As the Saint Mary’s Community gears up for basketball season, student leadership committees present Homecoming! Whether you are a first year, fourth year, or alumni, the events offer a little something for everyone. Image c/o author By Eleni Kvochak American Journalism Student With great enthusiasm, student leadership presents Saint Mary’s College Homecoming Week! The celebratory week kicked off on Monday, November 3rd and continues to parade throughout campus until Sunday, November 12th. The events range from school wide bingo, movie night, tailgates, and casino night. Whether you are a first year, fourth year, or alumni, the events offer a little something for everyone.
Each event is set to conjure excitement and spirit within the community. Planning this week of fun also gives power back to the students. More specifically, “Administration giving student leadership a chance to plan the events for a week allows us to do what we want to see as a student,” Gael Force President, Stefano Costa comments. With the student enhancement fee, there is now immense focus on student experience. By hosting lively events, the planning committee hopes to make the year memorable. Especially for seniors, “I want to take advantage of everything Saint Mary’s has to offer. Homecoming is the perfect opportunity to connect with the community and make memories,” shares current senior, Peyton Prebil. From student conversation, it appears that there is the most buzz surrounding casino Night. “It is something that hasn't been done for the last few years, I think there will be some mystery to how the event will run and what the students expect,” Costa adds. The night includes food, an array of auction items, and speakeasy for students 21 and over. Undoubtedly, student leadership is working hard to create unique and successful events for the community to enjoy. “Homecoming week is a special week on campus where we have a series of events for students to get them amped up for the start of basketball season,” states Campus Activities Board President, Kristen Doughtery. With a packed student section for the first men’s basketball game on Monday evening, there is no question Homecoming Week is in full swing and the effort of student leaders is shining through. For more information, please visit @smc_cab and @smc_gaelforce on Instagram!
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Artists Corita Kent and Lisa Congdon ‘91 are sparking wonder and awe at the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art. Image c/o author By Eleni Kvochak American Journalism Student The exhibition Hold It Lightly is currently open at the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art (SMCMoA), featuring original printed work by artist Lisa Congdon ’91. Displayed from September 13 through December 10, 2023, the exhibition signifies Congdon’s first solo museum showcase. Hold it Lightly features fifty-seven original serigraphs alongside the 1960s pop artistry of Corita Kent. Exhibited in conversation, both Congdon and Kent utilize unique graphics and vibrant colors to convey powerful messages. This union is sparking wonder and awe at the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art.
Corita Kent (B.1918-D.1986) was an American artist with an innovative approach to design and education. Within the heroes & sheroes series, her work highlights what was really going on from the year 1968 to 1969. Whether it was political turmoil, the Vietnam War, assassinations or the Civil Rights Movement, she managed to cover it all in some capacity. Instead of creating art full of displeasure, Corita transformed everyday material into sources of inspiration. “Corita shifts the narrative, bringing in messages of hope and joy,” Museum curator Brit Roye explains. By utilizing silk screen technology, Kent takes to news media, like magazine clippings or presidential imagery to showcase exactly how entities were talking about current social events. Her art acts as a vehicle and outlet for expressing larger messages of hope. For example, a large sector of the series includes Martin Luther King Jr. from his peak to his untimely end. Expanding further, this body of work did not require museum display. It was created to be multiplied, shared across the nation, and conjure feelings of hopefulness. There is no question that this twenty-nine-serigraph exhibition still resonates with the current political and social climate. Corita Kent’s revolutionary work stands up to the test of time and continues to influence artists today. Thus bringing forth, the delightful Lisa Congdon. Initially, the museum curators reached out to Congdon because she is an alumna of the college. Philip Goodwin, a representative from the Alumni Engagement Office speaks to the specialness of this exhibition saying, “Lisa is not only an alum, but she is also the first alumna to have her work exhibited in the Museum of Art.” One room of the exhibit is dedicated solely to her Saint Mary’s College experience. Connecting with Lisa it was evident there is a deep connection between Kent and Congdon. More specifically, Royer states, “There is a thread of connection between one artist in the 21st century to another artist in the 21st century.” Congdon’s body of work is greatly influenced by Corita. Especially, when it comes to curating and embracing joy in all things. Through the use of serigraph and digital practice, Congdon has developed her own vocabulary. When taking a close look at her work, one might notice the same evil eye, heart, or bubbled lettering from one piece to another. Rather than using mundane and moody imagery, she employs vibrant colors and playful graphics to convey powerful messages. Much of this stems from the concept of, “Joyous Revolutionary.” Simply put, discussing the political climate in a spirited manner has the ability to spark a true revolution. For instance, one print depicts a tiger and reads, “Protect the Vulnerable.” At first glance, viewers see a powerful tiger, delivering a strong message. Yet, when diving deeper, one notices the animal shedding a tear. In conversation about the piece, it was revealed that this print was intended to respond to the 2017 Trump election. Royer observes, this piece brings ”visibility to human rights not being acknowledged in our country.” Congdon creates art with intention. She beautifully delivers compelling messages with the genuine hope to generate themes of joy, liberation, and radical inclusion. In addition to gifting the MoA with this original series, she donated a small selection of prints for auction. All proceeds are in support of the Museum. Years later, the revolutionary wit and style of Kent carries on through the artistry of Congdon. Together, the exhibitions combine pieces of historical relevance, present day topics, and a lust for Saint Mary’s College. A current senior at Saint Mary’s proclaims, “The Saint Mary’s Museum of Art is special to me because it serves as a space filled with inspiration and nostalgia. Each time I walk through the museum, I am overwhelmed with all of the beautiful and powerful pieces of art.” Kent and Congdon are revolutionaries in every way. They express important social issues through the modality of art with playful images, funky fonts, and bold colorings. Further, they aim to cultivate change and pave the way for others to dabble in their own artistic expression. Kent and Congdon create a space for conversation and hopeful thinking. They simply long to produce joy in all things, especially in times of turmoil. The title, Hold It Lightly, means just that; do not take anything so seriously, instead think and hold dialogue about events in a light and joyful manner. By doing so, a radical revolution of joy, love, and liberation might occur, just as Kent and Congdon set out to do. The museum is free to students and visitors. Additionally, daily Tours of the Exhibition are offered daily. For more information, please visit, https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum-art. Canvas LMS and Student Data Collection Image c/o author By Lucy Bikahi American Journalism Student 2023 is an age of constant data monitoring and collection; from streaming services, to social media, all the way to the learning platforms students use to submit assignments. Educational technology, such as the learning platforms used by colleges to post announcements and turn in assignments, make large amounts of student data available to EdTech companies and other parties associated with those corporations. In the Fall of 2023, Saint Mary’s College of California (SMC) officially made the switch from Moodle, its previous online learning management system, to Canvas. Canvas appears to be a well organized and user friendly platform; it is easy to navigate and its layout makes it clear what is available to its users. However, what is not readily apparent is the vast amount of student data that is collected in order for the website to function. Everyone should be mindful of their online data, where it is going, and who is collecting it. As stated by American Journalism Scholar and Professor Nolan Higdon, “In this new economy of surveillance capitalism, people are the ones who are mined for data. So people think they are using products, but they are the products.” Canvas LMS, the learning platform currently utilized by SMC, is supported by Instructure. Instructure is an educational technology company owned by Thoma Bravo, a multi-billion dollar private equity firm. Instructure collects large amounts of student data through their educational software, such as Canvas. The data collected by Canvas and its privacy policy regarding that data can be found here. It is a long list of personal information including, but not limited to, contact information, geographic location, in-site interactions, browser type, “unique device identifiers,” and more. According to Canvas’s website this data is reportedly used to “provide, analyze, and improve products.” A general outline of how that data is utilized is provided, however there is not a specific outline of how each piece of data is utilized within user experience and why it is crucial to product functionality. Furthermore, the authorized actions of third party providers are made very vague. Initially created in the 1970s, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA was intended to ensure student privacy protection. However, under updated 2012 FERPA laws, definitions of certain terms were expanded, creating a loophole that allows EdTech companies to share student data to companies and corporations outside of themselves. The student data made accessible to Instructure through Canvas is also made available to authorized third party service providers, which are utilized with, “the sole purpose of providing you [users] with our products,” according to the Canvas product privacy web page. For example, according to their security webpage, Instructure’s learning platforms are hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS). According to a written interview with Daisy Bennett, Instructure’s Associate General Counsel and Data protection officer, AMS and other third party providers are, “not permitted to share customer’s data or use it for any unauthorized purposes.” However, authorized uses of data were not specified further. According to Bennett, a lot of the student data signed over to Canvas and by extension Instructure depends on the contract that they agree upon with the academic institutions they work with. That means that the information signed over to create students’ Canvas accounts was decided upon by SMC, rather than the individual students affected. When talking to students about whether or not they were fully informed by SMC about the amount of data Canvas collects upon the switch from Moodle to Canvas, the general consensus was that they were not. “I don’t like it. It’s an invasion of privacy and I should have been explicitly told about it before I was given a Canvas account,” said SMC junior Roark Rowland. “I don’t see how they would need all that information,” says SMC junior and student writer Sam Nobile, later adding,“I think that they [SMC] should disclose more about Canvas’s data practices because it feels like a very glaring thing to not explicitly inform students of.” “You’re basically allowing these companies to have an intimate look at students from the cradle to the grave,” answered Professor Higdon, when asked about the ethics of using online learning platforms to store student information. He continued, “historically benign invasions of privacy have had pretty detrimental consequences.” When asked about potential alternatives to Canvas and other online platforms that collect student information and whether or not students should be able to opt out of using them, there were a variety of suggestions put forward. There was a consensus that everyone has a right to their own personal information, and should therefore be able to make their own decision as to what platforms they utilize, rather than administrators making that decision for them. Suggestions on alternatives included individual institutions developing independent academic software, students and faculty getting a cut of data dividends made by corporations running learning platforms, and the right to be erased being made easily accessible. Currently, according to Bennett, Canvas LMS does provide the ability to erase all student data if requested so by the user. However, if a student’s account was created by their school, they may have to request permission from the institution in order to delete the student’s account and data. Essentially, when this is the case, the academic institution has the final say over student data, not the students themselves. Data should be the property of the individual students themselves, not a corporation or an academic institution, as students will be the ones affected by this type of surveillance capitalism in the long term. Executive Director of Campus Safety and Transportation Manjit Sappal explains how the new parking permit system works, why it was implemented, and the goals Campus Safety hopes to achieve with the new system. Image c/o author By Ingrid Alkire American Journalism Student Whether you are a staff, faculty, or student, if you drive a car and need to park it on campus, you are required to purchase a parking permit. Starting this semester, the parking permit system transitioned from issuing physical to electronic permits tied to a car’s license plate. Executive Director of Campus Safety and Transportation, Manjit Sappal, speaks to the reason, goals, and functions of the new parking permit system.
When asked about his role as Executive Director, Sappal explained, “[M]y main role is to ensure that we take adequate steps to protect our community through preparation, prevention, and building relationships with students, staff, and faculty.” Sappal furthered that he sees Campus safety as “a support mechanism for students, staff, and faculty.” “I think there tends to be this notion that we just write tickets, [that] all we do is enforce the rules, [but] that’s the small part of what we do, we really are about education,” Sappal explained. When Campus Safety receives a call, they start by facilitating a discussion and documenting the incident, before connecting involved parties with relevant resources on campus. “[Our goal is to] educate folks and make sure that the appropriate parties [become involved],” Sappal stated. Before discussing the new system, Sappal explained why Saint Mary’s has a parking permit system to begin with. “The reason that we have parking enforcement in general is that many, many years ago the City of Moraga required the college to have some sort of parking management in place. This whole idea of permits and parking enforcement was never done for revenue, it was done because [the college was] required to do it,” Sappal noted. But why did the city require parking enforcement? “There was a time that we had more cars than spaces available and we were starting to have our folks parking in neighborhoods,” Sappal explained. Specifically, these cars were parking “off campus on Saint Mary’s Road.” Due to “the narrow width of the road this created a traffic hazard and the campus needed to be part of the solution to prevent accidents from occuring,” Sappal noted. “Apparently, we put together a parking permit system [in efforts to address that issue],” he furthered. The City of Moraga did not respond to a request for a comment. Sappal described that parking permit system, which relied on physical permits, as “cumbersome.” Campus Safety Officers had to look through the windshields of individual cars in search of a permit on display but, even then, there was no easy way to tell whether cars were parked in the right lots (e.g. residential, staff/faculty, students). The struggle to efficiently and effectively identify physical permits was compounded by the fact that there simply are not enough officers available to check all the cars in every lot on a daily basis. One officer is stationed at the kiosk to “maintain presence and a sense of safety for those entering campus,” and one is tasked with responding to calls, not to mention the fact that an “officer manually locks and unlocks all [the] doors on campus everyday,” which does not leave an officer dedicated to parking enforcement, Sappal shared. “There is no way that an officer or two working [could check all the lots on campus],” he furthered. Thus, parking enforcement was more reactive than proactive, with officers responding to a large swath of complaints from individuals struggling to find parking. “[Parking enforcement] was very inefficient and sporadic,” Sappal noted. Additionally, the “laminated permits provided by a third party [were] expensive.” All of these reasons led the Office of Campus Safety to start searching for “better ways to make the system more efficient and better enforce parking rules,” Sappal explained. As a result, the new parking permit system emerged where one’s permit is tied to their license plate instead of a physical windshield hanger. “We have handheld readers that we can [use to] scan a license plate and the system will tell us whether the car has a permit and whether it is in the right lot,” Sappal noted. Furthermore, they have added cameras onto Campus Safety cars that will allow them to drive through a lot and quickly scan all the cars in it. The system is “geo-mapped for every lot, [which means that] the system knows who can park there,” Sappal explained. Fully launched last week, the new parking permit system is now fully operational. The new system will add “a certain level of fairness in terms of making sure we are getting to every lot on-campus,” Sappal reflected. “The goal is for parking rules to be enforced fairly so that everyone is consistent in following the rules,” Sappal noted. Campus Safety is also working “to get unpaid tickets attached to registration, which will be on par with any other entity that enforces parking,” Sappal explained. Daniela Zavala ‘24 initially wondered if the new system was merely intended to “intimidate” students into buying permits and was unsure how the enforcement of the new system would work. Zavala also revealed that she knew others who had not purchased a permit, yet did not get a ticket for it. When asked whether she supported heavier enforcement of the parking permit system, Zavala noted, “As is there's not that many parking spots and for those who don't pay for it it diminishes the opportunity for others to park closer.” She furthered, “I could see how it could be difficult for someone who lives off campus to find parking,” though Zavala herself never struggled to find parking near her dorm. Isabelle Hayes ‘24 voiced similar curiosity regarding the enforcement of the new system and expressed some frustration with the enforcement of the old system. “It bugged me because I’d get frustrated when I was trying to find parking, specifically last year, near the lower townhouses, [...] it was hard to find a spot [...], [and] at least maybe half of them would not have permits hanging in their windshields,” Hayes explained. When asked whether she supported stricter parking enforcement, Hayes was conflicted. “I do and I don’t. I do because I don’t think it's necessarily fair for the people who do pay for the permits to have to compete with people who aren't paying for permits, but I also understand that paying for parking can be expensive and everyone’s financial situation is different, so some people have to get by and skipping out on a parking permit would save expenses somewhere else [and I’d] hate for them to get tickets,” Hayes reflected. Aware of the complexities of the parking permit system and parking enforcement, Sappal hopes to address issues and concerns, like those Hayes and Zavala raised, through a parking permit committee. “I don't think that the campus overall has really looked at the parking system in a long time and it's time to reassess that. I am putting together a parking committee that will consist of representatives from staff, faculty, undergraduate, graduate, and commuter students to work through some of the issues with the parking system,” Sappal explained. The committee aims to tackle key questions surrounding parking such as the location of lots, the number of handicapped spaces on campus, and the cost of parking tickets and permits. During the month of November, two students received parking tickets. However, “[r]ather than impose the fine we asked one to work a community event on campus and the other to spend a few hours with a Campus Safety Officer for a ride along,” Sappal explained. “The Parking Advisory Committee can also help with looking at ways to offset a fine for the first ticket, so we can use it as a learning moment, rather than as punitive,” Sappal furthered. “Hopefully in the next few years we will have more students, [which will] bring greater parking challenges,” Sappal reflected. “How do we look ahead to the coming years and figure out how to manage that effectively?” If you would like to check your permit status or purchase a permit, you may do so on the Parking Permit Portal. Jan Term in June will not be offered this summer, but is it gone forever? Only time will tell. (Image c/o writer) By Chloe Ourada American Journalism Student An expected drop in demand has led Saint Mary’s College to abandon June Jan Term courses. This has led to some disappointment amongst students and professors, but if the funding model gets worked out and students demonstrate interest, Jan Term in June may not be gone forever.
According to Professor Claire Williams, the current Jan Term Director, Jan Term in June “was an opportunity for students to take a Jan Term class who have missed a Jan Term class, or haven’t successfully completed a Jan Term class.” This was especially important under the previous graduation requirements, since students needed four Jan Term classes in order to graduate. Now, only two Jan Term classes are required. As Connor McCaslin, the Coordinator for Jan Term Travel, states, “Because of the change in the core requirements, [the new Jane Term requirements] did not allow much in the way of interest [for Jan Term in June].” He went on to say that the college has a “general problem with all summer enrollment.” This general problem is compounded for Jan Term in June travel courses. As Professor Aaron Sachowitz, the former Jan Term Director, sees it, “Travel was attractive to students, but it was expensive.” Students already have to pay extra for summer courses, so paying additional money for travel fees is not a realistic option for many. This view is mirrored by Ingrid Alkire, a senior who took a remote Jan Term in June course: “Sometimes, I feel like [the college is] just trying to squeeze as much money out of us as possible.” Money seems to be one of the sticking points for Jan Term in June. According to Williams, the college fully intended to offer Jan Term in June courses in 2023. However, she says, “We tried to think through the funding structure and realized that we couldn’t make it work. We didn’t think students would be interested if they had to pay that much.” Perhaps that is why the Jan Term in June classes in 2022 were so successful. Sachowitz recounts, “In 2022, we expanded the Jan Term in June program, partly to provide opportunities for students who weren’t able to utilize those travel opportunities in Jan Term.” This came after years of Jan Term travel classes getting canceled because of Covid. For the first time ever, Jan Term in June was open to alumni. The Jan Term in June program was able to repurpose unused scholarship money from canceled Jan Term travel classes and provide many alumni with discounts. But this funding model can no longer be utilized moving forward. So the future of Jan Term in June relies on money as well as student interest. Sachowitz says, “Hopefully, there will be enough student demand to have another Jan Term in June in the future.” This hope is reflected by professors and students who have participated in Jan Term in June. Professor Derek Marks, who has taught a June course in Australia, reflects, “It was a 100% positive experience. I was happy to give an opportunity to students who weren’t able to travel in January… I’m sad to hear they’re not offering it this year.” Angelina Fleming, a student who took Marks’s Jan Term in June course, also expressed disappointment in the program ending. She theorizes that Jan Term in June is “not used to its fullest potential. A lot of people didn’t even know about traveling in June.” This lack of knowledge is possibly related to the lack of demand for these courses. As Williams eloquently sums up, “If we could get the funding model right, travel in June opens up different types of opportunities that students can’t get in January. It does seem like a little bit of a missed opportunity for students, but I don’t know… If [students] see Jan Term purely as a graduation requirement, even if the funding model was right, they wouldn’t be interested. If they see it as an opportunity to explore new and different things, then maybe there would be a possibility for something there.” College students face plenty of challenges. An empty belly shouldn’t be one of them. (Image c/o writer) Andrea Madison American Journalism Student As reports of aftershocks from the COVID-19 pandemic wind down, Americans continue to grapple with inflated costs of consumer goods, including groceries.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reports that grocery and supermarket costs for Sept. 2023 are 2.4 percent higher than costs last year, and while prices have been expected to grow at a slower rate this year than in 2022, they remain at above-historical rates. Saint Mary’s Justice, Community and Leadership major and junior Katie Marcel is acutely aware of the food insecurity issues facing the college community. “When talking with other students, I do hear struggles about food,” she said, “From the cost to the limited access.” Between the two spots on campus to purchase food, neither are cheap options, said Marcel, and while fast food may be cheaper, time and health costs must be taken into consideration. The issue is compounded when a student commutes to campus, as she does, Marcel continued. That cost is added to the mix of attendance and food expenses. “It feels like there is an extra challenge” when it comes to procuring nutritious food, she said. Bringing meals from home requires advance planning and finding food that is both healthy and affordable is another struggle, she said. “It seems as if I lose [healthwise] if I try to get cheap, but then I lose financially if I try to eat healthier.” The Mission and Ministry Center (MMC) at Saint Mary’s College offers support to students worried about their next meal with an on-campus food pantry and free hot meals. The SMC Legacy Garden, managed by the Office of Sustainability, is another resource, with fresh produce from the garden given to volunteers, most of whom are students, according to SMC Sustainability Director Ann Drevno. Solidarity Suppers are held in the MMC Fountain Courtyard once a month, with the next set for November 15th from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. GaelPantry has been an on-campus resource for students facing food insecurity since 2016. Coordinator Daniel McCarthy, also a graduate student and 2020 alumni, has witnessed an uptick in food insecurity within the campus community since he began his position this year. “In terms of even summer numbers, the number of people who came in this summer, compared to last summer, tripled,” said McCarthy. While visits were higher over the summer, a steady increase in visitors to the pantry has continued, he said. “I think people are feeling the need.” Jeremy Crittenden, spokesperson for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, attested to the growing need, especially in the last two years. “People are struggling in our community,” said Crittenden. In the past eight months, the need addressed by the food bank has grown from 350,000 to 465,000 people per month currently, he said. Crittenden emphasized the food bank’s mission to support those facing food insecurity. “We want to make sure that you use the money you have to be able to support the things that you need to,” said Crittenden, such as school needs or doctor appointments. At GaelPantry, non-perishable foods, such as soups, canned fruits and vegetables, beans, dried pasta, canned chicken and tuna, granola bars, and peanut butter and jelly are staples, said McCarthy. Some fresh produce arrives weekly through a partnership with Good Eating Company. GaelPantry also has a partnership with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and orders food through the organization. Other resources, such as drives through local high schools and private donations, keep the shelves stocked. The pantry is a free resource for undergraduate and graduate students living on or off campus, operating on a point system. Every student has ten points to use each week, with items varying in value. Located at the back of the Soda Center, the pantry is open Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Students can also make appointments for a visit by emailing the Mission and Ministry Center at mmc@stmarys-ca.edu. Students whose need exceeds the ten-point limit can reach out to Carrie Davis, director of the Mission and Ministry Center, at cak6@stmarys-ca.edu. Those who would like to donate food to the GaelPantry can email McCarthy (dpm9@stmarys-ca.edu) or the SMC Mission and Ministry Center. Most donations are accepted and incorporated into the pantry’s offerings, said McCarthy. Marcel highlighted the importance of awareness for both on- and off-campus students when it comes to food resources at SMC. “It’s definitely a hard obstacle to tackle, as an individual and as a college.” With January fast approaching, Jan Term Director Claire Williams discusses the program’s changes and clarifies Jan Term requirements for juniors and seniors. Students share their positive Jan Term experiences, but raise concerns about the lack of refunds. (Image c/o writer) Ingrid Alkire American Journalism Student From transitioning to Carnegie units and reducing Seminar requirements to a website redesign and launching new certification programs, Saint Mary’s has undergone many changes in the past few years, and Jan Term is no exception.
A recent program review by the Core Curriculum Committee found that the core was “oversized and getting in the way of students graduating,” Jan Term Director Claire Williams explained. After many hard conversations, “the faculty decided to reduce the size of the core,” Williams stated. As a result, Jan term requirements were reduced. “Students now only have two required January Term[s],” which translates to taking a “100 level course in [their] first year [and a] second one [...] sophomore, junior, or senior year,” Williams explained. However, Williams notes that “[t]his year’s graduating seniors and this year’s juniors have three January Term requirements.” Williams furthered that juniors “must take Jan Term this year,” though they can opt out senior year, while seniors may opt out of Jan Term completely if they have already completed three Jan Terms. However, “[Students] cannot get [their] money back if [they] opt out [of Jan Term],” Williams stated, though she notes that the cost of Jan Term was “always included in tuition.” Despite no longer being required for seniors, Williams still encourages them to take a Jan Term. “[It’s] a uniquely Saint Mary’s opportunity [for students] to take a course that’s not in their major or minor,” Williams stated. Olivia Bianic ‘24 weighed in on the Jan Term and described her experience positively. “[I took] artsy, fun Jan Terms [that were] a nice break from a heavy curriculum,” Bianic stated. This year, Bianic will be traveling abroad to Italy and France for a Jan Term on Christian art. “I’m more introverted, [so it’s] harder for me to connect with people in a new place,” Bianic noted. To Bianic, Jan Term “[is the] perfect amount of time to experience a new culture” without the commitment of a whole semester abroad. When asked to comment on the absence of Jan Term refunds when students opt out, Bianic stated: “If you're paying for an experience and opting out of that experience, that’s unfair.” “I understand those funds have already been paid, but I think they should go to covering spring semester [...] maybe they don’t have to refund it to the student[s] completely, but it still should be funding our education,” Bianic reflected. “[This is] a new change, people have already paid their semesters, it's not fair to give us the choice now,” Bianic furthered. Sarah Bagdon ‘25, who will be traveling to South Korea this Jan Term, aired similar sentiments. “If a student is not taking a class here in January, why should they still pay [for it] as if they are? I would almost consider it robbery…,” Bagdon stated. “I believe that Jan Term should be an extra cost outside of tuition,” Bagdon continued. Bagdon also disclosed that as a freshman she had to “transfer out of the Jan Term that [she] had originally enrolled in because they failed to inform students of extra course costs in the course info page, but other than that, [she] actually really loved my Jan Term experience.” To learn more about Jan Term requirements, offerings, and scholarships, students should consult the Jan Term website and meet with their advisors to determine the best plan for their individual needs. After three years of recovery, admissions officers are finally seeing greater amounts of normalcy on college campuses. Thus, driving up the admissions business like never before. (Image c/o Office of Saint Mary’s College Admissions ) By Eleni Kvochak American Journalism Student Since the pandemic, the college admissions process has been deeply impacted. As a result, there has been a large decline in student enrollment. For a small-size school such as Saint Mary’s College, there is no doubt that numbers matter. Decline in student enrollment can be detrimental to the college’s survival. However, after three years of recovery, admissions officers are finally seeing greater amounts of normalcy on college campuses. Thus, driving up the admission business like never before.
At the end of last year’s admissions cycle, Saint Mary’s welcomed one of the largest classes since 2019. Around 512 first year students eagerly joined the gael family this fall. For staff, faculty, and students the campus is finally bustling with excitement. In this upcoming year, admissions counselors hope to raise enrollment slightly further, with a goal of 520 students. As college fairs ramp up once again, admissions counselors are getting to work to attract students. To appeal to prospective students, Saint Mary’s admissions counselors are currently “spending time and effort in places of traction,” said Craig Means, Director of Transfer Admissions Admissions Athletic Liaison. With the current climate, Means explains that students want to be on-campus, attending in-person classes and events. With this in mind, they must meet the audience where it is appropriate. From attending close to 19 college fairs thus far, people seem increasingly happy that the process feels like it did prior to 2020. “The vibe is good, the traffic flow is good,” states Means. Experiencing this normalcy, there is no question that the admissions process is back in full swing. In addition to attending fairs, the admissions department is attempting to create a more approachable application process. Up until now, the process can be described as daunting, requiring a personal statement, supplementals, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. This year, “Perceived barriers have been removed,” meaning the college is requiring fewer documents. For instance, a student is only required to deliver a personal statement and transcripts. Furthering this point, “The common app alone asks for a lot, by limiting some of the requirements, students can give greater attentiveness to their personal statement” says College Advisor, Kristine Kvochak. As the common applications open and high school seniors anxiously write the perfect personal statement, admissions counselors and ambassadors lend their expertise. “Do something that is unique to you and your experiences, find something that differentiates you from the others. It doesn't hurt to think outside of the box,” advises a current student ambassador. With the goal of maintaining high standards, along with increasing enrollment, the Saint Mary’s admissions team is working diligently to develop a process that is both simple and exciting for prospective students. There is high hope for the incoming class and for the many gaels to come. To apply or find more information regarding the Saint Mary’s College of California admissions process, please visit https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/. Sources: (A. Edwards. Personal Communication, October 26th, 2023) (C. Means. Personal Communication, October 26th, 2023) (K. Kvochak. Personal Communication, October 26, 2023) There is a significant lack of healthy food options in Moraga and the surrounding area, which is resulting in Saint Mary’s students not living the healthy lifestyle they wish. By Francesca Caronna American Journalism Student According to the World Health Organization, living in a close proximity to healthy restaurants has a direct correlation with a person’s health. As college students, eating healthy can be a challenge. For example, dining halls don’t always have the best options for a healthy lifestyle, and most students don’t have access to a kitchen for their first few years of college. The freshman-15 is a very real phenomenon that many people experience due to the plethora of unhealthy food that colleges tend to supply. However, for Saint Mary’s students, eating healthy can be even more of a challenge due to the lack of healthy food options in Moraga and surrounding area.
After talking with a few fellow Saint Mary’s College students about this topic, it became apparent that multiple students feel there is a need for healthier food options in the area around campus. Having access to healthy and organic food makes it easier for one to live a sustainable lifestyle, especially while in college. There is one grocery store in Moraga, Safeway, and they do not have an abundance of organic produce or organic ready-to-eat meals. As Saint Mary’s Student, Radha Rai, said “The nearest healthier grocery store is Whole Foods in Lafayette, which is not convenient for Saint Mary’s Students.” Everything is about convenience, and since the healthy options are further away, it makes students result in eating not as healthy as they wish. Jacalyn Swiestra, senior at Saint Mary’s, explained that she doesn’t have a meal plan, but often results in buying snacks and lunch at Cafe Louis because she gets hungry between classes. “They do have salads which is a nice option, but their selection of healthy snacks is inconsistent.” She continued, “They used to have a selection of protein bars and even gluten free pretzels, but now all they have is chips and candy.” Clearly there is a need for more healthy snack options for students, as not everyone has meal plans. Although the Saint Mary’s students are some of the people being affected by the lack of healthy food options, they are not the only ones. Local Moraga resident, Isabel Artiaga, grew up in Moraga her whole life and attended Campolindo High School. She stated, “Growing up, there were little to no healthy options, and the Whole Foods only opened when I was in middle school.” She added, “My parents started ordering our groceries online from Good Eggs because they have better options and it's more convenient.” Healthy food options are crucial to one living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The less convenient things are, like the closest healthy food options being in Lafayette, results in individuals indulging in unhealthy foods because they see it as their only option. Being a college student comes with its struggles, a common one being the challenge of eating healthy while in school. For Saint Mary’s students, this is even harder because there are basically no healthy options in town. Another struggle that many college students experience is the immense cost of groceries, especially the ones marketed as healthy. Although the closest Whole Foods is in Lafayette, the location may not be the only reason students aren’t driving the distance. The produce and groceries in general are extremely more expensive than those at the local Safeway or Trader Joes, which can be a deterrent for students looking for healthier options. Overall, Saint Mary’s students do not have ample options for healthy and organic food or snacks. Between the lack of options at Cafe Louis and the only grocery store in town being a Safeway, students have a hard time finding healthier options to fuel their bodies with. Being in college is already a challenge. Students balance classes, work, sports and extracurriculars, and now they have to spend extra time in their day to actively find healthier food options. SMC’s New Professional Writing Certificate By Lucy Bikahi American Journalism Student As of Fall semester, 2023, Saint Mary’s College is now offering students the opportunity to further prepare themselves for the career world with their newly established Professional Writing Certificate. Within this program, students will, as stated on the SMC Website, “have the chance to explore writing in multiple contexts- professional, scientific, and technical- for a wide range of audiences.” In short, this program provides students across majors and disciplines with an opportunity to gain experience writing in numerous styles, which will set them up for success in future career endeavors.
The program itself is easy to complete- it is made up of three courses. As outlined on the SMC website, the certificate requires two technical writing courses (WRIT 300 and 400) and an elective course selected from a pre-approved list. The initial technical course, WRIT 300, verses students in writing practices such as policy memos, resumes, analysis, and UX (user experience) writing. The last style of writing mentioned, UX writing, is particularly interesting, as it is a newer type of writing and there is a high demand for UX writers on the job market. UX or user experience writing is described by the UX Content Collective as, “writing UI (user interface) text, plus any other text needed to support the user as they interact with, or experience, a product.” As quite a lot of the English classes within Saint Mary’s focus on academic writing, it is refreshing to see a class that is teaching the skills to write in mediums so far outside of that realm. According to Professor Meghan Sweeney, in its first year, there are currently 11 students who are in the professional writing certification program. I am one of those students, and have so far had a positive and informative experience, even if I have found these styles of writing to be confusing at times. I interviewed some of the other students taking this program with me, in order to get additional perspectives on this topic. Most of them had similar interests and intentions when taking up the certificate, such as expanding their skills and getting ready to enter the job market. In taking these courses, students are expanding on already existing writing skills and experiencing writing in ways they may have never done so before. When responding to her experience in this program so far, senior Jenna Thibodeau described it as, “Uncomfortable. I feel like I’m running into more questions and confusion than a regular English class but I feel like professors have been helpful in clarifying things for me. It’s out of my comfort zone but I think it’s healthy.” Though the experiences of students participating in the program this year have been largely positive, it is not without critique; it has kinks to work out just as any other new program. SMC senior Ingrid Alkire expressed a desire for more courses to be added to the certificate, such as classes in writing for HR, management, or copyediting, as she feels there are currently some gaps within the program. Chloe Ourada, also an SMC senior, expressed “that the program still has to continue refining some aspects, but thinks that will come as it continues and grows.” Meghan Sweeney, who is director of Writing Studies and the professor for WRIT 300 this semester shared some intentions and hopes for the program both this year and going forward. “The professional writing certificate is designed to allow students from any major, so we’re hoping that it’s interdisciplinary of students in business, science, liberal arts, could take these classes and get a certificate,” she says. Currently, SOLA (School of Liberal Arts) students make up the majority of people within the program, but as it continues to grow, it is hoped students across majors will take advantage of this opportunity to refine and advance their writing skills. |
STAFFMadison Sciba '24, |