February/March 2022
The Culinary Institute of America
Call For Change
Sports
Finance
Mackenzie Maurer Contributing Writer When choosing what to do for school high school counselors tell you to follow what you’re passionate about, but there is always a massive push from them towards 4-year colleges that end in a bachelor’s degree. Often, they forget that students can be just as successful if not more than doing things they are passionate about that do not require them to earn a 4-year degree. Ryan Maurer, brother of an Alvernia University student was pushed to pursue a 4-year degree after earning various D1 sports scholarships, he took an offer at The University of Alabama but differed for a year to work and save money. That year he was able to save and keep working as a line cook at a local restaurant. As his passion for cooking grew, he decided to apply to school to be a chef at The Culinary Institute of America, another difficult school to get into. Once he was accepted, he declined Alabama and took the spot at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, New York. While attending the CIA, Ryan has learned many things about cooking such as classes on sauces and wine. He does take minimal gen-eds, but he spends most his days in “lab” which is just a kitchen space where they learn how to properly cut veggies, handmake pasta, cook meat to what they consider perfection and more. Now that he is in his final semester at the culinary institute, he can be placed in one of their restaurants to work and serve paying customers from the community. One of the guests that has come in to dine while he’s been at school has been Ryan Seacrest former American Idol host. Ryan Maurer is working in the school’s French restaurant, and he can run the specials menu with creative freedom over the food right now. One of his favorites that he has done is this steak that he described as “A filet with whipped savory sweet potatoes, purple a yellow cauliflower, radishes, and
Source: Ryan Maurer
THIS ISSUE
The CIA: Culinary Institute of America.
One of the dishes that culinary students have made at the CIA. a port balsamic reduction poured table side” The reduction isn’t included in the photo due to it being poured tableside. He has been able to make dishes that include nontraditional ingredients as well that may not be cooked with on a regular basis, such as bok choy. One of the recipes that he has talked about doing is “A dover sole with bok choy and curried cauliflower over a cauliflower purée” These specials that get run in the restaurants are almost if not always sold out by the end of the night, the people who come in tend to enjoy what he has been choosing to run and his professors say that they feel he is doing a good job, which is crucial. Another special that he has run while overseeing specials has been described as a “porcini crusted halibut with polenta, lentils, seared porcini, brussel sprouts, and aged balsamic on top” He has to decided what ingredients will pair well with other and then decided if they will be something that will sell well in the restaurant, this is part of his grade in the class, it can be described similarly to taking a nursing clinical, very hands on and learning by doing. Although they are completing two very different jobs culinary and nursing students are very hands on
and learning by doing the skills that will be needed in the real world.
Credit: Ryan Maurer
what’s in
Volume 59 Issue 1
Another dish made by a current CIA student.
2 February/March 2022
t h e alver n ian
Campus Life
Vol. 59 Issue 1
Students Call For a Change in Cafeteria Food
Managing Editor Mackenzie Coombs Layout Mackenzie Coombs Section Editors Mackenzie Coombs Matt Mitchell Macy Smith Dion Thorpe
Contributing Writers Marisa Bishop Jamel Fleming Mackenzie Maurer Sarah Mies Sherrin Smith 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.
© 2022 The Alvernian
At the beginning of this semester, Aladdin Food Services put up a comment board in the Student Center dining hall for the students to express how they feel about the food and service. The board quickly filled up with opinionated comment cards. The cards ask students to rate the food (taste, temperature, and appearance) and then the service (friendliness, speed, atmosphere, and attractiveness). The overwhelming majority of the comments were strongly negative. Out of the 13 comments displayed currently on the board, only one gives a positive review. Alvernia students are unsatisfied with the food served in the cafeteria and are advocating for improvement. The complaints on the comment cards cover a wide range of concerns. Many of the comments insist on Aladdin providing more food options. Health is a big concern for these students. Multiple cards mention the abundance of the fried foods and a lack of healthy options. Many first-year students are trying to avoid the “freshman 15”. First-year student, Luke Peifer said, “I am trying to eat a low carb, high protein diet, and the dining hall does not have the options for me to do that.” Students do have the option of using meal swipes at Freshens. Allison Berger, sophomore student, has a strong preference for the PLEX’s eatery; “Freshens is the only place on campus to eat tasty and healthy food,” she said. But sadly, if you have a block meal plan, as many students do, you are limited on how often you can use meal swipes at Freshens or Courtside. There are many dietary concerns being mentioned as well. Students are calling for more gluten-free, dairyfree, vegetarian, and vegan options. Olivia Blockberger, sophomore, thinks a variety might be helpful. “I wish the deli station and front grill were open more. So, then at least we have a few more choices.” The plea for more options is not the only concern of the student community. Individuals express that they
Credit: Sarah Mies
Sara Mies Contributing Writer
These are the reviews of the cafeteria food that were written by the students. Aladin is taking this reviews very seriously and will take the students input.
are uncomfortable with the quality and temperature at which the food is served. A vast majority of the comment cards checked “poor” or” fair” for both the temperature and taste of the food. One comment stressed that the food in the cafeteria is causing them to have uncomfortable digestion issues and another claimed they got sick from not having enough protein choices for vegans. A survey1 was conducted recently which reached about 100 students. 64% of the students asked reported that they have at some point gotten sick from the food in the cafeteria. This comment board isn’t the first time the students have called for a change. Last spring, a petition was going around to change the food’s quality and options. It had about a hundred signatures, but it seemed to have never been submitted to the school and no changes were made. Students are not getting adamant about the need for a change in the meals. “Honestly, I think we need an entirely new food service,” said Asher Smith, sophomore. He is not alone in this thought; 80% of the students from the survey stated they are not satisfied with the quality of the food. It is a complicated situation when you are a student who does not enjoy the food they are being served. Students who reside on campus and live in Clare Hall, Veronica Hall, Judge Hall, or Anthony Hall are required to have a meal plan. The meal plans are not cheap and range from $1,730 to $3,375. Many
students avoid the dining hall and go buy their food elsewhere, along with paying for a meal plan. In the same survey, 85% of the students said they have a meal plan, yet also regularly go to the grocery store. On top of this, the school recently released that some restaurants in downtown Reading will now be accepting “Vern Bucks”, which are funds that are loaded onto your I.D card. However, you have to pay to add these Vern Bucks to your account, as they are not included in your meal plan. Allison Berger is dissatisfied with tis arrangement. “[I feel] like we are just throwing money at the school and getting nothing in return.” All the comment cards that were posted on the wall have been replied to. Aladdin is taking the comments and requests seriously and that is making the students feel like their voice is being heard. 2 1This Survey was conducted on an Instagram Poll by Sarah Mies.
2A follow up with Aladdin will be in the next issue of The Alvernian food, and catching up with family and friends. With everything else that is on your mind, you might forget what the true point of the holiday season is. Make sure to enjoy yourself, and do not let the precious seasonal moments pass you by.
Have a story that you want to hear? Contact either Dr. Ryan Lange or Mackenzie Coombs (@ alvernia. edu). We are open to suggstions!
3
Spolight/Finance
February/March 2022
Vol. 59 Issue 1
Alvernia Spotlight: Alvernia Dance Team Alvernia’s Dance Team has been coached by Dr. April Rostek for nine years. Not only does Dr. Rostek coach, but she’s also the principal of Milmont Elementary School. While most people think that the Dance Company and the Dance Team are the same sport, they are focused on different activities. The Dance Company performs choreographed pieces at events and shows, while the Dance Team performs at athletic events such as basketball and football. The Alvernia Dance Team performs alongside Alvernia’s Cheer Team and even competes at a National Collegiate competition in Orlando, Florida at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. However, this past year both the Dance Team and the Cheer team couldn’t attend due to rising COVID cases.
the major goals of the current crop of dance members is to get Alvernia recognized by others since Alvernia is a small private university that is often overlooked in national competitions. Although this year has been different, the Dance Team hasn’t shown any wavering faith. In fact, Captain Macy Smith, has made it a priority to keep in contact with her teammates and make sure that they’re doing well, academically and mentally. With the coronavirus pandemic, opportunities to perform were lost, but they were still able to have practices and bring joy to the student body by performing at athletic events. For a brief period, spectators weren’t allowed at any games due to coronavirus restrictions, but after the first week of the spring semester, those restrictions were lifted and the Dance Team was launched back into action.
Credit: Coach April
Macy Smith Contributing Editor
Current members of the Alvernia University Dance and Cheer team. Dance Captains: Macy Smitht and Katelyn Murawski. Cheer Captains: Noelle Powell and Jordyn Homan
The Dance Team consists of mostly girls who grew up with dance training and decided to continue dancing in college. For many girls, being on the team is an outlet when it comes to stress of school. In a way, it’s like an escape and one can dance their heart out without the stress of class and the world on their shoulders. “I wanted to be a part of
something on campus that would help me meet more people, while having fun at the same time,” Michaela Walker, a first year nursing major, said. Unlike most of the sports programs here, the Dance Team isn’t funded by the school. Rather, they rely on fundraisers and events to help them cover the costs of their uniforms, props, pom-
poms, and competitions. To take part in dance is to do it for the love of the sport and team. To anyone involved, it’s important to raise money for themselves to be able to compete while also doing something that they’ve always loved to do. Most importantly, it’s important for members of the team to bond and grow relationships that could last long after college ends. One of
These past two years have been as unpredictable as ever. Everyone is feeling the effects of the events that have taken place. The market is no exception. Approaching the second anniversary of the global outbreak of the Corona Virus pandemic, we are still feeling the effects to this day. The world has changed in many ways, including mask mandates, new vaccines, and social distancing protocols. Two years ago, we could have never imagined that the world would look like this. All of these changes have left a mark not only on society but also on the economy. During the Corona shutdown, the world essentially hit the pause button to attempt to slow down the spread. Many manufacturing plants closed down completely during this time, including the plants that make an essential part of all motor vehicles. The automotive chip monitors and controls different pieces in a car. In other words, it is a necessary piece of the vehicle. This piece was not being produced during the pandemic, and there is a vast
shortage of them. Cars cannot be built right now because of this missing piece. Have you noticed lately that car lots appear to be essentially empty? This is because of the missing piece. The lack of supply of vehicles increases the prices. People still want new cars, but there are fewer on the lot to sell. Therefore, the demand for vehicles goes up. When the demand goes up, the cost goes up as well. The prices will not go down until the inventory is restored to the pre-Covid levels. Since there are fewer new cars available, the demand for used cars has gone up since people are driving those as a replacement to new vehicles. So just like new cars, the used cars have gone up in demand and therefore gone up in prices as well. So, car prices overall are skyrocketing. Local Perkasie resident Mackenzie Maurer has gotten several offers from Honda to buy her out of her lease of her 2020 Honda Civic. She says, “I will not sell my car back because there are not many other cars on the lot. I would not be able to find a car in my price range even after the offer Honda has given me. They are offering to pay me
more than I purchased my car for back in January of 2020.” The company has asked other members in Maurer’s family who drive Hondas to buy them out of their lease for more than they paid for the vehicles years ago. The value of the cars, despite the miles added onto them, has gone up. It is unheard of that after driving a new car off the lot that nearly two years later, the vehicle’s value has gone up. How long before car prices return to normal? Some experts predict it could be as early as July of 2022. Nobody knows for sure. But there is lots of inventory to catch up on before prices can drop.
Welcome to our newest section of the Alvernian featuring Finance!
Mackenzie’s car that she recently bought not too long ago.
Credit: Kenzie Maurer
Marisa Bishop Contributing Writer
Credit: Kenzie Maurer
Driving Up the Prices!
Another angle of her car.
4 November/December 2021
sports
Vol. 58 Issue 6
Spring Training or Lockout? At the beginning of December, right after the end of previous MLB bargaining agreement on December 1 at 12:01 a.m., the league went into an ongoing work stoppage. This is the ninth one in MLB history, with the last one being in 2016. Every owner in the MLB unanimously voted to enact a lockout of the sport. This means that no one can talk to the players, the coaches, no trades can be made and no other forms of negotiating. Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) are typically ratified every five years. Agreements are made between the league and the players association. A recent dispute of the CBA was during the 2020 season. The COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning, and with cases increasing rapidly, there were players that wanted to figure out a way to have a season—other wanted to opt out of the season all together. This debate was to how to reconstruct the season, which resulted in a shortened season of only 60 games. With the 2022 season just around the corner, many fans are getting worried that this upcoming season will
Picture taken of our Managing Editor at the last baseball game she attended at Citizens Bank Park as the Philadelphia Phillies played the New York Mets. This was prior to COVID.
not happen. In November, the MLBPA proposed several demands that would have players have more say in their contracts, which is aimed towards younger players. Younger players are under contract with the team that drafted them for six years of their professional baseball careers. Along with their proposal, the players union address concerns that they had regarding “tanking.” Tanking is where teams intentionally do not sign talented players so that they can finish with a losing record and be compensated with higher draft picks. The union claims that this makes the game lose
its competitive integrity. The MLB’s counteroffer was refused by the MLBPA. In the article The Clock Is Ticking, but M.L.B. and its Players Remain Apart in the New York Times by James Wagner, Wagner wrote, “M.L.B.’s proposal to the union centered around new tweaks that it believed would bring more money for younger players (offering to compensate a small group of players known as Super Twos based on a performance formula rather than the existing salary arbitration process, which is based on service time); help prevent teams from tanking (a club would be ineligible for three
Credit: Mackenzie Coombs
Mackenzie Coombs Managing Editor
consecutive years for an amateur draft lottery for the first three picks); and help cut down on service time manipulation (awarding draft picks to teams whose top prospects win or finish near the top for awards like rookie of the year or most valuable player within their first three seasons).” (Wagner M.L.B. Lockout: Players Reject Offer of Federal Mediation) The MLBPA declined the offer because they do not believe that these offers will be accomplished, and the players do not feel like their concerns are being addressed. With all these meetings and getting nowhere, the
owners feel like baseball players are getting a great deal, but the players themselves feel otherwise. The ongoing lockout could threaten spring training, as pitchers and catchers are supposed to meet in midFebruary in Florida. But it doesn’t look like that’s happening anytime soon. As of February 23rd, as featured by The Washinton Post, the Major League Baseball said that if the owners and the players cannot come to an agreement by no later than Monday (February 28th), they will start to cancel the regular season games (Janes, MLB vows to cancel regular season games). After all, baseball is one of America’s favorite pasttimes. What will happen when there is no season at all? For sure, the fans will be devasted, but the players will be even more so. They want a change in the game, but no one will know for sure until Monday somtimes. Baseball fans can only hope for the best for their respective teams, and hope that the players and the owners can come to can agreement. Let’s just pray that there will be a season, whether it’s shortened or at best, a regular season.
5 February/March 2022
Sports
Vol. 59 Issue 1
Recap: the NFL Wild Divisional Round As the new year gets kicked off, there’s no better way to ring it in than some NFL playoff football. As the wild card round began on Saturday, January 15, fans everywhere were locked in on their favorite teams eagerly hoping that they can earn a trip to Super Bowl 56 in Los Angeles. Fourteen teams earned their right to play in the new year, but in a situation where it has become win or go home, only the strongest teams can survive in the intense playoff atmosphere. After a semi-lackluster Wildcard weekend, only eight teams moved onto the Divisional round of the playoffs. However, in what must have been a crazy coincidental act to make up for the previous weekend of playoff football, fans were reimbursed in a way they could’ve never imagined. The Divisional round of the NFL playoffs lived up to all the hype it could reach in what many people are calling the greatest weekend of football ever. In each of the four divisional games played, the game was decided in the very last seconds and won by a game winning field goal. Each team showed that they belonged to play in January, making Divisional Weekend feel more like Championship Sunday! The first game of the weekend was kicked off by the Tennessee Titans and the young Cincinnati Bengals. The Titans, led by veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill, came into the game looking to roll through the competition as the number one seeded AFC team with a loaded roster on both sides of the ball. However, the young quarterback and former number one pick in the draft on the other side of the ball, Joe Burrow, was looking to earn his stripes and show what he was made of in this one with the help of a highpowered offense of his own. This game was highlighted by the surprising return of “The King” Derrick Henry. Henry was last season’s leading rusher and spent nine weeks on the top of the rushing leaderboard this year before being sidelined for a foot injury that should have kept him out for the rest of the season. After a
Patrick Mahomes avoids the rush and pushes the Kansas City Chiefs past the Buffalo Bills 42-36 in overtime
speedy recovery, he was able to make a return to the field for their most important game of the season. Derrick Henry finished the game with 68 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. However, his return was in vain. In a low scoring affair, a late game interception thrown by Ryan Tannehill would prove to be the difference maker in this contest, as second year quarterback Joe Burrow showed exactly why he deserved to be in the position he was. Burrow got the ball down the field and into scoring position following the interception, setting up Evan McPherson, a rookie kicker for the Bengals, for the game winning kick. Burrow finished the game 29/37 for 348 yards and one interception in an impressive showing against the AFC’s number one seeded team. Ryan Tannehill struggled for the Titans, going 15/24 with 220 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. The Bengals would move for a chance to play in the AFC championship the following week, while the Titans were sent back to the drawing board after cutting their season disappointingly short as the Bengals defeated the Titans 19-16. The next game to be played was between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers. In a game that may have been one of the weirdest of the weekend in a very low scoring affair, the playoff intensity remained intact. The Packers came in as heavy favorites to win this
game, especially with home field advantage in a wintery Wisconsin. With Aaron Rodgers still in MVP form and powering his team to the NFC’s number one seed, it seemed to many fans that the 49ers had an uphill battle. However, the 49ers defense stepped up to the challenge. The Niner’s defense was able to hold the all-time great quarterback to a stat line of 20/29 with only 225 yards and no touchdowns. The Niners also sacked Rodgers five times on the night and held the team to 5/12 third down conversion rate. The Niners offense was held to a similar halt as they were unable to score an offensive touchdown on the night, they were able to hang in strong thanks to the help of their superb defensive efforts. San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo only threw eleven passes on the night, going 11/19 with 131 yards and an interception. Although the offensive efforts were poor on both sides of the ball, the game remained a hardfought battle to the end, with the 49ers prevailing in an upset win over the Packers 13-10 on another game winning field goal by Robbie Gould. Sunday afternoon was kicked off by a game between the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the highflying Los Angeles Rams in LA, both giants in the NFL. This was a highly anticipated matchup between two of the most star-studded rosters in the league, led by a tale of two QBs. On one side of
the ball was Tom Brady, who is considered by most to be the greatest and most accomplished QB of all time, and on the other was Matt Stafford, who entered the day playing in only his second ever playoff game looking for a chance at redemption. In a surprising start to the game, the Rams seemed to be in total control, taking an early 27-3 lead. That was until Tom Brady did some of his usual Tom Brady things. With less than 3 minutes left in the third quarter, Brady was able to helm an incredible comeback in which the Bucs were able to score 24 unanswered points with little time to spare, including a touchdown in the closing minutes due to a poorly timed Los Angeles fumble. However, in exhilarating fashion with only a little over a minute to spare, Matt Stafford and Cooper Kupp stepped up to the plate. Stafford was able to connect with Kupp on a deep 44-yard bomb to set them up for a game winning kick by Matt Gay in the final seconds. Stafford finished the day 28/38 for 366 yards and 2 touchdowns in a stellar performance with big help from star receiver Cooper Kupp, who had 9 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown on the night in an MVP-like performance. Tom Brady finished the night 30/54 with 323 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in what may have been the last game in the illustrious career of the greatest football player of all-time. The Rams were able
to overcome the Buccaneers late comeback attempt to win 30-27. Lastly the weekend was capped off with one of the greatest games to ever be played. This battle took place in Kansas City as the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Buffalo Bills in a heavyweight matchup between two of the AFC’s premier teams and young talents. Many people see Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Bills QB Josh Allen as two of the best passers in the league. After this weekend, not only did they solidify that statement, but they just may have taken the reins of the NFL as the new faces of football. The game was intense throughout the entirety of the game, with both teams scoring back and forth touchdowns. Each team refused to let up in the highest scoring game of the weekend. However, the end of the game may have been one of the most exciting finishes ever. With only a minute left, Patrick Mahomes was able to find Chiefs speedy star Tyreek Hill to give the Chiefs a late lead. With the Chiefs up by 4 in the final minute of the game, Josh Allen had to take over and that’s exactly what he did. Allen moved the ball down the field, connecting with Gabriel Davis for his fourth touchdown of the night with only 13 seconds remaining in the game. It seemed all but over for the Chiefs, but Mahomes proved that there is no amount of time that can hold him back from a win. With only two plays, Mahomes was able to move the ball over 50 yards down the field to set up a last second field goal to send the game to overtime in a wild turn of events. The Chiefs were able to win the coin flip in overtime, securing the first possession of OT and making the most of it. The Chiefs moved right down the field as they did all night to set up a game winning touchdown to Travis Kelce in the back of the endzone, securing a trip to the AFC Championship.
Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Mitchell Contributing Writer
6 February/March 2022
Student Life
Vol. 59 Issue 1
Dion Thorpe Contributing Writer As college students, we face many problems daily that we have to overcome to be successful but one of the hardest obstacles to overcome is food. Students’ meal plans vary and sometimes you just are not in the mood for university dining options so what can you possibly do to fix that? The most helpful advice that I can give is that you must upgrade your fridge. Once you arrive on campus, you are living on your own and you have to take care of yourself. That means no more waiting for mom or dad to take you grocery shopping. As you continue to grow and learn during your four years here at Alvernia you will learn what items are helpful to keep in your room to eat. In addition, you will learn about other places in the area you should also check out. Here at Alvernia, we have many supermarkets and grocery stores that you can shop at to get your daily
needs so you are able to eat delicious meals. First, you must decide if you want to cook actual meals or if you want to cook quick meals. One item that is widely popular in the fridges of our students is Hot Pockets. These are essential because they can be made very quickly with an average time of 2-2 ½ minutes. You may get tired of eating certain foods but there are many different flavor options for Hot Pockets. This means that the taste is fresh each time that you eat one. Another quick meal that is enjoyable for students such as Senior Athletic Training Major Jordan Green-Hinson is instant oatmeal. “Every morning, I start my day with two packs of oatmeal,” Green-Hinson said. Just like Hot Pockets, you can buy multiple flavors of Oatmeal that you can make and there are many things that you can add to switch up the taste such as bananas, berries, or cinnamon spice. When we have a short time before class or we just need something to kickstart
Credit: Dion Thorpe
What’s In Your Fridge?
Up close of a grocery list on a student’s fridge.
our day we can also look for a tasty snack to do the job. Some snacks that you can grab quickly are fruit snacks, granola bars, and fruit cups. These things are not anything that you need to sit down to eat as you can grab it and eat it before your class or meeting begins. Having quick food options are essential for a college student because you spend most of your day outside of your dorm so it is very smart to pack snacks and drinks in your bag.
When walking on campus you always see students walking around with some sort of water bottle which they frequently fill up to get them through their day. “One gallon a day is always the goal but you must always drink what you lose throughout the course of your day,” Senior Healthcare Science Teyon Thorpe said. The weekends are what make students wonder what food options they have as most of the day is spent in your room.
Some dorms come with a kitchen but there are also others that just have a fridge or nothing at all. Therefore, you’ll have to find other options to cook your food. Depending on the dormitory you live in you may be able to have an air fryer, which is helpful for cooking different types of food ranging from chicken to French fries. The weekends may also be a time that you want to order take out. With the emergence of food delivery apps such as DoorDash and Uber Eats you never have to leave your room. “My go-to is always pizza or wings to enjoy along with football on the weekends” Senior Education Major Tyzhir Morris said. There are a variety of options when it comes to finding food but it is up to you to explore all of those options
extras
7 September/October 2019
Vol. 58 Issue 4
Mission Moment:
“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson