be mobility impaired to traverse that pathway,” he said.
An additional measure that was taken in the transformation project was applying a sealer all over campus on the new “exposed aggregate” concrete installations—including the area around the stairs. According to Rapoza, this sealer is applied to concrete after it is cured, and is used to “weather proof” and protect concrete. “It is non-slip,” said Rapoza. “In fact, the exposed aggregate concrete tends to be less slippery than the ‘broom finish’ as the aggregate gives footing a little more grab.”
After the interview in his office, Lt. Croce walked to the area around Guzman to investigate it. He pointed out the exposed aggregate of the walkway and explained it is actually good for walking, even in the rain.
Lt. Croce explained that students can contact either the Office of Residence Life or the Department of Public Safety to report an injury or incident. During the night hours when EMTs are on campus, students with injury reports will often be evaluated by the EMTs. He explained that students are never forced to go to the doctor due to an injury, but it can be suggested. The only time students are mandated to go to the hospital is due to intoxication, and that is for their own safety.
“Please know that we will be looking into the reports of the ‘slip and falls’ on the stairs at Guzman Hall,” said Rapoza. As for more construction, according to Rapoza the College has completed two phases of the Transformation Project. His office is currently working on future phases that will include new vehicular and pedestrian paths in front of St. Catherine of Siena Hall and Cemetery Lane to Chapel Way, and investigating opportunities for additional student parking.
PC Celebrates the Opening of the New Moore Hall
by The Cowl Editor on November 9, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
“My history dates back to when the gates of hell swung open with a welcome mat greeting reading, ‘Welcome to a land of white supremacy, where it will be on your slaving backs that this country actually becomes worth remembering,’” spoke Phionna Claude ’18, executive president of Student Congress, as she read a poem she wrote herself in front of administrators, alumni, faculty, and staff at the opening ceremony and blessing for the newly renovated Moore Hall.
“I still have people questioning my humanity. I’m still struggling communicating that my black is not an atrocity, my skin shouldn’t be a warning label, my black has forced me to become a rebel, my black is a shade too rich, too bold, too unapologetically unafraid,” she said.
The new Moore Hall is meant to encourage engagement with the arts, learning, and be “a place for authentic dialogue focused on themes of social justice and community. ” This was revealed and discussed this past weekend through the “Reflecting Forward” event, which was designed to be a celebration of Multiculturalism and Diversity at Providence College.
A steering committee including Board of Trustees members, alumni, Institutional Advancement, and the Office of Alumni Relations were responsible for the planning of the weekend.
“Intuitional Advancement did I fantastic job spearheading all of this,” said Taiwo Adefiyiju ’14
Assistant Director and Career Coach, Career Education Center, who was on the Steering Committee. She also gave kudos to co-chairs and trustees Duane Bouligny ’94 and Andre Owens ’85, for the success of the event.
She explained that Deirdre Driscoll-Lemoine ’98, ’19P from the Office of College Events and Robert Ferreira ’83 from the Office of Alumni Relations spearheaded the weekend, while Adefiyiju worked closely with Quincy Bevely, assistant dean of students, to help with student input and involvement.
After the initial blessing and welcome, a panel presentation transpired in which campus figures such as Kristine Goodwin, vice president of student affairs, and Reverend R. Gabriel Pivarnik, O.P., vice president of mission and ministry discussed topics involving diversity and institutional change at the College.
Following the panel discussion, attendees had the opportunity to take part in multiple breakout sessions that all centered on the theme of “reflecting forward.”
Patricia Goff ’08 of Career Services spoke on “PC1G,” which is a new initiative designed to help first-generation students and their families find resources and programs at PC. The session asked for feedback from the alumni audience on how they would like to see the program move forward to best fit the needs of first generation students at PC.
Another breakout session was lead by Tiffany Gaffney ’03 of the Office of the Dean of Students, Cate Latz ’13 from the Office of Institutional Advancement, and Dr. Christopher Arroyo from the philosophy department, who have all been actively involved in conversationsabout LGBTQ+ identities at PC. The discussion centered on their experiences building relationships and building bridges.
“I thought it went very well,” said Haley Rayment ’18, who attended this breakout session. She explained there were many people with different backgrounds in attendance at this talk, including trustees, students, faculty, staff, and Dominican Friars. “It opened my eyes to the support members of this community receive from Providence College,” she said.
Keynote speaker James P. Huguley, Ed.D. ’99, an assistant professor at the Center on Race and Social Problems and School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, spoke during lunch. He addressed issues of diversity and inclusion in higher education. In his biography, it was explained that Huguley’s work focuses on “school-based interventions that promote positive developmental outcomes for students of color.”
“I believe it was very successful,” said Adefiyiju. “Overall people enjoyed the building and being able to see how much work was put it, and connecting with their own respective classes to see how far we have come.” She said it was especially fascinating to see current members of Board of Multicultural Student Affairs connect with alumni members of BMSA and share their stories from today and yesterday.
The event was well attended by alumni, administration, faculty, and staff, but one criticism of the event was that the weekend could have had more current students in attendance. In response to this fear, students from NAACP and the Office of Institutional Diversity are putting on their first ever homecoming at Moore Hall this coming Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event, H.O.M.E.coming, will include performances from Motherland, PC Step, Acappella, and Adam Hanna ’18, along with poetry readings from the Believers of Words club.
“For students to spearhead this, that is important and that is powerful, and shows how this space really can bring the community together,” said Adefiyiju. “A lot has changed, a lot needs to be done, and we are recognizing what we have done and what stills need to be done.”
The end of Claude’s poem from the welcome blessing discussed the importance of education, and how it is education that has helped her to see the truth of her ancestry. Reflecting Forward also emphasized this education, and the hopes that the new campus center will focus on the College’s “diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.” “So, please acknowledge the heartbeat behind my skin that labels me as diversity and instead recognize my humanity,” Claude said. “I am fighting to rewrite the history of my ancestors who never had the chance to hold the key.”
PC’s Chapter of Active Minds Attends Annual Conference on Mental Health
by The Cowl Editor on November 9, 2017
News
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
This past weekend, the Providence College chapter of Active Minds attended the annual Active Minds Conference, which took place in Washington D.C. this year. This was the third year students from PC attended the event, and remarked on how far they have come since then.
“It was exciting that we were able to bring six students and an adviser with us this year,” said Cassandra Caggiano ’18, co-president of the club. “It really showed the administration’s commitment on bringing the mental health needs to students, and ensuring the longevity of the chapter.” Caggiano went on to explain that by having more students attend the event, the club was able to go to more workshops and speakers over the course of the weekend, which made it even more successful.
Co-President Anissa Latifi ’18 explained that her favorite part of the weekend was definitely connecting with other advocates of mental illness and hearing their stories and experiences with stigma in their lives. “I was able to go to a discussion based presentation that was centered around culture and stigma,” she said. “For me this was the first time I was able to recognize stigma that others have experienced due to culture similarly to my own experiences.”
Caggiano also spoke about this discussion, and explained that it is interesting to see how mental health discussions work in different cultures. “Some people might have a different stigmas based on how they’re raised, and it was great to learn how to identify that and how to get people talking about that particular issue.”
“The coolest part for me was kind of being at the end of the spectrum the first year I attended, to being one of the more successful campuses now.” She explained that the first year she attended, there were a lot of things to improve on. “It felt like we came full circle, especially as other colleges were asking us and taking notes on what we do to advocate for mental health on our campus.”
Caggiano and Latifi both I credited their success to the administration, and thanked them for never putting a price on our students’ mental health.
“I am most excited to have brought back a renewed sense of passion for advocating for mental illness,” Latifi said when looking back on the weekend. “I hope to bring back the importance of story telling to the experience of mental illness because through the conference weekend I realized that as humans we can connect better to individual testimony than we do to stark, bare facts about mental illness.”
Caggiano reflected that the friendships she has made at Active Minds conferences have often benefitted PC in more ways than one. She told a story about meeting a friend from Loyola University Maryland the first year she attended a conference that was held in California.
“We have remained friends, and I feel like I can text her and ask her a question about what her school is doing in regards to mental health. We’ll text and check in, especially since our schools are similar in nature, and it is cool to talk to her and see what her school is doing,” she said. “Relationships like these have fostered more ideas and mental health promotion than you’d expect,” she said.
With this in mind, Caggiano suggests to whoever goes next year to take advantage of these relationships and not to go in with any expectations. “Ask someone you met to get a coffee or go to the next session,” she said. “Try to make as many connections with other students as you can.”
She concluded in saying these connections are so important and stressed she never wants students to feel like they are alone. “If you are struggling personally or if a friend is struggling personally, know there are a lot of resources on this campus, and someone is here to listen,” she said.
National News: Madness in Manhatten
by The Cowl Editor on November 2, 2017
National and Global News
By Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
This past Tuesday, October 31, the world recieved heartbreaking news that eight people were killed and almost a dozen injured after a truck drove down a bicycle path in New York City.
The incident took place very close to the World Trade Center, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called it an act of terror. De Blasio said in an CNN report thatit was a “…particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them.”
The suspect was identified by two law enforcement sources as 29-year-old Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, who is from Uzbekistan, but had been living in the United States since 2010. He was shot in the abdomen by police and taken into custody after jumping out of the truck with, as was later discovered, a pellet gun and paintball gun.
According to various reports, authorities found a note claiming the attack was made in the name of ISIS near the truck used in the attack.
President Donald Trump, a native of New York City, responded on his Twitter account, and called the suspect, “a very sick and deranged person.” He also said, “We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere.”
“My dad called me while he was counting cop cars and counted 48 that he could see from his window,” said Caitlin Whitaker ’18. “He works near ground zero so it’s a very sensitive area of New York to begin with for so many people and my family included.”
“I feel terrible about what happened yesterday,” said Daniel Munoz ’19, also a New York native. “From reading the newspaper some of the people who died came here for a reunion of some kind and it just saddens me that people came to New York to have a good time and see old friends, and then have their lives just taken away like that for literally no reason.”
Five out of the eight who died were from Argentina, and according to multiple reports were in New York City to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation from high school.
Jenna Shanley ’18, who is from New York City shared her thoughts of the incident. “I was really upset and very disheartened when I heard the news yesterday,” she said. “I started to get really worried about my mom’s whereabouts because she works in Manhattan and passes downtown on her commute, but luckily she was okay.”
She explained she felt multiple emotions, especially upon realizing it was 16 years and 20 days to the date of 9/11. “I just didn’t understand why something like this happened, and I just plan to keep the families of those lost and injured in my prayers,” said Shanley.
Shanley, like many students who attend Providence College, was directly affected by the events that took place on September 11, 2001 as her father was a first responder to the attack. He is now retired, but Shanley shared he won officer of the year in 2003 and is very proud to be his daughter. “I am happy at this point he is retired, because the world is getting scarier and I am more at ease that he is not out there,” she said. “That could’ve been him responding to what happened yesterday.”
Extra security measures are being implemented throughout the city, and law enforcement is still investigating aspects of the event. “We know that this action was intended to break our spirit, but we also know New Yorkers are strong, New Yorkers are resilient,” de Blasio said in an article written by the New York Post. “Our spirit will never be moved by an act of violence, an act meant to intimidate us.”
Students interviewed held a similar view to de Blasio, and emphasized that New York is strong.
“New York is special insofar that it’s a living, breathing entity that you can make your own. Every person experiences a different New York, and when meeting new people it’s always fun sharing stories of the New York that you’ve experienced,” said Munoz. “It makes you take into perspective what other people see and go through, that is almost always different from your own.”
“It’s hard not being home sometimes because I always get worried that something can happen, it’s New York,” said Shanley. She explained New York is so special because it is tough. “People who live in New York see a lot of things, and New York doesn’t let you live in a bubble. I think growing up in New York made me resilient, and I am grateful for that.”
“Weirdly enough I don’t feel scared to go home or go into the city,” said Whitaker. “The city has been through and overcome so much that I know we will be able to move past this and be okay again.”
Friars Put on Benefit Concert for Puerto Rico
by The Cowl Editor on October 5, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
After only three days of planning, on Friday, September 28, 20 Providence College students came together to put on a benefit concert to raise funds for Puerto Rico, after the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria. Gabriella Short ’18, wearing a white shirt that adorned the Puerto Rican flag on the back, stood in front of the crowd that flocked to the Smith Quad, and explained that every single penny from the event will go to Puerto Rico.
Short, along with the other students from Puerto Rico, planned the event in it’s entirely after they received the go ahead from Steven Sears, dean of students, last Tuesday.“Once we got the okay, it was nonstop,” said Short. “I was going 100 miles per hour, but we made it happen, and over 300 people attended the event,” she said.
The event included a beer garden, lawn games, a miniature golf course that was donated by BOP, and live music from PC students including Racheal Johnston ’18. For four dollars, students could get a plate of food that came from a local Puerto Rican restaurant.
“It just amazes me,” said Diane LaMatina ’18, who attended the event. “The fact that so many people chose to come here and support the cause shows me that the people at this school really do care for their peers and want to show their support.”
By 5:30, the event was bustling. The beer garden was filled with upper classmen, the line to the food was very steady, and administrators and faculty members mingled with students playing the lawn games.
“It makes be proud to be a Friar today,” said Kevin O’Neil ’18. “Events like these show that we really do care about each other, especially when we’re coming together to support a great cause.”
Short expressed her gratitude to Dean Sears and Sharon Hay, director of Student Activities for their support and assistance in making the event successful. She also thanked Student Congress, the Office of Admissions, BOP, and BMSA for their support. “We are so, so thankful,” she said. “We couldn’t have done this without them.”
Donations are still being accepted, with a fundraising goal of $5,000. The PC community is enouaraged to donate to a GoFundMe page, which can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/friars-with-puerto-rico.
According to the page, put together by Maria Santos ’20, all donations from the event and to the Go Fund Me will go to Unidos Por Puerto Rico, an organization that will be providing food, water, medicine, and financial aid to those who need it on the island.
In last week’s Cowl, Santos explained that being at PC and not at home has made the Puerto Rican students feel powerless and hopeless, but decided to turn their sadness into positive action.
The final amount that was raised at the event is still being calculated, as other outside donations are still expected to come in, but Short expressed that she knows the event was successful as it got students together and raised awareness.
“It is important that students know we are part of the PC community, and are more than just 20 students who are directly affected by what just happened,” said Short. “Every time something like this happens and affects our community in some way, it helps for our peers to be mindful of what happened, and respectful and understand where our hearts are.”
“The island is completely destroyed,” said Natalia Fournier ’19, a student from Puerto Rico. “It’s not only a vacation spot, but it’s our home, it’s where we grew up, and it’s where our friends and family live,” she said.
She stressed that this event was so important because it can help families and businesses get the resources they need to survive, because many people on the island currently do not have access to basic and necessary essentials.
Short explained more fundraising efforts and events will occur throughout the semester to further help the island. “I want to say thank you to everyone who was there at the event and let everyone know that this is just the beginning,” she said.
“There is a lot more ahead to help our beautiful little island get back on its feet.”
Update on Missing Cowls
by The Cowl Editor on September 28, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
As reported in the editor’s column and opinion section in The Cowl’s previous issue, on Friday, September 15, it was discovered that the second issue of this year’s Cowl had disappeared from distribution stands across campus. The Sept. 14 Cowl contained relevant and timely campus news, including Providence College’s reaction to the potential DACA repeal, a feature on four female presidents of influential clubs on campus, and a breakdown of the new grant awarded to the College to promote mental health.
Marla Gagne ’18, editor-in-chief, and Paige Calabrese ’18, associate editor-in-chief, filed a formal complaint to the Department of Public Safety that same Friday afternoon, and were part of over a week’s worth of ongoing meetings and discussions centered on finding a solution to the case.
This past Sunday, The Cowl editorial board was notified that the Department of Public Safety came to the conclusion that an individual student was responsible for the missing newspapers. The department used available video surveillance to reach this conclusion. The approximate 1,400 papers were disposed of.
It is not in The Cowl’s interest to expose the student who is responsible for the case; however, the purpose of this article is to provide the PC community with a deserving explanation as to what happened. The Department of Public Safety reports that the student acted alone and did not take The Cowl based on article content, but due to personal circumstances. We will not release any additional details of the case in order to respect the privacy of the student.
Based on a written statement issued to the college and The Cowl‘s EIC and AIC, there is evidence that the student did not mean to target or diminish the work of students, and is sorry for disrespecting The Cowl staff and its publication. The student will be facing possible sanctions through the student conduct process. The missing issue will be reprinted this week and can be found in the usual distribution locations.
About 300 copies of the issue were also used by Campus Ministry for the Connections Retreat, but this event was incidental, and not connected to the case.
The Cowl staff would like to thank the Office of the Dean of Students for their help in the investigation, as well The Cowl’s advisor Richard Kless from the Office of Community Standards.
“We are glad a student came forward,” said Steven Sears, the dean of students. “We are happy with the results and were glad to help The Cowl with the investigation.”
In regards to rumors that have spread involving this case, although it was speculated that The Cowl issues were removed due to censorship, Gagne, Calabrese, and the rest of the editorial board are satisfied with the conclusion found by the Department of Public Safety. In promoting freedom of the press and the right students have to freedom of speech, letters to the editor involving this incident or any on-campus news are always welcomed and can be delivered to The Cowl office or emailed to commentary@thecowl.com.