November 2020 the Commuter

November 2020 www.ncccommuter.org In the event that... There has been some concern about what would happen The guide was written collectively by Hardy Merriman, if one of the presidential candidates were to refuse the Ankur Asthana, Marium Navid and Kifah Shah. The au- results of the election. thors emphasize the importance of discipline and unity; A group of researchers and activists has put together the discipline to remain nonviolent in the event that the a comprehensive guide titled “Hold the line: A guide to election results spark violence from others; and unity be- defending democracy,” which focuses on individual and cause a strong public response “could shape the outcome.” community responses to possible scenarios that could play From the guide: “… in our country’s past when gov- out between Nov. 3 and Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2021. ernment has not been accountable, ordinary people have The guide is written for “political newcomers, as well as engaged in nonviolent actions, such as strikes, boycotts, experienced activists,” for the purpose of ensuring a suc- mass demonstrations, civil disobedience and many other cessful election. small or large acts of noncooperation to win their rights...” “Each of us has a role to play in defending our democra- “When carried out with unity, discipline, a clear strategy cy and our votes,” the guide’s authors assert. and widespread participation, these kinds of tactics have Here are a couple of key points to consider, from Part 2 proven…to deepen democracy.” of the guide, “Planning for Election Day onward:” Part 3 of the guide discusses taking action. The first step “The concept of ‘election night,’ is no longer accurate is to organize a team to "hold the line." But before that, the and indeed is dangerous.”* guide reminds citizens to go vote! (*Pennsylvania does not begin processing mail-in bal- - Chris Devlin, editor lots, of which 2.8 million were cast this election, until 7 Find your polling place here: a.m. on Election Day. The deadline for counties to stop https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx counting votes is Nov. 23.) Download the guide here: “A determined campaign has the opportunity to contest the election into January, 2021.” Hold the line: A guide to defending democracy Photo by Sheri Hooley on Unsplash You're not alone NCC's Collegiate Recovery Program helps students overcome substance abuse this year. According to NPR’s Bri- It has been difficult for the students an Mann, alcohol sales have risen by to be isolated from the supports they 24% nationwide since the pandem- used to rely on. Most tragic, though, is ic. And a recent study by Michael S. when the group loses a fellow student Pollard, titled “Changes in Adult Al- to relapse. cohol Use and Consequences During Messina provides tips and resources the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.,” for any student at NCC who is strug- finds that alcohol consumption rates gling during this time. She says that are increasing at an average of one day when you make people in your life more per month. aware of your issues, you can find “The World Health Organization strength from coming together. warned that alcohol use during the She also advises finding ways to take pandemic may potentially exacerbate breaks from negativity. For example, health concerns and risk-taking behav- read a book for an hour, cook your fa- iors,” Pollard explains. vorite meal or try something new. NCC offers a program to help stu- The Collegiate Recovery Program is dents recover from any substance or available to NCC students who seek behavioral addiction, including alco- support when college becomes too By Mara Fernandez Image by Лечение Наркомании from Pixabay hol, drugs, gambling, food and sex. stressful. It does not have a set sched- The Collegiate Recovery Program is ule or graduation date; it is meant to be Alcohol addiction, while perva- difficulties due to their drinking habits, run by director Beatriz Messina, who is a tool in your recovery process. sive, disproportionately affects young such as missing classes and deadlines also the chair of the Alcohol and Other Although it is designed for students adults. The National Institute on Alco- and receiving lower grades. Drugs Task Force. already in recovery, the program also hol Abuse and Alcoholism states that Excessive drinking increases vulner- The program currently has 13 students provides assistance for those strug- 5.8% of all adults ages 18 and older ability to physical and sexual assault. who provide support for one another gling to find treatment. It even extends their invitation to NCC graduates. have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Studies show that about half of sexual during this tough time in their lives. Before COVID-19, the students en- “The doors are always open,” Messi- In comparison, 20% of college stu- assaults on college campuses involve a gaged in sober activities like events, na says proudly. dents, ages 18-22, meet the criteria for situation in which the perpetrator, the hikes, brunches and even community an AUD. victim or both were consuming alco- service. Since the pandemic, to stay Consequences for students who drink hol. And about 1,825 students between safe, the students meet weekly on excessively range from dangerous be- the ages of 18 and 24 suffer from fatal Learn more about Zoom. NCC's Collegiate Recovery Program: haviors to problems in their daily lives. injuries resulting from alcohol use ev- “It is so important to stay connected https://www.northampton.edu/ncc-crp.htm The NIAAA estimates that one in four ery year. to people in a safe way, even if remote- college students experience academic Alcohol sales and use are on the rise ly.” Messina says. 2 November 2020 Content / Analysis www.ncccommuter.org Fasten your seatbelts for this election Northampton Community College 3835 Green Pond Road Bethlehem, PA 18020 Phone: 610-861-5372 STAFF EDITOR Chris Devlin ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jesus Zaldivar COPY EDITORS Brianna McFarland Zach Sturniolo Stock photo by Element5 Digital For the media, covering the 2020 election will be unlike any other. WEB EDITOR Mara Fernandez monitor polling places. Given the By Rob Hays president’s refusal to commit to a REPORTERS Sarah Gunkle Are we there yet? peaceful transfer of power should John Locascio he lose, uncertainty about violence Cade O'Connell Weary American voters might hangs in the air Kamira Rahman well ask the same question that Such a possibility might have generations of children have asked seemed farfetched a month ago, their parents on the way to Grand- but that was before the FBI foiled ADVISERS Rob Hays ma’s for Thanksgiving. a plot by far-right militia known as Eric Chiles Yes, we’re almost there, praying the Wolverine Watchmen to kidnap that an interminable election cam- Wisconsin’s Democratic governor, CONTACT INFO paign, which began almost as soon Gretchen Whitmer; a similar mili- as Donald Trump won the presiden- tia plot to kidnap Virginia’s Demo- cy in 2016, doesn’t also serve up a cratic governor was unmasked; and turkey. www.ncccommuter.org Trump during the first presidential For journalists, covering the 2020 debate told his Proud Boy support- [email protected] election will be unlike any other, although the 2000 Bush-Gore contest ers to “stand back and stand by.” Facebook @ncccommuter might have been a taste of what’s to Certainly journalists in the wake come. That was the “hanging chad” of Nov. 3 must be prepared for a Twitter @NCC_Commuter election not decided until Dec. 12 disinformation campaign and su- when the Supreme Court ruled that perspreader conspiracy theories Instagram the_ncc_commuter George Bush was the certified win- alleging widespread voter fraud ner of Florida’s 25 electoral votes, and other irregularities that should Advertisement inquiries: giving him the presidency by one of invalidate the election outcome, [email protected] the narrowest margins in U.S. histo- threatening a constitutional crisis. ry. Bush edged Gore 271 to 266 in The vote count could drag on for the Electoral College. long days after the election, but Usually, the presidential election more important than speed is get- doesn’t reach all the way to the ting it right. In 2000, news organi- highest court in the land. As veteran zations flip-flopped on who won the journalist and polling analyst David Morris recently pointed out during election, giving us whiplash. Gore a Zoom presentation sponsored by won, no Bush won, no we don’t The Commuter, it’s journalists who know. CONTENT provide first word of who won the If it takes days or even weeks to presidency. They are the ones rap- determine the winner this time, so Front Cover 1 idly sifting through election returns be it. Given the likelihood of court state by state. challenges by the loser in this bitter- Content / Analysis 2 But speed might not be the word ly contentious election year, we will associated with determining this have to be patient. It will be up to Campus News 3 - 4 year’s election winner. With the journalists to make the entire elec- heavy number of voters submit- tion process as transparent as pos- ting mail-in and absentee ballots, sible so that the transfer of power, Feature 5 - 6 journalists might be unable to call if one occurs, is accepted by most a winner on Election Night, Nov. 3. Americans. Column 7 Given the tight races in a number of battleground states, we may have to Entertainment 8 wait. Rob Hays, a former newspaper edi- Journalism could have its hands tor, is NCC professor of journalism Science 9 full in other ways, especially if the and coordinator of Journalism, Me- “army of supporters” that Donald dia & Professional Writing.

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