A strong yet subtle movement is gaining popularity and respect across the U.S. by providing safe spaces to others, which are indicated by wearing a safety pin. The P.I.N. Project (“Peace in Need”) is an effort to provide a safe and supportive space for those who need it. Keene State College is not shy to this trend, and many faculty, staff and students on campus are wearing  their pins, letting others know that they are a safe space.

The idea of providing safe spaces is a relatively new concept in an effort to provide a forum where marginalized groups can come and feel safe, equal, valued and respected. Mainstream stereotypes have no place within safe spaces.

In an effort to break down the negative connotations associated with groups of people different than the majority, safety pins are worn to let others know one is there for them whether black, white, transsexual, cisgender, immigrant or native.

Tim Smith / Photo Editor

By wearing a safety pin, one is committed to being anti-discriminatory. This means anyone can talk to those wearing the safety pin for support, a voice or even just to walk across campus in order to feel safe. Whether or not one makes up a minority group or not, a safe space is a place for any two people to come together and be unified in an effort to gain a better understanding of each other.

Having the will to listen and try to understand others’ needs is the first step in bettering a society that we all coexist in.

In a way, these pins bridge a peaceful path between people who may have never crossed each others’ paths otherwise. Coming together and providing a peaceful, safe space for others is what these pins reflect.

Originally, safety pins were worn in the United Kingdom for different reasons, but with the same idea of solidarity.

According to an article published on Vanity Fair’s website  on Nov. 13, “The safety pin movement, which started in the U.S. a few days ago and has grown exponentially in popularity, is actually adapted from a similar protest that followed the Brexit vote in June, when the U.K. decided to leave the European Union.”

Although in the United States, these pins are worn in an effort to stand in solidarity with those groups of people who were victimized, ostracized and discriminated against during the campaigning of the election, and even still following the results.

Following the results of the election, the United States has seen a drastic increase in hate crimes. According to the Southern Poverty Law Centers website, “In the ten days following the election, there were almost 900 reports of harassment and intimidation from across the nation.

Many harassers invoked Trump’s name during assaults, making it clear that the outbreak of hate stemmed in large part from his electoral success.”

KSC also experienced a hate crime quite recently when a swastika was burned onto the ceiling of a bathroom in Carle Hall. Incidents like this occurring across the nation will not be tolerated, and so by wearing a safety pin, one is able to show their intolerance for such behavior.

We at The Equinox want to see people from all groups come together and take advantage of the safe spaces people are offering across our campus.

We want to see others unite in support of this safe space movement, while standing against discrimination.

To wear a safety pin and openly offer a shoulder to lean on for others is to take a conscientious step toward rising above hate crimes.

Aside from those clearly displaying the safety pins worn on their attire, other resources are available to those students and groups who need a safe and supportive place or person.

Safety pins attached to bookmarks were passed out at a table in the Young Student Center on Monday Dec. 5.

The bookmarks give a short message, saying no matter who a person is, “If you need me I’ll be with you. All I ask is that you be with me too.”

On the other side of the bookmark is a list of places and phone numbers on and off campus where people can go to find a safe and supportive place.

The resources on the bookmark and those people wearing a safety pin on campus are all available safe outlets for students to utilize.

The issue of homelessness spreads far and wide, not just across our country but in the world. Keene, New Hampshire, is no exception, with homeless populations being quite prevalent for the small city that it is. All one has to do is take a walk up and down Main Street and see how close to home this issue really is.

Most homeless shelters will say volunteers are always welcome, and in setting aside the time to volunteer, one can directly give back and aid others who need it most. The Hundred Nights homeless shelter located in downtown Keene welcomes volunteers. The shelter operates during the duration of the 100 coldest nights of the winter season, offering a warm place for those in need.

Also, aside from giving either time or money, it’s free and easy to always smile. Instead of pulling out one’s phone and closing up when walking by a raggedy looking person on the sidewalk, instead smile or even say hello. Little things like that can make a difference in the life of another.

However, not one life is the same as another, and the reasons that lead to each individual’s situation will differ.

Crae Messer / Managing Executive Editor

We at The Equinox feel it’s important to bear in mind that not every person who suffers from homelessness lives up to or even comes close to fulfilling the harsh stigmas behind it. To suffer from homelessness isn’t to be a bum, lazy, drug-addicted person, or fall under any other common association. Although this may be true for some, these same connotations can be applied to others with a home and/or a job.

This sort of lifestyle is by no means a walk in the park, especially when, on some nights, those who suffer from homelessness call the park their home. This way of life may not be ideal, so lessening the burdens others on the streets face is something The Equinox feels should be encouraged.

However, we also feel as though greater efforts should be put forth so this issue isn’t just given a Band-Aid, so to speak, and actually changes for the better.

For some, this way of life is a trap they’ve fallen into and have become all too used to for whatever circumstances life has thrown their way. Others may willingly choose to live a more nomadic lifestyle without being tied down to a home mortgage, bills or other responsibilities, but instead to call a different spot home each night.

Whether homeless by choice or because of unfortunate circumstances, many people go without what we’d consider to be the essential necessities. According to endhomelessness.org, “On a single night in January 2015, 564,708 people were experiencing homelessness—meaning they were sleeping outside or in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.” This number fluctuates regularly, but provides a good idea of how many are affected by this issue.

It’s disheartening to see those who suffer from homelessness panhandling to get by when there’s enough resources and money for everyone to have a roof over their head.

According to themindunleashed.com, “Approximately 3.5 million people in the U.S. are homeless, many of them veterans. It is worth noting that, at the same time, there are 18.6 million vacant homes in the country.” This would then mean that there are enough vacant homes available in our country for each person who suffers from homelessness to have six homes.

It may be unrealistic to think these homes should be just handed over to those without one, but with so much wealth and available resources in our country, more should be done to help those with less than us.

Once again, Keene State College, a public institution, has received a red and yellow light rating in the same areas that infringed upon our First Amendment rights when this issue was brought to light back in 2015.

Samantha Moore/Art director

The Foundation from Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) rates public and private colleges and universities all over the country on whether or not the policies restrict student’s First Amendment rights.

Previously in 2015, KSC received a red light for its discrimination and discriminatory harassment policy and a yellow light for its event planning policy.

Now, as the 2016 fall semester is winding down, nothing has changed.

The college received the same ratings again on Sept. 7, 2016.

To gain a better understanding of how FIRE’s rating works, refer to The Equinox’s article “Red light: KSC policies receive negative free speech rating” posted on March 10, 2016, or visit thefire.org.

What troubles us most at The Equinox is that the college has been aware of these negative ratings and has yet to correct the issue.

This is especially concerning since the college indicated back in March 2016 that the hope was to have a response to these policy allegations by the end of last spring’s semester.

In that article, KSC’s Special Assistant to the President for Human Resources Carol Corcoran said, “She and the administration hoped to have had a response to the policy allegations before the spring 2016 term was over.”

With the 2017 spring semester nearing closer we wonder when this response will be given.

We at The Equinox feel that all of us here at KSC and on campuses all over the United States are entitled to exercise their First Amendment rights, while occupying an appropriate public space.

The Equinox wants to see the college align its policies with the law and not suppress the student’s voice by restricting our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.

It is stated in FIRE’s mission that, “The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights that expressly prohibits the United States Congress from making laws ‘respecting an establishment of religion,’ prohibiting the free exercise of religion, infringing freedom of speech, infringing freedom of the press, limiting the right to peaceably assemble, or limiting the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The protections of the First Amendment are extended to state governments and public university campuses by the Fourteenth Amendment.”

KSC explicitly violates our right to peaceably assemble, hence why it received a yellow light in event planning.

As it stands with our current policy, students who are interested in holding a peaceful assembly, protest or any gathering of the sort must go through administration and get approval.

Once that approval has been granted, those students are only allowed to hold their peaceful demonstration on the lawn outside of the Young Student Center on the edge of Appian Way.

The college should not be allowed to dictate when and where students are able to express their thoughts, ideas, feelings and opinions.

The college can’t control us and disregard our very rights to freedom of speech.

The Equinox asks the college to take action as soon as possible and adhere to the law and allow the students their First Amendment rights in all ways.

Since KSC is a public college, students should be able to exercise their first amendment rights just as they would anywhere else in a public space. We at The Equinox don’t just want to see a plan made, as the college has had more than enough time to resolve these policies.

We at The Equinox want to see action being executed toward establishing better policies around discrimination, discriminatory harassment and event planning.

Matthew Bergman

Clinton Supporter 

1. Who did you favor for President?

“I supported Bernie Sanders, then Jill Stein, then begrudgingly Hillary Clinton. I mainly supported her to stop Donald Trump.”

2. Before the election, how confident did you feel about your candidate winning the election and why?

“I KNEW she was going to win. I was saying to myself “no, this guy can’t possibly win”. My reasoning: “Hillary Clinton Loses to Donald Trump” sounded like an article on The Onion.”

3. What are some of your favorite characteristics of your candidate? 

“I supported her because she wound up being the strongest candidate out of the four we had, in my opinion. It would have been nice to have had our first female President and our first First Gentleman. Fingers crossed for 2020.”

4. What issue did you agree on most heavily?

“I favored the Democratic Party’s Progressive platform. The most important issues to me are Climate Change, her proposal to allow the refinancing of student loans was a standout, and her proposal to raise the minimum wage to $12/hr.”

5. How does it make you feel that Donald Trump is now President of the United States. Why do you feel that way?

“How do I feel about the election? [Explicit] Donald Trump. Let me rephrase. If Donald Trump truly wants to fix our corrupt system, rebuild our infrastructure, and unite America, let’s give him a chance. But the second Donald Trump does ANYTHING to worsen the effects of Climate Change, infringe on anyone’s rights, or promote further xenophobia, he’s going to get a real wake up call from the American people. We’re the boss of him! We have come WAY too far in our country to see it pulled back to an era where you lived in fear because of your race, where you lived in fear because of your beliefs, and where you lived in fear because of the person you love.”

6. Where do you see our country in two years?

“I see our country in two years taking a much bigger interest in Politics. To say that this election has shaken the nation would be an understatement. I see us continuing to keep a hawkish eye on Trump. I do not see us giving into racism from the now emboldened ‘alt-right’. I do not see us standing quietly while the super rich in this country get rich, while our Federal minimum wage stands at $7.25 an hour. I see us needing to fight for change and for our planet.”

Meghan Bennison

Trump Supporter 

1. Who did you favor for President?

“I favored Donald Trump for president.”

2. Before the election, how confident did you feel about your candidate winning the election and why?

“I honestly felt he could win the election, but I really didn’t think he was actually going to only because most people who supported him didn’t admit to it because liberals get extremely defensive.”

3. What are some of your favorite characteristics of your candidate? 

“I like how Donald is a very strong candidate, he knows what he wants and he very much wants to make a change. He has so much love for this country; he wants to make it great again. I also like how when people constantly tried to bring him down, he never gave up. He came back even stronger every time. Also, [I like] the fact that he doesn’t have political history but he is going to hire those with political history to make him even more successful.”

4. What issue did you agree on most heavily?

“The issue I agreed on most heavily was the fact that we need a stronger border. I believe we need to build a wall to keep the illegal immigrants out who are bringing crime and drugs into our country. We need to work on the War on Drugs because the heroin epidemic is higher than ever right now. The heroin is coming from Mexico and Afghanistan.”

5. How does it make you feel that Donald Trump is now President of the United States. Why do you feel that way?

“It makes me feel great that Donald Trump is now President of the United States. He wants change for our country and I believe he can do that and make America great again.”

6. Where do you see our country in two years?

“I see our country making moves to be stronger than ever. Right now, our country is very much divided, but if people can put aside their hate and believe in our next President of the US, then I think we can be great again. Burning the American flag and threatening to leave the country is just giving up on our country, which has so much potential.”

Jill Stein: Green Party

On Common Core:

Stein said she would “end high stakes testing,” a position which suggests she would pursue a thorough overhaul of today’s test-dependent system of accountability. (TBS)

On School Choice:

Stein also said she would end “public school privatization,” a position which differentiates her from all three of her opponents, who have voiced varying degrees of support for charter and private schooling. (TBS)

On Higher Education:

As president, Stein would “abolish student debt to free a generation of Americans from debt servitude.” She would also “guarantee tuition-free, world-class public education from preschool through university.” (TBS)

Gary Johnson: Libertarian Party 

On Common Core:

According to his website, “Gov. Johnson believes there is no role for the Federal Government in education. He would eliminate the federal Department of Education and return control to the state and local levels. He opposes Common Core and any other attempts to impose national standards and requirements on local schools, believing the key to restoring education excellence in the U.S. lies in the innovation, freedom and flexibility that federal interference inherently discourages.  (TBS)

On School Choice:

Johnson is also a vocal advocate of “school choice,” a policy which he attempted in vain to implement as governor of New Mexico. According to his website, Johnson recognized that his policy would face overwhelming resistance from a powerful teachers’ union and a Democratic legislature, but he considered it important to challenge the status quo. (TBS)

On Higher Education:

“I do think ultimately it would be the end of traditional public schools and that would be for the better. Public schools are not going to go away, but they are going to embrace the innovation that would occur if students had a choice.” On the student debt crisis, Johnson backs a federal investment to refinance existing debt at lower interest rates to relieve students hurt by a crisis “caused” by the federal government: “If there were no guaranteed government student loans, higher education would be much more affordable.” (Politico)

Ingredients for Dough:

• 1 Packet of yeast
• 1 ⅓ Cup of Warm Water
• 1 Tablespoon of Sugar
• 3 ½ Cups of Whole Wheat Flour
• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• ¾ Teaspoon of Salt
• 2 Tablespoons Flax Seed
• 2 Tablespoons Poppy Seeds

Ingredients for Topping:

• 1 Cup Butternut Squash, Diced
• 2 Cups Raw Spinach
• 1 Cup Goat Cheese (or to liking)
• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 1 Sprig of Thyme
• 1 Sprig Rosemary
• Sprinkle of Dried Sage

Directions:

1. First, preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.  Next combine the yeast, sugar and warm water in a medium sized bowl, this will activate the yeast.
2. Once it is fully dissolved you can add the flour, olive oil, salt, flax seeds and poppy seeds.
3. Mix together by hand or with an electric mixer with a dough hook.
4. Once it is mixed together, knead for about seven minutes, or until the dough feels smooth, but elastic. Be careful not to over knead the dough because it will become tough.
5. If you have a machine with a dough hook, keep it on a low-medium speed. Start prepping your veggies while your dough rises.
6. Start by cleaning and prepping your butternut squash.  You’ll need to peel it and scoop the seeds out of the middle before dicing it.
7. After dicing it, place it in the oven for about 15 minutes so that it is partially cooked before making the pizza.
8. While you’re waiting, you can roll out the dough, drizzle the olive oil, and add the spinach, goat cheese, and spices.
9. Top with the squash and cook for about 20 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the middle is not longer doughy.

Ingredients: (Yields about one quart sized bag of chips):

• 2 medium apples (sliced)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Start by pre-heating the oven to 220 degrees.
   

   Ali Fitzgerald/ Equinox staff

2. While the oven is heating, you can slice your apples. The thinner that you can cut them, the better that they will come out.
3. The easiest way to cut the apples thin is by laying them on their side, starting at the stem and working toward the bottom. You do not need to peel the apples.
4. For our recipe, we used local macintosh apples purchased from Maple Lane Farm on Gunn Road in Keene.
5. After slicing your apples, you can lay them out on a metal cookie sheet.
6. Be sure to avoid overlapping them.
7. Next, you can mix the cinnamon and sugar, then sprinkle it over the top of the apples.

Depending on preference, you can always add more topping, but use caution because a little cinnamon goes a long way.

EWTE is supported by the Student Nutrition Association at Keene State club (SNAKS). For meeting information and to learn how you can become involved in creating these recipes or other club events, you can contact the president of the club, Jillian.Emerson@KSC.Keene.edu.

For further interest in nutrition on campus, you can contact Whitney.Houser2@keene.edu about Keene State’s new Nutrition Coaching program, which is free to students!

Hillary Clinton

On Common Core: 

Appears to not be a big fan of Common Core learning, but stresses the importance of national educational standards. “I’ve always believed that we need to have some basis on which to determine whether we’re making progress, vis-à-vis other countries who all have national standards,” Clinton said in an interview with Newsday in April.

 On school choice:

Supports teachers unions and has called for better pay for educators. Also expressed her support for charter schools at the National Education Association where she called for an end to wars over education.

On higher education:

Has put forward a plan that includes free tuition at public colleges and universities for students whose families earn $125,000 annually. Her $500 billion plan would require tax increases on the rich so that more students could graduate without debt.

Samantha Moore/ Art Director

Donald Trump

On Common Core: 

Regularly refers to the program as “education through Washington, D.C.” Trump wants to end Common Core education and focus on educating locally.

On school choice:

Trump’s visits to charter schools signals his support for options beyond traditional education. “We will rescue kids from failing schools by helping their parents send them to a safe school of their choice,” Trump said during the National Republican Convention in July.

On higher education:

Though he has a degree from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Trump has said very little about what he plans to do to help students pay for college. He has criticized the government for profiting off student loans and has said that he empathizes with students dealing with the rising cost of tuition.

For many students coming into college, lots of planning and hard work is completed  before the final decision is set in stone to attend their chosen college or university.

Some may embark on their college experience having an idea in mind of what it is they’d like to pursue, and so they find themselves majoring in a certain program. For others, this is figured out along the way, and they too find themselves plugging through a program offered at their school.

However, students who’ve already delved deep into a program shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they can complete that program at their original selected institution. They shouldn’t have to transfer to another institution or switch majors after they’ve invested so much into a program, both in terms of hard work and finances.

That may be the case for some as Keene State College’s geology and Holocaust and genocide studies programs’ faculty fades out.

Samantha Moore / Art Director

KSC is looking to downsize and make budget cuts wherever possible. The geology major is no exception, but what worries some is that they won’t be able to finish the major in time.

KSC ignited the flame that is the passion these students have for their majors. It would be a shame to see the flames of these bright students burnout as the major itself turns to ash.

Some are unsure as to whether they’ll be able to receive a geology degree from KSC, have to finish it elsewhere, or have to settle for a different major here. KSC is the only school in New Hampshire that has a specified geology program.

If by chance the school was to discontinue offering this program, students would have to look out of state to find a program that suits them and their future goals.

Nothing is set in stone just yet, although some underclassmen have either had conversations or received emails urging them to rethink a different program to major in. This is not fair to do to aspiring students who’ve found their passion.

Holocaust and genocide studies is another program unique to Keene State that is also  experiencing its share of troubles. KSC is the only school in the country that offers this as a major to undergraduate students. It would be unfortunate to see this program be discontinued, and even more so to see geology go with it.

It doesn’t reflect well on a school to lure students in with majors it claims to offer, and then have students find out there are issues within the program that directly affect them and their learning experience.

However, the geology program is still around for now, despite a second tenure-track faculty member nearing retirement. One tenure-track professor had already retired last year. The question then becomes will KSC be hiring new faculty to fill their positions?

With the absence of these two tenure-track faculty members, the geology program will no longer be delivered in the same way as before. In the future, it will be different, and that then raises the question of how will it differ?

These are important questions to be asking, especially as an underclassman enrolled in the program.

For some students, the only reason they even find themselves in Keene is to be involved in this engaging program. Although the department is doing what it can at the moment, it’s still unfortunate to take into account that the geology program may no longer be offered to those future incoming students.

With both majors being unique to KSC action needs to be taken before the school dwindles down and only offers four programs to major in.

It’s not fair for students to be lured in with promises of pursuing a program to only find out that their intended major is struggling. The college originally offered these programs with the intentions of having them persist, not plummet.

Lindsay Szuch

Linsday Szuch recently ran in the UMass Dartmouth Invitational. During the invitational, Lindsay placed tenth out of 275 runners. This week, Szuch is not only recognized by The Equinox, but has also  been honored by the Little East Conference.

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com