The UMass Lowell Marching Band performed at the 2016 Freshman Convocation. (Courtesy of the Lowell Sun) Colin Blackmer Connector Contributor For most, the UMass Lowell is known, primarily, for its engineering discipline and hockey team; there is, however, something else that is arguably just as important to the identity of UMass Lowell. It is the…
That’s a wrap: My final fall semester
Veronica Cashman Connector Staff Any college student is all too familiar with the feeling. The feeling of returning to campus after working your butt off all summer, reuniting with friends you haven’t seen since May and getting ready to conquer the new school year. The first day of fall semester was one that I anxiously…
How feminism can combat degrading medias
The late Hugh Hefner founded Playboy Magazine in 1953. (Jae C. Hong/AP) Jack Healey Connector Contributor Everybody knew of him as the misogynist, male chauvinist pig who took advantage of women to grow his millions. You’ve seen him plastered on billboards in his red velvet robe with women less than half his age wrapped around…
Student expectations of university dining are unreasonably high
Andrew Sciascia Connector Editor For years it has been said, by employers, alumni, faculty, staff and the student body alike, that one thing that truly sets UMass Lowell apart from other world-class centers of higher education is the unentitled attitude of its students. The Open Forum on Campus Dining this past week was, however, an…
Tax Reform should help the needy, not the greedy
The proposed tax brackets for 2017. (Courtesy of kitces.com) Alex DePalma Connector Contributor For the past 50 years, America has been suffering from an increase in economic inequality; the wealthiest individuals are accumulating a greater share of the national income and capital assets than at any time since the 1920s. The median wage has not…
Discussions, donations and hard conversations: How many more until we solve gun control?
After the Las Vegas shooting, many are questioning gun control laws and are advocating for change. (Courtesy of iStock) Alex DePalma Connector Contributor I am only 25 years old, but I am already too familiar with the cycle of discussion after a mass shooting. The initial confusion and absence of answers opens a vacuum for…
What it means to be a River Hawk
For the 2017-18 academic year, university administrators have begun to focus in on what it means to be a River Hawk. (Courtesy of UMass Lowell) Kelly Skelton Connector Contributor Ah, the almighty question: What does it mean to be a Riverhawk? This is a question that every UMass Lowell student can answer. Though, I’m sure…
How hockey saved me
Managing Editor Hannah Manning credits hockey for helping her get through hard times. (Hannah Manning/Connector) Hannah Manning Connector Editor On New Year’s Eve 2014, I would have traded my college education just to see the United States beat Canada. In hindsight, judging by the state of mania I was in I’d say I came pretty…
