Bronx’s University Avenue to be Named After Legendary Artist Stan Lee

Stan Lee (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

By Sally Barrilla

Bronx residents around University Avenue should expect to pass by the “Stan Lee Way” in the spring of next year. The street’s name change, which will cover the section between Brandt Place and West 176th St. in University Heights, was proposed by Bronx Councilmember Fernando Cabrera and accepted on July 23, 2019. 

Stan Lee, a former New York resident, lived his teen years at 1720 University Ave. in the Bronx and studied at DeWitt Clinton High School, located a few miles away from Lehman. The American idol who gave life to famous Marvel characters, such as the Avengers, Spiderman, the Hulk, Black Panther and other iconic heroes, passed away on Nov. 12, 2018 in the city of Los Angeles. 

A self-declared devoted fan of Stan Lee who grew up in his community, Cabrera said he was elated for his proposal to go through as a tribute to the late distinguished author, as reported by WNBC. “Stan Lee was a Bronx native who grew up in my district.”

Some Lehman students who admire Lee’s talents think his name gracing a street will bring honor to the Bronx.  

“While I was not aware of the fact, he united a lot of superhero fans mainly in urban areas no longer having to hide their love for comics,” said English senior at Lehman, Otto Conde. “So, Stan Lee’s hard work and legacy shall live on in the Bronx, especially as a street name.”

Comic books produced by Stan Lee (Photo Credit: Lysa Vanible).

 “I love his work. He created my favorite Marvel character, Spiderman. Peter Parker was a person who was from New York like Stan Lee and me,” said Lehman student Marissa Morales, an English senior specializing in elementary school education. “What fascinated me the most about the character was that he was an ordinary person learning from his new secret identity.”  

Lehman faculty and alumni were also enthusiastic about the upcoming name change.

 “I think it’s a great idea. The Bronx isn’t usually recognized for many things; people usually have negative concepts of the borough, such as dirty and unimportant,” said Lehman lecturer from the department of journalism and media studies, Ulises Gonzales.  

Gonzales added, “Perhaps councilmembers could do more than just name a street after him. Maybe set up a comic book festival around the Bronx or the neighborhood where he grew up, so even more people can hear about all he did for the Bronx and in New York City.”

 “Stan Lee was a good man who wrote a lot of things that helped inspire people’s dreams. Also, Lee was from the Bronx, so I’m really cool with it,” said Lehman graduate Alice Ivy, with a bachelor’s in English and philosophy. “He did a lot for our community and the number of tourists will increase, as well as gentrification, but in a good way. The Bronx will get more recognition if a street is named after him.” 

 “Mr. Lee’s amazing talent brought joy and entertainment to countless children and adults, and he deserves to be permanently memorialized in his home borough, the Bronx,” Cabrera said.

Students Weigh in on Lehman’s Financial Aid System

By Allen Mena

Despite Lehman’s relatively low-cost tuition of under $10,000, most Lehman students still rely on financial aid and have mixed feelings about their experiences with the office of distribution. A majority of students receive financial aid; around 85 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Education. However, several students reported difficulties with the process. 

 “It hasn’t always been a pleasant experience,” said Samantha DiDonato, 19, an undeclared Lehman sophomore. “Part of the staff is friendly and cooperative during complicated situations. Others have been rude when I ask questions and made some processes more difficult for me than they need to be.”

“Sometimes the staff would become annoyed with me if I didn’t have the proper information or documentation at the time of my visits,” said Catherine Rodriguez, 20, a junior biology major.

“There have been times where the staff have breaks and do not let anyone on the waiting line know, which I found rude to everyone trying to get help with their forms,” said Steven Morano, 19, an undeclared sophomore.

Other students reported overall positive experiences with the office. 

“I believe the experience with financial aid is helpful. In the end I get the money I need for my classes,” said 19-year-old Richard Castillo, a nursing sophomore at Lehman. “Because of my specific case, it hasn’t been easy, but by asking questions, taking notes down, and following directions, I’ve been able to get through the process.” 

Lehman’s financial aid system works similarly to that of other colleges. It gives students the funds for college in three main ways: loans that must be repaid with interest, grants that do not have to be repaid in most cases, and work-study, which provides students with a part-time job to earn the money to pay for their tuition, room, and/or board. Each track comes with its own prerequisites which can seem less daunting when financial aid staff explain them to students.

“My experience with Lehman financial aid office was positive and the staff really took the time to answer my questions and fill out complicated forms,” said Precious Oporum, a sophomore biology major. 

Lehman's Underground Tunnels Intrigue Students

By Lysa Vanible

The tunnels beneath Lehman College have withstood close to nine decades to transform the way people navigate the campus terrain. Built in 1931 during construction of what was then the Hunter College Bronx campus, the tunnels extend for a length of 1230 linear feet, or 0.23 miles. They connect the Music building to the Old Gym, as well as Carman, Davis, Gillet, Shuster, and the Science Hall. 

Suhkrat Marmolejos, a 22-year-old sophomore Computer Science major, said “I walk the tunnels to explore the campus before the beginning of the semester to understand my options and surroundings.”

A preview of the connection between Davis Hall and the Old Gym, underground.

Student art covers the landscape displayed on the walls connecting the Fine Arts and Shuster Hall buildings, which reaches further facilities as well.

The intersection leading North between Shuster and Science Hall is where Sociology major, Angie Rosado, 25 said, “ I use the tunnels during inclement weather to help me get to class on time. It’s easier to navigate with less people. My friends hardly use them because they don’t know about them. It took me two semesters before I knew about them.”

The image shows what is known as the only crossroad within the tunnels, which provides accessibility for handicapped and individuals with special needs, and that leads outside campus between Davis, Science and Shuster Hall.

Students and faculty are presented with an artistic retreat in nature. At the interval along the underground where Shuster is adjacent to Fine Arts are double doors that lead to an outside platform of industrial art.

Art along the walls outside of Fine Arts are thesis projects done by students.

Lehman Has the Only Virtual Reality Academy in CUNY and the Bronx

By Deanna Garcia

Lehman College remains the only CUNY to house the Virtual Reality Academy and has been offering training programs since 2017 at its offsite Bronx location called CUNY on the Concourse (COTC). 

“The idea is that our students, who have tremendous amounts of ideas, have an opportunity through this lab to be creative and to implement those ideas,” said Ronald Bergmann, Vice President and CIO of the Division of Information Technology at Lehman. Bergmann came up with the idea of an Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) lab at Lehman’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). 

“It’s a resource for the community to be able to ensure that Bronx residents and CUNY students have an opportunity to learn to use some leading edge technologies,” Bergmann explained. “We want our students and residents to take advantage of opportunities to learn how to leverage these technologies in their work and in their career.”

The Virtual Reality Academy allows students to get an understanding of how virtual real- ity works (Photo Credit: Lehman College).

The center has fostered a wide range of student projects. Former VR students, Michael Brenner and Aaron Holness, used their legal education backgrounds to combine law with virtual reality. Their project grants lawyers with abilities to recreate crime scenes for case preparation purposes, including the elaboration of case theories before presented to a judge. 

The VR Academy also helps students expand their businesses. Vincent Navarro, a VR graduate and trainer at VR Lab, is applying AR/VR for his software development business, with the goal of expanding to other countries, creating scientific and educational programs to train students with restrictions. Navarro began this venture in collaboration with Lehman’s chemistry department to include VR in their studies.  

The virtual reality training academy at CUNY on the Concourse (Photo Credit: Deanna Garcia)

In 2016, to establish the program, Lehman partnered with the California-based EON Reality, which specializes in 3D interactive technologies and simulations to train, educate, manufacture and entertain those who are interested in the AR/VR world. In 2019, the academy switched its partnership from EON Reality to Unity, “basically the number one software for VR content creating,” explained Samira Bahrami, COTC director. “The VR program is educating the content creators to shape the future of education, training and entertaining.”

COTC, where the academy is housed, is located at 2501 Grand Concourse, and is part of Lehman’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). “COTC provides space and educational support to SCPS departments, Lehman’s academic departments, as well as the industry partners,” Bahrami said. The space consists of 12 classrooms, which includes a VR lab, computer labs, healthcare labs, a computerized testing center and the Bronx Tech Incubator.

CUNY on the Concourse serves 1,500 people each semester and 4,500 people during a year (Photo Credit: Deanna Garcia).

So far, two cohorts have completed the 10-month intensive program which included four months of training and six months of a project-based learning. After finishing the program, students earned AR/VR Developer level 2 certificates. 

However, no credits are given to transfer into other Lehman programs. “We’re working on getting credits from Lehman’s academic departments for the whole AR/VR Academy, which would be helpful for computer science majors,” Bahrami said. 

After completion, employment opportunities vary between the fields of architecture, product visualization, game creation, multimedia design and broadcast media. Students can also utilize what they learned to engage in new products. 

“We are delighted with the way that the AR/VR Training Academy is adapting to the changing needs of the industry and evolving business development,” said Jane MacKillop, dean of SCPS. “Lehman College is truly an engine of economic development in the new Bronx!”

Lehman offers the program at a competitive price, considering that VR classes in NYC are not cheap. The School of New York Times is offering an online certificate in the subject for $645. At COTC, students can take a class and receive a certificate for a four-month training program for $450.

“While training exists for many parts of AR and VR in the city, there are few programs that cover the multidisciplinary nature of the industry,” said Bahrami. “The VR Academy is very affordable compared to other training in the city.” 

Some students are unaware that Lehman offers such programs, though all those who were informed reacted with enthusiasm. 

“This can definitely be a pathway to new experiences,” said Reynaldo Estrella, a 19-year-old biology sophomore at Lehman, when he heard about the VR lab.”

“I believe that a VR lab not only provides experiences, but also represents a potential change within society,” said Lehman student, Susan Lin, an 18-year-old nursing sophomore. “VR can explore and discover new things so that people can experiment with different solutions.” 

Lehman accounting junior, Alex Adams, 21, said, “I haven’t personally used VR for my studies, but I see the kind of impact it could have for other students’ professions. I think it’s great that students can get professionally trained and experience what their career holds for them.”

The virtual reality training academy at CUNY on the Concourse (Photo Credit: Deanna Garcia)

The Virtual Reality Academy will be back for their 10-month training in spring 2020 and will use Unity’s software. During the semester, students will focus on 2D and 3D asset creation modeling, scripting and program techniques, project management, rigging and animation. Workshops and open houses are currently available for students who are interested in technology. 

Online Platforms Are Changing Advocacy Movements

Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are not only used to post vacation photos; they are now major platforms that prioritize social issues. Social media has changed the way activism works today for millions of users around the world, including many Lehmanites.

“When serious matters are broadcasted on social media, people pay more attention and always want to get involved,” said Jaquira Truesdale, a 21-year-old Lehman senior majoring in media and communications. She cited the use of the hashtag #JusticeforJunior, created to make public the murder of 15-year-old, Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz. Guzman-Feliz was slashed to death by five street gang members in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx in the summer of 2018.

The hashtag was first used on Twitter, and an official Facebook page, “Justice for Junior,” was subsequently created and followed by 47,000 supporters who helped collect around $340,369. “I mainly knew about cases like Junior’s death because of my friends and social media. It was hard seeing a young boy’s face who didn’t get a chance to succeed in life,” Truesdale explained.

Celebrities also use social media platforms as tools to advocate for their beliefs. On July 7, 2019 Latinpop singer Ricky Martin, decided to take action against the offensive leaked messages from former governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rossello. Because of Martin’s fame and large online presence, he was able to reach millions of people.

Protests, such as #BlackLivesMatter (BLM) and #MeToo have also raised broad discussions about the effectiveness and viability of social media use for political engagement and social activism. BLM is an international movement that campaigns against violence and systematic racism towards African-Americans and people of color that started on July 13, 2013. The #MeToo movement combats sexual harassment and assault, and began to spread virally in October 2017 as a hashtag attempting to demonstrate the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment.

The Pew Research Center states, “Majorities of Americans do believe these sites are very or somewhat important for accomplishing a range of political goals, such as getting politicians to pay attention to issues (69 percent of Americans feel these platforms are important for this purpose) or creating sustained movements for social change (67 percent).” However, some Lehman students question the veracity of social media content shared by activists.

Mate Ramirez, a 28-yearold computer science major and Lehman senior commented, “With social media being our sources for information, we don’t really know what’s facts or fiction.”

Professor Marisa M. White, 52, mastering in communication studies at Lehman said, “I think social issues are important and if we are using social media properly, we can reach a lot of people for social issues like #Metoo and #Blacklivesmatter. All these things can be influential and if we are using it properly, it can reach a wide audience.”

Dream Act Finally Passes in New York

by Zarin Siddiqua

“DACA students’ lives should be valued. It is important that they have equal opportunities such as access to Financial Aid that will open their doors to success,” said Kayla Bannered, a Lehman Student majoring in Sociology. 

Those opportunities are now closer to being realized in New York. According to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, in June of 2019 the Democratic party was able to pass legislation to approve the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. This program aims to help undocumented youth who came to this country under the age of 18 gain legal status, education and work permits. It also promises undocumented students access to grants and scholarships that support higher education cost.   

The battle for the DREAM Act has been fought for decades. According to the Immigration Council, then-president Barack Obama first proposed to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients in 2010, which sought to prevent their deportation and help them get work permits. Eight years later, the Democratic party won the New York State Senate and one of its first priorities became the protection of undocumented immigrants. 

Gaining a college education has always been difficult for Dreamers because they don’t get financial aid or tuition assistance programs. This means that undocumented students face many more challenges. According to the New York State Dream Act, about 8,300 DACA students attend public institutions for higher education in New York. The City University of New York (CUNY) along with Lehman College have provided an excellent support and resources for these students to thrive.  

CUNY Citizenship Now provides free immigration-related consultation, assisting undocumented students with applications for citizenship and educating them about their legal rights and access to higher education. Lehman College also holds different events and sessions to educate dreamers about DACA Debrief, immigration guides and Legal Resources presentation. Lehman also stays committed to supporting the Dream Act through  The Lehman Dream Team, created by undocumented students and their allies to make a safe and friendly environment for students who live in the shadows.

According to the news website Thinkprogress, assemblywoman Catalina Cruz suggests that because the approval of the Dream Act proposal took almost decade, it will take more years to be finalized. Cruz herself was undocumented when she first arrived the US, and experienced firsthand how limited resources created great struggles for her to obtain a higher education.

“I hope the Dreamers get every opportunity that they deserve just like every other student in America, because they too are American,” said Bricenia Diaz, a Lehman sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Middle school and High School Education. 

 Some Lehman staff suggest the officialization of the Dream Act will result in more successful graduations within CUNY. “It would be nice to see a change in some demographics in the CUNY system,” said Mark Keegan, a professor of history at Lehman College. Getting access to more opportunities will allow more people to attend college and have a career. 

“Shazam!” Delivers DC Its First Home Run

 By Michael Omoruan 

             The latest installment in the DC Cinematic Universe is here and it brings out the inner kid in all of us. Though a superhero film on the surface, at its core “Shazam!” is about family and finding one when you least expect it. There are very few movies being made currently about adopted children, let alone a superhero movie. The film has just the right amount of realism in it, even with magic wielding characters.

             Released on April 5, “Shazam!” tells the story of a foster kid named Billy Batson (Asher Angel) who has recently been adopted by the loving Vasquez couple. His first thought of the couple and the other children they have taken in is that they are just another family that he wants to escape. However, after befriending Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer), Batson starts to grow attached to his new home. 

               After fending off some bullies that start beating up Freddy, Billy tries to lose them. When he does, he soon meets an old and withered man named Shazam the Wizard (Djimon Hounsou). The wizard has been looking for so-called “champions” to take on his role for ages and believes he has found one in Batson. After much-expected hesitation and questioning, he finally succumbs to his demands when he is asked to speak his name. When he does, the power of mythological gods who make up his name, such as Achilles and Mercury are imbued in him before he becomes his adult self, played by Zachary Levi.  The film’s plot is reminiscent of 1988’s “Big,” starring Tom Hanks and even makes a quick reference to it during a fight scene.

            Angel as Batson plays the role of a foster kid well, especially when his character hesitates to hang out with or acknowledge the kids he meets at the Vasquez residence. When Batson becomes Shazam, Levi’s attempts to recreate or mimic Angel’s acting choices and lines are believable. He nails the comedic scenes very well, which makes sense given his background in shows like NBC’s “Chuck” and movies like Disney’s “Tangled.” It feels very much like what a kid given powers in the modern day and age would do. The serious scenes are effectively moving, such as when Freddy feels that Billy has let the powers he’s been granted go to his head.  

              Sandberg knocks it out of the park once again. After helming horror films like “Lights Out” (2016) and “Annabelle: Creation” (2017), “Shazam!” marks his first foray into superhero films. An increasing trend has begun that more and more well-known horror directors are being given the reigns to direct big-budget superhero films. Notable examples are James Gun’s “Guardian of the Galaxy” films, James Wan’s “Aquaman” (2018), and Scott Derrickson’s “Doctor Strange” (2016). Sandberg’s background in horror shines through in his lighting choices and use of dark imagery and cinematography when filming Mark Strong’s character, Doctor Sivana. Sivana’s powers are similar to that of Shazam’s, but also include the ability to conjure huge beasts that represent each of the seven deadly sins. 

               Once offered the same abilities as Batson by Shazam the Wizard, Sivana was unable to resist the temptation of stone gargoyle-looking creatures and is cast out. Sivana grows up to become obsessed with returning to the Wizard, interviewing potential champions to find out how to return to him. After returning to him, he embraces his role as a villain and starts exacting revenge on those who mocked him. The film touches on the theme of embracing family through Billy’s journey to find his biological parents. The acting chops of the main cast and the screenplay, written by Henry Gayden, are executed near perfectly. 

               Shah Mazhar, a mathematics major at Queens College, said, “I felt like a kid watching it and it was super comic accurate.” Daniel Encarnacion, a computer science major at Lehman, said, “I really enjoyed it. I thought it was well rounded, lighthearted, and funny but also had some deeper moments as well. Honestly it was the best movie DC has done. In my opinion, it was better than Captain Marvel because Zachary Levi was able to be a more endearing character.

Grossing $125 million domestically and over $200 million in foreign box offices, it comes as no surprise that audiences everywhere are falling in love with this film. If you dig superhero films or are just a sucker for heartfelt family films, check this one out at your local theater.

The cast and crew of Shazam at Wondercon: (L to R) Stars Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, and director David F. Sandberg. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Reel Abilities Festival Celebrates Diverse Capabilities

by Nelson N. Fernandez 

As a tribute to Disability Awareness Month, the Student Disability Services Department at Lehman College hosted the seventh annual ReelAbilities Film Festival, on April 3 and 4. The festival included four feature-length and seven short films that inspired nearly 200 viewers in attendance to change their perspectives toward people with disabilities. Each screening was followed by brief discussions with the filmmakers.  

 The feature documentary, “America,” focused on an elderly woman with dementia named “America” as her grandsons struggle with the challenge of caring for her. impressed Sebastian, an audience member who also helped with setting up the event at Lehman College, he stated that they have “never seen such a film where we see through the point of view of the caregiver.” 

Shorter films such as “Shakespeare in Tokyo” and “JMAXX and The Universal Language” were also screened. These films touched on other illnesses such as down syndrome and autism. Sebastian thought the shorts were “heart-warming and entertaining.” 

Another audience member, Joe Ottenthal, an elementary school teacher in the Bronx, said he was “happy to have found and attended [the festival] for the first time. The shorts were outstanding” and that “bringing visibility to people and students with disabilities and special needs is an effort that is near to my heart.”

Merrill Parra, Director of Student Disability Services and the developer of the festival at Lehman, stated that “the festival embodies the mission of Lehman College, as a cultural center for the Bronx, and its values of inclusion and diversity.” 

Shakespeare in Tokyo (2018)

Jmaxx and the Universal Language (2017)

America (2019)

In “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” Poor Writing Tarnishes a Captivating Plot

By Teresa Fanzo

On October 26, 2018 Netflix introduced a new original series, “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”. The show has received an 82% from Rotten Tomatoes, a website that averages critical ratings. Some viewers, however, felt this high score was undeserved, largely because the first two seasons feel like different entities. Season 1 was very good in comparison to Season 2: the plot was not all over the place and people enjoyed watching it and were excited for more. Sadly, season 2 is a let-down. The show has interesting plot lines, but this is lost on audiences because of the poor dialogue and in some cases bad acting.

            Dramatic scenes that should be moving are often perceived as cringey because of corny delivery. The show has fallen victim to the constant use of full names as a tool to express importance; however, this is done so often throughout the show that it has lost its power and effectiveness. This overuse extends to two episode titles: “The Passion of Sabrina Spellman” and “The Miracles of Sabrina Spellman”. This could have been very clever, but the two episodes are not a part 1 and part 2, just random episodes unrelated to one another. This ultimately takes away from the scene as the overuse of full names is downright annoying. 

In a dramatic scene, Sabrina finds out that she is the daughter of Satan. This was a shocking revelation that could have been a very emotional moment. However, when Lucifer tells her ,“You will blow the horns of Gabriel for me...You will wear the crown, you will sit on the throne...”, she responds, “Sorry, but I have school.” The quirky line does not land well and robs audiences of that intense reaction. It seemed eerily similar to Peter Parker and Tony Stark’s interaction in “Captain America: Civil War”, when Tony asks Peter to go to Germany with the Avengers and Peter responds, “I can’t go to Germany, I have homework!” There, it works because the scene was comedic and silly one liners are expected from those characters. When Sabrina responded that way, it did not seem like her: she has never made school a big priority and is not a very funny character. 

Madison Morales, a sophomore studying Social Work, said, “Lucifer starts laughing and I did too, but rather than laughing with the character as the showrunner’s intended, I laughed at the absurdity of the statement.”

            Overall, as a follow up to the first season which was beloved, the second season feels very disconnected. It relies on shock value with many scenes that seem to be filler for the one event they were leading to, and whole episodes that feel like the finale because of how dramatic and “twisty” they are. While it had the potential to be great and continue in the same fashion as season one, season 2 lacks cohesion, which results in a messy plot and an unsatisfying viewing experience.

Beyoncé’s “Homecoming” Brings #Beychella to Netflix

Beyonce’s “Homecoming” is a celebration of historically black colleges and universities.

By Mayte Peña

Highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, Beyoncé’s performance in Netflix’s “Homecoming” is a celebration of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Premiering April 17th on Netflix, the concert film highlights Beyoncé and her performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. 

Beyoncé explains in her documentary that when she decided to do Coachella, it was important to her that she bring her community to the music festival. From dancers, backup singers, and the band itself, the whole crew was transformed to resemble a student body. In “Homecoming”, Beyoncé features a new sorority, Beta Delta Kappa (BAK). She proudly wears the sorority letters on her custom-designed yellow hoodie.

The star grew up in Texas and always dreamed of going to an HBCU. Despite her original plans, My college was Destiny's Child,” she says within the film. She expresses satisfaction with what she’s been able to accomplish, given her humble beginnings: “It’s hard to believe that, after all these years, I was the first African American woman to headline Coachella.”

The documentary emphasizes how hard Beyoncé worked to bring an amazing performance to Coachella, which was her big return to the stage. We all know that Beyoncé can pull off a great show, but she explains how her first-time back home was not easy. The documentary shows how the singer struggled with her body during her first rehearsals after giving birth. She explains, “I wasn’t feeling myself”. 

After giving birth to her twins, Rumi and Sir Carter, her body was not the same, and she struggled with high blood pressure and toxemia. The latter is a condition in pregnancy, also known as preeclampsia, characterized by abrupt hypertension a sharp rise in blood pressure, albuminuria leakage of large amounts of the protein albumin into the urine and edema swelling of the hands, feet, and face. According to google. 

But after all her hard work, her two-hour Coachella performance was no exception to her amazing performance record. Hit songs like “Crazy Love” Freedom” Formation” among others had fans and the whole Coachella audience on their feet, dancing and enjoying the performance.

For the last set, she brought to the stage her two best friends and ex-members from the girl group Destiny’s Child: Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland. For one night the girl group reunited for a couple of songs with famous hits like “Lose My Breath”, “Say My Name”, and “Soldier”. Old fans of Beyoncé and the group were shocked by the unexpected reunion and welcomed the trip down memory lane. 

 “I enjoyed the performance.” said Liselotte Fana, 22, a dance major at Queens College who currently works as a dance instructor at Planet Fitness. “It was about everyone on stage and that made it a very wonderful performance.”

Fana’s favorite part of the film was Beyoncé explaining the process of coming up with the playlist, choreography, and visuals to portray message she wanted to give to the audience. She said, “since I choreograph myself, I got inspired to make my own version of the choreos.”

"Avengers: Endgame" is the Brilliant Send-off Fans Deserve

By Zoe Fanzo

“Avengers: Endgame” broke numerous box office records, making an astounding global $1.2 billion in its opening weekend. It is now the second highest grossing film in history, having surpassed James Cameron’s “Titanic.”

 In 2008, Marvel Comics risked everything by launching their film studio’s cinematic universe. After selling off many of their famous character properties, such as the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, Marvel Studios was left with only a handful of characters to work with. Robert Downey Jr., who some considered to be a liability based on his troubled personal life and past addictions, introduced the world to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with his portrayal of Tony Stark in 2008’s “Iron Man.” This was a risk that ultimately paid off for the studio, and now, after 11 years and 22 movies, the acclaimed Infinity Saga has drawn to a close with “Avengers: Endgame.” The film marks the conclusion for many of the franchise’s characters and storylines, closing out the first three phases of the MCU with emotional maturity and sincerity. 

“Avengers: Endgame” picks up in the immediate aftermath of 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” which featured a shocking cliffhanger where antagonist Thanos successfully used the six Infinity Stones to wipe out half of the universe’s population with the snap of his fingers. At the start of the film, the team assembles to strike back at Thanos with urgency, but when they arrive to his sanctuary planet, they find him half crippled and without any of the stones. Enraged, Thor decapitates Thanos, the team returns to Earth, and the film then jumps ahead five years into the future. The time jump is bleak, and it sets the dark tone of the film with shocking precision. 

A new hope comes to the team when Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, portrayed hilariously by Paul Rudd, shows up at the Avengers Compound. For the last five years, he had been trapped in the quantum realm, a version of the universe on a subatomic scale. Tony Stark, the smartest mind on the team, is initially hesitant to help them harness quantum time travel, but the memory of his former friend and mentee, Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, finally prompts him to develop a stable method. 

Using the technology Tony developed, the team devises a plan to visit moments in which their past selves encountered the various stones. The time heist sequence revisits scenes from past films in the MCU, ultimately serving as a functional plot device while also paying homage to the last decade of movies. The sequence is very satisfying for fans who have invested years into memorizing the many plot lines, characters, and intricacies of the MCU. When they return to their present timeline with the six stones, chaos ensues. 

After the team regains their bearings, the compound is suddenly attacked by a massive alien army. The Avengers seem vastly outnumbered and out of their depth, until through a deft plot twist a massive army of the previously fallen heroes appears on the battlefield, ready to do whatever it takes. 

The ensuing action sequence is perhaps the highlight of the film, as it is the culmination of the entire franchise. The imagery evokes the same beautiful and chaotic energy as a full-page comic illustration, with all of the many MCU heroes together for the first time, charging at Thanos and his army. The sequence features many satisfying moments for fans, with Captain America wielding Thor’s hammer, a heart-wrenching reunion between Iron Man and Spider-Man, and the iconic battle cry which fans have waited years to hear uttered on screen, “avengers assemble.”  

The climax of the battle comes as Tony Stark realizes what he has to do to defeat Thanos. In a moment which feels full-circle and gratifying, the once egotistical Tony Stark wields the stones on his metal glove with purely sacrificial intentions and he declares the famous last words of the film which kicked off the franchise, “I am Iron Man.” With that, he dusts Thanos and his army, thus sacrificing his life for the greater good. As he fades into death, he is surrounded by the people he loves, and he is finally able to rest knowing that they are safe.

“Avengers: Endgame” is a tragic yet gratifying send-off for the character of Iron Man, and for the first three phases of films. Once self-obsessed and unwilling to work with others, Tony’s growth over the course of the films has felt natural and tangible. Tony Stark fades away with the knowledge that Thanos will never again pose a threat to his reality; his team, his wife and daughter, the world he has fought to protect for so long has been made safer with this ultimate sacrifice. 

This is an end which is admittedly difficult to watch for fans who have loved and grown with Tony, yet it is a moment that feels completely necessary and earned. It is difficult to imagine an ending which could offer greater finality to this world of heroes, and fans will surely remember the Infinity Saga as one of the greatest cinematic epics of this generation.

Bronx Bodegas Cater to Potentially Harmful Hookah Habit

Bodegas throughout the Bronx sell hookah products, which can have harmful health effects. Photo credit: Getty Images

By Barbara Sam

The new social trend of smoking hookahs, or water pipes containing tobacco, is making teens and young adults especially vulnerable to health risks. Hookah and e-cigarettes are not traditional cigarettes, but they also contain the highly addictive substance known as nicotine. A recent study published in the American Heart Association’s Journal states that smoking tobacco in water pipes results means inhaling toxic chemicals that may harm the heart, at levels that exceed traditional cigarette smoke. 

Smoking already endangers teens in particular. A recent study reported that one in every five high school students uses e-cigarettes, a habit heavily encouraged by flavored tobacco marketing, social media promotion and misperceptions regarding its addictive potential and health effects. 

Teens and young adults are more prone to becoming addicted to nicotine from excessive smoking through the use of hookah and e-cigarettes. The National Academy of Medicine study found that increasing the age that one can purchase tobacco to 21 results in less smoking. For years, tobacco companies have created advertising campaigns targeted towards teens and young According to a 2014 Cigarette report by the Federal Trade Commission the tobacco industry spent $9.1 billion on marketing for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. 

Today, tobacco has been camouflaged with flavor, which causes more people to be less concerned with the idea that they are smoking non-traditional cigarettes. There are many misconceptions about the addictive potential and potential adverse health effects of the use of flavored of tobacco. the Center for Disease Control 2017 survey concluded, 19.3% of New York high school youth reported they used tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Among New York high school youth, 5.5% reported to smoking cigarettes.

The popularity of water pipes has also increased demand for hookahs, which are available along with an assortment of flavored vapes and electronic cigarettes at local bodegas in the Bronx. In Kingsbridge bodegas, just blocks away from the Lehman College Campus, there is a lot of foot traffic,. Many customers are shopping not for candy but instead for hookahs and accessories as well as cigarettes. Several stores in the neighborhood contain display cases filled with flavored vapor cartridges, smoking accessories and full hookah bowls.

Millie Anaya, a Bronx Resident, came to a bodega on Fordham Road to buy blueberry flavored tobacco to smoke hookah at home. “They have what I need here, and it’s closer to my house. Its convenient, I get off the train, I buy and then go home.” Anaya added that although she smokes and enjoys hookah with flavored tobacco, either alone or with friends, she does not smoke cigarettes. 

Minutes later another young woman and student at Mercy College came into the same store to buy charcoal for her hookah bowl. Within 20 minutes of standing inside the store more than one third of the customers came into the store solely to buy a tobacco related product. 

Financial Planning Helps Students Avoid Pitfalls

2019 Costs of Attendance | CUNY Lehman College.” College Tuition Compare, www.collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/190637/cuny-lehman-college/tuition/.

by Nelson Fernandez

College is a great investment, but students may undergo financial stress. Before and throughout their college career, students should have a budget plan. Undergraduates of Lehman College face an average annual tuition of $7,210 for New York State residents, and $14,880 on average for out-of-state students.

Students have the option to either request a loan or apply for financial aid through FAFSA if they are eligible. Before making that choice, students discuss with their parents or guardian which option is best for them. 

Students may have to work part time in order to afford public transportation and food on campus, and to budget the time to study and complete assignments for classes. Creating a schedule in advance can help students manage these demands, as can a financial budget.

When enrolling in courses for the following semester, students should calculate the costs for each class, including food and round-trip transportation costs. Some students suggest using budget apps to help. “I have a better idea of how I spend my money now that I have this app called Mint which helps me budget,” said Davidia Boykins, a Lehman English major minoring in Biology. “Also, it shows me where I should cut down on spending money.”

According to Lauren Schwahn in NerdWallet, students “don’t have to go through a grueling process, like filling out a spreadsheet every day; you’ll have enough homework. Just set aside some time at least once a month to review your money situation. Budgeting apps and online banking can help make the process more manageable,” (2019).

Still, managing costs can be a struggle for students. Zarin Siddiqua, an English major minoring in education, comes to Lehman all the way from Queens. She explained: “I struggle with food. I’m always buying food because I come all the way from Queens, and I must leave my house early in order to get to school. Sometimes, I will meal prep overnight but that’s only if I’m able to get home from work before 12 in the night and I’m not tired.”

Textbooks can be quite expensive too, especially for science and math courses. Renting out textbooks from the college’s bookstore or from Amazon and Chegg can help save some cash. 

Students who apply for FASFA may receive a refund check mid-semester; it is highly recommended that they save it in a bank account. A student bank account includes benefits such as discounts on clothes and accessories via CUNY e-mail. 

Steven Roa, a Lehman English major, receives financial assistance and stated, “I save the refund I receive in my savings for future emergencies and for my aspirations. Sometimes I spend money on food. And other times I spend on needs, such as a bike.” 

Lehman Professor Fired After NYPD Charges Him with Arson, Trespassing

Marc Lamparello. Photo credit: Lehman College

by Felicha C. Stevens

A part-time Lehman College philosophy professor was charged with attempted arson, trespassing and reckless endangerment at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, two days after an electrical fire destroyed much of the 800-year-old Notre Dame’s Cathedral in Paris on April, 15, 2019. 

Marc Lamparello, a 37-year-old Hasbrouck Heights N.J. resident, taught online classes as an adjunct lecturer at both the Lehman College and Brooklyn College philosophy departments. On April 17, 2019 Lamparello was arrested on Fifth Avenue and 50th Street near the Cathedral, while carrying four gallons of gas, two bottles of lighter fluid and a plastic bag. 

A security guard who works at the church spotted Lamparello as he entered the church with the items in his hands. During his questioning, he alleged the Cathedral was a shortcut to his car parked on Madison Avenue, which needed gas. But after searching his vehicle, the police found his car tank was full, debunking his alibi. Two days before Lamparello’s arrest at Saint Patrick’s cathedral, he was also apprehended at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey for not adhering to their closing-time schedule. 

Since being charged, Lamparello has undergone a psychiatric evaluation at Bellevue Hospital and has since been fired from both Lehman College and Brooklyn College. 

“It’s really weird because he was a philosophy professor, what were his ideas when he was doing that?” said Lehman sophomore Gianna Gonzalez, a 19-year old Film and Tv Studies major. “That’s a danger to us, as students because he’s in the same campus as us. And what example is he giving his students?” 

“I was very surprised when I found out he was a Lehman professor,” said Lehman junior Breny Zunaga, a 25-year old Dietary major, and Manhattan resident.  “Actually, it’s not that surprising now days because there are a lot of crazy people in the streets.” He heard the news through an email sent by Lehman College Vice President Jose Magdaleno, which stated that since Lamparello was a professor on campus they were going to find another professor to substitute his class because there were still students taking that class,” Zunaga added.

Shortly after this incident, three predominantly African American Baptist churches were burned down in Louisiana as hate crimes within 10 days of each other.  Holden Matthews, 21, son of a local sheriff, was charged with these hate crimes. 

“I don’t understand why hate crimes are done,” Gonzalez commented. “I think people should respect others for who they are, if you don’t like them because of that then don’t talk to them.” 

“I’m a Christian and we believe that’s not right. We should care for each other instead of hating each other,” said Zunaga. “It doesn’t matter what religion we practice, we are all human beings, and we deserve to be treated with respect and love.”

In the wake of these crimes, New York City’s temples, churches, and cathedrals have been under high supervision by the NYPD to detect nearby suspicious activity. 

Sarah Ramsey, a spokesperson for Lehman, said the school is aware of what happened at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and is “taking appropriate steps to terminate the individual's employment with the college.”

CUNY Has a New Latino Chancellor

By Sally Barrilla

On May 1st, 2019, Dr. Matos Rodriguez became CUNY’s first Latino chancellor. 

Rodriguez, who is Puerto Rican and a former president of Hostos Community and Queens Colleges, was approved without opposition by CUNY’s fourteen-member board of trustees, students, and faculty. 

 Several Lehman students and faculty reacted positively to his appointment and wondered what changes he will bring to CUNY.

“I believe it’s wonderful for CUNY to appoint its first chancellor of color,” said Dr. Melissa Castillo Planas, an assistant professor of English at Lehman College. “My greatest hope is that this election brings a more effective leadership that rethinks and questions the culture at Lehman College that is largely ignoring its responsibilities as a Hispanic Serving Institution in terms of curriculum, advising and faculty hiring,” she added. “Also, I would love to see diversity movements that reverberate all throughout CUNY, especially Lehman.” 

Lehman student Otto Conde also expressed excitement. “Color is a huge deal in the country; I think the impact depends on the town or borough the chancellor decides to focus on. Whatever area he chooses will help people of color to increase their experience and chances of finding work and economic stability in no time without a waitlist.” 

Rodriguez has a master’s degree from Yale and a PhD from Columbia University, and is board chairman of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that aims to increase the enrollment of Hispanic students in higher education. 

During his five and six-year presidencies of Queens and Hostos Community Colleges, his work was recognized to have transformed both communities for both students and faculty. He is also well known for expanding the minority students’ retention rate at both institutions which granted him several awards. Also, his commitment in reconstructing the way minority students view CUNY as a community increased his reputation, but it also ensured CUNY is helping students create achievements.

According to QNS, Rodriguez said, “I am deeply grateful and tremendously excited to lead the nation’s foremost urban public university, particularly at this time when our mission and commitment to excellent public higher education has never been more vital. This is an extraordinary opportunity for anyone who is passionate about the role CUNY plays in the lifeblood of the city, anyone who is deeply committed to opening the doors of educational excellence and economic and social mobility to all the people of New York,” said Rodriguez.

March 2016 - CUNY Faculty Protests Funding Cuts

By Abrian De Luna

 On March 10. A rally led by the CUNY Rising Alliance took place outside Governor Cuomo’s office in downtown Manhattan.  The protest was a response to the governor’s plans to cut state funding to CUNY by $485 million in spite of a budget surplus. 

The atmosphere in the few minutes before the rally began was calm, though hundreds of people were present.  There was a casual intermingling amongst the participants.  A few people in the crowd had musical instruments such as a saxophone, drums and trumpets.  Several student led news groups such as Revelation and The Independent were passing out papers and flyers.  The majority of people wore a green article of clothing to signify that they were part of District Council 37,  public employees union of New York or one of their supporters.  CUNY Rising Alliance was joined by other groups such as The CUNY Student Senate and Alliance for Quality Education.  A great portion of the rally attendees held signs that read “Invest In CUNY, Invest In New York” and “CUNY IS FOR THE PEOPLE.”

            Jahmila Joseph, assistant associate director at District Council 37, inaugurated the rally with a speech emphasizing that DC 37 members have not gotten a raise or a contract in the last seven years.  She cited the increased cost of tuition, rent and MetroCards, and said nearly 7,000 of the 10,000 DC 37 members have been making less than $15 an hour, many of whom are parents of CUNY students and graduates working for CUNY.  The protesters booed in response to these revelations.  Joseph’s speech was followed by testimonials from former CUNY alumni about how CUNY had served them, including one who recalled acquiring his first internship through CUNY.  Neither Governor Cuomo nor anyone from his office responded to the rally.  

            Dani Lever, a spokeswoman for Cuomo, told Politico that “CUNY is the way to higher education and a better life for more than 250,000 students, many whom are the first in their family to attend college, or are new Americans and New Yorkers.  The governor has always been a champion and advocate for these students and is committed to ensuring this system remains strong.”  Lever added that, “the express focus of the governor’s plan is to direct additional resources to the classroom and faculty by finding ways to reduce bureaucratic costs and consolidate back office functions.  There is no scenario in which this plan would adversely impact CUNY students and to suggest otherwise is simply untruthful.”

            The protesters practiced a variety of chants and jeers that were used as they marched to their next destination. One chant was in Spanish, going “Cuomo escuchas, estamos en la lucha! (Listen Cuomo, we’re in the fight!).”  Another one was “Public funding-no tuition hikes!”  A third was “Students, faculty and staff unite-same struggles, same fight!” Some even broke out into a song, accompanied by music, shouting “Education is a right!”  and “We are the people’s university!”  The protesters continued as they made their way, escorted by police, from the governor’s office to the rally’s second destination at the Community Church on West 35thstreet.

A CUNY rally against funding cuts on March 10, 2016. Photo by Dave Sanders.

September 24, 1998 - Guiliani: Out For Blood Regardless Of The Vein…I’m All Tapped Out!

By Jennifer Del Castillo

In May, some unexprected news about Assesment tests came from the Board of Trustees, due to what many view as unfair pressure from Mayor Guiliani. Whereas CUNY students previously were “allowed” to attend any city university (if accepted), regardless of whether or not they had passed all three required tests, now, according to the dictated standards of Guiliani, if you don’t pass the test , you should not get a decent education

            Not to knock Bronx Community College, but some students decided to go the college with a somewhat higher level of education and a greater challenge.  Some students decide to attend Lehman rather than going to Bronx Community, but as of September 1999, if you fail any of the three tests, you will no longer have a choice. Only community colleges will be offering any remedial classes, so as a student, you will have to sacrifice your desires, goals and personal preference, once again.

            The three tests are given in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, (the RAT, WAT and MAT).  These are basic tests that show your basic level of high school education, which in the city isn’t normally too great.  The problem is, they’re punishing students for not having what they weren’t given to retain.  And despite the fact that all students have to pass these tests sooner or later to graduate, the Board of Trustees, by passing this new law of sorts, is making the assumption that people are taking these tests seriously.

            The problem with the test is that most people don’t really know how to student for them…so they don’t.  NUT, when they do fail the tests, they take part in tutoring programs, and classes that help students’ study for and better understand these tests. I for one failed for my mathematics assessment test.  When I heard the news, I enrolled in a free tutoring session in the Gillet Hall Math Lab. I like most Lehman College students, came to school because I wanted to be here.  Who has time to neglect work and party?  Nobody I know on campus at Lehman College. It’s about doing what has to be done.  So, for me, like many other students, there was no problem studying for the test, going over my mistakes, and learning something from them by the time I had earned my 61 credits.  The current alternative though, deprives me of this option.  I think if this rule has existed back when I first enrolled in 1995, my college career probably wouldn’t have ever existed.  

            Not that I want to speak on my own behalf, it’s just that I’m the perfect example.  I know for a fact, that the time when leaving the atmosphere of high school, I was not ready to go right into an unpleasantly similar scene.  If it had come down to going to a community college or coming here, I probably wouldn’t have even come to school.  And look at me now.  I am a college senior with a 3.0 etc.  GPA, and enough professorial residue lurking about inside my head to actually feel like I’ve learned something.  I find this to be the better alternative than a 50 cent raise every six months.  But we don’t really matter.  And what do the efforts of daily tutoring sessions mean when you have a point about how much slack you exactly can pull.  Shoving weight around when he can’t even lift it. Guiliani pulls a muscle trying to look at the burdens we carry every day.  

            And it’s not just a few people who will suffer because of this new rule.  Up to 13,000 entering students fail at least one of these tests per year.  And with the already lacking situations that most Community Colleges face, many are wondering how these schools are possibly going to be able to carry the burden.  “I don’t know where we will put them,’ said Carolyn Williams, the President of Bronx Community College.

            Schools enacting the new rule in September 1999 are Baruch, Brooklyn, Hunter and Queens Colleges.  Other schools will be enacting the rule in September 2000, such as our very own Lehman College, John Jay, Staten Island, New York City Technical, and City Colleges. Last but not least, Medgar Evers College plans on enacting the rule in September of 2001.  

            The supposed reasoning behind this that they want to abolish all remedial courses at senior colleges.  And since City Universities are trying to establish themselves as academic contenders to other people, they’re forgetting exactly who it is that they’re supposed to be serving.  They’re relying on sacrificing the education of one man, to show the already learned man something he already knows, but doesn’t much care about anyway. 

            Many people are calling it discrimination based on the fact that CUNY is a 70% minority system with 40% minorities failing all three of the tests.  I call it another case of Fooliani striking again, after midnight, during the day, it doesn’t matter, as long as he gets his point across.  We can wear our garlic necklaces or stock up on silver bullets, the choice is ours.

Rudy Giuliani made controversial changes to CUNY’s assessment and admission polices in 1998.

February 5, 1981: CASA’s President Wins In Disorderly Election

By D. Leon Smith

Arnold Burton, President of C.A.S.A. at Lehman, has been elected Vice Chairman for Fiscal Affairs to the University Student Senate. Burton, a member of the party opposing incumbent Lenny Shine, will assume responsibility for his new position immediately.  Garth Marchant succeeds shine as Chairperson of the organization.

The election was full of tension and ill-manner.  Delegates from colleges supporting Marchant led the meeting in anger and anarchy.  Elizabeth Garcia, senator delegate from Lehman, questioned Shine on a lawsuit brought against him and Chancellor Kibbee by an old inside associate, Fredi Washington. Delegates backing Mr. Shine were visibly annoyed with Garcia for bringing up this issue, which had never made it to litigation proceedings.  Shine replied that the suit is unjust and that he was always open to questions and Garcia was trying to discredit Mr. Shine and swell support for her party.

            Two other parties opposing Shine were led by Jerry Savage and Nathaniel Dolphine.  Savage received 6 votes and Dolphine a humongous 3 (try not to laugh).  A second vote was taken after Dolphine and Savage were eliminated.  The end result, Shine 17- Garth 24, was an unexpected defeat.

            Shine’s reputation as Chairman of the U.S.S. was of the highest esteem and credibility.  He had very close ties with several members of the Board of Trustees and a trusting relationship with Chancellor Kibbee.

            Among Shine’s contributions to C.U.N.Y. in 1980 were his blocking Mayor Koch’s proposed tuition increase and a secure commitment for Governor Carey to block implantation of the Education Department’s new T.A.P. regulations.  He later initiated a lawsuit against the State Education Department to overturn the new T.A.P. regulations.

            All three delegates from Lehman were voting with the opposition.  Immediately after Garth was announced the victor, Elizabeth Garcia, his ally from years past, threw herself into Burton’s arms in celebration.  While the voting was going on, Sam Farrell, President of the Black Student club was seen communicating with members of Garth’s party. It was Sammuel Farrell, a public accountant , just back from Africa, who had planned the defense.

            Mr. Marchant in his election speech to the delegates, promised to make an issue of the 10-year plan, a report submitted by the Board of Trustees as a guide for future policy making.  He also said the plan was dangerous to the students of CUNY. Marchant also spoke against the new G.E.D regulations saying that they have a tremendous effect on the students of CUNY.  Shine gave his farewell speech to the Board of Trustees on January 25th, after Marchant introduced his Executive Committee, including Arnold Burton.

At the Leading Edge of the Women’s Movement

by Charlotte Linde

“The personal is the political.”  This was a slogan of the Women’s Movement (or what we now call second-wave feminism). I offer  some reflections on being part of a social movement without explicitly recognizing that a social movement was happening and that I was part of it.

I entered Hunter College in the Bronx (laterLehman College)  in  1961,  at the age of 16, after 5 years at Hunter College High School. (I like to say that I was a high school dropout, but formally, it was an early enrollment.)

Hunter High School was at that time, an all-girls school. The most dramatic part of moving to college was being in a coed environment. Half my fellow students were boys! (I use the terms of the time, in hopes of giving a feel for those times.)

Although Hunter High School as a college prep school was academically demanding and very competitive, there were still aspects of the culture’s view of the place  of  women. In  speech class, a required class, someone asked why we needed to learn Robert’s Rules of  Order.  The answer  was  “When you are married, you could very likely find yourself as the president of the local chapter of the  Women’s  League of Voters, and you’ll need to know them.” Nothing about needing them in Congress.

In both high school and college, part of my education came from magazines for girls and young women avidly: “Seventeen Magazine,” “Mademoiselle.” Not yet “Cosmopolitan.” I needed to know how to style my hair, how to choose lipstick, and how to be in the world as a girl. All these magazines gave the same message. Be smart but not  too  smart. Be competitive but not too competitive.

Be a good enough tennis player to give your boyfriend a good game,  but  be sure to lose to him most of the time.

From the earliest moment that I noticed these messages, I was frustrated and outraged. If you didn’t want me to be smart, why did you even bother to teach me to read? I felt that I was being asked to hold one arm behind my back and gracefully pretend I only had one arm. Other women were having these same frustrations, but if there was an ongoing conversation about this, I  was not part  of it. I never spoke about it to anyone.  At that point, my personal experience was not political.

In 1963, Betty Friedan published “The Feminine Mystique,” now considered one of the markers of the beginning of second-wave feminism. I found it in the library, and read it again and again.  I was an 18-year-old college student, not the frustrated suburban housewife she wrote about. But I recognized perfectly the constraints and deceptions she described and felt an astonished relief that someone was seeing and naming what I saw, but as she said, did not have a name for.

Betty Friedan’s revolutionary book The Feminine Mystique sparked the beginning of second-wave feminism

Again, I  did  not   speak  about   this to anyone. It was not yet for me a movement, or the subject of political activism. There may have been organizations forming  in  college around women’s issues, but I was not aware ofthem. I did not join a women’s group until the early 70s, when I was in graduate school.

My college experience also contained a counter-theme. I joined the collegenewspaper as a cub reporter, c and worked on it throughout my college career, finishing aseditor in chief. I never intended tobecome a journalist. I think I joined partly because I liked to write, and partly because I liked thepeople on the paper. Andamazingly,  to someone coming from an all-girls school, it was a coed group, men and women working together. I learned not only how to work with male colleagues, but how to have male friends. Not boyfriends. Friends. That opened up to me an astonishing vista: a world in which women and men were allpeople,with feelings, capacities, desires,fears, eccentricities.

 We have now moved on from second-wave feminism to fourth wave. I hope we can come to a new metaphor,  because the problem with waves is that there is never an end to them. On the newspaper, as we were writing, editing, doing layout, taking the paper to the printers, we were colleagues. It was not perfect, of course. There were many instances of what would come to be called sexism, many misunderstandings and unfair acts. But perhaps the most important thing I learned was that there could be a weakening of the barrier between the “opposite  sexes,” in  which at times, for a moment, I could live in a world in which everyone is people.

Lehman College Past to Present

By Felicia Rivera

Donated by the U.S. Navy, the Bell of the War- shipU.S.S. Columbia. Photo by Felicia Rivera.

Many Lehman students strolling across campus may not know that they’re walking on a historic campus. This is the same ground that newly enlisted women and participants of the first United Nations Security Council also walked, containing a great deal of history and interesting facts. In the 1930s, Lehman’s Campus was previously Hunter College and named “Hunter in the Bronx” or “Hunter Uptown Campus.” It opened in 1931 and served as a two-year college for female students in their freshman and sophomore years. After a decade, Hunter College Uptown was to serve other purposes too.

During World War II, Hunter College vacated the premises and the uptown Bronx campus was leased to the United States Navy. In 1943, it became a main training site for women in the military. The US Navy named the campus the USS Hunter and trained thousands of Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). This was the location where elite women of the US Navy went through boot camp. Three years later, after the war ended, the US Navy closed up shop and vacated the premises. The US Navy, in honor of this period, donated the bell of the USS Columbia, which according to the National Museum of the US Navy, was a ship that saw action in World War ll. The ship’s bell can be found on the side of the Old Gym Building right across from the library for anyone who wants to give it a ring.

The Lehman College Old Gym Building is where the bell of the U.S.S. Columbia warship can be found. Photo by Felicia Rivera.

According to an article written by Hunter College’s sixth President John J. Meng, in March of 1946, the UN Security Council convened in its first home in this country, the gymnasium on the campus. In August, the Council concluded its first session and the 30-acre campus was again taken over by Hunter College and in addition to women, had separate classes for former veterans. Hunter College gradually became coed in 1951. By 1967, Hunter College departed from the Bronx Campus altogether. In 1968, Lehman came into existence. After consideration of  many  names, the college was named after Herbert H. Lehman, in honor of his public commitment. Herbert H. Lehman was born in New York City to German immigrant parents. According to the Hall of Governors NY Government website, he was a successful businessman, four-term-serving governor and US Senator. In addition, he was the first director-general of the UNNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration).

Lehman opened its doors inJuly 1968, according to the Lehman website and Dr. Leonard A. Lief, who was a former faculty of the English Department at Hunter College. He became its first President, a position he held for more than 20 years. When on Lehman’s Campus, one can find the library, which opened in 1980 and was dedicated in his honor.