Network News Fall 2021 : simplebooklet.com

Rebecca Wehner '24Current Events Writer/ColumnistCora Swan '23Digital Artist and Art DirectorLiz Hall '22Editorstudentnewsroom@baypath.edu Student Newsroom Contributors:Fall 2021 Network News TeamJulia DeRidder '23Associate Editorjderidder@baypath.eduBAYPATHUNIVERSITYSTUDENTNEWSROOMFall 2021Zanab Rizwan '24Social Action SeriesEditor/Columnist Charlize Hernandez '23Newsroom CreativeWriter Gabriela Ramirez '23Layout and DesignCoordinatorDia Arias '23BPU Student AdvocateWriter/Columnistdalmontearias@baypath.eduLeah HillBrooke EvanchekMadisyn VeraContact us: studentnewsroom@baypath.edu

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Dear Bay Path Students and Staff, My name is Liz Hall and I am the 2021Network News Editor. I have wanted tobe an editor since I was sixteen, and amincredibly grateful to all of you for theopportunity to find that path in this issue.This year at Bay Path and Network Newsis truly unique for many reasons. Bay Pathwill celebrate its 125 year anniversary,and we are both online and on campus todo so. Our magazine also has the biggestteam to date which gives us theopportunity to share so many more voicesthan before. My hope for Network News this year isto share stories. As any Drag Racewatcher will tell you, it’s all aboutHERstory. Bay Path has exciting plansfor their anniversary, and it’s the perfectopportunity to share those stories in away that makes you feel as though youlived it with them. We are so excited to be sharing all yourideas and thoughts and HERstories inthese upcoming issues."No matter what they wish for, no matter how far they go,people can never be anything but themselves. That's all."-Birthday Girl, by Haruki MurakamiSubmitted Photo

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On the first Friday of the semester, ALANA (AfricanAmerican - Latina - Asian - Native American - Allies),Diverse Voices, Black Student Union, and Women ofCulture clubs hosted a Multicultural Block Party outsideof the Multicultural Affairs Office. After an introductionof the clubs themselves, the partygoers were split intogroups of ten for icebreakers, to learn more about eachother and what they had in common. When theicebreakers finished, the party began. Music played anddancing broke out under the warm sun. Food frommultiple cultures was available to be sampled, includingegg rolls and guava juice. Tables were set up for peopleto socialize and enjoy the meal as representatives of theclubs walked around to answer questions. Mingling, networking, and dancingat the Multicultural Block Party by Julia DeRidderPhoto by Khyarah Gaston-Feliciano.Junior Marissa Gallant, sophomore Madison Dion, and senior Fobayo Forbes toss a ball with questions on it to get to know each other.A theme that pervaded the afternoon of mingling anddancing was one of inclusivity, regardless of anyone’sbackground. The club representatives were firm in theirencouragement of people of all cultures to participate intheir missions. Cristina Castillo, the representative of ALANA, statedthat one of the elements the club is aiming for iscreating “mentoring and support in these hard times.”Rowanne Mustafa, of the Black Student Union, spokeabout past events and successes that the club hadfacilitated, such as the Poetry Jam held last spring.

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Anasthasia Luong, representing the Women ofCulture Club, said that their goal is to “promoteeducation for all” by creating “a safe space for allcultures to gather and share tradition.”The Block Party was a cheerful and productiveway to end the first week back to school. If youare interested in finding out more about any of theclubs, please reach out to:Khyarah Gastón-Feliciano, head of DiverseVoices, stated that their club is a "peer dialogueseries to encourage conversations highlightingtrending topics within diversity, equity, andinclusion spectrums."Women of Culture- Mouna Alrahani |malrahani2101@baypath.eduDiverse Voices- Khyarah Gastón-Feliciano |kgastonfeliciano@baypath.edu Black Student Union- Janell Smith |jansmith@baypath.eduALANA- Cristina Castillo | ccastillo@baypath.edu

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In between classes and homework on September 14,students attended Campus Day. A barbeque lunch menuwas made and served at Leary Hall Circle as a festivebreak from eating meals in Blake Dining Hall. Studentsmilled around the yard, playing games such as KrazyKans and using the photo booth to create playfulmemories of the late summer day. Music blasted fromthe speakers, inviting participants to perform the CupidShuffle and more dances on the pavement as othersjumped around in the inflatable bouncy castle. Thepopcorn and cotton candy stall was another popularlocation during the carnival. Campus Dayby Julia DeRidderFall of 2021’s Campus Day was a success.Many Bay Path faculty and communitymembers are undoubtedly already lookingforward to the next one.A highlight of many Bay Path events is theice cream truck, and Campus Day was noexception. The Bay Path community linedup quickly to order their treat from BlueChip’s Creamery. Students in classrooms atCarr Hall facing the carnival were quicklydistracted from the lessons in anticipation ofordering their ice cream. Dr. Surbrug, ahistory professor, noticed this and offeredhis class the option to take advantage of thetruck and finish the classwork at home.Over half of the class eagerly accepted thisbargain. Photo by Julia DeRidderPhoto by Julia DeRidder

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Love and acceptance at Longmeadow Prideby Rebecca WehnerBay Path students stop for a photo behind Empsall Hall, ready to begin the Pride Celebration Walk.Photo taken by Matt Reutter."It shows that Longmeadow is a welcoming community. Livinghere all my life I knew that, but being able to have that openedup to everyone better shows that.”-Madison DionThe town of Longmeadow, MA hosted its first everPride Celebration on September 12th. Bay Pathstudents had the opportunity to participate in the PrideCelebration Walk as they marched in solidarity for theLGBTQ+ community all the way to the Town Greenwhere the event was held. With delicious food, colorfuland unique crafts at each booth, and local bands playinglive music, the celebration was beautiful and vibrant,and the start to what Longmeadow residents and BayPath students alike hope will be a long-held tradition inthe town. The planning for a pride celebration in Longmeadowcame about when Nate Munic of the LongmeadowPride Alliance saw some requests and suggestions onthe town’s public forum. The goal was to find a waynot only to give the community an outlet to wave theirflags high and rejoice in how they identify, but also toeducate those in and outside of the LGBTQ+community about different labels, flags, and gayhistory. Nearly every mainstream pride flag was printedonto signs put into the grass at the Town Green, withdescriptions of what each one represents and the historybehind it on the opposite side. Many Bay Path students attended this event and wereoverjoyed to have a pride festival so close to theirschool. Multiple attendees from the college even statedthis was their first pride event, making it even moremeaningful and memorable. Members of the Bay Pathcommunity also ran booths distributing free snacks andwater, and to entice those within Longmeadow to joinour rich and diverse community at the university.Madison Dion, a sophomore at Bay Path and also aresident of Longmeadow, was very excited to have herfirst experience at Pride be in her hometown and nearthe university she attends.(Cont. on next page)

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BPU first-year Camryn Fields poses with the transgender pride sign.Photo taken by Rebecca Wehner.Bay Path University prides itself on its inclusionand acceptance of the LGBTQ community, andthe Gay Path Alliance here on campus holdsmeetings where they can discuss theirexperiences, attend events, and no longer feel asif they have to hide who they are and whom theylove. While Bay Path is a historically women’scollege, there are many transgender and non-binary students that walk these halls as well, andthey deserve to be celebrated and recognized. It isvery meaningful for Bay Path to have played apart in this monumental event, and students,faculty, and staff alike look forward to itcontinuing to blossom in the coming years.BPU Senior Samantha Brantigan holds the lesbian pride flag below the rainbow archway. Photo taken by Rebecca Wehner.BPU sophomore Alyssa Young, junior Alexus Beebe, andsophomore Brianna McCarthy kneel in the grass with theProgress Pride flag. Photo taken by Alyssa Young.

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Reflections from Welcome WeekendBrooke EvanchakWhen I first drove up to Bay Path University, it was for myorientation in August! Once I entered the campus, I felt so at homeand so welcomed! The campus was so beautiful and it caught myeye instantly. When orientation started, the energy that all thestudents gave off was so reassuring! For a first-generation collegestudent, college can be really stressful. Everyone was so eager tohelp, and I knew this was going to be my home away from home. Afew weeks later, I moved into my dorm on September 3rd.Photo by Brooke EvanchakMadisyn VeraMy Welcome Weekend experience was unforgettable. Cominginto Bay Path, I thought I would struggle to find a group offriends. I thought I would feel lonely and desperately miss home.I thought it would be awkward to talk to brand new people.However, it was entirely the opposite, solely due to WelcomeWeekend. Welcome Weekend put me in the ideal situations tocreate new friendships. The days were filled with amazingactivities where I met so many new people. These people are nowthe friends I spend my time with each and every day, the peers Ichat with on campus, and the friendly faces I smile at in the halls.Welcome Weekend made me realize what type of place this is: aplace where I can be myself without any insecurity. Not only that,but it made me feel so at home within such a short time frame.Bay Path's sense of community was exemplified, and it made merealize I made the right decision. Bay Path is the place for me,Bay Path is the place to be.Photo by Brooke EvanchakPhoto by Brooke Evanchakedited by Julia DeRidderWatching my parents leave to drive back home was probably one ofthe hardest parts of the day. The Bay Path staff and peer mentors hadan entire weekend planned with fun events and activities! I was sobusy having fun that I wasn't dwelling on the sad parts. I was sofocused on how amazing this year was going to be. Bay Path hasdefinitely made a great impact on me, and probably will forever. Welcome (or WELLcome, for the Women as EmpoweredLearners and Leaders seminars) Weekend is the annualorientation for incoming Bay Path students. In previousyears it was on ground, but it is now partially virtual.

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The energy at Carlos Mateu’s Pop Geometric exhibit in Springfield, Massachusetts' Tower Square was as vibrant ashis art. With Cornell Coley, M.Ed’s melodic drumming asbackground music, attendees of the opening reception werefree to take in the colorful and layered paintings. Mr. Mateu easily articulated the motivations behind thecompositions. The artist combined his experience inmechanical drawing, graphic design, and the traditionalteaching from the San Alejandro Academy of Fine Arts tocreate paintings that he describes as Pop Geometric. This styleof painting is a mixture of cubism, realism, and mysticism,creating life-like images with straight lines. A key process inhis art is enlarging real-life objects and scenes to createsomething new. He said that his fruit paintings, for example,show “a spiral, a labyrinth, a journey of life”. Mr. Mateu alsotakes inspiration from his home country of Cuba, where helived before moving to the United States in 1997. by Julia DeRidderAt 4:30, Ashley Zurc Pereira, the Guest Curator, introducedWilliam “Billy” Meyers, the Artistic Director, Chief Curator,and “the one who really put this show together”. Mr. Meyerswas profuse in his praise of Mr. Mateu’s artwork. “It was a real honor to put Carlos’ work together.There’s a certain amount of spirit that goes into thiswork. I also think people don’t realize… what caliberof art this is at this humble gallery.” Mr. Meyersstated that the Springfield Museums should be givinghis next exhibit, “because art like this doesn’t comearound too often.” Carlos Mateu’s Vibrant Pop Geometric Exhibit Mr. Mateu in front of his painting My Fantastic ForestCabbagePhoto by Julia DeRidder

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The event rounded off with a collaboration between Mr.Coley and Magdalena Gómez, a performance poet,playwright, performer, and teaching artist (MagdalenaGomez.com), who recited “Literate Hands”.Refreshments were available and people socialized asthey continued to take in the art. Lauren Johnson’s “Literate Hands”, a beaded earringsexhibit, was also featured in the gallery. As Mrs. Pereirasaid, “when you get creatives together, more [art] tends tocome out of it”. The next speaker in the opening ceremony,Ms. Johnson shared her journey as an artist. She reportsgetting her initial inspiration from seeing a woman knittingpearls in the Diamond District of New York. It “turnedsomething” in her. Ms. Johnson then took a beading classat Michael’s, became a teacher herself, and started makingbeaded earrings. When a friend asked for earrings of thePuerto Rican flag, Ms. Johnson started researching theisland and its history. She said, “I started reading aboutcolonialism, and learned how lacking my education was inreference to what was happening in the world… a lot’schanged, but we still need to make more changes.” Ms.Johnson is in the process of learning the colonization andliberation histories of all of the African and Caribbeancountries while beading their flags. Carlos Mateu is also a CubanDance Instructor. He can bereached atcarlosmateu1970@gmail.com, or(201) 679-9123.Cornell Coley, M.Ed. Photoby Mrs. PereiraSignals of the UniverseGirl with FruitsHorseshoe Crab IX Horseshoe Crab VIThis exhibit was sponsored in part by Bay PathUniversity but would not have been possible withoutthe Springfield Cultural Council.Mr. Mateu works closely withconservationists to ensure the protection ofhorseshoe crabs. All such paintings weredone on already deceased horseshoe crabs.

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is a beautiful one that can open many doors for us in termsof job opportunities or even learning new languages... Iplan to help represent the community for a very long time.Thank you all for allowing me to welcome you thisevening.""Welcome to the faculty and students from STCC,"Karolyn said. "We are here to celebrate Hispanic HeritageMonth, and I think we can all agree that our culture andheritage are important to celebrate every day, no matterwhat your heritage is. Our culture is what keeps usgrounded and gives us pride, and can give us something toidentify with. For those who live a long way from home,and came to the U.S., we know the struggle of trying to fit Nairovy, Camila, and Sierra pose behind the vegetarian food optionsby Julia DeRidder and Dia AriasFaculty, current students, and prospective students fromSpringfield Technical Community College gathered at BayPath to watch HBO's In the Heights, the 2021 musicaldirected by Jon M. Chu. Volunteers doled out food beforethe film began. Attendees chose from a variety of Hispaniccuisine, including sorullitos and alcapurrias. At 6:45, thegroup was taken over to Mill’s Theater. To kick off themovie, Sky, an STCC student, and Karolyn Burgos, anSTCC graduate and current transfer at Elms College, gaveintroductions.Sky said, "To me, celebrating our heritage is veryimportant. As Hispanics, we are fortunate to have a culturefull of color, good music, delicious food, and some of thebest humor. Our language, though different in many ways, Celebration and controversy: In the Heights

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in, trying to find our voice, and trying to find ourpeople in this country. There’s nothing like thefeeling of visiting back home, of visiting your island,your country, and feeling like you are home again.May we keep our culture alive through music,language, and film, and be proud of where we’refrom today." Khyara Gastón-Feliciano, a Bay Path junior, gave ashort speech thanking the faculty and students whoput the event together. The movie then began. Others were disgusted with how the movie portrayedWashington Heights itself. “It was bad. It was really unrealistic,”Sky shared. “People don’t typically want to stay in New York,especially in the Heights. My family lived in the Heights on176th and St Nicholas. They had to leave because the water fromthe toilets upstairs would leak down into our apartment. Therewere rats and spiders everywhere. It was not a sustainable wayof living. I still have family who lived there in the Bronx, andthey pay thousands of dollars every month for rent, and it’s atwo-bedroom apartment with no extra space... It’s not worth it.”Sky also empathized with the character Nina, who attendsStanford but has no real community there. “It’s completelyunderstandable to want to go back, but you also have to thinkabout the future." They continued, “I went to Catholic school my whole life. Itwas a lot of white people. It was so hard, it’s still hard. I wasthe black sheep. Everyone here and in Springfield, my age,they were always together, hanging out, being cousins, but Inever had that with any of them. I always felt left out, toowhite for them. I don’t have any community.”A follow-up discussion on the themes of themovie was planned for the followingWednesday. Read more about the In theHeights themes and opinions in the OctoberIssue of the Network News.While tears were audibly shed and claps resoundedfrom the theater as the movie drew to a close, somestudents were less than impressed with the lack ofLGBTQ+ representation. Dia from BPU, and Sky from STCC, pose after the film

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Call upon Governor Baker to stopthe pipelineA L E T T E R F R O M J U L I A D U D E K , E N V I R O N M E N T A L C L U B P R E S I D E N TAfter three years of active resistance to the proposedTennessee Gas Meter Station and Columbia Gas (nowEversource) high-pressure pipeline, Eversource hasinformed our pipeline group that they intend toconstruct an unnecessary 200 psi pipeline main thatwill run along heavily trafficked Longmeadow streetsthrough Forest Park and Environmental Justiceneighborhoods into downtown Springfield.You may be wondering, what is so bad about a gaspipeline? It is necessary to have one, as we all needaccess to gas. However, it is unnecessary to put morewhere it is not essential. Placing more pipelines in adomesticated area only increases the rate of fires andexplosions, which are caused by accidental ignitions.This can cause significant property damage, injuries,or even death considering the location of the pipeline.Putting aside the potential risks of explosion, it is alsoimportant to note that these pipelines release naturalgasses (primarily methane), which if you don’t alreadyknow, are the leading cause for high levels ofgreenhouse gas emissions. Gas emissions= significant contributor to climate change.This is where the Longmeadow Pipeline AwarenessGroup comes into play. We are doing everything in ourpower to raise awareness and prevention. If you ever wanted to help the environment somehow butnever knew how to go about it, here is one simple way tomake an immediate impact: sign the LPAG petition torequest the ban of the proposed EversourceLongmeadow Pipeline. Please take a few minutes tosign your name to this important request. Attached above is a link to an LPAG petition that will besent to Governor Baker and other state appointees andelected officials requesting that they support a ban on theproposed Eversource Longmeadow pipeline. Within our letter, we've provided specific reasons for thepipeline ban, not the least of which is that our planet is incrisis as our communities are beset with searingtemperatures, devastating storms, rising sea levels, andother terrible consequences of fossil fuel emissions. Eventhe slightest gesture means the world when it comes tothe protection of our precious environment andcommunity.What once seemed like a futuristic concept has nowbecome our reality. The Environmental Crisis isamong us, and yet, we are letting environmentallydetrimental things slip through our fingers. Although itis good to practice sustainable habits, it is up to bigindustries and companies to do something about thiscrisis. Companies such as Eversource. Opinion Piece

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Q: What does Bay Path have on campus to support build a community for diversestudents with different backgrounds?A: Check out the Office of Multicultural Affairs! The Office of Multicultural Affairssponsors student organizations to unite our campus and community. It is an importanttime for students to stand together and be active participants in making a more inclusiveenvironment where all voices can be heard in the movement for positive change. Theyhave a variety of clubs that welcome anyone who wants to join. Check out other clubson campus, which highlight different areas of interest for students. Contact Student lifeto see all the different clubs our campus has to offer. You can contact Ramona B. Eastthe Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Bollum Residence Live Coordinator bycalling (413) 565-1063 or emailing reast@baypath.edu. STUDENT QUESTIONSWritten By: Dia AriasQ: Why are some sports no longer offered as part of the athletic department?A: As of this fall, we will move from competing with the National Collegiate AthleticAssociation (NCAA) to competing as part of the United States Collegiate AthleticAssociation (USCAA). As members of the USCAA, Bay Path University willparticipate in Division I volleyball, soccer, and softball teams. This move provides ourstudent-athletes with the opportunity to compete at both the regional and national levelsin new ways. With fewer teams, we will be able to focus resources on enhancing andgrowing our athletic programs. The USCAA does allow us to add teams should we wantto expand our athletics offerings in the future. Another exciting benefit of this move isthe participation at the Division I level. This competitive-level enables us to offerathletic scholarships during the acceptance process.

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Q: I completely ran out of shampoo and conditioner, is there anywhere oncampus or within walking distance where I can buy more?A: The bookstore located on the first floor of the Blake building has a variety ofin-a-pinch necessities. They even have makeup and lashes that are inexpensive!They are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. You canalways call them at (413) 565-1107 to see if they have the items you're lookingfor. If you can't find what you're looking for there, there is a CVS within walkingdistance down the street where you will find a wide variety of items.Q: At night my room gets hot and humid, what can I do to stay as cool aspossible?A: I would suggest investing in a fan. The best thing to do is get a good airflowgoing. By opening a window and having a fan you can create a circulatingairflow that will keep your room cool while you're inside. If it's too humid youcan always get a dehumidifier which will help get some of the moisture out ofthe air in your room.Q: I'm having trouble with Canvas and connecting my TV and gamingconsole to the Wifi. Who can help?A: Our IT department can help you with any technical difficulties you may behaving with the network. They can also answer questions you might have withyour tech or/and devices. You can contact them by calling (413) 565-1487 oremailing techsupport@baypath.eduIf you would like to submit a question to be answered in our next issue please email:studentnewsroom@baypath.edu or Dia Arias at dalmontearias@baypath.edu Q: Where can I go if I need help to find a tutor? A: Take a walk over to the Bashevkin Center for Academic Excellence, betterknown as "K-Tock". It is directly across from Elliott Hall. They have a variety ofdifferent forms of tutoring programs. Email Erin Boutin, the Coordinator ofStudent Academic Support Services with any questions at eboutin@baypath.edu.Q: I'm having trouble finding the Library on our campus. Please Help!A: The Library is actually across the street from our campus. If you take a walkover to the Elliott building there is a crosswalk that leads to the other side of thestreet. The Library is on the Left Side! You can contact the Library by calling(413) 565-1376 or emailing hatchlibrary@baypath.edu.

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Social JusticeWe accept submissions; refer to page 4 for more informationWARNING: This section contains sensitive content, includingdiscussions around violence and discriminationSection editor: Zanab RizwanThis section of the Bay Path Network News will be recurring infuture issues. A variety of social issues will be discussed, such asminority recognition, gender equality, the Black Lives Mattermovement, global issues, and so much more.Hello, everyone!My name is Zanab Rizwan and I’m a sophomore majoring inPre Medicine. I’m extremely excited to join the NetworkNews community as the Social Justice Section Columnist andEditor. I am really grateful for this amazing opportunity ofexpressing my thoughts and channeling student interests andviewpoints. The social justice section holds a very special place in my lifeas I truly believe in the power of words in making the realdifference. I look forward to sharing your experiences andreflecting your unique perspectives on social justice issuesthrough this platform. In the end, I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes of all time.“A word after a word after a wordis power.” Thank you.-Margaret AtwoodSubmitted Photo

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Racial inequality: A perpetual dilemma or an everlastingstruggle?By: Zanab RizwanThe perpetual existence of racial inequality and thehistorical segregation of social groups based on racialand ethnic identity or ancestry has led to a massivesocial crisis within the U.S. Despite being a greatlydiverse multicultural society, the increasing number ofhate crimes and violence against ethnic minorities inAmerica has fueled racial intolerance.According to statistical data provided by the FBI, theyear 2019 had the highest number of reported hatecrimes, from harassment to suicide, with the countrising to about 8,552 victims attacked based on race,gender identity, sexual orientation, and religion. The substantial amount of evidence from the number ofreported cases supports how racial prejudice hasbecome a matter of extreme sensitivity. This requiresimmediate attention to curb the rising social abuse andnegative treatment towards ethnic minorities. After the deaths of African Americans such as GeorgeFloyd, Breonna Taylor, and Daniel Prude RayshardBrooks at the hands of law enforcement, a global call wasmade for police accountability. Streets across the worldwere flooded with protesters demanding racial equalityand justice. Millions of people across the globe usedinfluential media outlets to advocate for the rights ofAfrican Americans. The support from the whiteAmericans was a significant influence on the cause andhelped shift the social momentum. Many white Americanswho were previously not actively engaged in demandingracial equality had also joined in large numbers. Thesupport from all ethnic segments within the country haseffectuated the Black Lives Matter Movement as a globalplatform for demanding racial equality.Photo Courtesy of the FBI StatisticsWhile the Black Lives Matter movement was quick togain popularity, its impact wasn’t just restricted to theAfrican American community within the United States. Aglobal call for ending racial hostility and antagonism hasbeen witnessed by the Asian American and PacificIslanders (AAPI) communities over the past year. Basedon statistical evidence from NBC Philadelphia, hatecrimes against the Asian population have increased up to27%. This is in part due to Asian Americans beingtargeted and victimized by xenophobic narratives fromothers who blame them for the COVID-19 pandemiccrisis. The indoctrination of an insensitive and hostile narrativetowards ethnic minorities has become an increasinglycommon phenomenon in our society. It can be seen asbeing due to the concentration of authority and socialinfluence amongst majority populations only. The unjustexertion of power not only creates racial conflicts but alsoexcludes minority communities, making them potentialtargets for oppression. It’s therefore extremely importantto address the escalation in racial inequality within theUnited States to prevent episodes of racial hostility andhate crimes.

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There are exceptions to the law pertaining to medicalemergencies that could harm the child or parent, but there is noexception for rape or incest. This has sparked horror and outragein many, at the thought of having to carry an unwanted child bysomeone who has harmed them. On September 7th, GovernorAbbott spoke publicly about this, saying that no one is obligatedto carry out a full-term pregnancy under these conditions,because they are given six weeks to make that choice. He alsomade a vow to keep rapists off the streets of Texas to make it asafer environment and decrease the chances of such a situation.Most individuals are not satisfied with this answer.The new Texas abortion law: A breakdownOn September 1, the Texas Heartbeat Act came into effectafter being officially signed into law on May 19. The actwas introduced as House Bill 1515 and Senate Bill 8, and ithas become the first six-week abortion ban put into action inAmerica. Those who perform or undergo illegal abortions inTexas can now be sued for a minimum of ten thousanddollars. This bill has further divided the political parties inthe United States, with Republicans demonstrating the needto protect the unborn and Democrats fighting for a person'sright to choose whether or not they want to reproduce andcarry out a pregnancy. This act reflects views that are considered “pro-life” stances;that is, the human fetus is considered an “unborn child” viathe law, regardless of how much it has grown and developedphysically and mentally. Six weeks of pregnancy is thestandard period at which an ultrasound can detect a fetus’heartbeat; once that is discovered, Texans are unable toterminate the pregnancy, giving them a narrow time period tobe aware of a pregnancy. In addition, anyone that aids in anyway to an abortion occurring, such as a person that drivessomeone to an abortion clinic, or lawyers and counselors thatmeet with them, can be sued as well. The person who hasbeen through the procedure, however, is less likely to be suedthan their doctor performing the act, because they cannot benamed as a defendant for legal and privacy reasons. The law is not controlled or powered by the federal government,but rather by civilians enforcing it through lawsuits. The state isalso unable to make attempts to enforce the law, which someexperts believe is a tactic designed to stand up against any claimsof the law’s unconstitutionality. Not long after the law was putinto effect, several members of the US government have spokenout about their plans to sue Texas and defend those wanting anabortion via the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.President Joe Biden has called the law extreme and expressed hisbelief that it directly goes against Roe v. Wade, which was putinto action in 1973. Many continue to speak out about the law,protesting in Austin, Texas and spreading information throughsocial media. Only time will tell whether this law will beoverturned, or if it will continue as planned.by Rebecca WehnerSource: Canva

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What happens behind closed doors?Amidst a global health crisis, women are in the middle of asocial pandemic- domestic violence.For so long, women and gender-nonconforming peoplehave struggled to achieve the fundamental goals ofsafety and survival. The unbearably biased socialstandards surrounding gender/ gender identity preventthe establishment of a just society for everyone. While domestic violence against women has been anextensively widespread issue that only added to theseemingly unwavering social inequality, it has raisedconcerns about our social priorities. Domestic violenceis perhaps the manifestation of an abhorrent mindset thatconsiders women as weak, vulnerable, and dependent,making them easy targets for manipulation and abuse. Ithas only been made worse with the quick shutdownsduring COVID-19. Recent statistical data has shown thatcases of domestic violence increased up to 8.1% duringthe pandemic lockdowns.In an interview conducted by the New York Times,victims shared their stories of horror over the last year. “Ican’t even have privacy in the bathroom — and now Ihave to endure this in a lockdown,” said Ana, a victim ofintimate partner violence by her partner whom she liveswith.Even though authorities are taking firm actions to curbrepeated occupation of such incidents, the real questionremains, are women ever going to feel safe?Image courtesy of the CDC statisticsBY: ZANAB RIZWAN UN Secretary-General António Guterres took toTwitter.com to reduce men's violence against womenduring the pandemic. He said, “I urge all governments toput women’s safety first as they respond to thepandemic”. However, countries across the globe haveobserved a surge in domestic violence and intimatepartner violence during this past year.Source: Liz Hall

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I S S U E S W E C A R E A B O U TI S S U E S W E C A R E A B O U THuman Rights"Personally, I think the attack on human rightsshould be addressed (and not just in America).The attempts to stop women from havingabortions in the south, the attempts to restricthealthcare for trans individuals, the blatantislamophobia in France. It's all a struggle." Sara BlodgettAn issue that I believe the world needs to address right nowis innocent people being killed in Afghanistan. They areinnocent people, this violates human rights, it'sunnecessary, it's cruel and unusual as well as excessive. AllI have seen in the news is the withdrawal but I believe if theU.S is going to have bases and be involved in othercountry's affairs it's only fair to help the countries they haveaffairs with. Kayla Victor Violence in AfghanistanAn issue I feel the world needs to address right now is howthe Covid-19 vaccine will not stop you from getting Covid.I’m seeing many people think they are now immune togetting this virus. It has gotten to the point that I no longersee people in public wearing their masks for protectionbecause they say they're vaccinated. We should all still becareful even if we are fully vaccinated, especially with anew variant of the virus spreading. Angela CamachoCOVID-19Equal PayIn the news and pretty much in a lot of conversations for women insports is how unfairly they are treated when it comes to payment. TheUSWNT are paid $99,000 or $4,950 per game, and the men are paid anaverage of $263,320 or $13,166 per game. It is unfair that women arebeing paid less than the men. In reality men and women should be paidthe same amount no matter if they are better in sports or anything else.It is totally unfair that women are treated unjustly. The USWNT havedemanded equal pay for years and they are still fighting for it today.The Women’s team is better than the Men’s team but yet they are paid$164,320 less than the Men’s team. How is that fair? It’s not fair at all. Samantha RobinsonThese pieces were written by students in the Introto Mass Communications and Pop Culture class.This class empowers young voices to pay attentionto current events and find the power in sharingtheir stances while teaching them about theimportance of mass communication in the worldwe live today.Source: Canva

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"An issue I believe to be an important part of our daily discussions isthe Texas abortion laws. This law will not only affect many lives, buttake many lives. This newly implemented law is an attack on women’sreproductive rights. Men are the decision makers of bodies that are nottheirs, and they have no business being in a place of power like howthey are now. Not only does this issue need to be discussed among themajority of the United States, but it needs to be addressed and foughtagainst. This isn’t a matter that should be taken lightly and it needsquick action."Samantha Davey"An issue that really needs to be addressed isthe Texas abortion laws. It is completelyoutrageous that the cutoff date for getting anabortion is six weeks. A woman barely knowsif she's pregnant by then. Not only that,women's healthcare in general needs to befixed. Why is it that tax dollars go intoviagra pills but women still have to pay forpads and tampons and get taxed on it on topof the cost for a necessity." Diane Almonte AriasTexas Abortion Laws "I think we need to address the issues ofabortion in the United States and take a cuefrom other first world nations. I also thinkwe need to address the systematicmaltreatment and annexation of NativeAmerican rights and lands. Both are superpressing issues that the government has beenavoiding and/or often changing stances onfar too often." Madison St. MarieA problem that needs to be addressed in the world right now is theprevalence of sex-trafficking, especially child sex-trafficking. Not onlyis it happening in Third World countries, but it’s also happening in ourneighborhoods and under our noses. Everyone thinks “yes, thishappens, but just not here.” That type of mentality is what is enablingpeople to keep doing this. The more awareness brought to this subject,the harder it is for people to keep getting away with it. Anasthasia LuongSex TraffickingI think one prevalent issue that needs to be/is being addressed is the new abortion law in Texas. A multitude of peopleare advocating for women and pushing for things to change. It has been a very hefty topic in the news for the past fewweeks and women are coming forward to speak about their experience before and after the abortion law. I personallythink it is very powerful that women are coming forward and being vulnerable about their stories and how the new lawaffects them and will continue to. The only way most things change is if people are speaking up about the topic or issueand it has been heavily discussed. I believe that if people and experts continue to speak their mind and have evidencebacking up their claims, things can change. There is power in numbers!Bianca CarringtonSource: Unsplashed

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"Across both the state of California and theworld, wildfires have been ravaging thelandscape. This is an issue that has been goingon for quite some time--it is not an isolatedincident. There have been wildfires in Greece,Spain, and plenty of other countries in the lastfew years, and they are only growing worse. Itfeels like people have begun to brush over thisnews, or push it aside in favor of addressingother concerns which, while important, do notdetract from the importance of the wildfiresand the source of this issue: climate change.This is certainly a topic that needs moreattention, and it is something that the worldneeds to start working toward addressing.Climate Change"An issue I believe the world needs to address is Climate Change. Climate Change is always in the news one way oranother, whether (no pun intended) it's the California wildfires or the abundance of rain we are experiencing in theEast. Only a couple of times a year does it become truly relevant and then again it's pushed to the back seat. Our Earthis dying and we can see it all around us, every day we are presented with the issue as well as a million solutions. If thewhole world addresses climate change at once and the government takes it seriously, we might be able to make a truechange. For instance, if all parts of society played their parts, less fast fashion, plant-based diets, fewer gas cars, morewalking, recycling, and more sustainable efforts we might be able to truly address the issue and prevent furtherdamage." Isabelle Knipes"An issue in the news that I believe needs to be addressed isclimate change/the environment! We only have one planet,and we’re not taking very good care of it. We need to preserveour planet and work harder to keep it clean. Polar bears arelosing their home, fires are ravaging the Amazon, and animalsare going extinct because we’re not taking care of our planet.I’m very passionate about climate change and taking action,and I would love to share more about it!" Angelia Fields"I believe that the news should be addressing moreon the topic of climate change. Humans are slowlydestroying our planet. I feel that this is one of themost important things to be looking at because thisis our only home and if we destroy it then anyliving organism will die. I feel this topic is nottalked about enough and could use moreaddressing. " Mackenzie RichardsWhile there were no wildfires in my area this summer, it was still much hotter than previous summers. Walks that I could make without issue in previous years became almost unbearable, and my dog walking jobsgrew more strenuous on both myself and the dogs I was walking. I can remember a specific day where my dog and I wereboth laid out in front of two or three fans, both of us disgustingly hot in the middle of July, doing nothing because it was sogross. He didn’t even have the energy to play like he usually does. I’ve never liked the heat of summer, and with the risingtemperatures, I like the season less and less. I’m looking forward to the approach of autumn this year." Virgil LybargerSource: Canva

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Suicide Prevention Week began on Sunday,September 5th, and ended the following Saturday onthe 11th. There is a trend going around on the socialmedia platform TikTok of teens showing what theywould have missed if they went through with theirplans of committing suicide. These videoscirculating the internet have made a huge impact onthose who are struggling every day. It is important toshare stories amongst one another in order to healothers as well as yourself. Suicidal thoughts canaffect anyone. Having available resources for thosewho continue to struggle every day is vital. It's okay not to be okayBy: Charlize Hernandez https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ (800)-273-8255 Image courtesy of Voices of YouthI was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in theeighth grade. It almost feels impossible to explain toothers how you are feeling when you aren’t able tounderstand it yourself. It takes courage to come forwardand ask for help. The topic itself has always beenmisconstrued as “taboo.” Suicide happens to be thesecond leading cause of death for those who range fromages 10-34 in the United States. Avoiding such a hugeissue will not make it disappear. Creating a discussionmay encourage others to come forward and share theirown experiences. Mental health is just as important as physical health.Now that summer has finally come to a close, it’sinevitable to be overwhelmed by all of the upcomingevents and responsibilities. Getting every homeworkassignment done, while also being involved in sportsand having a part-time job, can be challenging andoutright exhausting. Cut yourself some slack; you aredoing great.Suicide prevention awareness month. NAMI. (n.d.). RetrievedSeptember 29, 2021, from https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-awareness-month.

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Bianca Carrington -- I went skydiving for my birthday in early August! It was an absolutely scary but fun experience!I turned 19, and it honestly felt like it was going to just be another birthday, it didn’t feel like a milestone or thatanything had really changed. I read a quote that said, “they say 19 is just a filler birthday, so let's fill it withawesomeness” ~ unknown. So I did just that; I filled my day with an awesome experience! Sierra Blodgett - Toward the end of thesummer, I visited a beach on Cape Codwith my father, brother, and paternalgrandmother. It was on the bayside,around where the flats are, so the tidegoes out really far and takes forever tocome in. I got attacked by a few crabs,my brother accidentally cut himself on arazor clam, but when the tide dideventually come in, we actually got toswim around. My brother and I endedup getting sunburnt though (we forgotto reapply sunscreen). Good times.Daring AdventuresBeach TripsSubmitted photoSubmitted photo

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Joranne Joseph- This photo is of my last trip thissummer to Miami. This was a memorable moment ofmy summer because it meant to me the rediscovery ofmyself. This summer, I overcame keeping past traumasto myself and shared them with family in hopes offeeling like myself again. Aside from mental health andwellness I feel like we should openly be able to talkabout issues in our life to a point where we don't have tofeel boxed up and continue living our lives as our trueself. This summer I was able to get out of my repressivebox and rediscover who I'm really meant to be. Self DiscoverySamantha Robinson- Over the summer, my family and Iwent to see the USWNT play at Rentschler Field for theirsend off series to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. They playedMexico and won 4-0. It was a great game and a greatexperience for me because I had never been to a professionalsoccer game or even seen the USWNT play live before. I hadwatched them play on TV but watching them play live and inperson was a whole different experience. Soccer GamesNew StyleAngela Camacho - If I were to be honest, I’d say this year’ssummer has been one of the most uneventful ones in my life. Mostof my summer days I’ve spent in my room listening to music orsleeping. That being said, I did do one thing I would considermemorable. I got my nose pierced. This is the selfie I sent my bestfriend right after I got into my car.Submitted photoSubmitted photoSubmitted photo

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Diane Almonte Arias- This photo wastaken when I went on a hike to thiswaterfall. The photo commemorates thebeginning of my self love and self growthjourney. I found myself in a really toughspot during Covid and it forced me towant to make a change in the way Ithought about myself and how I chose toview the struggles I was going through.This was the turning point for me! Isabella Knipe- My mom and I never really goanywhere or hang out; we are always in ourseparate rooms. So, as the picture depicts we wentto Niagara Falls on the Maid of the Mist, which isan attraction where you ride a boat and go underthe falls-- hence the ponchos (which are fabulous).As much as she annoys me, it was great to spendtime with her since we never do.Bonding at Niagara FallsBecoming Onewith NatureSubmitted photoSubmitted photo

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Kayla Victor - This summer I did a lot of activitiesthat I got to cross off my bucket list. This made mehappy because after being in quarantine for over ayear it was nice to be back outside and doing thingsthat I have never done before. I went to Six Flags forthe first time, and I also rode a roller coaster for thefirst time. I went on Superman, and honestly I thoughtI was going to die. I'm not even sure how because Ifelt secure in that seat; but I still believed I was goingto die, and I was scared for my life for the first time.Which is a feeling I thankfully never felt before. First Time Thrill RidesMemories that Last a LifetimeSamantha Daley - My first half of summer was spentmaking new memories and going on new adventureswith my best friend, Divya. We spent our summerdoing the things we love like running, going onoutings, going outside, and most importantlyspending quality time with each other. The last halfof my summer was sadly spent in bed and in doctorsoffices trying to get help with medical problems. I amvery happy that I was able to experience my first halfof the summer and make amazing memories. Submitted photoSubmitted photo

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Taylor Suffoletto - This summer myfamily and I visited the Harry Potterstore in New York City for my sister’sseventeenth birthday. She isabsolutely obsessed with everythingthat has to do with the Harry Pottermovies and books, so this was a reallyamazing experience for her. We spentthe night prior to this in NYC and thengot up early and had a day filled withadventure. We walked a lot! Betweenthe Harry Potter store and TimesSquare the day was filled withadventure, and my personal favorite -shopping!Harry PotterIn SalemSheila Daly - My summer was mostlyspent at work, so I do not have a lot ofphotos to choose from. In July though,I had the opportunity to spend aweekend in Salem, Massachusetts.This is a picture of me next to thestatue of Samantha from the 60ssitcom “Bewitched”. While visiting, Iwas also able to walk through townand visit all the different shops andattractions. Submitted photoSubmitted photo

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Fun in the SunAnasthasia Luong - The photo Isubmitted was a photo of this year’sALLI program. I was a peer mentor forthe girls during the month of August.MentoringRebecca Jordan- Parker- This summer wasn't too productive however, it wasmore productive than last year where the pandemic was in swing. Last year wasalso a struggle for me because a lot happened for me. It was a tough year sincetwo of my animals passed away. I got bitten by my dog and then at the end of theyear I had a retinal detachment in my left eye. Last year, was an extreme strugglefor me and my self-esteem. This year has been a whole lot better even though thepandemic is still having an effect on our lives. I didn't do too much this summerexcept hang out with my best friend and work. The one thing that I did this lastweek of summer was going to a fair in Woodstock with my best friend andparents. We had a lot of fun at the fair and were able to have a great day with myloved ones.Submitted photo Submitted photo

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Camryn Fields - A memorable moment from mysummer was meeting my best friends during orientation!I was super nervous about going to Bay Path and notknowing anyone, but these guys really took me undertheir wings and helped me! They helped me come out ofmy shell, and I feel so much more confident with themaround! We’re also able to discuss what’s going on in theworld and have educated conversations about politicalunrest, climate change, etc! They make me feel like me,and I adore them. FriendsRae Ann Fetcho - My summer consisted ofspending as much time with my dog, Luna, aspossible, since I’ll be away from her during theschoolyear. We went on hikes, explored funtowns, and relaxed out in the sun while I painted,read, or played guitar. The picture is from our dayin Olde Mistick Village last month.Love my DogBest Friends and Coffee ShopsIsabelle Knipe - This is a photo Itook at a coffee shop in the Cape. Itook a trip there the week beforecollege started with my best friend. Submitted photo Submitted photoSubmitted photo

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Mask MandateAs of September 20, 2021, the state of Massachusetts declared a maskmandate. Bay Bath University is now requiring anyone in a campus buildingor on a campus shuttle to wear a face covering, regardless of vaccinationstatus. When eating in Blake Dining Commons, the Carpe Diem Cafe’,kitchenettes, or other public or shared spaces on campus, everyone shouldremain masked and only remove their face covering to eat, and then re-maskwhen finished. Face coverings will not be required outdoors, except for thosewho have an approved vaccination exemption. Disposable face masks willbe available at centralized locations throughout the campus. Students areencouraged to bring reusable face coverings with them to campus.Keeping our campus safe and stopping the spread of COVID-19We want to ensure everyone stays safe on campus and protectsthemselves and those around them. As new information isreleased, the COVID Task Force will remain diligent inmonitoring and responding accordingly. For now, this is just afriendly reminder of the updated regulations that are in place oncampus to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and variants.Vaccination RequirementsTo submit your COVID-19 vaccine documentation, you canupload a photo of your vaccine card on the my.baypath.edu portaland click on "vaccination status." If you still need to get yourvaccine, there are free vaccines available at the CVS Pharmacy 0.2miles away from the Longmeadow campus-- just schedule yourappointment online! You can also get your vaccine at select CVSlocations or any Massachusetts site. Unless you have a religious or medical exemption, you will needto be vaccinated to be on campus. All undergraduate students,graduate students, faculty, and staff must be vaccinated. Thatmeans whether you are a resident or commuter student, you willneed to get the vaccine and provide documentation to attendclasses. Source: CanvaCurrently, the three approved vaccines are as follows:Pfizer-BioNtechModernaJohnson & Jonson/JanssenVACCINES APPROVEDVACCINES APPROVEDBY THE FDA!BY THE FDA!by Gabriela RamirezThe Path Forward

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Starting the week of September 6, 2021, allvaccinated residential students are required to submitto a COVID-19 pool test every 21 days. Failure tocomply with the testing/vaccination policy will resultin the student being referred to the Student Conductsystem within the Dean of Students office. A positivepool test will mean all students within that poolsample will be contacted to retest using theBinaxNOW rapid test in Health Services. Testing will be completed on a three-week cycle asfollows:Week 1: First floor of Wright Hall, Bollum Hall, andTheinert HallWeek 2: Second floor of Wright Hall, Bollum Hall,and Theinert Hall Week 3: Third floor of Wright Hall and third &fourth floor of Bollum HallPool Testing Source: CanvaStay SafeStay SafeSocial DistanceSocial DistanceSanitizeSanitizeWhen in doubt, follow the three S'sResidential Students with approved exemptions movinginto residence halls were required to provide a negativeCOVID-19 test dated within 72 hours of move in andneeded to have a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testweekly starting the week of September 6. Commuting students with approved exemptions had tosubmit a negative COVID-19 test if they were planning toattend the first week of classes. Students have the option ofbeing tested weekly completely free in Health Services, orsubmit a negative COVID-19 test from an off-campustesting site at the student's expense and upload results totheir Medicat portal.Students with a religious or medical exemption willnow need to test every 7 days.

Network News Fall 2021

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