Day: March 7, 2023

Bi-Weekly Horoscopes 2/6/2023

LOTTIE CARMAN
HOROSCOPES

Aries (March 21st-April 19th)
After a long and hectic month, February is a new start for Aries. Now is the time that you are finally feeling settled down with some sort of structure in your life. Be ready for luck to favor your direction thanks to the power of Jupiter.

Taurus (April 20th-May 20th)
You have been working hard to fix the inconsistencies in your own life. You may have started to notice that not everyone around you understands your goals and effort. Keep persisting and it will pay off.

Gemini (May 21st-June 20th)
Socialization and effort to make new friends has been extremely difficult for Gemini this semester. Now might be the time to stop and think before jumping into conclusions.

Cancer (June 21st-July 22nd)
You and everyone around you have noticed quick change of moods from you recently. This upcoming week might present the opportunity express these emotions if you allow yourself to.

Leo (July 23rd-August 22nd)
A leadership role is coming your way very soon. It might feel overwhelming at first, and you may not even consider yourself fit. However, this role is speaking to you and wanting you to take charge.

Virgo (August 23rd-September 22nd)
Others around you look up to you for your strong will to a strong sense of productivity. However, be careful that you are not losing other aspects of your life.

Libra (September 23rd-October 22nd)
You have always felt a strong understanding of justice and doing what is right. This will come into question very soon. What you thought was black and white will turn into gray.

Scorpio (October 23rd-November 21st)
Scorpio has always been known to get their way. Others look up to you in hypnotizing way and trust your thoughts and perspectives. During the end of this week, you will feel a loss in your ability to do so.

Sagittarius (November 22nd-December 21st)
A traveling opportunity is coming your way sooner than expected. You will soon have the chance to learn and see more than ever known.

Capricorn (December 22nd-January 19th)
Recently Capricorn has been feeling angry and jumping to conclusions that result in hotheadedness. Now is the time to sit back and relax and calm down.

Aquarius (January 20th-February 18th)
Your unconscious self has been waiting for something more. This upcoming week, you will feel the strength and wisdom that you have been longing for. Your power will be driven by non-other than your Chinese symbol of the Tiger.

Pisces (February 19th-March 20th)
Now is the time for you to focus on yourself. After worrying about those around you for so long, it is time for your own self-care to step up. Listen to your own advice and know you are capable of anything you put your mind to.

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Thinx period underwear faces lawsuit

SALEM GRAY
STAFF WRITER

2/6/2023

Near the end of last year, a class-action lawsuit was settled against Thinx period- absorbing underwear. Class members accused the company of lying to customers by advertising their underwear as a non-toxic and safe alternative to traditional period productsdespite the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in their products.

The lawsuit was filed in May of 2022 when it first gained traction online through social media outlets. At the time, the common misconception was that the lawsuit was against the use of PFAs in their underwear. The lawsuit instead focused on how the products were advertised.

“It was more of a marketing lawsuit than about the actual toxins,” said Kimberlyn Hollon-Morseau (’23). “[Thinx] never actually admitted that there were toxins or that it was harmful.” Increased exposure to PFAs has been linked to medical issues such as cancer, thyroid issues and reproductive problems.

Thinx has denied these allegations but is still offering refunds to anyone who purchased their product between Nov. 12, 2016 and Nov. 28, 2022. The company is offering cash reimbursement for up to three pairs of purchased underwear, or up to a 35% discount on future purchases.

“So, you’re trying to market when you have a lawsuit,” said Hollon-Morseau. “I don’t know, it just felt icky to me.” Offering discounts on products, as well as denying that their underwear can cause any long-term harm, has affected consumers’ confidence in the brand. Anyone who is refunded for their purchases must sign an agreement that they will not take any further legal action against the company.

“Menstruating people’s health was never their main concern when it should have been their top priority,” said Carina Andrews (‘24). Although Thinx has taken steps to correct their image, their actions have left many customers disappointed and unwilling to support their products going forward.

“Unfortunately, things like this that sound too good often disappoint us,” said Dr. Chih-Ping Chen, Co-Director of the Women and Gender Studies Department at Alma College. “I think it’s probably a wake-up call for [some] people. It will happen again with another company as long as people are willing to buy.”

“Research into the risks of dermal exposure is pretty limited because it is difficult to measure,” said The Washington Post. PFAs are understood to be dangerous in high amounts, and they can commonlybefoundinanywater- resistant garment on the market.

“I’m not [going to] willingly buy something… especially when it’s going near my vagina,” said Hollon-Morseau. Although PFAs are commonly found in products today, experts have recommended that people try to avoid them as much as possible since their negative effects happen with increased exposure.

One of the main points of frustration from customers and supporters of the brand has been how they marketed the product versus its actual effects. According to the plaintiffs in the case, Thinx capitalized off of menstruators’ desire for non-invasive and safe products.

“[Thinx] sees that they don’t have to back off, they don’t have to regulate themselves more, they can still make that much money- -why do they want to bother changing?” said Dr. Chen. Thinx has vowed to change their products and make them safer, but some are questioning if this will lead to any real change.

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Classified documents found in the home of former Vice President

CLAIRE WITTLIEFF
LAYOUT EDITOR

2/6/2023

On Jan. 16, former Vice President Mike Pence requested a group of lawyers to investigate his private residence in Indiana after classified documents were found in the Delaware home of President Joe Biden. Pence’s lawyers indeed found documents in the former Vice President’s safe that contained sensitive or classified information.

Mike Pence’s counsel, Greg Jacob, took the necessary steps to notify the National Archives of Pence’s possession of the documents. Shortly thereafter, the Department of Justice requested immediate access to the documents, to which Mike Pence agreed.

“The discovery of classified documents in the homes [and] private offices of Mike Pence and Joe Biden reflect both a lack ofappropriate care and attention to the handling of classified material and the significant problem of over-classifying materials,” said Derick Hulme, Arthur L. Russell Professor of Political Science and Nationally Competitive Scholarship Advisor at Alma College.

“Mike Pence and Joe Biden had the highest levels of security clearance, which enabled them to see the most sensitive materials. However, it’s always important that only those individuals with appropriate security clearances have access to particularly important documents,” said Hulme.

Dr. Hulme has been a vital part of Alma College since his career at the institution began in 1992. He serves as an expert in the school’s Model UN program and international law, along with an array of issues within the political science, foreign affairs and law spectrum.

“The Presidential Records Act (PRA), a response to President Nixon’s attempted destruction of presidential materials, is vital to efforts to sustain a democratic, transparent and responsive government. The PRA enshrined the concept that all materials generated during a presidential administration in fact were owned by the American people, not by elected officials,” said Hulme.

“The discovery of classified documents in homes, especially the homes of current non active figures, presents a significant national security risk.,” said Adam Deeter (’25). “While current President Biden is cleared to view documents of top secret and classified nature it is bad practice to allow documents to leave secure areas. These are documents with enormous national security implications and if they were to fall into the hands of enemies of the state our entire country would be put in grave danger.”

“In regard to the Mike Pence situation, it is simply inexcusable. To allow a non- active governmental figure what is essentially unauthorized access to top secret documents concerning the safety of our nation puts the citizens in what can potentially be [a dangerous situation],” said Deeter.

On Jan. 19, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collected the documents from Pence’s home. Since then, the four boxes containing the documents in question were reviewed by Pence’s attorney and are in the process of being sealed and delivered to the National Archives in Washington, DC.

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College takes steps to hire new professors

EMMA FIGLEWICZ
PHOTOGRAPHER

ZACH CARPENTER
COPY EDITOR

2/6/2023

Alma College has multiple openings for professors that are either active or in the process of being filled for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. These openings result from various movements within departments including retirement, professors taking positions at other institutions and departments hoping to expand to better serve future generations of students.

Some of the more notable searches that have reached the stage where prospective candidates are visiting campus include openings for the philosophy and education departments.

Both departments have seen multiple candidates come to campus where they meet with students in an informal setting, receive a campus tour and present to both faculty and students on a topic within their discipline.

Other departments that are in the earlier stages of their search for new professors include the history and physics departments. The history department is looking for someone who can teach pre-1800s European history, and the physics department is looking for an instructor or lecturer of physics and engineering.

The search for new professors is a long one with multiple different steps involving meeting with multiple different peoplefrom across campus. One of the most important steps in the process for applicants is meeting with current students.

“I think it is important for students to be a part of the hiring process because not only are they the ones paying for the salary but are also the ones reaping the benefits of the education,” said Matthew Garland (’23).

This is especially true if it is within your major or minor, as it is extremely likely you will have the prospective professor teaching a class or two in the future.

“Many people maybe qualified, but I do not feel as though the Alma ‘vibe’ fits everyone,” said Garland. “We are a small school that hardly anyone outside of Michigan has heard of and it takes a special type of person to make it here.”

Students who take advantage of the various meetings set up with applicants not only play a crucial role in bettering their own personal education but also potentially the lives of Alma College students for generations to come.

Faculty and staff are also highly encouraged to attend these events as they will ha ve more insights into what applicants will be most likely to succeed in their new role, pulling on both their own as well as others’ personal experiences.

Anyone curious about where their academic department is in the hiring process is encouraged to reach out to their department chairs. While most information will be kept confidential, they can still tell students about upcoming events related to the hiring process.

For the philosophy department in particular, there is a lot of buzz around who will be tapped as the newest addition to the department. A longtime professor of philosophy, as well as the department head, Dr. Nicholas Dixon, is retiring at the end of the 2022-23 academic year following a 37 year long tenure at Alma College.

“I feel as though someone like him, someone open to discussion who teaches by listening to students rather than absorbing content from the textbook and spitting it [back] at them would be the best option,” said Garland about whom he would like to see replace Dixon.

While the final decision is ultimately left up to the provost and individual departments, the hiring of new professors is still an important thing for students to pay attention to.

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National Girls & Women in Sports Day

JON BEERBOWER
SPORTS WRITER

2/6/2023

On Jan 28., Alma College celebrated the 37th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day during a women’s basketball victory and a women’s swim meet both against Kalamazoo College.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is a celebration of females in all levels of sports put on by the Women’s Sport Foundation and colleges all around the United States.

Even though there are plenty of influential female athletes to look up to, there is still a gender gap existing in the world of athletics.

According to the University of Minnesota report, in the media, women make up 40 percent of professional athletes, but only four percent of media coverage is dedicated to women’s sports.

According to National Public Radio, in 2022, only 24 percent of institutions’ athletic budget went tow ards women’s sports, and only 16 percent of scholarship funds were allotted to women’s sports. This is 179 million dollars less than the funds allotted to men.

Even before college, there are fewer opportunities for women in high school sports. With 1.4 million fewer opportunities in high school sports than men, it makes sense why girls are twice as likely to drop out of sports by the age of fourteen.

Thankfully, there is a lot being done to change this. This year’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day–coming after the 50 year anniversary of Title IX –looked to kick off the next 50 years of equality and opportunity for all.

Every year, Alma College and schools across the United States team up with the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) topromote female excellence in sports.

“At the moment, there is an under-representation and appreciation for women in the sports industry, and the Women’s Sport Foundation look to be catalysts of change,” said Abby Haag (‘25).

“[The WSF is] the ally, advocate and catalyst for tomorrow’s leaders. We exist to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. Our mission is to enable all girls and women to reach their potential in sports and life… Sure, that’s a long way to go but we’re not gonna stop until we get there,” said Billie Jean King, founder of the Women’s Sport Foundation.

Here at Alma College, not only was there a swim meet and a basketball doubleheader, but in the morning the Alma College Dance team hosted a clinic for 30 girls, there was an open gym session where kids could try out various sports with student athletes and there was an alumni reception where former female athletes came and received recognition for their contributions, too.

“I’m always celebrating women in sports every day of the year, and on Saturday it was great to see past, present and future Scots come together to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day,” said Kiana Verdugo, Associate Athletic Director for Operations and Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator.

During the week of Jan. 28, colleges and organizations around the United States are hosting events with the WSF that promote the next generation of female athletes. For more information about the WSF and the events of this year’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day, visit their website at https://www. womenssportsfoundation. org/.

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Alma College celebrates Black History Month

LIATHANO RAMIREZ
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

JORDAN FOX
STAFF WRITER

2/6/2023

February is dedicated to Black History Month, and the Diversity and Inclusion Office is hosting several exciting events on campus to commemorate it.

To start the month, the DI Office threw a “Black History Month Kick-off” on Feb. 1 in the Tyler van Dusen Rotunda. They played a game of bingo centered around historical Black figures and cultural customs, and then followed it with discussions about social identity in America.

The Dunning Memorial Chapel also honored the month with a special service for Black History Month on Feb. 5. Guest Pastor Lorenzo led the sermon.

“For our students who identify as Black, our Black History Month events are ways of validating their presence here on campus to show them that they belong,” said Director of Diversity and Inclusion Jonathan Glenn. “For our non-Black students, it gives them the opportunity to learn more about culture they may not ever have had the opportunity to access.”

In his position on campus, Glenn’s goal is to “unify Alma College students as a whole to see the greatness of difference.”

He understands that Alma College students are “deeply connected with a ton of stuff” on campus so he must be “okay if they don’t have the energy to come to my programs.” Instead, he aims to “find ways to connect with students on their level” and “come to them,” said Glenn.

Even if you missed the first couple of events, the DI Office is still hosting a few more throughout the month. For example, there is a BHM Documentary night and snacks on Feb. 9 from 6-7:30 PM in the Heather Room.

Additionally, the week of Feb. 13 is “BHM Spirit Week.” Each evening, the DI Office has an event dedicated to different aspects of Black culture in various locations of Tyler van Dusen and Alma.

“The Spirit Week is actually led by our student organization called the Black Student Union,” said Glenn. “It is a week of celebrations of Black culture.”

One day is Treat Tuesday on Feb. 14 from 6 to 7:15PM in the CSO, featuring “historical Black desserts,” said Glenn. Another is “A Night in Black Culture” on Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Opera House, where students are encouraged to dress up and enjoy “traditional soul food,” music and dancing.

“I just really hope that people have fun and feel empowered and learn something,” said Lauryn Bishop (‘23). Bishop is the student social media coordinator for the DI Office as well as a member of the Black Student Union.

“Work-wise I’m making all of the flyers and posting about it on social media,” said Bishop. To her, Black History Month is “remembering history that has been forgotten… and what isn’t being talked about.”

Lastly, the DI Office is holding The Reparations Project on Feb. 23 from 5:30 to 7 PM at the Alma College Chapel.

“The church along with the Justice League of greater Lansing has this thing called the Reparations Project where they’re connecting with the Presbyterian Church on the hilling of the history of slavery,” said Glenn. “I really don’t know what to expect so I’m really eager to hear what they talk about and see if it actually works.”

These events hosted on and around campus are meant to be celebrated by all and acknowledge the accomplishments of Black Americans throughout US history. It is a time to recognize, honor and reflect upon Black culture and the contributions they ha ve made to America despite their many struggles.

The Diversity and Inclusion Office encourages everyone to get involved and to follow @alma_ diversity on Instagram for more information.

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Students perform in annual choreography concert

DARCY DAENZER
LAYOUT EDITOR

2/6/2023

This past weekend, Feb. 3 to Feb. 5, dancers participated in the annual student choreography concert featuring original choreography from Alma students.

“Last winter semester, the co-director, Athelia Gray (’23), and I began to set the concert up by creating an auditionprocess–forms that both dancers and choreographers fill out–communicating with faculty advisors and creating rehearsal schedules,” said Allison Zardus (’23), one of the student directors and choreographers.

For this concert, Zardus changed the way she usually choreographs pieces. “I…decided to bring my education into my piece by representing a historical time in history and creating a storyline,” said Zardus.

In the program for Zardus’ piece, her dance, “Night of Broken Glass,” is described as “[resembling] the fears that individuals went through during the Holocaust… After all the years of torture and suffering, this moment in history should never be forgotten and this piece is here to remind everyone of that moment,” said Zardus.

Pieces like “Chronophobia” and “Eulogy For A Monarch” had a similar serious tone, while other pieces like “East Bizarre Ave,” “The Audition,” and “R” made the audience laugh out loud due to their clever choreography.

All 21 student choreographers decided what went into their pieces, but all of them received guidance along the way.

“If students [were] stuck, we usually [talked] about their choreographic options from several perspectives: musical, compositional, thematic and movement vocabulary,” said Ben Munisteri, Director of Dance.

“Faculty do not dictate what student dance artists should do; we converse about what they want to make or say, and then we give multiple suggestions. Students can choose to take the suggestions or not,” said Munisteri.

For some of the younger Alma College dancers, performing a peer’s choreography has been a unique experience. “I ha ve never had someone close to my age choreograph a dance and be able to perform it for a show, so this is something so cool to be a part of…I think this is a great opportunity for a new part of my dance career,” said Nicole Yacks (‘26).

For Yacks, a first- year, Alma College’s dance program has been very welcoming. “I absolutely love it. I am pushed to be the best I can possibly be and have had the best time working on this stuff… The people are so nice and make sure you feel a part of everything,” said Yacks.

As a choreographer, the experience for Zardus w as amazing as well. “Watching others dance my choreography gives me a sense of fulfillment as well as a sense of [awe] for seeing what I have created and how each dancer interprets the movement into their own,” said Zardus.

One can tell just by watching each piece that all the dancers are pushed to be their absolute best and that they are given support in whatever it is they w ant to do.

“I love having discussions with students about their choreographic choices; the context and traditions they are either following or choosing to reject; how best to effect their ideas into aesthetic movement; and how to help them problem-solve. I love watching their dance evolve over the months as they dig deeper, explore broadly and take artistic risks,” said Munisteri.

For the dancers, performing in front of an audience is the culmination of all their hard work. You can tell that they all really enjoy what they do as, during their final bow, they cheered each other on, laughed and, in general, looked like they were having a good time.

If you missed this student choreography concert, there are sure to be many more amazing performances in the future.


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