The Weekly Signal: Inaugural Edition

Dear TCNJ Community,

Welcome to the very first edition of The Weekly Signal! As we launch this newsletter, our goal is to bridge the gap between the campus life of today and the memories of our alumni. In this inaugural issue, we're excited to showcase some of our best work from our talented student reporters. Thank you for supporting The Signal, your trusted resource for staying informed on all things TCNJ.

Best,

Ela Kirimca | Social Media Editor

Featured Articles & Campus Highlights

1. TCNJ College Republicans’ GroupMe messages spark conversations about free speech

Freedom of speech has been a talking point at the College since Feb. 7 when The Signal published an editorial that raised concerns over the TCNJ College Republicans’ repeated use of antisemitic, racist, homophobic and transphobic rhetoric directed at other students in their recognized student organization GroupMe. The editorial posed the question: When is hate speech severe enough for the College to take action against it??

Read more here:

2. In memory of Joan Banket: Over two decades at the College

For over 27 years, Joan Banket worked at the College in the Office of Student Financial Services. Throughout the years, she created a positive environment among her colleagues in the offices of Green Hall. Surrounded by loved ones, Banket died on Feb. 5. As an information specialist, Banket helped many students at the College through the challenges of the financial aid process. Banket was well respected and admired by her colleagues. She was featured as one of the College’s 2017 President’s Dinner Honorees for her 20th anniversary as a staff member at the College.?

Read more here:

3. Schools across the country given two weeks to eliminate race-based programs

In a letter sent to all schools on Friday, Feb. 14, the Education Department warned of a two-week deadline for schools to eliminate any race-based programs or face the possibility of losing federal funding, according to The New York Times.

Read more here:

4. TCNJ men’s swimming and diving convincingly wins NJAC Championship

The College’s men’s swimming and diving team successfully defended their New Jersey Athletic Conference title by putting in a dominant performance in the NJAC Championships from Feb. 13-16. They won 12 total events on the weekend, and finished with 1,714 points, far ahead of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, who finished in second with 1,190 points. The Lions have won both men’s swimming and diving NJAC championships, as this is only the second time the conference has held this tournament.

Read more here:

5. Student Government’s executive leaders plan to bring peers prosperity as their term approaches its end

Student Government Executive President Jared Williams and Executive Vice President Trish Le suit up every day before stepping on their home court, the College. They don’t worry about flaunting last names on their backs, but instead repping their SG gear. They want their initiatives to last longer on campus than their titles. For them, scoring points means advocating for students, making positive changes and starting legacies at the College.?

Read more here:

6. New TCNJ art exhibit displays the power of puppetry in Sebastienne Mundheim’s ‘Performance Environments’

An artist of many trades, Sebastienne Mundheim has worked as a writer, designer, director, performer, educator and more for over 30 years. On Feb. 12, the College’s Art Gallery was treated to some of her interdisciplinary talents with her “Performance Environments” puppetry installation.

Read more here:

This Week's Videos

Trump executive orders could impact TCNJ policies and programs

• President Donald Trump has signed a slew of executive orders since his inauguration on Jan. 20. Many of the orders are wide-ranging, covering issues such as immigration, federal funding, diversity and inclusion policies, and more. As a public higher education institution, the College may feel impacts from some of these executive orders if fully enforced. Watch more below:

TCNJ Art Gallery features modern interpretations of an ancient art form: Chinese calligraphy

• An ancient art form found itself displayed with fresh interpretations in the College’s new Art Gallery exhibit, “Dancing with the Qi: TransMediating Chinese Calligraphy.” Watch more below:

Local Look: Cooper's Riverview

• In this series, Managing Editors Ally Uhlendorf and Isabella Darcy visit popular off-campus locations near TCNJ to gather a "local look." In this episode, the Managing Editors visited Coopers Riverview to get an inside view on a typical Thursday at the restuarant and bar. Watch more below:

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Sincerely,

The Signal Team