September/October 2018
what’s in
Volume 57 Issue 4
Racist Incident “Not Who We Are”
THIS ISSUE
By Spencer Matthews Contributing Editor
Racism is not new. Racism has existed in America for hundreds of years. But what no one saw coming was racism, very public racism at that, here at Alvernia. Racism collides with the values that are held dear at Alvernia. President Flynn sent an email to the student body and faculty and staff regarding a racist incident that occurred here during the first week. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the situation or did not read the email, a black female student was publicly called a derogatory term
Fall Fashion Tips
and chose to report it to the proper school authorities. The student body is at the core of Alvernia. We are the people that make Alvernia what it is and we dictate how we interact with one another. This incident was obviously an abhorrent example of how one should act towards another. Student opinion on this issue was nuanced but shared similarities overall. Sophomore Early Childhood and Special Education major Savannah Merrett recalled how this made her feel. “[The incident] upset me because today I would expect that our school
would be a better place... But for something like that to still happen...it kind of makes you think... do we not talk about it enough for people to know it’s not right?” First Year Nursing major Destiny Copps felt unsafe. “Personally it kind of scares me...what do people think about me on campus being an AfricanAmerican female?” Copps said. “I just want everyone to accept everyone here cause I came to Alvernia for the diversity.” Sophomore Communication major Victor de Avila focused on implementing changes. “Personally I think myself and everyone
can take little steps which develop into big movements such as looking out for one another on campus, whether it’s standing up for someone when you hear this...going on, or... supporting organizations and going out and helping these places.” Nearly all students interviewed for this article mentioned that they were going to make others feel welcome and/ or equal. President Flynn expressed his total rejection of what occured and his own personal philosophy on how to handle situations like
Alvernia, help commuters when it comes to meal plans? Alvernia does have a meal plan for commuters. On Alvernia’s meal plan website you can find the meal plan cost for commuters, which is $36, and grants a student five meals a semester. While this seems inexpensive, most commuters on campus are full-time students who are on campus for the majority of the day every school day. But here is what you may not know about the meal plans.
After talking to Kristi Guistwite in Student Accounts, the myth has been broken that only commuters can buy the commuter meal plan or any other plan in fact. You can actually purchase any meal plan that is listed even though the column on the website says allowed to purchase doesn’t include commuters. After finding out that commuters can buy any meal plan they want, what is the most cost-effective? Guistwite advised students to buy in bulk. “You can buy the 75 block plan but cost effect wise it would be better to buy the commuter meal plan block multiple times,” Guistwite said. Many commuter students were unaware of this option. “I didn’t know you could buy other meal plans. I really didn’t even know we had a commuter meal plan in the first place,” Jared Kochell, a junior commuter, said. “Yeah, I had no idea you could buy the commuter meal block multiple times or other meal plans. I just thought you had the
commuter option and that was it,” Bryce Miceli, a junior commuter, said. This information about buying meal plans can be communicated to commuters through explanatory emails and expressed to them during connection day or even student orientation. Another idea is to include the various meal plans commuters can purchase on the web page that lists the meal plans.
Continued on page 3
Do You Know About Commuter Meals? By Chelsea Dziamba Contributing Editor
7 Microwave Meals
Being a commuter at any university can be more challenging compared to a resident on campus for several reasons. The commute itself can be challenging. While you are saving thousands of dollars by staying at home, is traveling to school each day worth the traffic and gas money? Beyond not living on campus, commuters must provide their own lunches on a daily basis. How can universities, especially
Profile: Eldyne Bordner
Photo Courtesy of Chelsea Dziambia
The Nun Review
The commuter lobby in Bernadine Hall, where commuters do homework, eat meals, and hang out in between classes.
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FLYNN FILES
September/October 2018
Vol. 57 Issue 4
t h e alver nian Managing Editor Gwen Bauer Layout Gwen Bauer Section Editors Chelsea Dziamba Khalil Eaddy Courtney High Spencer Matthews Keon Taylor Contributing Writers Gillian Bodnar Leah Kemper Faculty Advisor Dr. Ryan Lange
The Alvernian is the official student newspaper of Alvernia University. To contact newspaper staff, the office telephone number is 610-796-8358.
Articles submitted for consideration into The Alvernian should be written in some semblance of AP style. Letters to the editor, requests for advertisements, and general comments and questions may be submitted to ryan.lange@alvernia.edu. The editors reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, accuracy, and length. The views expressed in The Alvernian are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the student body, faculty, staff, administration, or sponsors.
© 2018 The Alvernian
The first weeks of the new academic year have brought lots of excitement. From a wonderful commissioning ceremony of over 120 student leaders (RAs, OWL, PMs, PTs, and OAs) to the arrival of a recordbreaking freshman class on a gorgeous move-in day to another inspirational, universitywide Orientation Day of Service to an unforgettable, madefor-a-movie, inaugural football game, we have had memorable moments of pride and fun. Alvernia has made history not once, but twice, this fall. Almost 500 new students converged on campus, with the entering Class of 2022 forming the largest, academically strongest, and most diverse freshman class ever. Countless faculty and staff volunteers joined scores of student leaders to welcome the class, before we gathered for a stirring Opening Convocation. Labor Day weekend brought more historymaking memories, as our Golden Wolves football team made a four-play, game-ending goal line stand to win the game, 26-21, in front of an overflow crowd of almost 3,000 spectators. And other history is in the making daily too, as we watch the construction of by far the largest project in Alvernia’s six decades! The outer walls of the PLEX will soon be completely enclosed and the project remains on schedule for completion in late May, with opening in late summer. But the 200 new additional parking spaces are already in use! Amidst all this excitement, the faculty have approved two new
important academic programs, with others under development. Current students and recent alums will be delighted to hear that Alvernia is now ready to offer the MSW (Master’s in Social Work), both for undergrads with Social Work majors but also for graduates who desire an advanced degree for career advancement. And an innovative new major will be offered by our Communications faculty, with cooperation from colleagues in several other disciplines. Digital Media Marketing will provide students with a creative combination of courses and “real world,” off-campus experiences designed to prepare them for a wide variety of professional options. Alvernia has certainly welcomed football to campus, but our athletics department also now offers Women’s Equestrian and has hired new head coaches to launch Men’s Wrestling and Women’s Ice Hockey for Fall 2019. (Given my Boston roots, I look forward to having more hockey-playing New Englanders on campus!) Our annual lecture series and arts events are well underway, with some terrific programs already, and the FYS Book Lecture by Jamie Ford is on November 5. Speaking about lectures . . . and ideas of all kinds, all of us at Alvernia continue to value our welcoming, inclusive campus atmosphere, rooted in the Franciscan values we know so well. We are committed to inviting the open exchange of diverse, even controversial, views in and beyond the classroom. We are committed to handling our inevitable disagreements civilly and
Dr. Thomas Flynn, President of Alvernia University
charitably, while listening carefully and seeking the common ground for our different views—what we share and agree on. We aim to respect the dignity and value of everyone, especially if they are different from us. And we are committed to distinguishing carefully between the expression of legitimate differences of opinion and hateful, bigoted comments intended to demean another person or group. Will we make mistakes? Naturally. comments intended to demean another person or group. Will we make mistakes? Naturally. Will we even at times act badly? Of course. But at Alvernia we aspire to meet a higher standard of behavior than we see too often in our current world. Over the last six months, a group of 20 faculty and staff
drafted a statement of “Commitment to Civil Dialogue and Freedom of Expression,” accompanied by a set of practical guidelines for putting this into practice. Large numbers of faculty and staff and groups of student and trustee leaders have reviewed and praised this work and made suggestions for its usefulness. It is meant to guide our own university community but also the guests and speakers whom we invite to campus. Please read the statement printed elsewhere in this issue of the Alvernian. It calls us all to be our best selves. As we always expect at Alvernia! Enjoy the year.
Peace and All Good, Tom Flynn
“...at Alvernia, we aspire to meet a higher standard of behavior than we see too often in our current world.”
ALVERNIA VIEWS September/October 2018
3 Vol. 57 Issue 4
Racist Incident (Cont’d) this: “The...incident that we have here is not an example of uncivil dialogue, it’s an example of bigotry...I’ve always been against telling students a whole bunch of things they cant do, or they shouldn’t do, without calling them to something that they might aspire to; and that’s true for faculty and staff.” “I want us to aspire to be a place that can express our views and our feelings and our ideas very openly, but in a manner that is respectful for others. ”Bigotry...I’ve always been against telling students a whole bunch of things they cant do, or they shouldn’t do, without calling them to something that they might aspire to; and that’s true for faculty and staff.” “I want us to aspire to be a place that can
express our views and our feelings and our ideas very openly, but in a manner that is respectful for others.” President Flynn commented on the effects the political landscape of America has on its citizens. “We have prominent people saying some things that are just outrageous. So we shouldn’t be surprised that some of those attitudes are going to be reflected by ordinary citizens.” But to President Flynn this is not something that will be repeated as “it’s [not] part of a pattern at Alvernia.” But that doesn’t mean it’s a one time thing: “I don’t kid myself that this is never going to happen again...Do I think that somehow we’re immune from any unenlightened attitudes? Of course we’re not.”
“But I think, after 13 years here, I feel pretty good about the attitudes that our students and our faculty and staff, and all of us try to maintain. But I don’t have any illusion that there aren’t times in which we fall short of that ideal.” President Flynn concluded with his three most important points: “I think all of us...really need to make a...strong effort to listen carefully to people with whom we disagree...” “I think the second thing is that we probably should spend less time trying to tell other people how they’re wrong and maybe spend more time telling each other how we can find some common ground because for the vast majority of us we have much have much more in common and much more we agree with then things that we don’t
have in common and we don’t disagree with.” “And...the third thing is there are some behaviors and some words, and some language that is just plain wrong. And that’s not a question in difference of opinion, that’s bigotry, that’s prejudiced, it’s hurtful, it’s threatening.” We all came to Alvernia for different reasons. Whether it was for academic, athletics, or something else, we all made a conscious decision to be here. But one’s motivation for being here should not be negatively affected by the interactions we have with one another. This incident is not something that is inherently Alvernian. It’s on the student body to keep it that way. Race, sexuality, gender, ethnicity, what have you, under no circumstances
Courtney High Contributing Editor
associate administrator to man-space flight. Bordner was working for NASA when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon in 1969. After NASA, Bordner began working at the Energy Administration. Her duty was to a task force that President Nixon had Vice President Ford put together. “The task force was doing research on the different energies, such as: gas, electric, coal, and oil,” Bordner said. “There was an expert for each one of the energies.” The project they were working on was called Project Independence, which was located inside the Old Executive Office building next to the White House, now known as the Eisenhower building. “They were just doing this one project part-time. The head of the group was a Nuclear Physicist who came from Oakridge, TN. He was working down in Oakridge during WWII when they were working to make the atomic bomb,” Bordner said. “We had a conference in Las Vegas, and Nevada
was the area where they used to do tests to the atomic bomb and they gave us a tour of that area.” “We went on like a tram, like a small train underground, we had to wear these outfits and boots that had steel cause they used to do testing underground, so they took us down there to see what it was like.” After working at the Energy Administration from 1974-1976, she began a new job. “When that was over they didn’t need our group anymore, so they asked me if I wanted to work in the Vice President’s Office,” Bordner said. She was one of three secretaries, and her boss, Jack Beneman, was an attorney to Vice President Nelson Rockefeller. For the remaining 18 years of her career, Bordner worked at the Department of Energy. She was a Confidential Assistant to the director of the offices to the secretary. She later became an analyst at the Freedom of
Information Office. She would process freedom of information requests. She was a secretary to one of the men who worked on Project Independent. “When I was in the Freedom of Information Office, right near New Orleans they had what they call the Strategic Petroleum Office where they collect oil and put it underground in salt-mines and that’s for emergencies for the country,” Bordner said. The FBI had an annual picnic at Quantico. “Since it was on a Marine base, the Marines would kind of do a show, like parachute down and stuff,” Bordner said. The FBI also had clubs for their employees. Bordner participated in snow skiing as well as water skiing in Annapolis, MD. She would also go shooting in the range. Every Tuesday after work, the employees could go shoot pistols in the basement, and agents would be there to help them. Though Bordner enjoyed going to the
should any of these contribute to a negative experience one has here. There is never a time where it is appropriate to go after someone for something that makes them unique. Our differences are what make us who we are. The day that this is internalized by the student body of Alvernia is the day that bigotry dies.
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Eldyne “Deanie” Bordner of Bethel, PA started her career working for the FBI and ended it working for the Department of Energy. After high school she attended McCann School of Business in Reading for one year and received her diploma. Originally, Bordner was undecided on what she wanted to do with her life. That was until an FBI agent came to the business school to recruit. Bordner began her career as a stenographer in the FBI, and later she became the secretary to a squad supervisor. Squad supervisors were in charge of about 10, 12 agents. Bordner was working for the FBI when JFK was assassinated. One of her duties was to type up different information that the agents collected. After 7 years in the FBI, Bordner began working at NASA’s headquarters in Washington DC. She was the secretary to the executive assistant of the
Photo Courtesy of Eldyne Bordner
A Career Like A Moonshot
Eldyne “Deanie” Bordner
range, it’s not something she continued to do after leaving the FBI. Bordner liked all of her jobs, but felt called to the action and excitement of the capital. “I remember going to Washington DC when I was about 13 and thinking gosh this is a really beautiful place,” Bordner said. “I wouldn’t have been as enthusiastic with a small secretary job around here. I guess I just wanted to know more about the world.”
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SPORTS
September/October 2018
Vol. 57 Issue 4
Golden Wolves Win First Football Game By ChristinaMarie Stefanoni Contributing Writer
The Golden Wolves overcame Gallaudet 26-21 in their inaugural game on September 1. It was a hard-fought game to its last minutes. Gallaudet’s football program dates back to 1883. Gallaudet is also unique in that it is a college for the deaf, which makes playing against them unusual for players accustomed to auditory signals. Many of the players explained that they did not notice any major differences playing Gallaudet despite their hearing impairment. Sophomore Marlon Brown said, “Our coaches prepared us like it was a normal team nothing was different. At the end of the day they are college athletes and suit up just like us.” Coach Ralph Clark felt that the Golden Wolves were well-prepared to face their
first opponents. “I was actually pretty calm going into the game,” Clark said. “I felt we could compete with them.” The game was competitive nonetheless. Standouts among the Golden Wolves included sophomore Brian Tanis. Tanis had a breakout game for the Golden Wolves offense, earning a criticaltouchdown. This slant pass to Tanis kept the momentum going for the Golden Wolves. Tanis had 29 reception yards for the Golden Wolves. “There were many different emotions going through each players mind before the game,” Tanis said, “But we all had one common goal and that was to win.” The Golden Wolves had to outwork Gallaudet on every play. Marlon Brown had the privilege of earning the first touchdown of the game, which was also the first touchdown in Alvernia history.
“It felt like a dream come true,” Brown said. “It makes me feel honored to be the first to score in our history but without the O-line doing their job, I wouldn’t have scored.” The Golden Wolves had to hold Gallaudet at bay for the entire game. Sophomore Jordan Bowie had the crucial stop at the Gallaudet’s oneyard line at the end of the game to hold the score at 26-21. “I had to do whatever I had to do to help the team win,” Bowie said. “I felt confident.” Sophomore Neeko Scurlock had a big offensive push as well. Neeko received
at the 21-yard pass line, which then pushed the Wolves to Gallaudet’s 38-yard line. “My mindset coming into the game was to do anything and everything I could to help the team win,” Scurlock said.
The stadium erupts with cheers as the Golden Wolves win their very first game in Alvernia University History.
The Golden Wolves defense holds strong against Gallaudet’s relentless offensive push.
“Overall it was a great team win and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Alvernia football family.” First year Malcolm Carey also had an outstanding game for the Wolves. Malcom had the game winning touchdown with 2:40 left to go in the game. “I’m feeling great about the rest of the season,
very excited about where this team can go,” Carey said. The Golden Wolves had a bye week after their victory, followed by a tough schedule that saw them play a variety of teams. The team continues to impress despite challenging opponents, and remains on the grow.
“It felt like a dream come true.” - Marlon Brown
SPORTS September/October 2018
5 Vol. 57 Issue 4
Under grey skies, 2,731 people watched as Alvernia’s first football team played its inaugural game on September 1, listening with smiles as the music from Alvernia’s pep band filled the air. “We played, we cheered, we created an atmosphere, [and] we yelled at the refs,” Steven Koenig, a senior physical therapy major said. Koenig plays trumpet for Alvernia’s pep band and concert band. “Band gives me a brain break two hours a week. . . if I wasn’t in this, I wouldn’t know anyone outside my program.” With football now underway, Alvernia has started a pep band for the home football games. The pep band plays a variety of music for the tailgaters in parking lot C before the game, as well as in the stands during the game. The pep playlist
to play an instrument, and they have to show up. We have alumni, friends, and faculty [in band].” The band plays at Alvernia’s home football games, along with a one hour-long concert each semester on the Saturday before finals week in Francis Hall’s theater. The semester-end concert features both Alvernia’s band and choir. The pep band is still getting its footing at Alvernia. One of its greatest challenges is finding people to play. “There are obstacles that we have to overcome, and it would be really great if we get would be really great if we get more people to join,” Melisa Rivera, a senior health care science and psychology major said. Rivera plays the flute and piccolo in Alvernia’s band. “Having a small group definitely has gotten
features songs like, “Hey us more relationships Baby,” “The Hey Song,” “7 within the band. The Nation Army,” and “Eye of music is great….I think the Tiger.” it’s really gratifying when “Anyone can join you see it come together.” band,” Kurt Schneiderhan, Alvernia University the pep band director, started what’s known said. “They should be able Photo Courtesy of Leah Kemper
Senior. Melisa Rivera, holding her piccolo during band practice on 9/13/18.
Photo Courtesy of Leah Kemper
Alvernia Makes Music
as an Instrumental Ensemble about 15 years ago. “We called it that because we wanted any students who played instruments to feel comfortable and then we would just find what music we could for
good concert band,” Schwanger said. “Part of what all our groups are running into is a bigger percentage of our students are in very [time] demanding majors. So, the shift is: fewer students that are able, whether they want to or
those students,” Carol Schwanger, associate professor of music said. Schwanger plays the bassoon for Alvernia’s concert band. “That was a small group and it was changing every semester because of when the students could be there.” “In order for the growth of the program, we were able to get an actual instrumental director, Mr. Jim Seidel, about 10 years ago.” “He was here with us for eight years, and the emphasis at that point, and still is, on concert band, on the kind of band you have where people are sitting in their seats because we did not have any other resources except a room,” Schwanger said. “Francis Hall got reworked, the room that you see now for rehearsal was a real help to the program. It allowed those in band and chorus to get more instruments, and [they] could leave [them] here.” “We had by that time, which was about at least five years ago, a pretty
not, to commit to a group like band or preforming in the play production. Even the chorus does not have as many singers as it used to have,” Schwanger said. “So, the plans are hopefully with our new marketing team at Alvernia, there will be more visibility than what we have. It may be in advertising, . . . in materials, . . . or in places on the website. We have hopes that the online presence of Alvernia will be able to represent us more than it has before,” Schwanger said. Alvernia’s band practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Bernardine Hall 104. They practice pep band music and concert band music during this time. The band is still growing, but currently includes 15 members who play woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Band can be taken as either a one credit class or extracurricular activity and can be repeated throughout
multiple semesters. “I’m looking forward to trying to grow the group, and just try to build on what we did last year musically,” Schneiderhan said.
“I really do like this school, it’s a nice community.” -Avery Walker
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FOOD
September/October 2018
Vol. 57 Issue 4
7 Delicious Microwave Meals By Gwen Bauer Managing Editor
Being a first year student can be difficult because you often don’t have the space and accessories you need to cook and prepare food. While first year students are required to have the highest meal plan when living on campus, the cafeteria may not be open at convenient times for them, especially on weekends. “I remember freshman year not eating at the cafeteria because they didn’t have anything I liked, then going back to my room and only having easy mac or ramen to eat,” Kali Gries, senior healthcare science major, said. Having snacks and meals that are easy to make is important for college students because many times they end up eating ramen noodles or Easy Mac because those are the only meals readily available for them, and those are not much of a nutritious meal. “I started trying the microwave meals and it has been a life savor for me, even as a senior because I am always on the go and don’t have time to cook full meals,” Genna Koser said. So try these 8 easy,
stop, ask to get a shuttle to Redners and they will send a driver right away. It is about two miles from campus and a 5 minute drive. Before beginning with the recipes, anything included in these recipes can be found at Redners or any grocery store. The supplies such as utensils, bowls, plates, cutting knives, cutting boards, and measuring cups can be found at Redners for a reasonable price. But if you would prefer a better price the Dollar Store has eveything you will need, and is located in the same shopping center at Redners, two stores down. Also, know that all the prices are approximate and most of these recipes have enough of the ingredients to make multiple servings. #1: Sweet Potato Chips $3 With a cutting knife, slice 1 sweet potato into thin slices, as thin as you can possibly get them. Lay the slices flat on a plate and sprinkle with sea salt. Microwave for about 5 minutes and enjoy a healthy snack! For extra flavor or a sweet tooth, you can sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over top instead of sea salt.
#2: Mac and Cheese $4 In a mug or bowl add ½ cup of uncooked elbow macaroni, ½ cup of water, a pinch of salt, then stir, and microwave for 2 minutes. (If you use a bowl, you can double the recipe) Stir and microwave Fluffy, flavorful, five-minute french toast in for 2 more a mug. minutes. tasty, affordable Once the pasta is fully microwave recipes! cooked, add 1/3 cup of Note: The Alvernia cheese, a teaspoon of shuttles can take you to butter, and 1/8 cup of Redner’s Grocery Store milk whenever you need for Mix well, make sure the ingredients and groceries. cheese is fully meltedand Just call public safety enjoy!#3: French Toast in from any Alvernia shuttle a Mug $5
Slice French bread into small cubes and place in the mug. In a separate bowl mix 1 egg, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of milk. Pour over top of the French bread and mix gently. Then microwave for about 1.5-2 minutes. Pour syrup over top or/and add fruit or chocolate chips, and enjoy a delicious breakfast!
#4: Microwave Loaded Nachos $10 Place ½ cup of precooked chicken and 2 slices of precooked bacon on a plate, then heat in the microwave for about 1 minute. While the chicken is reheating on a separate plate, lay out nacho chips, covering the plate. Once the chicken and bacon are done, cut the chicken slices small and put them on top of the nachos. Then place as much shredded cheddar cheese on top of the of nachos as you want. Microwave for about 30 seconds or until cheese is melted. Then crumple the bacon into small pieces and sprinkle on top of the nachos and jalapenos, sour cream, or whatever else you choose on top, and enjoy! #5: Chicken Bacon Ranch Avocado Wrap $8 First slice an avocado into long thin slices.Then lay out a tortilla shell and place about 4 slices of avocado on top, with cheddar cheese. Then on a separate plate lay out precooked chicken and bacon. About 2-3 slices of bacon, and a ½ of a cup of chicken, then microwave for about 45-60 seconds. After than place the chicken on the wrap, then take the bacon, crumple it into smaller pieces and spread it all over the chicken and put in the microwave for 30 seconds. Once this is complete add ranch over top of the chicken and bacon, wrap it up, and enjoy! You can also add hot sauce if you would like it to be a
Microwave macaroni and cheese, made to taste homemade.
buffalo ranch wrap. For a healthier option of this, you can make it a salad by taking away the tortilla, placing lettuce in a bowl, cutting the avocadoi instead of slicing, and then add the rest of the ingriedients as is.
#6: Mug Cake $4-6 In a mug mix 2 tbsp of angel food cake mix, 2 tbsp of white cake mix and 4 tbsp of water. Also mix in a topping of choice. To make it a Oreo cake or birthday cake add 2 tbsp of Oreo cookies or 2 tbsp of sprinkles. Microwave for 1 minute Add whipped cream to the top and you have a sweet treat
recommendation chopped peppers, onions, precooked ham, precooked bacon, and cheese makes a great omelet. You can also try spinach, tomato, and mozzerella cheese or create your own. Once you have added all your ingredients Microwave for 1 minute Mix again, microwave for 1 more minute, and enjoy!
#7: 3 Minute Omelet in a Mug $2-10 In a mug, mix 2 eggs, a pinch of salt and pepper and mix. The next step depends on your preference. You can add anything you want to your mug omelet. As a
Easy homemade microwave nachos covered in cheddar cheese, salsa, and bacon.
NOW TRENDING September/October 2018
7 Vol. 57 Issue 4
Fall Fashion: Layer Up! By Gillain Bodnar Contributing Writer
Senior Gillian Bodnar modeling a simple layered look for fall weather.
The cold may be coming, but that doesn’t mean your only clothing options are sweatshirts and sweatpants. Making yourself more stylish with the cooler months coming will help you feel better and keep you motivated. Dressing cute and comfortable is way easier than you think! Fall is the best time for really getting into fashion with one secret to make getting dressed way easier: LAYERS! A shirt, cardigan, leggings, boots and a scarf with accessories of your choice. With just a little effort, instead of a bum look, voila! You have a fresh fall look. Colors and patterns can be incorporated through the pieces of clothing or accessorizing. Aside from clothing and accessories, what should you do with your
hair? Since it is cooler out, there is always the option of wearing a hat (beanie, baseball cap, etc.) or you can leave it simple and down, or simply put it up in a classic ponytail, braid or bun. There are so many options to add to your outfit that can keep it fresh and in style. “My favorite thing to do is accessorize because it does add so much to the outfit,” Shannon Quirk, senior OT major, said. “I cannot leave my room without my earrings and my necklaces, or I don’t feel like my outfit is complete.” If your outfit is flashier with bright colors, then the accessories can be kept light. If what you are wearing is less bold, spice up the look with a piece of statement jewelry of your choice.
The fall is a great time to experiment with new colors such as grays, burnt oranges, dark greens and even more, which allows a colorful wardrobe that puts your personality on the outside. “Colour is culturally loaded,” Ellie Bramley wrote in The Guardian. “So, doing like Emma Stone will lift you only if you believe that wearing a certain colour – it doesn’t need to be bright yellow, it could be black – lifts your mood … it’s a simultaneous wearing and believing that has been found to have significant results.” And it can be potent, Bramley continued. “When people believe in the symbolic meaning of their clothes, it can affect their cognitive processes, and part of those are your emotions.”
The Nun Scares America Out of $35 Million The Conjuring franchise continues to be a strong earner thanks to its newest addition, The Nun. Box office reports claim The Nun grossed $53.5 million in its opening weekend and claimed the spot as the second largest debut in the month of September. The Nun also earned strong international revenue, earning $133 million worldwide by the end of its first weekend. The film is set in the 1950s and tells of the Vatican’s investigation into a nun’s mysterious suicide. Early predictions of the movie’s success suggested a stellar opening weekend for the film because of the opening weekend numbers of previous films within its series. The series of films included within the Conjuring Universe include The Conjuring, Annabelle, The Conjuring 2, and Annabelle: Creation. All of the films previously released accumulated $35 million or more in their opening weeks. Analysts projected The
Nun to gross more than $40 million, according to Deadline. While the film became a box office hit in its opening weekend, it received less than desirable reviews from several critics on Rotten Tomatoes and other platforms. A critic from the San Diego Reader blasted the film in his review by writing, “Were it not for the sudden blasts of Dolby fury, there would be nothing to provide shocks, let alone scares. What terrifies most is the complete and utter lack of plot.” Scott Marks, a Top Critic for Rotten Tomatoes, surprisingly rated the movie a 0 out of 5. David Lewis from the San Francisco Chronicle even dubs the movie a “horror cliché”. The critics from Rotten Tomatoes wrote the following critique of the R-rated film, “The Nun boasts strong performances, spooky atmospherics and a couple decent set-pieces, but its sins include inconsistent logic and
narrative slackness.” The Nun is functionally a prequel to the original Conjuring. Fans of demonic cameos will be pleased to hear that the same demon character that was in The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2 turns up in The Nun. If horror movies including nuns are not your thing because you study at a distinctive Franciscan university, several horror films are expected to hit theaters in November, such as Overlord and Anna and the Apocalypse.
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The preview photo for the Nun, pictured at the Fox Berkshire theater in Wyomissing, PA.
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FREE SPEECH
September/October 2018
Vol. 57 Issue 4
Commitment to Civil Dialogue and Freedom of Expression At Alvernia University As a “Distinctive Franciscan University in the Catholic
and liberal arts traditions,” Alvernia welcomes all
who seek to promote the common good, while both
respecting our differences and yet celebrating what unites us as members of a democratic society and a global community.
As a Catholic university, Alvernia values the
education of the whole person and the formation of one’s character within the framework of Christian values and Catholic Social Thought;
As a Franciscan university, Alvernia celebrates the
ideal of a caring, inclusive, interfaith community built
around “right relationships” in which we are “brother and sister” to all;
Accordingly, we espouse the following “Guiding
Principles” to frame the expression of views by
members of the Alvernia University community and all guests:
• We believe our inclusive Franciscan core values
provide a positive framework for speech and dialogue, both in substance and style, though we are open to
perspectives that may run counter to these values, if expressed responsibly and respectfully;
• We believe in allowing broad latitude for
speakers and speech, confident our Franciscan culture will contextualize and mitigate much that could be offensive or contrary to our stated values;
• We also agree that, given our values, and because
As a university founded by the Bernardine Franciscan we assert the dignity of each person and any group of
Sisters, Alvernia is especially dedicated to “serving the underserved” and to fostering dialogue on issues of justice in contemporary society;
As a university committed to the ideals of liberal
arts education, Alvernia promotes the open exchange of ideas and diverse perspectives in an academic
community in which all individuals are respected and valued;
And as a university with faculty, staff, and students
devoted to our core values and the Franciscan ideal
of “knowledge joined with love,” Alvernia champions charity and civility in all that we do.
NOTE: the quoted phrases come either from the Alvernia Vision and Mission Statements or from documents of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters.
people, we will not tolerate speech that espouses hate,
harm, or bigotry or that provokes violence, even if such speech is constitutionally protected;
• We recognize that the experience of feeling
threatened or harmed varies among individuals, so sensitivity should be shown by all;
• We respect and support the right and expression
of peaceful protest as long as it does not prevent an event from proceeding or infringes unduly on the rights of others;
• We think it essential that, when guest speakers
are invited, Alvernia faculty and staff have a
professional responsibility to frame the occasion in a
way that respects both the speaker and the audience;
• We recognize that the opinions of any speaker are
not intended to represent any institutional position.