On Feb. 21, student organizers from Drexel Community for Justice kicked off an indefinite sit-in protest both outside of Main Building, the office of President John A. Fry and the office of the Provost.

Organizers have stated that they will occupy the Main Building until the following demands are met: President Fry removes Brett Altman and David Adelman from the Real Estate Advisory Council and Drexel commits $10,000,000 to directly support Townhomes residents.

The action initially began with a rally outside at the Dragon statue on 33rd and Market St. Chanting “housing is a human right” and “save the people’s townhomes,” students marched down to Main Building, less than eight blocks away from the Townhomes. From there, one group of protesters remained outside while another group staged a sit-in outside of the Provost’s Office. 

Outside, students and community organizers were joined by the Save the UC Townhomes Coalition, members from Police Free Penn and from Students for the Preservation of Chinatown (SPOC), among others.

The Drexel University Police Department and the Philadelphia Police Department have been monitoring the situation and the student protesters, being strict in allowing only students with physical Drexel I.D. ‘s inside of the building. 

“DUPD and PPD entered the building…they barricaded us in. They did not allow us access to bathrooms the entire night – from 10 p.m. to to 8 a.m. we were told if we were to cross that barricade, we would be considered trespassing and face expulsion,” said Chelsea, an organizer for Drexel for Justice, to the Triangle in a video interview via Instagram. 

Organizers stated that police used intimidation tactics on protesters overnight and tried to keep them up by whistling, jangling keys and making other disruptive noises. 

On the first day of the strike, Senior Vice Provost Lucy Kerman came out to assess the situation and talk to the protesters. The organizers stated that no material updates emerged from that conversation and that Kerman said Drexel would continue conversations with the Townhomes residents.  

On Feb. 23, the third day of the sit-in, President Fry sent out an email to the Drexel community stating: “While the University has not been involved in the sale or purchase of the townhomes, we recognize that this is a complex and challenging situation. Consequently, I have met with several UC Townhomes residents to learn directly from them about their experiences and to hear their ideas about how the University can be supportive.”

Fry further explained the university encourages inquiry and debate, saying, “In that spirit, we will continue to safeguard the right of student protestors to assemble peacefully without violating any University policies or disrupting classes or regular operations.” 

No concessions have been made on behalf of the university’s side, despite the sit-in continuing for nearly three days at the time this article was published.  

Over the course of the protest, students have dropped in to join the sit-in; there have been teach-ins and political education sessions, as well as activities such as creating art and playing music. 

For over one and a half years, the residents and allies of the University City Townhomes have been protesting their imminent displacement. University City was once known as the Black Bottom, a primarily African-American lower income section of West Philadelphia that became gentrified by the efforts of former mayor Frank Rizzo, and universities such as Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania. The UC Townhomes, whose land was purchased for $1, were built in 1983 after the Rizzo administration found itself in federal court due to housing discrimination. This land is now valued at over 100 million dollars.

Ever since landlord Brett Altman declined to renew the lease of these affordable housing complexes, the residents and surrounding communities have pushed back through rallies and organized protests across the city. They were able to put back the end of their HUD contract by several months. However, the contract officially expired as of Feb. 21, 2023.  

Students had previously protested outside the newly-opened Drexel Health Sciences Building on Dec. 7, 2022 during the building’s ribbon cutting ceremony. The building is on the site of the former University City High School, demolished by Drexel in 2014. 

As of the time of publishing, the strike will continue until demands are met. For live coverage of the sit-in, follow along via Instagram @drexeltriangle and @drexelforjustice. 

Once upon a time, in a world filled with brilliant and thought-provoking movies, romantic-comedy was born. And what a glorious day it was! Who wouldn’t want to spend two hours of their life watching cliché after cliché, formula after formula, come to life on the big screen?

Let’s start with the unrealistic expectations that romantic comedies set for real-life relationships. Because who doesn’t want to believe that you can meet your soulmate in a matter of hours and live happily ever after without any effort, communication, or hard work? That’s the epitome of true love, right?

And let’s not forget about the obsession with portraying love as the solution to all life’s problems. Because who doesn’t want to believe that the key to happiness and fulfillment is just finding the right person? That’s much easier than taking responsibility for one’s own happiness and self-worth, right?

And the scenarios and plot twists? Pure genius! Who wouldn’t want to believe that the love of their life is just a mistaken identity away? Or that a last-minute declaration of love will solve all their problems? That’s the stuff fairy tales are made of!

So, let’s all raise a glass to the greatness of romantic comedies. After all, they’ve given us such meaningful and thought-provoking gems as “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “The Proposal.” Who needs art, culture, or anything else when we have these cinematic masterpieces to admire?

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a dose of pure artistic brilliance, be sure to watch a romantic comedy. It’s like taking a trip to the Louvre, but with more ridiculous scenarios and cliché-ridden plots. Who needs truth or reality when we have these cinematic gems to admire?

What do you first think of when you picture an art gallery? Maybe it is the hanging paintings sectioned by rope barriers with support signs that read “DO NOT TOUCH,” or the nameplates beside them with short descriptions of artists whose faces you have never seen.

If so, you would likely have a very different experience than expected at the Heart Gallery. On Saturday, Feb. 11, Drexel’s URBN Center bustled with beaming young artists arranging original artwork on tables at their own colorful stations. Each one of them highlighted unique creations, from full canvas paintings and small prints to handmade jewelry, portfolio bags and custom sneakers. Many artists bounced from table to table as everyone finished setting up, laughing as they chatted with fellow artists or helping them organize their work in a way that matched the art’s aesthetic.

As guests filed in, the artists struck up conversations with visitors to their stations on any work that caught their eye, whether it was the framed dollar bill brandished by a detailed drawing of Pikachu or the huge poster of Childish Gambino against a space-like background. Then, after a short transaction, they handed off their own work to new owners and pocketed the money they had earned.

The Heart Gallery was the third such showcase organized by WestPhil Marketplace, a space created for the buying and selling of original student artwork organized by Eitan Goldberg, a graphic design student in Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. According to him, the motivation to begin developing the marketplace almost a year ago came during an otherwise ordinary school day.

“A friend of mine brought this really awesome poster to class, and even though we don’t usually talk about buying each other’s work, a bunch of people offered to pay him for it, Goldberg said. “It made me think, ‘there should be an easy way to do this,’ so I created this marketplace for people to get experience putting themselves out there and getting paid for their work as easily as possible.” 

A creative in his own right who manages his clothing brand Juicebox and practices photography in his free time, Goldberg is both a facilitator and a vendor at WestPhil Marketplace’s events, so being part of the Heart Gallery he brought to life gave him a unique perspective.

“The amount of time and effort that went into [organizing the Heart Gallery] is hard to quantify honestly, because it’s a year in the making,” he said. “But it’s always exciting doing these events and watching them grow.”

Artists like Westphal students Valeria Morales and Cecilia Fralick who have been involved with WestPhil Marketplace since the beginning have seen this growth firsthand. Sitting side by side behind a large spread complete with Valeria’s brightly colored mirrors and Ceci’s illustrated notebooks was no longer new to them, but they still enjoy the opportunity to display their hard work at events like the Heart Gallery. 

In Ceci’s words, “It’s been really, really cool to have a space to sell stuff that we wouldn’t normally make in school, being able to sell illustrations on subject matter I love.”

While making money from their work is rewarding, they also appreciate the chance to see the wide variety of creative styles that artists bring to WestPhil Marketplace. The organization’s events welcome new vendors regularly, and the Westphal student vendors also get to see a new side of their classmates

“I know a bunch of these people, and here I get to see their work unrelated to schoolwork,” said Valeria. “So it’s like you can see everybody’s passions and it’s nice.”

The inviting community is what attracted artist and software developer Henry Dotson, who unveiled his RPG game “Ghosted” at the Heart Gallery after seven months in development. While Dotson is in the minority of WestPhil Marketplace’s vendors as a non-Drexel student, the encouragement he received from joining their events is something he has valued ever since moving to Philadelphia. 

“My friend and former coworker Ceci actually introduced me to this market, and this is my second time vending here. I moved up from DC where I also used to show art and one thing I had there that I’ve also found in the art scene in Philly is a sense of community and mutual support between everyone,” Dotson said with a smile. “You can’t have art without the human side of it.”

The success of WestPhil Marketplace’s creative community has attracted other budding artists eager to try their hand at making money from their art.  So far, the organization has built a network of 42 vendors, with 21 of those selling their work for the first time. In total, these vendors have sold 424 pieces of original artwork, generating over $3,600 in revenue. 

As helpful as in-person events are for artists, WestPhil Marketplace also understands the importance of promoting their work on the social media front. Marketing manager and graphic design major Yuki Mak operates what the organization calls their Digital Marketplace to support vendors on Instagram. 

“I send out messages and flyers to as many people as I can whenever our vendors have events happening, and I’ve created a Google form that new vendors fill out to help them transition into the marketplace,” Mak said. “With our advertising we’ve gotten a lot of variety in our vendors and what people are selling.”

WestPhil Marketplace’s social media doubles as a hub for artists to network with each other, and Mak believes that whether they are together physically or virtually, the community they’ve built is at the heart of what they do.  

“It’s been great getting to know the artists, they’re all so creative. Everyone has their own personality, their own talents, so it’s amazing seeing what people can create and meeting more people as we grow.”

Valentine’s Day — a once religious holiday known today for commercial chaos, the culmination of  “cuffing” season, or more traditionally, the celebration of love, is officially here. While couples craft cheesy couplets and cook candle-lit dinners, others opt to indulge in sweets and self-care in solitude. The day of love takes on a different meaning for every person, and what better place to survey the diverse range of old and new traditions than an urban college campus? 

In the spirit of Eros, the Greek term for passionate love, some Drexel University students revel in the romance of the holiday. 

A freshman finance major, Marissa Lux eagerly awaits the arrival of her boyfriend, Andy, who attends New York University. Marissa and Andy take turns visiting each other in their respective cities during the holidays, and on Valentine’s Day the couple plans to dine at a Korean restaurant and later exchange gifts. Jonathan Andersson, a freshman environmental engineer, also intends to celebrate the holiday over a romantic dinner; however, the reservation is slated for the following weekend as Jono participates in Drexel’s rowing team in addition to shouldering a full course load. 

As the young couples of Drexel traverse the city’s restaurants and attractions, other students celebrate the loyal bond of friendship, or Philia. Maeve Zeleniak, a second-year communications and journalism major, shares that she and her sorority sisters of Alpha Sigma Alpha have reserved a “Galentine’s Day” brunch at nearby French-American restaurant Louie Louie for Saturday the 18th. 

“Valentine’s Day falls smack in the middle of the term and the week,” states Maeve when explaining why she pushed celebrations to the weekend, speaking on behalf of all Drexel students currently trudging through midterms in a whirlwind quarter system.

Despite overburdened schedules, some students like Micheal Catell will take a break from the books for the evening. A senior biology major, Michael and his single roommates plan to cook a home-made dinner. Each roommate is responsible for a course of the elaborate meal— a fitting celebration for Valentine’s Day and the conclusion of midterms. 

Another population of students, jaded to the festivities of Valentine’s Day, make few changes to their day-to-day routine. 

Faith Cruz, a second-year mechanical engineer, believes that “[Valentine’s Day] is a cute occasion for couples, but at the end of the day, just another commercialized holiday.” 

In the name of Philautia, or self-love, Faith will still consider buying herself chocolate during the Valentine’s Day sales. “I will always find an excuse for self-care,” she explains.

Other students celebrate Storge, or familial love, on this annual fête. A first-year architect, Ava Cona will pause her strenuous schedule for a family ski trip to Vail, Colorado. In the meantime, she spends extra hours in the studio so she can be present during her wintry vacation. 

Another freshman student and interior design major, Yesenia Zavala-Jimenez recounts the annual pot-luck her family hosts. Adorned with red and pink decorations, the festive party serves as the “perfect reason to come together,” says Yesenia. Although she will not likely attend this year’s gathering due to school demands, Yesenia optimistically asserts that there will be “other family events around the corner.”

Whether Drexel students choose to honor Eros, Philia, Philautia, or Storge, let us remind ourselves to celebrate love in its many forms every day. Agape, the Greek term for love of humankind, is too often forgotten, even though it would best serve us to remember. On this annual day of love, indulge in the clichés or forge new traditions, but do not leave generosity behind in the days to come. Spread love every day — not necessarily with heart-shaped chocolates and candle-lit dinners — but with a well-meaning word, an empathetic ear or a good gesture. 

On Feb. 7, the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) collaborated with the Drexel University Counseling Center to host a Lunch & Dialogue event called “Love Across Culture, Language, and Identity.” Congregating in the Student Center for Diversity & Inclusion located in the Rush Building, international students from a wide range of departments gathered to discuss cultural differences regarding love and relationships. For lunch, Anyi Ye, an advisor from ISSS, provided chicken wraps, a vegetarian sandwich option and baklava for dessert for students who RSVP’d prior to the event. 

Dr. Elena Cucco, a clinical psychologist from the Counseling Center, moderated the conversation and helped promote an inclusive space for the free flowing discussion. Students introduced themselves with their major of study, their home country and why they were interested in the event. The students originated from countries all across the globe, including Chile, India, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, etc. Some students were attending Drexel to obtain a bachelor’s, while others were studying for a master’s or were enrolled in a PhD program at the university. The relationship status of individuals ranged as well, as various people were single, in a relationship or married. When introducing themselves, most people expressed an interest in mostly listening to the conversation as others shared dating experiences or expectations of their home country. 

As the conversation started, it was quickly evident that relationship expectations and societal norms varied not only by country, but by different cultures and communities within that country. Variations ranged from different religions and different identities within the LGBTQ+ community to local community expectations and family dynamics. 

Throughout the conversation, there were details that were touched upon. For instance, one student talked about the idea that someone is considered “free” until there is a ring on their finger; without the promise of marriage, there are no strong ties keeping one committed in the relationship. In contrast, a student who identifies as an agnostic talked about her experience living in Chile, where what was seen as the biggest symbol of commitment in a relationship was not getting married, but rather living together.

Public display of affection (PDA) was also mentioned briefly. While some couples do not shy away from PDA in the United States, a student expressed how PDA is mostly frowned upon in India; some people hold hands in public, but most refrain. 

As the conversation continued, students delved deeper into different topics. A rich topic of discussion took place around family involvement in relationships. Another student from Chile who is a Jehovah’s Witness talked about how partners met each other’s parents on the first date. In the specific culture they grew up in, romantic relationships were very serious with marriage being the ultimate end goal. 

A student from India talked about how their parents were open to letting them find their own partner, but also expressed the comfort of having an arranged marriage as an option. Your parents would find someone they think would be a good fit, you take some time to get to know them, and then you get married; it is not forced. The student expressed how this could eliminate the effort and stress of looking for someone yourself by just letting your family do the work. 

The conversation progressed as students talked about how parents may look at class and religious differences. Some individuals expressed how parents may have a harder time approving a partner for their child if they are of a different religion. This impacted how some students view dating. However, other students noted how parents may be starting to be more accepting of differences. 

Another large theme within the conversation was how cultures have changed over time. A student from Uzbekistan talked about how most girls back home got married at 18 or in their early twenties. However, as women continue to fight for more rights and equality, more and more are receiving an education and going into the workforce, thus marrying later. 

Several students pointed out how their parents and those in the generation above them married young, had a home and a family by 21-years old, which seems unrealistic by our standards and in our economy. 

While some countries are becoming more progressive as time goes, we cannot fail to notice how several are still not accepting different types of relationships. As of Dec. 2020, 69 UN member states criminalize same-sex activity and marriage, according to the International Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). 

Students continued by talking about dating culture shocks they have experienced while coming to study in the United States as a young adult. While Americans typically see teenage girls dating as normal, young girls dating in other countries may be frowned upon and they might face societal criticism. It was suggested that this is a difference between collectivist cultures and the individualist values of Americans, as community opinion may matter more in other countries. 

Ye shared her own prior college experience with the students. She talked about how her American roommate casually dating new people was a surprising concept when she came to the US from China. 

Students also expressed concerns regarding their partner’s safety in the US, particularly living in the city of Philadelphia. Topics of vulnerability, communication issues and the online dating atmosphere in the US were also mentioned. 

Towards the end of the conversation, the group reflected upon prioritizing their own happiness over societal norms as one matures. This includes discovering and loving yourself first before jumping into a relationship, so you can be ready to really get to know someone. 

If you wish to talk to a therapist for free about these topics or more in a confidential setting, you can go to the Counseling Center in Creese Student Center or email counsel@drexel.edu to schedule a Same Day Appointment. 

Drexel University students are all too familiar with midterms. Midterms can happen multiple times a term at any given moment, whether that be week three or week eight. Midterms can also be a real blow to the ego. Oftentimes, students are coasting along in a class, feeling pretty good about their grades, until they get their midterm grade back and suddenly they are forced to actually open the overpriced textbook they were assigned to read. Similar feelings are evoked when it comes to evaluating Drexel’s men’s basketball team at this point in the season. 

As the men’s basketball team reached the halfway point of conference play, The Triangle was able to sit down with Coach Zach Spiker and give him the opportunity to grade the squad’s performance. 

“B-. I think that we have another level of execution on both sides of the ball that we need to reach, and also get a radar up for momentum changing plays and 50/50 balls that we need to dominate.”

Throughout the season, the Men’s team has shown in emphatic fashion the high level they can reach. Drexel beat the College of Charleston on Feb. 2. Charleston, ranked as high as 18th in the nation, has been a dominant force all season. However, the Dragons were able to execute their gameplan in the form of suffocating defense, with standout performances from Amari Williams and Justin Moore en route to a narrow victory. 

With such a high caliber win under their belt, one would be justified in believing the sky’s the limit for these Dragons, but, primarily it has just added to the head-scratching nature of losses that Drexel sustained further down the road. Drexel’s record is blemished with ugly losses to Elon, who, at the time of their victory over Drexel, had not won a single game against a Division I opponent, and Monmouth, who have been competing for last place in the conference all season. 

Consistency has been hard to come by for this Drexel team, a lack both frustrating and confounding for many fans. In many ways, though, this team is still just coming together. Since last season, the Dragons lost both a ton of experience and talent, most notably Cam Wynter, the steady, stand out, stud point guard who helped propel the program to much of the success that it has found under Coach Spiker. Many pundits felt that Drexel would have to be overly reliant on inexperienced players, and predicted a finish around seventh in the conference.

“There were a lot of unknowns, and I think we did leave a lot of experience, this is one of the least experienced teams in the CAA (Ranked 297 out of 351, 10th of 13 CAA teams),” Spiker pointed out. “I don’t want to make excuses, but from an experience standpoint, whether it’s their first or second year, we still have a group of guys who are learning.”

A player that the team has had to rely on for much of its success is Amari Williams. The 6’10” center from England burst onto the scene last season when he was thrust into the starting lineup due to an injury to James Butler. Since getting his opportunity, Williams has established himself as not only the best defensive player in the CAA, but also one of the best players in the league overall. He leads the team in scoring, rebounding, blocks, steals and is second on the team in assists. While Coach Spiker recognizes his importance to the team, he also sees more talent left to unveil. 

“He’s a valuable piece, he’s a valuable player. With that said, there’s more there. We want him to reach his potential,” Spiker said. 

Williams’ pick-and-roll mate, Justin Moore, has also demonstrated his value to the squad, especially lately. The highly-touted recruit had an inauspicious start to his Drexel career, with many games marred by inefficiency and rookie mistakes. Since the new year, however, Moore has established himself as a driving force of the Drexel offense. Since Dec. 31, the Archbishop Wood product is averaging an impressive 13 points and four assists per game. 

“I think he’s playing better, I think he’s asserting himself more on the offensive side of the ball. He’s always been a very good defender, I think he’s been a more consistent defender.” Coach Spiker analyzed. “He’s been a playmaker, he’s done a really good job setting up his teammates.”

While this season is being characterized as one of growth and transition, one thing that has been a constant is the starting lineup. When the roster is healthy, the starting lineup has only had two permutations. To begin the year, Coach Spiker trotted out a lineup of Moore, Coletrane Washington, Mate Okros, Lamar Oden Jr. and Amari Williams. In mid Dec., Spiker swapped out Okros for Luke House, but that has been the only change not necessitated by an injury. 

When asked about what he liked about this combination, Spiker explained that, “I don’t know if it’s about who starts the game. I think it’s more important who finishes it. I think that group has gotten us off to some good starts, but I think we need to focus on defending better and being tougher in the rebounding category. I think we do, however, find our strength in our bench with guys like Jamie Bergens, Garfield Turner, Kobe Magee and Okros. We have a number of guys on our bench who could start on other teams within the league, which just shows our strength in that area.”

One consistent struggle that the team has faced so far in the season has been inconsistent three-point shooting. Zach Spiker-coached teams have been known to be full of sharpshooters. While this year also features a roster full of shooters, many of them have not shot consistently from deep. As a team, the Dragons have shot 31 percent from three-point range, the worst such percentage in five years.

“I think you encourage guys to continue getting shots up. I think we have been getting quality looks, and if we keep taking quality shots eventually guys will catch fire.” Spiker also added that, “Offense is only one part. I think defense is where we need to hang our hat, and we have done that better this year than any other year before.” 

Coach Spiker also pointed out that this Drexel team has the best effective field goal percentage in over a decade, an analytic that accounts for the different values of different shots. 

Overall, this season has been a memorable one for the Dragons. In a season that is still far from over, the squad has seen many monumental moments. 

When asked which moment he has relished the most so far, Spiker stated that, “Homecoming was a great one. I love road wins, beating Northeastern on the road, I loved that.” 

One of the great things about collegiate sports is that, during games, fans, coaches and players are all making memories at the same time. When students come out en force to games, they bring with them an atmosphere that creates a home court advantage, a fact that is not lost on Coach Spiker. Student attendance, and attendance overall, has been severely increased at basketball games this season, making the DAC an imposing place to play for opposing teams.

“When the students are at the DAC it changes the outcomes of games. Coming to games right now is a great experience and fan engagement is at an all-time high. When the student body is loud and engaged, it makes the DAC one of the toughest places to play in the league. And we need that support and energy for our final home games,” Spiker said. 

With the season rapidly coming to an end, it is crunch time for the Dragons. With the CAA Tournament scheduled to begin on March 3, the men’s team has to quickly find solutions to their deficiencies in order to compete for the Conference Championship. In Coach Spiker’s mind, what would a CAA Championship-caliber Dragons’ team look like? 

“A battle-tested, tough defensive team that can guard anybody, that if you leave them open on offense will make you pay, that is ready for any team, any time of day, any opponent and any challenge,” Spiker said. 

Time will only tell if the Dragons can find the requisite consistency to finish out the season strong and punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament for the second time in three years. Until then, all fans should make an effort to attend both remaining home games for Men’s Basketball on Feb. 16 and 23. 

The Philadelphia 76ers are in the works of opening a $1.3 billion dollar arena in Philadelphia’s historic Chinatown. The proposed arena “76 Place” would sit a mere ten feet from Chinatown—a distance that has not gone unnoticed by the historic neighborhood’s residents.  

Established in 1871 by Cantonese immigrants fleeing discrimination and violence in the western United States, the initially small enclave of Chinatown’s restaurants, laundries and other businesses rapidly transformed into a cultural hotspot that now houses over 2,000 residents. The colorful Chinatown Friendship Gate on Arch and N. 10th St. has welcomed millions of visitors seeking to explore its authentic food, vibrant festivals and other flavors of the various Asian cultures represented. Over the years, the Chinatown community has fiercely resisted development projects. The proposed NBA arena is no exception. 

The Chinatown Coalition to Oppose the Arena, composed of local businesses, community organizations and national nonprofits has emerged to protest the project. Although the arena would not reside in Chinatown, its proximity promises consequences for the adjacent neighborhood. 

Citing traffic and public safety as their primary concerns, 90 of the approximately 120 businesses in Chinatown have signed the coalition’s petition to prevent the construction of the arena. According to a copy of the petition obtained by WHYY News, residents fear that 76 Place will “destroy” Chinatown by diverting customers from the neighborhood’s businesses. 

Ethan Zonis, a freshman economic analysis major, agrees that the NBA will “have to consider those [it’s] displacing” as “many small businesses and communities will be affected by this [project].” Additionally he favors a “whole revamp” to the transportation system to ensure neighborhood safety. 

“Most games end late at night, so the subway and transit system would need to be improved,” Zonis explains. 

With these changes implemented, Zonis posits that the stadium will increase Chinatown revenues. Other proponents of the new arena theorize that any customers dissuaded from visiting Chinatown due to highway congestion on game nights will be offset by fans who will patronize the restaurants and businesses before and after games. The neighborhood’s residents distrust this assessment, however, claiming that fans will eat at stadium concessions instead. 

The Sixers development team vows to continue meeting with the Chinatown community to arrive at a consensus about the project. If a bargain is struck, the NBA will enter a contract with Chinatown for at least 30 years. In return for construction of the arena, it will likely include $50 million distributed to Chinatown and nearby neighborhoods to build affordable housing, bolster public safety and buttress small businesses. David Adelman, part-owner of the team, reports that feedback from community meetings has been “neutral to positive” and anticipates an agreement soon. 

However, opponents of the arena are not easily swayed. Third-year psychology major and Asian Students Association President, Nicole Ng spearheads social and cultural events for Drexel’s Asian population. 

“There is so much culture in Chinatown, and having this arena incorporates an attraction that is not intended or what the locals want,” says Ng.

Other grassroots organizations have emerged throughout the city, including Students for the Preservation of Chinatown (SPOC). In addition to pushing petitions, this coalition of college students has held teach-ins with Philadelphia grade schools and hosted protests at the University of Pennsylvania. 

SPOC has also shifted focus to David Adelman. In addition to owning a stake in the 76ers, Adelman serves as the vice chair of the University City District, a community revitalization partnership accused of gentrifying historically black neighborhoods. Adelman also serves as the CEO of Campus Apartments, a major provider for University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University housing. 

Claiming that Adelman “profit[s] off of student debt” by urging students to rent his “overpriced, poorly managed apartments,” SPOC cites a 2013 lawsuit filed by six University of Pennsylvania students over “utterly reprehensible [housing] conditions.” 

In an effort to preserve cultural integrity, SPOC supports saving the University City Townhomes in addition to Chinatown, a beloved neighborhood that has connected generations of Asian families. As NBA officials and Chinatown residents debate the future of these seven blocks, all of Philadelphia holds its breath.

Valentine’s Day is always a celebration for couples where they express their profound love to each other, but this year is all about celebrating your gals and pals.

We have all experienced being single on Valentine’s Day and it is no fun. Everywhere you go, there are couples on dates reminding you of how alone you are. Most people do not even celebrate Valentine’s Day anymore.

This year, we are changing things up. It is time for Galentine’s Day. A day all about celebrating friendship and having fun.

Here are three going-out ideas and three staying-in ideas to make your perfect Galentine’s Day a reality.

GOING OUT
1. Mini Golf

If you are looking for something fun and cheap to do with your friends outside of your walls but near University City, mini golf is an awesome idea.

Open until Feb. 26, Chilly Philly Mini Golf with LOVE is an 18-hole mini golf course located in Franklin Square, themed like Valentine’s Day and featuring small models of Philadelphia’s most famous landmarks.

Open hours are 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday – Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for kids ages three to 12.

To buy tickets to Chilly Philly Mini Golf with LOVE, go to historicalphiladelphia.org.

2. Cupid’s Arrow Archery
You have been waiting for Cupid long enough, it’s time to be your own Cupid!

For those of you who are feeling a little more adventurous, John Heinz Wildlife Refuge is hosting a free Pop-up Archery Range this Valentine’s Day. It is open for people ages eight and up and doesn’t require any prior archery experience.

So if archery has been on your bucket list for a while, give it a shot!

This amazing free opportunity is located at 8601 Lindbergh Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19153, requires no registration and will be open on Feb. 14, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

For more information, check out https://www.fws.gov/event/cupids-arrow-archery and https://phillyfamily.com/event/cupids-arrow-archery/

3. Adventure Aquarium
Open until Feb. 20, the Adventure Aquarium in Wiggins Waterfront Park is featuring a special event called “We SEA You” where the aquarium shows its appreciation for the guests.

During the “We SEA You” event, there will be giveaways that will give guests the opportunity to have up-close animal encounters, hippo kisses, gift cards and more.

On Feb. 14, general admission tickets cost $30.99 for adults and $20.99 for children ages 2-12.
Tickets sell out quickly so make sure to go online and reserve yours!

STAYING IN
1. Bake Off
Gather all your friends, choose a recipe and invite them to compete in a bake-off to see who can bake and decorate more successfully in the least amount of time.

If you are the host, you can also be the judge and try each of the desserts…sounds exciting, right?
This idea is great for larger groups of friends and is cheap and easy to pull off.

Here are two delicious recipe ideas from the “Ahead of Thyme” blog:

• Red velvet cupcakes: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/red-velvet-cupcakes/
• Oreo brownies: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/oreo-brownies/

2. Cookie Swap
There are two ways to go about this game.

The first one is to invite all of your friends and tell them to each bring their favorite cookie for the rest of the group. When you have gathered up, give each other the cookies so you will each end up with an assortment of your and your friends’ favorite cookies.

The second way to play this game is more interactive and hands-on, and a lot more fun.
The way this game works is to start by making teams and each of the teams picks a cookie recipe that the other team must bake.

Each team will take turns in the kitchen baking their cookies, however, not every member of the team will be cooking at the same time. Every 10 minutes, a timer will go off and whoever is cooking must stop and let their teammate continue. This will go on until the cookies are in the oven baking. The next team will do the same.

Later, each team will decorate their cookies. This time, all members of the team will work together.
Get someone to blindly taste each cookie and choose their favorite one, but do not worry, it is all fun and games here so even if your team loses, you still get to enjoy an assortment of delicious cookies.

3. Host a Game Night/Sleepover
A good solid idea. A game night or a sleepover, or even both together, never fails. Invite all of your friends to your house, make the living room nice and cozy, get your favorite snacks and games, and watch your favorite movies. There is just one rule: no romance movies.

Now that you have some awesome Galentine’s Day ideas, get to planning and make them happen. It is time to celebrate yourself and your friends.

The month of February is an awesome time to be a fan of Drexel Athletics. As the winter sports season is reaching its pinnacle, spring sports are ramping up. Here is every game that you need to get to in the next two weeks:

Feb. 10, Drexel Women’s Basketball vs. Charleston at the DAC

Why you should go: The Dragons welcome in the Cougars as they seek to continue asserting their dominance over the CAA. The team is also raising awareness for Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome at this game. Fans should make an effort to attend, not only for the charitable benefits, but also to watch Keishana Washington continue her historic and final season as a Dragon. The women are on a revenge tour through conference play as they attempt to avenge their loss in the conference championship in last year’s tournament play. Additionally, the women are gearing up for a heavyweight title fight against North Carolina A&T in their final home game of their season. A win against Charleston is important for the Dragons if they want to ensure that their finale against A&T, who are currently in first place in the conference, has major implications for tournament seeding. 

Feb. 11, Women’s Lacrosse vs. Binghamton, at Vidas Field

Why you should go: The women open up their season at home against the Binghamton Bearcats. Drexel was selected to finish third in the CAA this year, while Corinne Bednarik and Belle McHugh were selected to the preseason all CAA team. Transportation to Vidas Field is available via the Powelton Shuttle, a service that is free and easy to use for all students. 

Feb. 11, Men’s Basketball vs. Towson at the DAC

Why you should go: It would be hard to underestimate the importance of this game. The men played Towson on the road earlier this season and played the preseason favorites very close. The Dragons, led by Amari Williams and freshman point guard Justin Moore, will look to rise to the occasion and beat a very strong Tigers team. The Dragons are a different team than the one that narrowly fell to Towson in early January, with Justin Moore in particular really asserting himself in gameplay. The presence of a strong student section is paramount when it comes to beating this tough opponent, and the fans must be loud and fill the stands to truly assert a home court advantage. Additionally, this game will look to spread Autism awareness, as well as feature a Valentine’s Day theme. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, all non-students will be able to get a Buy-One-Get-One-Free special on tickets. 

Feb. 12, Wrestling vs. Penn at the DAC

Why you should go: It is always great to watch Drexel assert their dominance in whatever way possible over arch rival University of Pennsylvania. Go out to the DAC and support the wrestlers as they try and build upon their success so far this season, as they sport an undefeated record in conference matches.