No. 24 Rutgers won the game but left a lot to be desired, particularly defensively, which has become a recurring theme through four games.

The first half was back and forth as the Warriors' (1-3, 0-0) zone defense made the Knights work offensively, and Budd Clark was making tough shot after tough shot at the other end against the Rutgers defense. Through approximately 12 minutes, the Knights held just a 1-point lead at 25-24.

Unlike in previous games, Rutgers was defending the three-pointer well. But the Knights struggled to slow down Merrimack's mid-range game and paint scoring. Clark was especially giving them issues, as he scored 14 points in the first half without making a single three.

While the defensive issues weren't exactly solved, on the other end, the Rutgers offense was operating well against a tough defense. Nine different Knights scored in the first half. Rutgers' star freshmen trio (yes, trio, not duo) led the way, as forward Ace Bailey and center Lathan Sommerville had 7 points apiece, and guard Dylan Harper had 6. The Knights led 37-30 at the half.

Rutgers' defense was imperfect yet again in the second half. The Budd Clark Show continued as he finished off with 22 points. The 5-foot-10 guard scored at will throughout the game and was the third different 20-plus-point scorer the Knights have allowed this season, with Saint Peter's' Marcus Randolph and Monmouth's Abdi Bashir Jr. being the others.

The Warriors trimmed the Rutgers lead to as little as 7 points with 2:53 to play in the game, but ultimately, Harper and Bailey came through down the stretch and eked the Knights to their 11-point win margin. The star duo scored 15 of the team's final 19 points across the last 10 minutes of the game.

Bailey finished with 23 points on an efficient 9 for 15 from the field and 10 rebounds. While the scoring was certainly impressive, rebounding was a major focus coming into the game and Bailey lived up to the task with double-digit boards.

"We practiced, 30 minutes, just rebounding drills," Bailey said. "We're tired, beating each other up, rebounding, rebounding, rebounding, rebounding — we preach that a lot."

When asked what he likes doing better, making tough shots or throwing down otherworldly-athletic dunks, Bailey answered in a way that would surely make head coach Steve Pikiell happy.

"The rebounds ... the 10 rebounds made me happy," Bailey said humorously.

Harper failed to reach at least 20 points for the first time in his young career but still finished with a solid all-around game with 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Against his former team, junior guard Jordan Derkack tallied 7 points, six rebounds and five assists.

"I love those guys, but on the court, we do what we got to do," Derkack said about facing his old teammates and coaches.

Rutgers now travels to Kennesaw, Georgia, to play Kennesaw State in what is a homecoming game for Bailey and sophomore guard Jamichael Davis.

"It's already sold out," Bailey said. "I know it's gonna be a crazy crowd, me and J-Mike coming back ... the support is there."

Following that contest, the Knights will head out to Las Vegas for the Players Era Tournament, where they will face some tough competition.

Sitting at a 4-0 record with sky-high expectations moving forward, Rutgers is still hungry.

"A wise man told me, 'it don't matter get better'," Bailey said.

For more updates on the Rutgers men’s basketball team, follow @TargumSports on X.

To view more of Camden Markel's work, follow @CamdenMarkel on X.

While Crenshaw's formalization of intersectionality brought it to public attention, the concept itself has roots in Black feminist activism, which has long emphasized that social justice must recognize overlapping forms of discrimination to achieve true equity.

Intersectionality is essential for accurately understanding and addressing the complexity of social inequality. The U.S. is increasingly becoming more diverse, making it necessary to apply an intersectional lens for social movements and policy changes instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to solving social inequality.

If social movements and policymakers continue to focus on single issues, they risk leaving out those who exist at the intersections of multiple identities.

Focusing on only one identity fails to encompass the experiences of those with multiple marginalized identities. For instance, a policy designed to support women might overlook the needs of women of color or LGBTQ+ women if intersectionality is not considered. The immense lack of intersectional thinking causes the continued oppression of minority groups in an attempt to lessen inequality.

Women are often gaslit by their doctors about their health issues. Based on data from 2017 to 2019, 84 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. were deemed preventable. To understand these statistics further, the demographics of these women need to be further looked into.

Compared to white women, Black women are 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues. Implicit bias, structural racism, underlying chronic conditions and differences in healthcare quality cause the alarming disparity.

Serena Williams lost feelings in her legs after birth and insisted on getting tests despite her doctors not being concerned. Williams, scared that she was dying, persisted. When her doctors finally agreed, it was revealed that she needed surgery immediately.

This is a disturbing example of how even a wealthy, well-known Black woman is not immune to racial bias in healthcare. Intersectionality helps us recognize that addressing maternal mortality means addressing these racial and gender-based disparities.

Intersectionality promotes engagement with the concept of privilege. Understanding where you stand socially makes you aware of how you benefit from how society is structured. Recognizing the privilege you gain from belonging to a certain social group empowers you to advocate for marginalized communities.

Most celebrities belong in the center of the privilege wheel, making them highly influential and vital for social movements.

For instance, take the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories has cost numerous lives for decades. Many Americans were ignorant of the topic, but with more celebrities calling for a ceasefire, underrepresented issues were brought to light by their privileged voices acting as a catalyst for change.

There is a lot of controversy around the word intersectionality. Many have referred to it as "the new caste system" that places non-white, non-heterosexual people on top. Crenshaw's work intends to eliminate hierarchies, but the word is sometimes misinterpreted.

The line between left and right becomes more emphasized when tweets like "the future is female (and) intersectional," contrast with videos like "Is intersectionality the biggest problem in America?" Crenshaw is not surprised by the responses and believes it is expected "when an idea travels beyond the context and the content."

Intersectionality fosters solidarity by acknowledging and addressing the different struggles within communities. It does not create divisions but instead highlights existing ones to encourage effective solutions.

Intersectionality allows us to see social inequality from multiple angles and ensures that our approach to social justice is a response to the diverse realities of people's lives. By embracing intersectionality, we are better positioned to dismantle oppressive systems and create a society that works for everyone.

Embrace this framework and advocate for a world where no one is neglected due to their social standing.

Somiah Shehata is a first-year in the School of Arts and Sciences majoring in journalism and media studies. Her column, “Anything and Everything,” runs on alternate Wednesdays.

*Columns, cartoons, letters and commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.

YOUR VOICE | The Daily Targum welcomes submissions from all readers. Letters to the editor must be between 350 and 600 words. Commentaries must be between 600 and 900 words. All authors must include their name, phone number, class year and college affiliation or department to be considered for publication. Please submit via email to [email protected] and [email protected] to be considered for publication.

Psychology Today defines ghosting as abruptly ending communication with someone without an explanation. Although the term is more commonly used in romantic contexts, it applies to friendships and workplace relationships as well.

While, in theory, ghosting may seem like a harmless way to avoid confrontation, it can be emotionally damaging. It can leave the other person feeling confused, hurt or even questioning their worth. Especially living in a time where texting someone back or digitally communicating is seemingly effortless, it is alarming how easily individuals can disconnect from others.

Ghosting may feel like the easy way out when it is an act of emotional negligence. Barbara Field explains that ghosting stems from the desire to avoid uncomfortable situations. Whether these situations are to express disinterest or to avoid awkwardness when delivering bad news, the digital age makes it easy for us to disappear on demand.

While it may be simple, it lacks the emotional consideration of the other person. Ghosting someone shows that one disregards their emotional impact on the other person. It also prioritizes the ghoster's discomfort with confrontation or difficult situations all while denying the other person's opportunity to understand or process the problem, leaving them to deal with it on their own.

Studies show that individuals with high levels of narcissism and callousness — a trait characterized by a lack of empathy and a disregard for others' feelings — are more likely to use ghosting as a method for ending relationships.

When someone suddenly cuts off communication without an explanation, it creates a void that can trigger feelings of abandonment and self-doubt. The lack of closure that comes with ghosting makes it harder to process the end of a relationship. A conversation offers a sense of clarity and finality.

Research shows that rejection significantly affects self-esteem and mental health, but adding ambiguity to this makes the situation worse. The emotional toll makes it harder for individuals to move on and can affect their trust in future relationships. If individuals are constantly being ghosted, they can become numb to abandonment.

Stacey Diane Arañez Litam, a licensed professional clinical counselor, board-certified diplomate and Forbes Health Advisory Board member explains that individuals who are ghosted may develop negative beliefs that undermine their sense of self-worth, making them feel unworthy of love or meaningful connections.

In this era, where it can be easy to forget there is another person on the other side of the screen, empathy is crucial when communicating digitally. When we engage online, whether through social media, texting or dating apps, it is easy to treat others as abstractions, faceless profiles or just names on a screen.

But every interaction involves a real person with emotions, flaws and insecurities. Understanding and remembering their humanity allows individuals to foster healthier and more respectful connections. Ghosting is not solely about avoiding confrontation — it is avoiding the responsibility to acknowledge someone's feelings and offer basic respect through communication.

There is no excuse for ghosting. Staying connected has never been easier. The idea that ghosting results from "not having the time" or "avoiding confrontation" does not make sense in a society where clear, respectful communication is not only possible but also expected.

Choosing ghosting over a brief, honest conversation is a conscious decision to avoid responsibility and compassion. Choosing to ghost passes up the opportunity for self-reflection and growth.

Beyond not being accountable in relationships, this act should not be continuously condoned. Taking accountability for your actions can lead to higher team morale, productivity, perceived competence and commitment, as well as an overall boost in organizational performance, which should be championed in any environment.

If ghosting continues to be normalized, we risk fostering a culture where people regularly avoid accountability and difficult conversations, instead prioritizing their comfort over others' emotional well-being.

This pattern not only harms relationships in the short term but also perpetuates emotional immaturity and weakens essential communication skills. Over time, it becomes harder to build trust, resolve conflicts or maintain meaningful connections as individuals become able to deal with discomfort and are more inclined to take the easy way out.

This unwillingness to engage openly and honestly not only hurts relationships but also stunts personal growth, making it harder for people to develop the emotional maturity needed for healthy interactions in all areas of life.

Kelly Tang is a junior in the Rutgers Business School majoring in Finance and Supply Chain Management. Tang’s column, “Don’t Get Me Started,” runs on alternate Wednesdays.

*Columns, cartoons, letters and commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.

YOUR VOICE | The Daily Targum welcomes submissions from all readers. Letters to the editor must be between 350 and 600 words. Commentaries must be between 600 and 900 words. All authors must include their name, phone number, class year and college affiliation or department to be considered for publication. Please submit via email to [email protected] and [email protected] to be considered for publication.

The CACP is a University committee dedicated to promoting community outreach and engagement. The highest honor bestowed is the Clement A. Price Human Dignity Award, akin to celebrating a lifetime of accomplishments. 

This award was given to Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, the founder of LEAP Academy University Charter School and a distinguished service professor in the Graduate Department of Public Policy and Administration. The charter school is located in Camden, serving as an educational institution for infants to high school students and presenting an opportunity to attend Rutgers tuition-free. 

Since the formation of the school in 2005, 100 percent of each class has graduated and received a college placement. Bonilla-Santiago's model is being developed internationally as well, in places such as Puerto Rico and Cuba, according to the release.

Other accolades distributed in the ceremony were the Public Good Pinnacle Awards, the Torchbearer Awards and the Impact Awards.

The Scarlet Knights (3-1, 0-0) split a pair of matches in Toms River on Sunday. They routed LIU 37-3 but fell 24-13 to NC State, ranked No. 6 in the country. No. 17 Rutgers let the opportunity to defeat a top-10 opponent for the first time since 2019 slip away, but it will have another chance to end that four-year drought on the road against Virginia Tech on Friday, ranked No. 7.

The Hokies (2-0, 0-0) are coming off an impressive 23-10 win over Missouri. Virginia Tech has a stacked lineup, with every one of its starters ranked in the top 25 in the country.

Expect this dual to be as entertaining as the one seen in Piscataway last season. The Knights lost 19-12 but picked up ranked wins at 125, 197 and 285 pounds. Wrestling in Blacksburg, Virginia, for the first time since 2008, Rutgers will need every wrestler to step up to earn a statement on Friday night.

"It would mean a lot to beat Virginia Tech," said graduate student 174-pounder Jackson Turley. "I've wanted to beat them my whole life. If we are able to do it in my home state, that would be pretty cool."

It will be a special match for Turley, who grew up in Chester, Virginia. He will likely get the chance to wrestle Lennox Wolak — a 2023 NCAA Championship qualifier — in front of more than 15 family members cheering him on.

"It's going to be awesome," Turley said. "The closest I have wrestled to home is when we wrestle at Maryland, so to get back to Virginia and wrestle is something I am really excited about. It's going to be fun, but I have to also treat it like any other dual on the schedule."

The Knights learned a lot in their defeat to the Wolfpack (4-0, 0-0). With it still being early in the season, questions revolve around who will start at 149, 165 and 184 pounds, but that may have been answered last weekend.

149 pounds

Senior 149-pounders Michael Cetta and Andrew Clark are fighting for the starting spot, but that battle is far from over, according to head coach Scott Goodale.

"That's keeping me up at night for sure, they're two good ones," he said. "It's a hard decision — we gotta figure that out — that again is nowhere near done, we gotta figure that out going forward."

Whoever does end up starting on Friday will likely have to go up against reigning national champion Caleb Henson.

165 pounds

Freshman 165-pounder Andrew Barbosa put on a show on Sunday during his collegiate debut. He won both of his bouts, including an 8-6 decision over then-No. 20 Derek Fields and is competing with senior 165-pounder Anthony White to start.

"You gotta be really smart with it, too," Goodale said. "What's the end goal? I want (Barbosa) to be a national champ and All-American, is he ready to do that yet? I'd have to see him in a couple of bigger spots and that's why we're able to use those five dates, but he's pretty darn good. He's incredibly poised so he's gonna be a good one … When he gets to the legs it's an automatic score."

184 pounds

Junior 184-pounder Brian Soldano seemed to be the clear-cut starter at 184 pounds, but after an up and 2023-2024 season boasting an 11-7 record, sophomore 184-pounder Shane Cartagena-Walsh could very well steal his spot in the lineup.

"Shane is absolutely in play and will wrestle for sure," Goodale said. "Probably till Midlands and we're gonna have a decision by then but Shane's gonna get an opportunity and more opportunities, he's really good and love the way he competes. We need to see him in bigger matches."

Friday night's dual will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACCNX through the ESPN app.

For more updates on the Rutgers wrestling team, follow @TargumSports on X.

To view more of Matthew Mangam's work, follow @MatthewMangam on X.

Last week, Kaliakmanis threw for 238 yards, beating Maryland and helping the Scarlet Knights (6-4, 3-4) become bowl-eligible for a second straight season. Kaliakmanis has thrown for more than 2,000 yards, becoming the first quarterback to reach this mark for Rutgers since Chris Laviano totaled 2,247 yards in 2015.

Rebounding from a winless October that saw Kaliakmanis throw four interceptions to only two touchdowns, Scarlet pain has turned into Scarlet gain. Kaliakmanis re-found his footing for the Knights this November, throwing for five touchdowns with just one interception.

He has tossed 14 touchdowns and six interceptions on the year. Through 10 games, he has passed for 2,128 yards and might find his name in the record books with three games left.

If he maintains his yards per game average of approximately 218, Kaliakmanis will finish the year with 2,782 yards. This would rank him fifth all-time in passing yards for a single season as a Rutgers quarterback, passing Ryan Hart's 2003 season but just missing out on the fourth spot, held by Gary Nova in 2014.

Looking back at Kaliamakanis's time at Minnesota compared to his play with the Knights, the improvement in his game is clear. He is being asked to throw the ball more for Rutgers than at any point in his career, yet his completion percentage has stayed steady all season. Kaliakmanis has already tied his career high with touchdown passes in a season while having three fewer interceptions.

Even though his career-best quarterback rating (QBR) came in his first season starting for the Golden Gophers (6-4, 4-3), seeing his QBR rise with the Knights is more impressive.

In his first year, Kaliakmanis started only 5 of 11 games and threw approximately 10 times per game on average. In his second and final season with the Golden Gophers, he was given the keys to the offense. He almost doubled his attempts and yards per game, finishing with a QBR of 115.2. At Rutgers this year, despite being asked to throw the ball approximately 30 times a game, that rating has risen to 124.9 with two regular season games left on the schedule. It is evident that Kaliakmanis is in the midst of his best season as a collegiate athlete.

Kaliakmanis has a chance to help the Knights win nine games this season, which would be the program's most since joining the Big Ten and the most outright since 2012 when it was in the Big East. The Minnesota transfer and the rest of the Rutgers squad will take on Illinois at SHI Stadium on Busch campus this Saturday before heading off to Michigan State the following weekend for their regular season finale. Then, in December, the Knights will compete in their 13th-ever bowl game.

For more updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @TargumSports on X.

For a relaxed, social meal with friends, Neilson and Busch Dining Halls offer a welcoming atmosphere. If you're seeking a quick bite, paired with ordering kiosks and cutting-edge technology, The Atrium on the College Avenue campus or Livingston Dining Commons is the place to go.

Though each dining hall proudly features the iconic red "R" in its decor and you'll occasionally run into a familiar face, there's little else that ties these spaces together. While this variety makes each visit feel special, it also raises some important concerns. For students with food sensitivities or religious dietary needs, the lack of consistency across the menus at each location can make it challenging to find reliable, suitable options.

But, finally, after much-needed feedback from the student body, Rutgers Dining Services made a change this semester that was long overdue — all fresh chicken served at Rutgers dining locations is now halal.

No longer are the days of having to place a special order ahead of time or confining yourself to a specific section of the buffet spread — this adjustment will extend to most chicken items that students can find, including chicken breasts, thighs, rotisserie chicken and chicken strips. 

Dr. Peggy Policastro, director of Nutrition for Dining Services, played a key role in bringing about this shift in the dining halls.

With 30 years of experience at the University, she has always made it a point to prioritize the needs of students, even when it means making a substantial switch like this. She cites the strong feedback from Rutgers students as a key motivator behind the move.

"Students are at the heart of all dining decisions," she said. "In response to requests from leaders within our Muslim Student Organizations, we are pleased to expand our offerings of halal meat options."

While students have long advocated for this innovation, one of the challenges Policastro and the team faced was ensuring the menu update was implemented thoughtfully and in a way that would be sustainable over multiple semesters, rather than just a flash in the pan. 

The breakthrough came only when Rutgers Dining Services secured a reliable vendor, capable of meeting the demands of the tens of thousands of hungry students who swipe their RUIDs every day. Other preparations also included informing staff members and conducting site visits to verify that the correct sanitation and halal certification measures were being met.

The change not only addresses the dietary needs of the student body but also helps tackle another challenge: the lack of community spaces on campus. With the demolition of Brower Commons now underway, students are increasingly relying on takeout and retreating to their dorms or other off-campus locations.

In the eyes of Lindsey Hardmeyer, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences senior, this will help unite the student body. As a member of the Rutgers Healthy Dining Team, a group of undergraduates who work with registered dietitians at Rutgers Dining Services to write weekly newsletters and create interactive education booths, fostering a sense of belonging among patrons is a top priority.

"Food variety and inclusivity in the overall campus experience are extremely important not only to dining services but to the community as well at Rutgers," she said. "They are essential to the campus experience, as they create a welcoming environment where students from diverse backgrounds feel represented and valued. Offering a range of food options supports students' dietary needs and fosters a sense of community."

While this overhaul marks a big step forward for Rutgers Dining Services, it should hopefully signal more initiatives to follow.

A majority of the chicken items served at Rutgers Dining Halls are now halal, but it's important to note that not all of them are. Processed chicken items, such as chicken fingers, nuggets and wings, are not halal unless explicitly labeled as such within the dining facility, but this is something the team is actively working toward rectifying.

"Rutgers Dining Services is always working towards creating a safe and welcoming environment where students can eat worry-free and are working on providing more allergy-friendly foods and vegetarian options and expanding sustainability practices," said Hardmeyer.

Another crucial part of the process involves dispelling assumptions and confusion. Most people who do not follow a halal diet can still eat halal chicken, but the staff encourages anyone unsure of how this change may affect them to reach out to Rutgers Dining Nutrition via email.

Greenfield told The Daily Targum that in her field of gerontology, the study of aging and people's life courses, people are working to improve nursing homes, end the shortage of home care providers, support family caregivers and find cures for diseases like Alzheimer's. But, she said that there is a lack of focus on the communities in which people are aging.

This gap can be solved with Villages, which are grassroots, community-driven organizations that help older adults age within their communities. The first Village, Beacon Hill Village in Boston, was founded in 2002. It was created in response to older residents wanting to remain in their neighborhood while having access to certain resources.

Today, there are approximately 300 established Villages in the U.S., and 50 more are in development.

"Villages are super efficient ... they don't cost as much as operating through a health care system or trying to find a nursing aide," Greenfield said.

Despite their growth, Greenfield said the main challenge Villages face is a need for more policy structure. In New Jersey, some local communities have allocated resources to support Villages, but there has yet to be a statewide initiative.

Greenfield and her team are academic partners for the state's plan for the future of aging. Villages charge membership fees, and members can receive scholarships and subsidies if they need help affording the payment. These currently rely on private donations, but Greenfield said she wants public officials to see the benefit of investing in Villages.

Faith-based organizations may already fulfill some of the functions of Villages in marginalized communities.

"What makes Villages different from churches or libraries is that they are really centered on aging. There's value in having this work being done that is rooted in the concept of growing old and having a long life in the community," Greenfield said.

Oftentimes, Villages are led by social workers because they already possess skills in establishing relationships, board development, fundraising and volunteer management.

Greenfield said she enjoyed writing this report to social workers because she hopes it will make those working with Villages feel acknowledged and encourage other social workers to get involved with the movement.

She added that she wants the Rutgers community to know that the Hub for Aging Collaboration and the School of Social Work are working with grassroots leaders and private nonprofits to raise attention about aging on a state policy level.

"Our state university is trying to work in careful partnership across research, teaching, training and service to make the Garden State better for all of our long lives," she said.

Yet, the RU Thrifty and Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA) Fall Pop-Up thrift store on November 12 served as a reminder that together, we can make eco-friendly choices that make a difference — and have a fun time while doing it.  

The Fall Pop-Up thrift store went above and beyond what's expected from a thrifting experience. Not only could students get up to four articles of clothing, six if they brought a donation, but they could also utilize a jewelry-making station and a photo booth. RUPA members were in attendance to answer questions and give information on upcoming events.

RU Thrifty is a club dedicated to "thrifting" and all things second-hand and sustainable. They host events like the pop-up thrift store and run trips to secondhand stores. Most notably, they take members to New York City for an unforgettable thrifting experience.

Alongside other Rutgers sustainability clubs, RU Thrifty works to end fast fashion and non-sustainable behavior in the surrounding communities.

Fast fashion is how organizations mass-produce clothes that maximize profit, but ignore issues of sustainability and ethical practices, or longevity of the garment. Fast fashion clothes are often made to meet the needs of specific trends in the cheapest way possible for the consumer. Brands known for using fast fashion techniques create their clothes out of the most affordable material they can, which is often non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment.

Since these clothes are often made out of cheap material and based on quick-moving trends that fall out of style, they end up in landfills at alarming rates. These clothes are mass-produced by underpaid workers, which makes partaking in the fast fashion economy a climate and workers' rights issue. 

Zac Task, a School of Arts and Sciences junior and a member of RU Thrifty, explained that combating fast fashion starts from the ground up.

"While thrifting is a great band-aid for fast fashion, it's not the solution, because 90 percent of clothes that end up in a thrift store, end up in a landfill, as well. So we're trying to end that cycle," he said.

In concurrence with this idea, RU Thrifty doesn't throw out any of the clothes that are donated to them. All of it circulates back into the community, and when they have too much in storage, they clear out their inventory with pop-up events like this one.

Thrifting is just one way the Rutgers community can work to fight fast fashion. Students can also learn more about what they can do by attending the Sustainability Fair and Fashion Show on December 10 in the Douglass Student Center. Many clubs, including the hosts, RU Thrifty, will be participating.

The fashion show is a tradition for the RU Thrifty club, with one occurring at least each semester. Models debut the clothes that are created and showcase how you can have a positive impact on the environment and still look great.

"It's overall just about bringing the sustainability clubs on campus together and providing a good networking opportunity for them, as well as for students who are interested in sustainability," said Task.

RU Thrifty has been a loud advocate for the community, but it isn't the only club working to give back to the people.

RUPA member Chih-Hsueh Hsieh, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, was one of the many members at the pop-up thrift store and spoke about the event's importance to the greater New Brunswick area. Realizing the power of thrifting, the collaboration was a natural fit, especially with the holiday season on the horizon.

"We wanted to give back to (the) children ... whose parents might not have funds for gifts," he said.

For anyone interested in helping those in need, you can donate money or a gift from RUPA's Amazon Wishlist. Interested students should also attend the organization's annual gift-wrapping party.

Whether you decide to donate or not, the efforts by RUPA and RU Thrifty demonstrate the impact that students and community members can make through fun, engaging events like these.

Freshman forward Ace Bailey will play his second career game after making his long-awaited debut for No. 24 Rutgers on Friday. Bailey looked the part, scoring 17 points on 5 for 10 shooting. Freshman guard Dylan Harper has starred in his first three games, scoring at least 20 points in all three. The freshmen duo will continue to star against Merrimack.

Junior guard Jordan Derkack will square off against his former team, as he won the Northeast Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year last season with the Warriors. Facing off against many former teammates and coaches, Wednesday night will be a big one for Derkack.

The Knights' offensive stardom will need to shine, as Merrimack is known for its stout defense. The Warriors currently boast a top-30 scoring defense in the country, allowing approximately 60 points per game.

Derkack may play a major role in dissecting the defense, as he has experience within the system. He previously revealed that the team utilizes a zone defense.

"I went to Merrimack, where we played this awesome zone that (Merrimack head coach Joe Gallo) taught," Derkack said.

While the defense has been strong, Merrimack's offense has been lacking, scoring just 54.7 points per game. This could present a get-right opportunity for the Rutgers defense that allowed 81 points in its last game.

The perimeter defense must improve, as the Knights allowed 13 threes to Monmouth, with a whopping 10 of them coming from just a single player in Abdi Bashir Jr., who dropped 38 points on the night. Rutgers also allowed a 22-point performance to Saint Peter's guard Marcus Randolph in the game prior.

With this in mind, the Knights must have all hands on deck in defending Adam "Budd" Clark. The guard leads the Warriors in scoring at 20.7 points per game. Clark is just 1 for 5 from three on the year, though, so Rutgers' defensive focuses will likely differ from how they did against previous opponents' top guards. Matt Becht is Merrimack's top long-range shooter, nailing three three-pointers apiece in 2 of the team's 3 games so far.

Wednesday's game will tip off at 8 p.m. and be broadcast on Peacock and 88.7 WRSU FM. It is the Knights' last home game before heading to Georgia to take on Kennesaw State.

For more updates on the Rutgers men’s basketball team, follow @TargumSports on X.

To view more of Camden Markel's work, follow @CamdenMarkel on X.

The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with each Rutgers score answered by a Virginia Tech score. The Hokies' defense played strong, throwing the Knights off their typical game plan of getting the ball down low and reaching the free-throw line. Rutgers, on the other hand, held Virginia Tech to just 31.8 percent shooting from the field yet trailed 19-16 heading into the second period.

The defense was key for the Knights in the second quarter, holding the Hokies to 30 percent shooting from the field and yielding just 17 points. Rutgers was able to draw more fouls and get to the line six times, converting on five attempts. Freshman forward Zachara Perkins led her team with 7 points and did so efficiently, going 3 for 6 from the field.

At the halfway point, Virginia Tech and the Knights were deadlocked at 36-36 despite Rutgers' much better shooting performance overall. Freshman guard Kiyomi McMiller and Perkins each tallied 7 points, leading their team.

The Hokies spread the ball around with eight different players recording a basket. Kayl Petersen led her squad with 8 points, a 50 percent field goal percentage and a perfect 2 for 2 from the charity stripe.

Neither squad could swing the momentum in their favor in the third quarter, with both teams seeing their runs met with a run from the opposition. The Knights saw a flash of momentum with McMiller draining a three, followed by 9 straight points, boosting their lead to 5 points with approximately 5 minutes left in the third quarter.

Virginia Tech responded with a 7-point run of its own in the last 2 minutes of the third frame. After three-quarters of play, the margin between the two squads was razor-thin, with Rutgers leading 59-57 heading into the final period.

With a 2-point lead and 10 minutes left to play, it seemed the Knights had some momentum to close out the game. Just as the rest of the game had been, each Rutgers basket was quickly answered by a score from the Hokies. The Knights kept things close throughout the final frame, with the lead changing hands multiple times in the fourth.

A three-point basket from Carleigh Wenzel gave Virginia Tech the lead with approximately 5 minutes remaining. From here, the Hokies scored 12 unanswered points, expanding their lead to 10 points.

Despite 10 points in the quarter from senior guard and forward Destiny Adams, Rutgers could not fight its way back into the lead and ultimately lost for the first time in the young season. The Knights are back in action at home on Sunday for a matchup with their in-state foe, Princeton.

For more updates on the Rutgers women's basketball team, follow @TargumSports on X.

To view more of Nicholas Hart's work, follow @nhart03 on X.

But there was once a time when people used mushrooms for therapeutic purposes. These are not the kinds of mushrooms available at your local grocery store because these mushrooms are considered psychedelics.

Since most people have never even tried these psychedelic mushrooms before and there are so many varieties of psychedelic mushrooms, I feel it is best to explain the differences between typical mushrooms and psychedelic mushrooms.

Psychedelic mushrooms (magic mushrooms) contain psilocybin, which is the main ingredient in these psychedelic mushrooms that produce psychoactive effects.

There are more than 200 different species of psychedelic mushrooms, and some species have unique physical features.

But according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), psilocybin mushrooms share some general characteristics with each other. They have long, slender stems, topped off with caps which are typically dark brown around the edges and light brown or white at the center. If dried properly, the psychedelic mushrooms are rusty brown with isolated off-white areas.

It is hard to describe what it feels like to be tripping on psychedelic mushrooms to someone who has never experienced it, but there are a few benefits to the user psychologically, including treating depression, substance abuse and cancer-related psychological distress.

There is a documentary on Netflix called "Fantastic Fungi," which details the experience of tripping on psychedelic mushrooms and the overall benefits of using psychedelic mushrooms, as well as how psilocybin changed some people's perspectives on life.

This documentary is probably the best way to experience tripping on mushrooms without having to actually ingest them. In addition to all of the benefits I listed above, this documentary does a very good job of addressing common concerns regarding psychedelic mushrooms.

So, why are psilocybin mushrooms illegal? Similar to cannabis and every other drug banned by the DEA, former President Richard M. Nixon classified psilocybin mushrooms as Schedule 1 drugs — drugs with high potential for abuse with no currently accepted medical use.

I have listed my complaints in a previous article explaining why the scheduling of these drugs does not make sense. Like cannabis, the fact that psilocybin can be compared with heroin and Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (more commonly known as roofies) just does not add up.

One, psilocybin does not have addictive properties. The human body rapidly develops tolerance to the drug.

Second, there are no physical symptoms linked with withdrawal from psilocybin.

That does not mean magic mushrooms do not have adverse effects. People ingesting magic mushrooms may experience muscle spasms and confusion. In addition, for some, mushrooms may lead to paranoia, nausea or psychosis.

The most common way to ingest mushrooms safely is to either make a tea or create a lemon tek (lemon technique). This is a practice of soaking psilocybin mushrooms in lemon juice before ingesting them.

One reason why some people prefer lemon teks over consuming mushrooms raw is that lemon juice helps break down the cell walls of psilocybin mushrooms, which is the cause of nausea and vomiting when ingesting these mushrooms. The other reason is that the effects apparently become more potent than when ingested in any other form.

All this is not to undermine the experiences of others who have tried psychedelic mushrooms. A couple of people I know do not like psilocybin because they had a bad trip.

Now, there are many conspiracy theories, such as Jesus being a psychedelic mushroom. I do not subscribe to those theories, nor do I believe that magic mushrooms are the key to solving all of our problems. But I do believe that psychedelic mushrooms can help people who are suffering from an unhealthy state of mind.

I would love to see a future where these mushrooms are fully legalized, but unfortunately, it is kind of hard to imagine at the moment. There are many false narratives surrounding psychedelics, like how psychedelics will put a hole in your brain.

But we should realize the problematic source of these criticisms and legalize psychedelic shrooms.

Jesse Oh is a senior in the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Communications and Information majoring in economics and journalism and media studies. Oh’s column, "What's Going On Outside of Rutgers?" runs on alternate Tuesdays.

*Columns, cartoons, letters and commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.

YOUR VOICE | The Daily Targum welcomes submissions from all readers. Letters to the editor must be between 350 and 600 words. Commentaries must be between 600 and 900 words. All authors must include their name, phone number, class year and college affiliation or department to be considered for publication. Please submit via email to [email protected] and [email protected] to be considered for publication.

The eatery's opening came at the expense of the student center's Dunkin' Donuts, a longtime favorite of the Rutgers community. It marks the second recent replacement of a Dunkin' on Rutgers' campus, with the first being at the Livingston Student Center, where the space is now Akihi.

Despite the big shoes it has to fill, DC Bagels brings a fresh feel to campus dining and may even rival the legacy of its much-loved predecessor. 

Right off the bat, DC Bagels proves to be a convenient choice for the average Rutgers student. It offers a generous selection of items in exchange for a single meal swipe, a feature that Dunkin' did not provide. 

Dunkin' is known for its iconic menu items, including its signature munchkins, breakfast sandwiches, cheese croissants and a variety of other fan favorites. But, Dunkin's most prized offering is something many college students survive on … coffee. Dunkin's coffee comes in multiple flavors, each for around $3-5. In this way, Dunkin' has clear advantages over DC Bagels. It's an identifiable franchise known all across the country and quite simply, they sell coffee.

Even with the tough competition, DC Bagels offers a level of service that Dunkin' never did. Despite their widespread appeal, Dunkin's frequent overcrowding at the Douglass Student Center often made for a less enjoyable dining experience. Lines at the former location were noted to extend deeper into the building.

Moreover, Dunkin' didn't accept online mobile orders, which only added to the traffic issues, forcing students to wait in line rather than letting them order from their phones and pick up their food when it was ready. DC Bagels uses a kiosk system, minimizing students' interaction with staff. If you're looking for a quick breakfast on the go, this format provides the perfect solution. 

Additionally, DC Bagels offers a menu that can hold its own against Dunkin's, with their main attraction being the sausage, egg and cheese on an everything bagel. DC Bagels perfectly toasts each bagel, for a combination of soft and crunchy, hitting all the right notes. They also offer a variety of customizable sandwich and panini options to fit any craving.

Maybe Dunkin' is nostalgic, but DC Bagels offers something fresh and new. Whatever your opinion of their food is, at least you don't have to wait in long lines to pay $4 for a breakfast sandwich.

While it might have come at the expense of a fan favorite spot, DC Bagels has proved itself a worthy replacement through its localized solutions. DC Bagels may be Rutgers' newest gem, one that every student should try.

The three-credit course will be split between instruction in Newark during the semester and time spent in India over spring break from March 15 to 23, according to a flyer.

"It's a wonderful way to meet different people, to interact and get internships because — a lot of the students, there's a mixture between undergrad and graduate students," Monica Giron, business manager of the Rutgers Business School International Program—Newark, said.

The course is taught by Farok Contractor, a distinguished professor in the Department of Management and Global Business, and Joydeep Chatterjee, an assistant professor of professional practice in the Department of Management and Global Business. Contractor has taught at the Indian Institutes of Management and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, and Chatterjee was a consultant financial analyst for The World Bank.

Before the trip, students will be required to read and problem-solve business case studies, according to Chatterjee. In India, Rutgers students will form groups with Indian students and submit one case study, which will be entered into a competition.

Chatterjee recounted activities from the previous year to the Targum.

The 10-day trip commenced in Mumbai, which is not only the financial capital but also the second-largest city by population. For two days, students had the opportunity to sightsee and visit important industry sites such as the Bombay Stock Exchange, the largest in India, Chatterjee said. 

Students then visited Bangalore, the nation's technology capital, which Chatterjee said is comparable to California's Silicon Valley due to the abundance of technology companies. There, students spoke with business executives and leaders in the tech industry. Students also visited the nation's capital, New Delhi, and nearby cultural monuments, including the Taj Mahal. 

"There's a lot of cultural element, lot of food, lot of color, lot of shopping opportunities," Chatterjee said. "Obviously, on the last day, we go to Taj Mahal. We see that, and we then come back to New Delhi Airport, and we take our return flights."

This course is suggested for undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as MBA students who want to visit the world's most populous nation with two experts in global business. Previous overseas business courses have taken students to Vietnam, Singapore and China, depending on student interest.

"India is not that big a country. It's big — about 40 percent the size of the United States. But it's the biggest population as well — 1.45 billion — but very diverse. And so, the culture, the cuisines, the economy — that's all a fascinating story," Contractor said.

The grant will be used to study disease prevention in hazelnuts and create a type of hazelnut that is resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB). This research will ensure that hazelnuts will be available year-round to support Ferrero's rapid growth, especially for its main products, such as Ferrero Rocher and Nutella.

EFB is a fungal disease that restricts hazelnut production on the East Coast, according to Thomas Molnar, an associate professor in the Department of Plant Biology.

"With Ferrero's generous support, our program is helping to unlock hazelnut production in eastern North America while providing a means to combat this disease if it spreads to new regions of the world," said Molnar.

Research to prevent EFB was spearheaded by C. Reed Funk, an emeritus professor and former turfgrass breeder, in 1996 with help from Molnar, who was one of his undergraduate students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at the time.

The first hazelnut varieties from this project were released to growers in 2020. The names of the strains are "Raritan," "Somerset," "Monmouth" and "Hunterdon" in honor of the Raritan River and the first counties the trees were grown in.

Ferrero also gave a grant to Oregon State University after the company doubled its hazelnut sourcing from the area.

The film follows Jack O'Malley (Chris Evans) who joins Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) and Agent Garcia (Reinaldo Faberlle), members of the E.L.F. task force entrusted with rescuing Santa (J. K. Simmons) who was kidnapped right before Christmas. The team is also assisted by the director of M.O.R.A., Zoe Harlow (Lucy Liu).

On paper, this idea already seems trite but on screen, it fares far worse due to some extremely shoddy filmmaking. One would expect a decent amount of effort to be placed into the action, or at the very least, making it look good. But, the CGI and green screen elements are bafflingly bad, especially considering the film's $250 million budget. 

The choreography is also mind-numbingly uninteresting, featuring these Marvel-esqe quick cuts that minimize the impact of any hits. There's also no dramatic tension during any of these fights because as contractually obligated, Johnson can never lose a fight on screen. 

The cast does a serviceable job at bringing this tale to life, but it's clear that to most, this was simply just an excuse to get paid handsomely. Johnson, despite receiving top billing, proves that he has the acting depth of a Saharan puddle with this ever-present look of boredom beneath his eyes that betrays any passion for Christmas that his character is supposed to have. 

On the other hand, Evans manages to seem committed the whole way through, portraying something akin to a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge, complete with a scene of him literally stealing candy from a baby. He steals the show (which considering how droll the show is, that really isn't saying much), despite his performance feeling like a neutered version of his character in "Knives Out."

As a whole, the film is extremely formulaic, with a plot structure so generic that you can guess entire reams of dialogue 10 minutes before they ever happen. The script is also shockingly unfunny, choosing to go for some of the most baseline, obvious jokes you could possibly imagine. A majority of the "jokes" rely heavily on the inherent humor found in yelling swear words or someone getting kicked in the crotch (this happens three times and never stops being eye-roll-inducing), so the immature audience members remain entertained. 

There's a distinct lack of joy found in this Christmas film too, exemplified by this movie's interpretation of the North Pole. Usually, films choose to depict the North Pole as a colorful, relentlessly white wonderland, populated by jolly elves and snowmen. But in "Red One," the North Pole is a dark and mechanized nightmare, resembling Gotham City rather than Santa's workshop. 

The only exception to this film's unending mediocrity is the brief detour the characters take to meet up with Santa's evil brother, Krampus (Kristofer Hivju). The film chooses to depict Krampus as the towering, muscular beast, surrounded by other grotesque monsters that wouldn't look out of place in your average "Dungeons and Dragons" campaign. Unlike every other aspect of this film, it seems like genuine effort was put into the practical effects, and it makes every mythological creature in this section feel tangible. 

But, despite that glimmer of hope, "Red One" is a slog that painfully shows how disposable Johnson's filmography really is. This generic action movie formula that usually manages to accrue massive box office numbers has gone stale, and it's obvious this film needed to rise above its conventions to keep the audience's attention. 

If they had cut the run time down, reduced the reliance on CGI and put more effort into fleshing out their ideas, then maybe "Red One" could've been a new Christmas classic. But instead, we're left with a disappointing reminder of how lifeless action blockbusters have become a poor attempt at banking on the holiday spirit.

While this decision made sense at the time, more than 2,000 institutions are choosing to remain test-optional for the 2025 admissions cycle. This decision has and will continue to change admissions standards and place more emphasis on other aspects of students' applications, creating an uneven playing field and removing one of the only standardized aspects of college admissions.

Test-optional admissions were a beacon of light for many students during the pandemic. A few years after the height of the pandemic, when I found myself in the position of applying to colleges, a precedent had been set to maintain the test-optional choice.

The stipulation of test-optional, though, seemed to be a misnomer — an admissions officer from a reputable college not-so-subtly implied during an open-house event I attended that even though the institution did not require a standardized test score, the score or lack thereof would still somehow play a role. Test-optional does not mean test-blind. According to Wafa Muflahi, a partner at a college consulting firm, "a test-optional policy does not mean that a college will not consider test scores entirely."

Evidently, a little less than 90 percent of Georgetown's 2021 admitted class submitted standardized test scores, implying that low-income students who do not submit test scores will be at a disadvantage and may face the prospect of lower chances of being admitted to top schools. The case against the SAT is that it fails to meet standards set by school curriculums and may not be an accurate measure of preparedness for university. The issue, though, is that school curriculums set no standard — every school and every teacher marches to the beat of their own drum to at least some extent. The U.S. has no national educational curriculum, and states propose vague estimates of what students should learn in each grade. The SAT and ACT were arguably the only standardized portion of admissions that evened the field for students of all backgrounds. Grade point average calculations are not a standardizing factor simply because different schools have different difficulty levels, different grade scales, different resources and different class levels and expectations.

A student's GPA, as calculated by one's high school, is not directly comparable to the GPA of a student from another high school. The difficulty of a class or exam is at the teacher's discretion, including whether they offer students extra credit.

Even if universities recalculate every student's GPA out of the same standardized scale, they cannot account for changes in difficulty or leniency. The fact that many colleges consider unweighted as opposed to weighted GPA definitely worsens the disparity in the rigor of teachers, classes and schools, even if it does possibly even out the grading scale.

The SAT is a simple statistic that measures common comprehension and critical thinking skills in a way that other aspects of admissions simply fail to. Moreover, the rest of a standard college application includes factors that are largely based on individual opportunities, such as jobs, volunteering hours, leadership positions and athletics. This means that students who are unable to dedicate time or money to such activities are automatically at a disadvantage simply because they are unable, due to whatever circumstance, to showcase the rigor and extensiveness of extracurricular activities that other, more well-off students may be able to do.

The flawlessness of a personal statement is also dependent on the number of people a student has at their disposal to review, edit and criticize their writing. For students who are wealthier and have access to the time, money and energy to dedicate to their personal statements, it gives them a significant advantage. With pitfalls such as these built into the application system that disadvantage students with fewer resources, it would be remiss to write off standardized tests entirely. While they, too, come with their pitfalls, the good outweighs the bad when it comes to prioritizing students and building some semblance of equity.

Tejaswini Venkat is a first-year in the School of Arts and Sciences majoring in biological sciences and minoring in psychology. Venkat's column, “Unsolicited Opinions,” runs on alternate Tuesdays.

*Columns, cartoons, letters and commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.

YOUR VOICE | The Daily Targum welcomes submissions from all readers. Letters to the editor must be between 350 and 600 words. Commentaries must be between 600 and 900 words. All authors must include their name, phone number, class year and college affiliation or department to be considered for publication. Please submit via email to [email protected] and [email protected] to be considered for publication.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, knew this and bought the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, for $44 billion. That move leveraged the power of social media and laid the groundwork for President-elect Donald J. Trump to make advancements in his 2024 presidential election campaign. Of course, this may have given Trump a few more votes to help win key states.

In October 2022, Musk cemented his ownership of what was once Twitter. He claimed his aim was to create a space where freedom of speech was not limited in any way, a place where extremist and conspiracy theorists could coexist. His first plan of action to create this utopia was to unban Trump.

With Trump's ramblings going unchecked on X, Musk's plan seems to be shaping up well. Musk then broke a long-standing policy by allowing political campaign ads to run on X before the 2024 election. Under previous ownership, these ads had been banned because "political message reach should be earned, not bought," said Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter. Musk has clearly shifted toward the politicization of social media.

Many users seemed uncomfortable with the removal of boundaries that protected against hate speech and misinformation, choosing to leave the app for other platforms like Bluesky and Meta's Threads. As progressive users leave X, more conservative users will only create a more pronounced echo chamber.

Echo chambers can be described as spaces that amplify the opinions that a group believes. Social media has become a breeding ground for these thought bubbles, especially as opinions and political stances have become increasingly polarized.

A social media user who is watching a funny compilation of memes might find themselves being inundated with extremist hate propaganda after falling down a winding rabbit hole. Platforms like YouTube understood this to be an issue and adjusted their algorithm so that watching one seemingly harmless prank video would not lead to progressively worse recommendations.

But other platforms have not been as quick to make these changes. Once a user has started to become wrapped up in extreme right-wing media, there is an entire media ecosystem that can further feed into their delusions.

There are real-world repercussions to these internet rabbit holes and echo chambers. Users may internalize the hate being spread virtually and commit violent hate crimes. For example, Wade Michael was a member of an online hate group involving white supremacy. He went on to kill six people at a Sikh temple, likely influenced by these thoughts constantly being brought up around him. The longer these forums of hate fester, the more innocent people will lose their lives.

Many may assume that the people most at risk of being sucked into these negative spaces are the older generations that lack media and technological literacy, but young people are just as at risk of being radicalized. There is a trend that younger people often find themselves being drawn to extreme ideas, and a college campus can be the perfect space for things to escalate.

College campuses often represent knowledge and diversity, making them a perfect target for alt-right groups. These extremists hope to garner support from the malleable minds on campus.

For everyone, being constantly fed what you want to hear can feel comforting because you do not have to do the mental work of finding the truth, whether the truth agrees with you or not. And people naturally want to take the easiest road, especially when finding so much information that seems to support them. But it is important that students are diligent when fact-checking to prevent falling down the slippery slope of these hate-driven groups. 

Every social media user should consider double or triple checking the news on their feed and, even then, take most posts with a healthy amount of skepticism — because the alternative could mean slowly losing your mind to hate.

Lina Johnson is a sophomore in the School of Arts and Science majoring in communications. Johnson’s column, “The View from Rutgers,” runs on alternate Mondays.

*Columns, cartoons, letters and commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.

YOUR VOICE | The Daily Targum welcomes submissions from all readers. Letters to the editor must be between 350 and 600 words. Commentaries must be between 600 and 900 words. All authors must include their name, phone number, class year and college affiliation or department to be considered for publication. Please submit via email to [email protected] and [email protected] to be considered for publication.

Their latest exhibition, "Painting to Scale," highlights large-scale murals and paintings from the museum's gallery, illustrating the constraints of Soviet artists working beyond the limitations of convention, material and scale. 

Opened on Wednesday, the exhibit features 60 works from both the Russian political centers and former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia, Georgia and others.

Organized by Dr. Jane Sharp, professor and research curator for Soviet Nonconformist Art at the Zimmerli, the opening night of "Painting to Scale" featured guiding words from the professor on the scope and themes of the exhibition. Throughout the night, Sharp was joined by her graduate students, also commenting on standout pieces from the exhibition. 

In the Soviet context, nonconformist art is not a term that relates to a specific style of work. Rather, Soviet nonconformist art refers to a wide variety of compositions, all not approved by regulating bodies in the Soviet Union. 

In this sense, Soviet nonconformism is best seen as a type of artistic counterculture, challenging narratives of realism, straightforward representation and other conventional ideas. Works under this label range from tragic to exuberant, all in the service of mediums afforded to those otherwise shunned from the Soviet mainstream. 

Most of these "mainstream" ideas were promoted by the state-approved Soviet Realist style, which saw overwhelming arts funding and support during the mid-1900s. Under Nikita Khrushchev, the 1950s briefly emboldened nonconformist artists, though in reality, the movement's brief moment in the cultural sun only served to unify disparate communities of artists through public attention. 

This being said, the Zimmerli's arrangement is multifaceted, guiding visitors along multiple conceptions of the themes presented. Experiencing the exhibition in person leaves attendees lost in each of the worlds built by the featured works. 

Housed in the Zimmerli's lower Dodge wing, the exhibition is arranged around three primary "modes" of nonconformity — identity, nature and duplicitous strategies shared by artists. As a whole, the selection succeeds in expanding on interplay between abstraction, serialization, scale and alternative medium. 

Examples include the works of Estonian artist Leonhard Lapin, who produced scale through the serialization of forms. Lapin's 1978 "Signs" series features stark, iconographic forms, a silhouetted self-portrait and abstracted traces of the self. 

Raul Meel's "Travelling into the Green," created from 1973 to 1979, uses the repetition of abstract colors and shapes to draw the viewer into a linear visual, taking them on a journey through eight canvases. Without text, his guidance comes solely from a red "road", a spear of progression through the green background, as it diminishes throughout each individual painting.

These pieces create abstract spaces to consider both nature and history, with each artworks' subjects heavily contemplated by their respective artists. Exhibitions like these are among the greatest the Zimmerli has to offer, serving as new chapters in an evolving dialogue between works in its most impressive collection. 

The Zimmerli is entirely free for the public to enjoy and explore. The "Painting to Scale" exhibition will be available at the museum until October 5, 2025, giving those who are artistically minded ample time to take in the wild and wonderful world of Soviet nonconformist art at its most extravagant scale.

On Saturday, Dana White, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO, put on UFC 309 inside historic Madison Square Garden in New York. The night was filled with interesting fights, political appearances and many questions for the future of the current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Jones successfully defended his title against Stipe Miocic. The fight was put to a stop when Jones landed a spinning heel kick to the body of Miocic, followed by a flurry of punches for good measure. This fight was billed as the greatest of all time versus the greatest heavyweight of all time, but didn't necessarily live up to the hype.

This was the first time Miocic stepped into the octagon since March 2021, and it definitely showed. The 42-year-old Stipe struggled to get his footing in the fight, while Jones dominated on the ground and on foot. Jones has claimed yet another legend on his stellar resume leading to questions about his future with the title.

During the post-fight interview, Joe Rogan asked Jones about his future and he responded with an ambiguous answer, citing an interaction he had with President-elect Donald Trump.

"Tonight is the biggest moment of my life," Jones said. "To talk about Jesus in front of our president and let the world know how truly proud I am to be an American champion, it felt awesome, man. To finish Stipe, it felt awesome."

Jones has caused himself a controversial career, including failed drug tests, pulling out of fights due to injury and domestic assault charges. His mention of God may contradict the Jones we have seen in years past.

While Jones was recovering from a torn pectoral muscle, the UFC crowned an interim champion named Tom Aspinall. In a fight of November 2023, Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich to earn the belt, then defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024. Tom has fought nine fights inside the organization with a record of 8-1. 

Many argued that the anticipated fight was Jones versus Aspinall, not Miocic. When Jones was asked about a possible fight with Aspinall, he responded with, "I want to be compensated to the point where if I won or if I lost, then it really wouldn't matter." 

In the past, Jones has talked about wanting to build his legacy and has teased the idea of potentially fighting current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

"There's no f*cking way I make the Pereira fight," White said during the post-fight press conference.

This brings it back to square one. Jon Jones does not want to risk his legacy on a newer fighter, but this leaves the heavyweight division in turmoil. With no sign of willingness to pass the torch down, Aspinall will have to keep busy with lower-level fights or wait to see if Jones will agree to fight him. 

"It would be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history, by a long shot," White told MMA Junkie when asked about a potential Jones versus Aspinall fight. 

There are many questions still unanswered after Jones's win. Will he fight Tom Aspinall? Will Tom take lower-level fights to stay active? Will Jones get his super fight with Pereira? Only time will tell.