Network News February 2024 : simplebooklet.com

-Rebecca “Beck” WehnerWelcome back students, staff, and faculty! I hopeeveryone had a wonderful winter break and are nowready to tackle the new semester. It is so hard to believethat this will be my final semester at Bay Path before Igraduate in the spring. It feels like just yesterday I wasmoving into Theinert Hall (back when it still housedundergraduates) in 2020 as a first-year student. Lately I have been contemplating many of the “lasts”that are passing as I complete my final year here: my lasttime moving into my dorm room, my last Thanksgivingand winter breaks; and the “lasts” that are yet to come,such as my last gala and my last time moving out for thesummer. But as I ponder all of this finality, I have cometo appreciate every little event and activity I have takenpart of at Bay Path even more. There are also many firststhat have happened and that will continue to happen,such as each new edition of the Network News that Iserve as the editor. This winter break allowed me to have a lovely Christmaswith my family, a fun-filled 22nd birthday with myfriends from home, and time to reflect on what will comenext after this chapter of my life closes. Spring representsnew beginnings, and February symbolizes the beginningof the end for us seniors. However, it also introduvcesus to the new beginning beyond Bay Path, whatever pathwe choose to take. I hope that this semester brings youall many new experiences, and that the exciting andenjoyable events that happen on campus can be reflectedin the pages of our publication. Happy reading! E D I T O R ’ S N O T EChristmastime in NYC, and reuniting withhigh school friends for my birthdaycelebration in January!

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In honor of Black History Month 2024, Bay Pathstudents present "Expressions of Excellence"by Jacquida Mars, Bay Path MulticulturalAffairs on behalf of student groups presentingBlack History Month programming.As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of BlackHistory Month, we are thrilled to present ouroverarching theme for this year's celebration:"Expressions of Excellence." This theme is acelebration of the myriad ways in which theBlack community has historically andcontinues to express excellence across variousdomains. “What we need is not ahistory of selectedraces or nations, but thehistory of the world voidof national bias, racehate, and religiousprejudice.”― Carter G. Woodson, creator of honoring Black History

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Educational Opportunity: The theme offers an educationalopportunity for all, breaking downhistorical and cultural barriers. Itprovides a platform for learningabout the rich history, traditions,and contemporary expressions ofBlack excellence, fostering a deeperunderstanding and appreciation.Highlighting CulturalResilience: "Expressions of Excellence"underscores the resilience of theBlack community. Despitehistorical challenges, this themeshowcases how expressions ofexcellence have been a consistentthread throughout history,demonstrating the strength andperseverance of Black individualsand communities.Encouraging Intersectionality:This theme recognizes that Blackexcellence is not a monolithicconcept but intersects with variousaspects of identity, including gender,socio-economic status, andenvironmental consciousness. Byacknowledging this intersectionality,we strive to create a more inclusivenarrative.Inspiring Future Generations:By showcasing excellence in multipledomains, we hope to inspire futuregenerations. Young individuals,regardless of their background, canfind role models and sources ofinspiration within the diverseexpressions of excellence featured inour Black History Monthcelebration.We have curated a series of eventsthat delve into the diverse facets ofthis expression, ensuring an enrichingand inclusive experience for all. Increating this theme we aimed to focuson seven main principles:Celebrating DiverseAchievements:Today, it is crucial to move beyondstereotypes and recognize the diverseachievements of the Black community."Expressions of Excellence" emphasizesaccomplishments in various fields,promoting a more comprehensive andaccurate understanding of Blackhistory.Promoting Inclusivity and Pride: In a world that is increasinglyrecognizing the importance ofinclusivity, this theme promotes a senseof pride within the Black community.By showcasing excellence in culinaryarts, fashion, poetry, hairstyling, andsustainability initiatives, individuals areempowered to embrace their heritageand contributions."If we do not know how to meaningfully talkabout racism, our actions will move inmisleading directions."— Angela Davis, political activist

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Addressing Stereotypes andMisconceptions: In today's context,there is a pressing need to challenge anddismantle stereotypes andmisconceptions surrounding the Blackcommunity. This theme allows us tocounter negative narratives byhighlighting positive and empoweringexpressions of excellence.In essence, "Expressions of Excellence"is a timely and relevant theme thatcontributes to a more nuanced, inclusive,and accurate portrayal of Black historyand culture. We believe that by exploringand celebrating these diverse expressions,we contribute to a more united andunderstanding society."Each event during black history month will touch upon one of these principles. The beef patty sale: Join us for a culinary celebration featuring delectable beef patties thatembody the rich flavors and traditions of Black cuisine.Hair Tranquility: Join us for a day of relaxation, education, and celebration, featuring ahair tutorial and insights on hair care.Expression Fashion Show: Our fashion show is a visual journey celebrating creativity andcultural richness. Join us for an evening of glamour and diverse stylesPoetry Jam: Join us for an evening of soul-stirring performances as poets and spokenword artists take the stage. Celebrate triumphs, unity, and cultural pride through the artof words.The green game:Join us for a unique gaming experience with a secret twist. Financial Literacy workshop: Empower your financial journey at our Financial LiteracyWorkshop! Learn essential money skills, from budgeting to investing, in a dynamicsession. Gain practical insights and take control of your financial future.OMA Open House: Join us for an interactive showcase of cultures, ideas, and community.Explore the richness of our office, meet team members, and discover how we celebratediversity. It's an open invitation to connect, learn, and embrace the vibrant tapestry of ourmulticultural community.Community Luncheon: Indulge in soulful tastes and connect with neighbors as we share ameal highlighting the rich culinary heritage of the Black community. The event will beelevated with a performance by Brianna Chambers '26, adding a melodious touch to ourcultural celebration. It's not just a luncheon; it's a chance to foster connections, enjoy asoulful performance, and honor the contributions of Black history.

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Psychology and Health & HumanServices Programs CoOp Program for Psychologyand Health & Human ServicesPSY 260 is a 3 credit courseoffered each spring in whichstudents gain paid professionalexperience while taking aseminar to process, reflect, andexplore the helping professions.Students are matched at acommunity partner site basedon their interests, skills andcareer goals. The group will bepresenting on AcademicAchievement Day to share whatthey've learned.Please see attached for photo ofthis year's group: Left to right:Gina Valente - ForensicPsychology - YWCARiley McKiernan - ForensicPsychology - LongmeadowPublic SchoolsSav Sideri - Psychology - ServiceNet Inc's PREP ProgramKelsie Meader - Psychology - Longmeadow Public SchoolsFatima Martinez - HHS: Public Health - Jewish Family ServicesRowanne Mustafa - HHS: Health Science - Jewish Family ServicesArializ Santiago - HHS: Health Science - Service Net Inc.'s STRIVE ClinicCori Bessette - Psychology - Girls Inc. of the ValleyEmma Sotiropoulos - Psychology - Gandara Intensive Foster Care ProgramSubmitted by Dr. Wiezbicki-Stevens

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Everyone should know how to cook some simple,nutritious recipes, but when you’re living oncampus and a little tired of dining hall food, orwhen you’ve moved into off-campus housing andyou need to cook for yourself for the first time, it’seven more important. And it’s very important toknow how to manage your money so you haveenough to pay your bills and RECREATIONALSPENDING TOO. But how do you learn thosethings? There is no Life Skills 101 course at BayPath that teaches students those vitalskills. That’s why Hatch Learning Commons hascreated a new Life Skills collection aimed athelpingstudents learn necessary, everyday skills, includingfinancial literacy, nutrition, social skills, adjustingto college, time management, and “adulting”.Some titles focus on the specific needs of first-generationstudents, non-traditional students, and studentswith diverse needs.Life Skills Collection at Hatch LibraryHatch Learning Commons is partnering withseveral other departments on campus to helpintroduce this collection. Our firstcollaboration is with Aramark (Bay PathDining) for a series calledKitchen 101. These programs will introducestudents to easy, healthy, inexpensive recipesthey can cook even without access to a lot ofequipment or ingredients. In the first session,students learned to makepico de gallo and salsa and enjoyed them withhomemade chips and a strawberry margaritamocktail.Submitted by Hatch Library.(cont’d. on next page)

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Students who didn’t get to participate can come to Hatchto check out The Five Ingredient College Cookbook for aneasy salsa recipe. Keep an eye out for the next Kitchen101, coming in February!Hatch Library will also be making a guest appearance at the Financial Literacy program during Black History Month, sponsored by the Financial Aid Department to share some of the financial aid resources found in the Life Skills collection. One of those books is “Money Out Loud” by Berna Anat. Here’s what one student had to say about that book:“I don’t have many people within my family that I canreach out to regarding money so, I’ve had to turn toclasses offered by college, the internet, and books to teachmyself. This is a common occurrence in communities likemine, which is the exact reason why Berna Anat decided towrite, “Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No OneTaught Us, ” said Kaylah SheppardKaylah Sheppard notes that Anat uses a mix ofprofessional and Gen Z language to engage thereader and make them feel at ease. “This alsomade the advice she was giving feel more genuine.She does a great job of using multiple perspectivesby using the voices of real people she’s met. Thisbook addresses financial literacy by meeting thepeople where they are.”Check out the collection at HatchThis collection is located near the circulation deskand the books circulate for three weeks. If youhave a topic you think should be added to thiscollection, email your suggestion tohatchlibrary@baypath.edu ormneiman@baypath.edu.

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Members of the Student Government Association pose for apicture following the All Campus Wide Meeting on January 29th. From Left to right: Dinah Moore (SGA Advisor and Dean ofStudents), Nadia Podolyanchuk (First Year Delegate), EmilyCortes (Secretary), Isabella Hinkle (Treasurer), KhadeejahAbbasi (SGA President), Mackenzie O’Rourke (SGA VicePresident), Rowanne Mustafa (Senior Class Delegate), DhuhaAbdulazeez (Second Year Delegate), and Bianca Romero (SGAAdvisor and Assistant Director of Student Life and BollumResidential Coordinator. FROM STUDENTLIFE:Dr. Tanya Coles-Dailey, Assistant Directorof the Counseling Center, posed withStudents, Faculty, and Staff at the Take theSting Out of Stigma table display during theHealth and Well Being Luncheon that tookplace Thursday January 25th!

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Bay Path softball ison the way! Leading up to the spring semester, the Wildcatshave been working hard to raise money for theirannual trip to Myrtle Beach. Almost every Fridayand Saturday some of the team members headdown to MassMutual Center to work theconcession stands for the Springfield Thunderbirdsin exchange for personal funding to cover theirtrips total balance. In addition, others arespreading their knowledge through clinics that arepartnered with youth and travel softball leagues. The team will play forty games during thespring semester. The first eight are located inMyrtle Beach, South Carolina. Following, theWildcats will play their remaining thirty twogames on either their home field or within theNew England area. The ultimate goal for theteam is to qualify and compete in the USCAAplayoffs. Be sure to checkouthttps://athletics.baypath.edu/sports/sball/2023-24/schedule to keep up with their schedule! After a successful fall season, Bay Path Softball ishoping for the fall’s positive results to reflect ontothe spring season. Despite having a young team,the Wildcats are stacked with motivation andversatility which is the key to success during thegame of softball. The Wildcats are just gettingbetter and better. In 2022, their season concludedwith three wins. However, the following season in2023, they increased their number of wins toeleven. The Wildcats cannot wait to see what theteam brings to the field this year. By Caroline Austin

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Bringing back SAAC! Bay Path University is proudly in the works to bring back theStudent-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). There is no better wayto understand the purpose of SAAC than with Steve Smith, athleticdirector and head softball coach. What is theStudent-AthleticsAdvisory Council?Student Athletic Advisory Councilis a group made up of student-athlete representatives. Their jobbeing on this committee is toprovide information on what itmight be like to be a student-athlete. In addition, it is their jobto speak out on any rules,regulations, and policies thataffect student-athletes' lives oncampus. By Caroline Austin Being a student-athlete at Bay Path University comes with manyopportunities and difficulties. Over the course of their time at Bay Path,athletes will mature their skills within leadership, cooperation, andcommunication. When it comes to their time to graduate, the student-athletesthroughout their experience within academics and athletics, will aid in theirabilities to lead as women. Athletics is an addition to the collegiate experienceat Bay Path. They are given as a chance for women to grow to their fullpotential within, goal setting, fitness, and self-esteem. Women in sportsshould be looked at as guides to display sportsmanship and respect on behalfof Bay Path University.What is the expectationfor student-athletes atBay Path?

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What has SAACdone in the past?What is SAAC’s mission?Bay Path University’sintent in the athleticsprogram makes it essentialfor their student-athletes togive their best effort toachieve their academicgoals. Student-athletes areexpected to be aware of the responsibility of balancing their academics, athletics, andsocial time with a commitment to community service. BayPath athletics shows that they strive to give an all aroundpositive environment for student-athletes to compete. SAACmakes it a mission to make sure that student-athletes aretreated just like the rest of the students at Bay Path. Theprogram will make sure that the well-being of the student-athletes are prioritized instead of the entertainment that thesport may bring to the institution. The Student AthleticAdvisory Council hascontributed and partneredwith many events withinthe local community. In thepast, SAAC has created arelationship with thespecial olympics program,Springfield Public Schools, How can I getinvolved in SAACeven if I am not astudent-athlete? Every student-athlete at BayPath is automatically enrolledin SAAC. However, there aremany people on campus thathave a passion for athleticseven if they are not playing acollegiate sport. SAAC takestwo representatives ofstudents that are not a part ofa team. This kind of personmight be someone who’sinjury ended their ability toplay in college, someone whohas passion for sports orfitness, or someone who wantsto uplift women in sports!and Enfield Loaves and Fishes Shelter. Although NationalGirls and Women in Sports Day was on February 7th, BayPath celebrates female athletes in April. To read more aboutpast SAAC events, visit the Bay Path Athletics website andchoose the “SAAC” tab.

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As students, it is easy to get caught up in the stress ofjuggling school and other personal responsibilities,including work. But have you ever considered howeducators manage the many responsibilities of theirjob and home lives?Sure, it is stressful to craft a 12-page research paper.However, it is arguably just as stressful to timelyreview, verify, and grade the assignments of 20different students. Still, this is a day in the life of aprofessor. According to the Cabrillo College Federation ofTeachers, adjunct professors make up between 70 and75 percent of the higher education workforce in theUnited States. While many have full-time jobs outsideof the university and only teach part-time in their areaof expertise, adjunct professors remain an integralpart of a student’s college experience and success. A prime example is Erika Grace, adjunct professor of13 years at The American Women’s College at BayPath University. Before that, she received her master’sdegree right here at Bay Path. As a busy mom, wife,business educator, and self-proclaimed dog lover,Professor Grace knows what it takes to tackle manyresponsibilities. She engages with students in weeklydiscussions in various business courses at BPU, whilealso being an active board member for both her son’slacrosse league and a local condominium associationin Washington State. Adjunct Professor Erika GraceBy Alysha DicksonTAWC Adjunct Professor Erika Grace.FacultySpotlightSo, how does Professor Grace simultaneously make herstudents, her family, her community, and moreimportantly—herself, a priority? Read below to learnmore about Professor Grace and how she manages herdemanding schedule.Q: What does an ideal work-life balance look like foryou?Professor Grace: I honestly believe there is no balancebetween work and life; it is a constant game ofprioritization. At times your work will need yourattention and you will prioritize that over life, you willmiss a kid’s game or not walk away for a meal whenyou know you should. Other times, life will need you,you will take a day off to care for someone sick orperhaps leave early to get to a hair appointment ontime. To me, it is about being comfortable in both lifeand work to be able to make those choices.It is important to understand when you need to step upat work and when you need to set boundaries. I wishthere was some magic to knowing this, but it issomething that is learned and practiced. I like to shareabout my life with my work family, so they understandwhat is important to me, and vice versa I share aboutmy work with my family. So, when you have to saythings like "Oh I need to," there is understanding, andultimately, support.

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Q: What is your favorite part of being a staff member at TheAmerican Women’s College? Is there anything you would change if you could?Professor Grace: Being a staff member has been an amazinggift, to connect with so many wonderful people, to share insights and learn constantly from students.I talk about Bay Path as my passion. For many years, myhusband asked me if I would stop teaching. But heunderstands now it lights a fire in me that ultimately makesme a better person. I would like to be able to attendgraduation more, since moving so far away I don't get to seeand experience the excitement of graduation day. That is aspecial day at Bay Path, because not only is it thecompletion of a long journey for the students, but it is alsothe day that family and friends can attend to cheer them on.Q: Do or did you have a mentor to help navigate yourprofessional career? Why or why not?Professor Grace: I am a big believer in networking. It is anamazing thing to be able to call on someone you may haveworked with years ago and say, “could you help me?” Withall that networking, I have leaned on and learned from manypeople in my career, it is so important to allow others to helpyou but there is one person that stands out for me, YekCheng. Yek was the CEO of a Chinese Insurance Companythat MassMutual had invested in and I was Yek's pseudoChief Of Staff. Over the years working together he taughtme many things, but most importantly to always listen, totake time to really get to know people and to understandwhere people's opinions/decisions come from. Erika and her son Dylan after a hockeytournament.Q: As a woman in business, were you ever in asituation or role where you felt you were not takenseriously? How did you approach this issue?Professor Grace: I fortunately have never been ina situation like this, but there were many timeswhere I felt I did not belong. I recall early in mycareer doing things like sitting at the very top ofmy chair in a boardroom to look as tall as Ipossibly could. It is so important to haveconfidence in yourself and your knowledge. Ifsitting tall at the end of the chair is how you canfeel that, then that is what you do.Q: How do you make yourself and your mentalhealth a priority as a working professional?Professor Grace: I have always made time forthings that make me feel good, those havechanged over the years. For many years it wasgetting my hair done, right now I get a facialevery six months. It is my time to do somethingfor just me. I also really try to pay attention tothings that make me really happy. There is agreat book called the Happiness Hour that helpsyou identify things that actually make youhappy. For me a few of those things are cookingfood for my family, I love going to my son'shockey games, stepping outside in the fresh PNWair and taking a deep breath is amazing.Whether a professor is on campus has no effecton their availability or impact on students at BayPath. We are lucky to have educators like ErikaGrace, and so many other amazing professorshere, that effectively set the precedent for what ittakes to balance many responsibilities withsuccess.Your professors have more toteach than just the subject ofthe course in which you are astudent of theirs.Appreciate and learn from themwhile you still can!

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he conversation was brought to the attention of the BPUcommunity when a student anonymously summited theconcern of not having baby changing stations in thewomen’s bathrooms. The anonymous student who left thesubmission felt the campus is not set up to be inclusive ofthe needs of students who are parents of young children. TAfter the concern was brought to light during theCommunity Town Hall, Dean Moore gave an update asto what Bay Path is doing to make progress to this needon our campus. “Changing tables will be added tobathrooms in Blake Dining Commons, first, and thisaddition will be added by the end of February. Blakebeing the first location, as it is a central gathering placefor the BPU community.”Members of the audience asked if Blake will be the only placewhere change is being made when it comes to being moreaccommodating to mothers. Moore replied that changingstations in different locations on campus are being assessed,as adding baby changing stations have to follow ADAregulations, as there has to be enough space in the bathroomto accommodate the new features. “Changing tables will be added to bathrooms inBlake Dining Commons, first, and this additionwill be added by the end of February” said DeanMooreBay Path addresses studentconcerns of BPU Campus --needing to be more inclusive forparents with young childrenThe good news is that the issue is being is being resolved as wespeak and It’s important to have these discussions as allstudent needs are different. If we want to continue to seegrowth at BPU, accommodations will sometimes have to bemade to support the students who value getting an education.Not only for themselves but the next generation whose rootsare being started right here with parents spending time oncampus, learning for their future careers to supportthemselves and their families. By Donyel Le’Noir Felton

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During our winter break, we entered the 10th house of thezodiac, Capricorn. This earth sign tends to be the mosttraditional when navigating through life. Ruled by Saturn, theplanet in charge of self-discipline and how you respond to life'schallenges, this sign is all about order. They tend to follow rulesgiven to them or made up by themselves. They have a greatsense of responsibility which helps them in many areas of theirlives. Being a cardinal sign, they are born leaders. OnceCapricorns have a plan, they like to stick with it until they cancheck every step off their list, but this stubbornness can get theminto trouble. Since their need for order is so great, they don’tleave much room for mistakes. This makes it harder forCapricorns to forgive others, but not impossible. Although theirstubborn nature can lead to problems, they are loyal andreliable to the specific people they choose to open up to. CapricornDec 22- Jan 19Monthly HoroscopesAquariusJan 20- Feb 18On January 20th, we entered the 11th house of the zodiac,Aquarius. This air sign is ruled by two planets, Uranus and Saturn.These two planets work side by side to balance Aquarians. Uranus'spontaneous need for freedom and experimentation is calmed bySaturn's need for structure and responsibility. This air sign loveshaving fun with friends and helping others. They often have aprogressive outlook on life, so fighting for an idea or cause theybelieve in is a no-brainer. Limitations to an Aquarius can befrustrating, but taking risks to break them subdues their feelings.Aquarians are good communicators however, they need a little timeto open up to others. This fixed sign loves to have interestingconversations but can run into trouble when they are unwilling tocompromise or appear to be aloof during a little chat. The Aquariuszodiac is one of the most unique signs leading them to have greatcreativity and original ideas.2024 Horoscope2024 HoroscopeThis year is about learning howto balance the various parts ofyour life. Explore how you like tobe independent but stay open toemotional connections withothers. Embrace change and yournew ideas.2024 will be the year of greatintrospection. This year will be the timeto figure out what works and whatdoesn't in your life after finding balance.Let go of anyone or anything that doesnot fulfill you, and take the time tostrengthen the connections that do.By Kaylah SheppardSources: Zodiacsign.com, Allure.com, & Horoscope.com

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Meet the 2024Presidential Candidatesby Beck WehnerJoe Biden (D):Donald Trump (R)incumbent PresidentGovernment Experience: Senator (1973-2009), Vice President (2009-2017).President (2020-present) On the Issues: Biden’s current prioritiesinclude affordable healthcare andeconomic recovery of communities in thepost-COVID-19 world. Government Experience: President(2016-2020)On the Issues: After losing the 2020election, Trump hopes to create a moreself-contained America that has closed-off individual trade dealingswith select countries and a more firmdeportation policy in regards toimmigrants. (cont’d. on next page)

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Dean Phillips (D)Government Experience: Minnesota StateRepresentative (2018-present)On the Issues: Phillips seeks to lower thenational cost of living and address mentalhealth and harmful drug use, with thebelief that the youth of America are a bigpriority. Nikki Haley (R)Government Experience: Governor ofSouth Carolina (2011-2017), UNAmbassador (2017-2018)On the Issues: Haley has spoken infavor of a federal abortion ban andthe “Don’t Say Gay” lawsimplemented in schools. Jill Stein (Green Party)Government Experience: Member ofLexington Town Meeting 2nd Precinct(2005-2010) On the Issues: Critical of the two-partysystem in the US, Stein has joined thepresidential campaign with the hopesof shedding light on her stancesregarding student debt cancellation,clean renewable energy, and theremoval of nuclear weapons.

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Nature will make a way:Lost species is now found after 90 years! Endangered Wildlife Trust discovers De Winton’sGolden Moles in South Africa. by Molly WalshAs we are concerned about wildlife and climate,let us embrace the survivors of decade’s past.Last year, a team of scientists from theEndangered Wildlife Trust made an amazingdiscovery. They found evidence of 11DeWinton’s Golden Moles specifically in SouthAfrica. as reported in November 2023. Peoplehave been looking for evidence of these molesfor years and they finally found living proof. There hasn’t been a sighting of the De Winton’sgolden mole since 1936. Like most of theirspecies, they are tiny, blind, and live most oftheir lives underground. These moles live in thesand and make their way through it, which alsohelps them from being seen from the surface. Naturally, with no sightings in over 90 years itwas only inevitable that they would be labeledextinct. A good team was needed to rediscoverthem, especially since there are 21 other speciesof golden moles they could have been confusedwith. Those species proved fruitful as well. While there was the more mundane sighting ofthe common Cape golden mole and Grant’sgolden mole, evidence of the rare andendangered Van Zyl’s golden mole was alsofound.While they couldn’t see any of the rare moles inperson, they captured plenty of photo/videoevidence to document their victorious find. Because of them, the De Winton’s golden molehas been removed from the list of long-lostspecies. A senior conservation manager forEWT, Cobus Theron said, “Though manypeople doubted that De Winton’s golden molewas still out there, I had goodfaith that thespecies had not yet gone extinct. I wasconvinced it would just take the right detectionmethod, the proper timing, and a teampassionate about finding it. Now not only havewe solved the riddle, but we have tapped intothis eDNA frontier where there is a hugeamount of opportunity not only for moles, butfor other lost or imperiled species.” Their trained border collie Jessie sniffed out thespecies, so perhaps we’ll see more dogs andresearch teams find lost species inthe future.https://www.afrotheria.net/golden-moles/image of the Van Zyl golden mole.

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In recent years, activism and social awareness havebecome more mainstream. Subsequently, millions ofpeople are now learning about strategic activism andeffective ways to get your voice heard and demands met. A boycott is the act of refusing to buy products froma specific company in order to make a statement.Boycotting can also include refusing to take part in someactivities or events in order to take social support awayfrom certain institutions. Boycotting has been successful in the past. In 2020,PETA led a boycott against House of Fraser, a clothingbrand selling products containing raccoon and rabbit fur.In 2023, the brand stopped selling these products. In 2021, the International Campaign for the Rohingyaled a boycott against a jewelry company, Harry Winston,for selling Burmese diamonds that funded the Myanmarmilitary. The company stopped selling these diamonds inthe same year. In 2020, Mexicali Resist, a campaign group, led aboycott against brewing company Constellation Brandsfor suspiciously gaining access to drinking water andusing up to 20 percent of the country’s annual drinkingwater supply. With government support, the companylost 11 percent of its stock. Unfortunately, these examples make up a smallportion of all boycotts. This can often be credited to alack of organization and a lack of unity. A few peopleboycotting dozens of multi million - or billion - dollarcompanies simply isn’t effective. Another reason forboycott ineffectiveness is a lack of focus. Boycottingdozens of companies is unfeasible for many people,especially for long periods of time. The Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement, orBDS, is a Palestinian led group of activists fightingfor freedom and rights of Palestinians. Their websiteis an amazing resource for information on how tolead successful and impactful boycotts. Strategically choosing what companies to boycottis one of the most important steps to success. BDSlists these criteria for choosing what companies toboycott: level of complicity, potential to combineactivist groups, brand popularity, and potential forsuccess. Sources: What is a Boycott?, History of SuccessfulBoycotts, BDS Guide to Strategic Campaigning ofPalestinian RightsWhat to know about boycottingby Lily Salmon

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Historic Pacific storm brings floodingto parts of the west by Samantha RobinsonA major costal storm brought so much rain to partsof Southern California causing flooding. This stormwas the first since 1956 to bring this much rain to California. Parts of California were placed in stateof emergency as flood waters began to raise. LosAngeles was placed in an evacuate order due to theflood waters but then later the evacuate order wascanceled. Mudslides, trees down roads flooded,people lost everything they owned. People weretrapped in their houses for days as flood waterscontinued to raise as more rain fell. Three peoplewere killed as this storm rolled into parts ofCalifornia. California hasn’t had a storm like this inyears but with the changing weather and atmosphereCalifornia is in for more rain and possibly moremudslides and more power outages. People havebeen without power for days. Some people have beenusing generators to help heat their houses. Power for millions of people was out.1.1 million ofpeople still have no power. This could lead to moreflooding which could lead to more problems for thestate. With this storm, it could cause major damage to oneof California’s biggest attractions The Golden GateBridge. With this storm places that were hit felt likethey were in a hurricane due to the strong winds. People were urged not to travel during this stormbecause of how dangerous it was. San Jose whichhosted the AHL All Star Classic over the weekendsaw historic rainfall in just hours. Travel becamedangerous due to the mudslides, down tree limbs andthe raising flood waters. About 1.4 million people inthe Los Angeles area, including the Hollywood Hillsand Beverly Hills, were under a flash flood warningMonday morning.Gushing rivers carried mud, rocks and objectsfrom people’s multimillion-dollar homes,including coolers, ladders and plastic crates, inStudio City, an area named after a moviestudio lot, on the backside of the HollywoodHills. Several homes were damaged, includingone with a crumpled garage door from thedebris slide. Commuters stepped throughseveral inches of floodwater as they rushed tocatch trains at Union Station in downtown LosAngeles.The havoc on Monday in Southern Californiacame after the storm over the weekendinundated streets and brought down trees andelectrical lines throughout the San FranciscoBay Area, where winds topped 60 mph (96 kph)in some areas. Gusts exceeding 80 mph (128kph) were recorded in the mountains.Just to the south in San Jose, emergency crewspulled occupants out of the windows of a carthat was stranded by flooding and rescuedpeople from a homeless encampment alongsidea rising river.A car submerged in water. Source: WWMB.

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SUPERSUPERSuper Bowl LVIII made history as it was held atAllegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday,February 11th, for the first time ever. At 74minutes and 54 seconds long, it was also thelongest Super Bowl ever recorded. While some football fans were looking forward tofinding out who would take the Vince Lombarditrophy home, others were more excited about themusic and extravagant performances from someof the industry’s most notable names.Before Usher took the stage at halftime, Oscar-nominated actress Andra Day performed thehymn, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with actor andchoreographer, Shaheem Sanchez, sharing thestage to perform in American Sign Language(ASL), as part of the NFL’s efforts to increaseinclusion at events.There was no shortage of pre-game entertainment,with rapper Post Malone singing “America theBeautiful,” and model Anjel Piñero performing inASL alongside him.By Alysha Dickson Just prior to kickoff, country music icon Reba McEntirewowed the crowd with her rendition of the NationalAnthem, with recent Dancing with the Stars contestantDaniel Durant sharing the stage to perform in ASL. Rebashared on her website that “2024 marks 50 years since I wasdiscovered singing the National Anthem at the NationalFinals Rodeo, and I can’t think of a better way to celebratethat anniversary.”Since Usher was announced as the headliner for the AppleMusic Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show in September of2023, rumors have swirled about who would join him.Music fans were ecstatic when Usher brought out sixteen-time Grammy winner, Alicia Keys, for the highlyanticipated halftime show. Producer, rapper, singer, andsongwriter, will.i.am, as well as rappers Ludacris, JermaineDupri, and Lil Jon all also took the stage as guestperformers. In 2019, Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s record label, partnered withthe NFL as music entertainment strategists for the SuperBowl halftime show. Since then, the fans who tune into thebig game for the music have been happier than ever before,thanks to the help of Roc Nation.We will see if they can keep up their streak of top tier talentin Super Bowl LVIIII! BOWLBOWLLVIIILVIIITHE MUSIC OF

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“Red Solo Cup” singer and country musicstar Toby Keith passes away at 62by Samantha RobinsonOn February 5, country music fans woke up todevastating news. Country music star Toby Keithhad lost his battle with stomach cancer. The newsbroke early that morning. Toby Keith was best known for his iconic songs like“Red Solo Cup”, “Should Have Been A Cowboy”“How Do you Like Me now?!” “Made in America”and many others. Toby Keith had announced thathe had stomach cancer in the summer of 2022. TobyKeith’s career spans over a decade. He became verypopular in the 1990's .Keith wasn’t just known forhis music, he was known for his love of the RedWhite and Blue. Country music artists paid tributeto the legend. Artists include Tim McGraw AlanJackson, Ricky Staggs, Darryl Worley and manyothers. Darryl Worley said this about his friend: “TobyKeith was his own man. He set a great example forall of us in life and in death. He had one shot at this,just like we all do, and he did it his way. I paidattention to his life and his career. He had a swaggerthat was a little different than most because he knewwho he was. In life we have a chance to leave a markthat will not fade and he knocked it out of the park.In death we have a chance to exit this awful,beautiful life with grace and dignity. Toby just hitanother grand slam and we could learn from thisexample. Sometimes it’s not about the elaborateproduction because sometimes the production issimply the actions of the man. God Bless you andyour family and thank you for showing us all howit’s done.”Tim McGraw said this about his friend: "Tobyand I got to know each other pretty well early inour careers. We spent a lot of time hanging out onthe bus, played some shows together.""But he was a really, really good guy," McGrawcontinued, calling the late "I Love This Bar"crooner "a great artist" while the audience roaredwith cheers. “I always respected how he did thingshis way and didn't care what anybody thought,"McGraw stated. "So bear with me if I don't getthrough it, you guys help me out, but I want todedicate this song to Toby and his family." The Keith family asks for privacy and respectduring this hard time. A private funeral is beingheld and CMA will honor Keith with a wholehour of all his music videos.

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Here's whatwe're watchingThe Wiz (1978)Directed by Sidney LumetShows and movies we've been streaming all month long!(continued on next page)Source: IMDbOrigin is a 2023 American biographical dramafilm written and directed by Ava DuVernay. It isbased on the book Caste: The Origins of OurDiscontents by Isabel Wilkerson, which describesracism in the United States as an aspect of a castesystem. we've been streaming all month long!-Prof. Janine FondonThe Wiz is an all-time favorite of mine. This musical starspop culture icons Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, NipseyRussell, and Ted Ross in a retelling of The Wizard of Oz(1939). Ross plays Dorothy, a shy schoolteacher fromHarlem who was swept away to a new world to discoverhow brave and courageous she can be at home. If you can’tget around to watching this film, I highly recommendlistening to the soundtrack. Music legends Quincy Jones,Charlie Smalls, and Anthony Jackson created manymasterpieces when composing and writing songs for thefilm. This film is a beautiful showcase of black culture withits detailed costuming and fearlessness in telling stories ofthe black experience in America and by having an all blackensemble. - Kaylah SheppardSource: IMDbOrigin (2023)Directed by Ava DeVernay

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Jacob GellerVideo EssayistSource: YouTube.Source: IMDb.The Hate U Give (2018)Directed by George Tillman Jr.The Hate U Give is a great movie based offthe book by Angie Thomas. 16 year oldStarr Carter witnessed the shooting deathof her childhood best friend by a whitepolice officer. After no charges are broughtagainst the officer protests and riots breakout in her hometown. This movie is greatbecause it shows the truth of how policeofficers see the African Americancommunity. I highly recommend this moviealong with the book. It is a tear jerker butworth it. - Sam RobinsonJacob Geller is an American YouTuber/videoessayist who writes primarily about, in his ownwords, “video games, history, politics, empathy,and more- typically at the same time, alwaysunpredictably.” His work is well-researched,and covers a number of pop culture topics,often delving into philosophy and religion,morality and choice--oftentimes his work is a bitdark, but there are still some lighter videos inbetween the grittier ones. If you want a place tostart, some of my favorites are “Control,Anatomy, and the Legacy of the HauntedHouse”, “Time Loop Nihilism”, “The Intimacyof Everyday Objects”, and “The FalseEvolution of Execution Methods.”- Virgil Lybarger

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According to a national study run by the Pew Research Center, 64%of adults in America read a book within the past year. Otherresearch centers such as The National Endowment for the Arts,reported a 10% decrease in adult readers in 2015, and othersreported around the same numbers in 2014 and 2017 (Lopez). Mostattribute the decline in reading to our increase in technology. Withsuch easy access to the internet, streaming apps, and social media,our ability to focus on anything and everything becomes stretchedthin. At the beginning of every year I, like many others, write a list ofresolutions and goals. One of the things I always seem to fall short onis reading. For most of my life, I was an avid reader, so I’d neverthought I’d see the day when I struggled to finish a book. As a collegestudent, I read and research all day so I can understand where myreading fatigue comes from. Tack on the hours I spend on my phonereading Instagram captions, news articles, and text messages, theweariness toward the thought of a 300-page book is understandable.However, I’ve noticed that my excitement toward reading hasn’t justdeclined in my personal life but in my school work. I love my technological devices as much as the next person, so I’m notsaying that we need to give up our phones and computers. However,we all could benefit from learning to balance ourselves out more.Finding this balance can help us in our everyday lives. A 2016 studywas done at the University of Tennessee by a graduate student,Kimberly Tanner Hawkins. She found that college students couldbenefit from reading for fun. Generally speaking, reading can improveyour memory, reduce stress, and improve concentration. These are allthings we want as college students. “Students who engage inpleasure reading experiencedmarginal average increases of.11% in English and 1.71% inscience and higher increases of4.43% in mathematics and2.05% in history.” -HawkinsThe long lost art of readingThe long lost art of readingSources: testprepinsight.com, medium.com, cluecho.com, & yougov.comBy Kaylah Sheppard

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Knowledge is power, and to learn, we need to read. Books can beexpensive, especially for a full-time college student. Thankfully, we havea great resource here on campus, Hatch Learning Commons, but whenyou go home, think about visiting your local library. Getting back into reading can be intimidating but just like any difficult task,all you have to do is take things one step at a time.Choose something that interests you.Find a genre that makes you excited orsomething you’ve never tried before.There are many different ways to readnow so if you're comfortable with ascreen, try an e-book or audiobook.Start small!Read in sessions. Start with 5 minutes,then 10, then 15, and so on. If you’refeeling a bit impatient, try short storiesor anthologies.Keep a reading journal.Have thoughts about that last chapteryou wrote? Take a few notes. Do youhave a clear picture of what a charactermay look like? Try to draw them.Make it a group activity.Join a book club.Read a book with a friend or familymember.“How can I get back into reading?”“How can I get back into reading?”Sources: Biblilolifestyle.com, Vox.com, & HarpersBazaar.com

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If you are anything like me you are an avidavoider of school work. New year, newsemester, new forms of procrastination.Something that I find helpful is going todifferent locations to make me feel moreproductive. This could be going to thelibrary across the street or even movingfrom your room to Blake. Personally I liketo go to different coffee shops becausethere is something so inviting and dare Isay, magical. Some of the more memorableshops include Socialite, The SweetBoutique, and The Artist’s Cafe.One in particular that stands out the mostis Socialite Coffee Bar. Before becoming apart of the team at Socialite I was adedicated patron. If the coffee was notenough to get me hooked, it was theatmosphere. A woman owned business andthe passion that she exudes as well as herworkers is breathtaking. From a workersperspective, I get to connect with so manypeople and the customers are almost aspassionate about this shop as we are.Almost. I asked my boss if she could describesocialite in three words and we came upwith a lot more than three. The ones wesettled on are compassionate, creative, andsocial. Rain, snow, or shine each of theseshops have something different andintriguing to pull you in. Which one willyou visit first?Productively procrastinatingBy Tia St Julien

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Mental health concernsamongst college students Mental health is something that everybodystruggles with, but college students' mentalhealth has been a topic of increasingpopularity. Taking care of one’s mental healthis becoming essential, especially as collegestudents are a concern for many. Many expertsbelieve that because of increasing, depression,self-injury, and suicide rates among collegestudents “the mental health of college studentshas officially reached crisis level”. Research shows that non-traditional studentssuch as people of color, people withnontraditional gender identities, and womenare much more susceptible to anxiety anddepression. A recent study in the Journal ofAmerican College Health examined thedifferences in life stress, anxiety, depression,and alcohol use of traditional andnontraditional learners. They found thatnontraditional students “scored significantlyhigher on life stress, anxiety, and depressionthan traditional students”. A study found that post-traditional studentscannot constantly seek the same resources astraditional college students because of full-timejobs, familial obligations, and other reasons. Thisaffects their sense of belonging and acceptance. As aresult, these post-traditional students are moreprone to anxiety and depressive episodes that areoften fueled by a sense of hopelessness and lack ofcontrol. Ellen Bara Stolzenberg of the HigherEducation Research Institute reports that “women’sself-rated emotional health has been consistentlylower than their male peers” for decades. The mental health crisis amongst college students isnot lost on Bay Path University. Our University ishome to a lot of non-traditional students, especiallyas an all-women's college. Many of these non-traditional students who may be at higher risk ofmental health concerns attend our very own BayPath University. We urge anybody who hasexperienced any of these feelings to seek supportfrom any of our staff and counseling services.Counseling services are located in the lower level ofTheinert Hall, if you are seeking counseling servicesplease call 413-565-1354 or emailcounseling@baypath.edu. You can also register forservices at https://app.uwill.com/. If you believethere may be imminent danger of harm to a studentor the community, please reach out for helpimmediately by contacting the following: OnCampus: Call Campus Public Safety at (413) 565-1225, Off-Campus: Call 911. by Aida SmithSources:https://www.imagine-america.org/deteriorating-mental-health-u-s-college-students-part/

Network News February 2024

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