Five Fewer Frats: Groups ‘Shocked’ By Loss of Status For School Year
Angelica Acevedo and Isabella Bruni
September 19, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
Five St. John’s fraternities are no longer recognized on campus as of the start of the fall semester after they failed to meet the university’s accreditation requirements. Jodi Cox, executive director of Student Development and Engagement, confirmed to the Torch that the following fraternities...
State of the University
Nick Bello, Social Media Manager
September 19, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
For the fourth time since his hiring at St. John’s, President Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw addressed faculty, students and alumni this past Wednesday in Marillac Auditorium. In his address, he highlighted his strategic priorities, some of the improvements St. John’s has made this past year as well...
The Torch Awarded Poynter’s College Media Project
September 17, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll
The Torch is one of nine student media organizations nationwide chosen to participate in the second annual College Media Project run by The Poynter Institute, a global leader in journalism. The Torch, St. John’s University’s independent student newspaper, will receive “custom in-newsroom trai...
Evidence Suggests Bent Granted Naming Rights ‘In Perpetuity’
Suzanne Ciechalski, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus
May 31, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
The attorney for alumnus Bruce R. Bent says an unsigned agreement drawn up by St. John’s proves that his client owns the naming rights to the campus building that bears his name, according to court papers. A copy of the agreement, dated October 12, 2016, states in writing that Bent was granted the na...
Queens Campus Undergraduate Commencement Will Not Feature a Student Speaker
Angelica Acevedo, Editor-in-Chief
May 19, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
St. John’s Queens campus undergraduate commencement exercises on May 20 will not feature a student speaker, according to a student informed of the University’s decision. The Torch is not identifying the student. It is customary for graduation ceremonies to have a student give a speech and address ...
Staten Island Campus Student’s Racist Post Prompts Investigation
Derrell Bouknight, News Editor
May 10, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
After students on the Staten Island campus reported a “racist picture” that appeared on an Instagram account belonging to a fellow student in the Phi Eta Chi sorority on campus, President Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw said that the incident was “unacceptable and will not be tolerated” in an inter...
A Year in Review
Angelica Acevedo, Editor-in-Chief
April 25, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
1) Gempesaw interview President Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw sat down with our former Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Ciechalski in April to discuss various aspects of St. John’s University — among these were the issues of hiring, fundraising, basketball and education. He also touched upon the ...
String of Thefts Leaves Professors Concerned
Derrell Bouknight, News Editor
April 25, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
A string of thefts in St. John Hall has professors concerned for their valuables and personal items. According to three employees stationed in the building’s basement, the issue has carried on for years. Aaris Sherin, a 13-year University art and design professor, said she discovered numerous copi...
Poster Vandalized in St. John Hall
Nia Douglas, Staff Writer
April 25, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
Public Safety is investigating two instances of apparent racially motivated vandalism of a poster in St.John Hall, according to a university spokesman. Last week, a graduate student sent the Torch photos of the damage done to the word ‘black’ in a series of Research Month posters on display on...
Task Force for Diversity and Inclusion to Open New Center for Inclusivity
Jillian Ortiz, Assistant Chief Copy Editor
April 25, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
As the 2017-2018 school year draws to a close, the St. John’s University Task Force for Diversity and Inclusion has seen the actualization of some of its initiatives. On the heels of the 2018-2019 academic year, the Task Force has a new measure underway. The Task Force’s new Inclusivity Reso...
Flames of the Torch: #SaveStudentNewsrooms
April 25, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, Opinion
Today, student newspapers across the country will stand in unity to promote the importance of independent student-run media on college campuses. In light of an emerging national distrust in the media, now more than ever is the time to protect the voice given to college students through these publ...
An Inside Look at the New Diversity Task Force
Angelica Acevedo, Editor-in-Chief
April 18, 2018
Filed under Home Scroll, News
For years, students have voiced concerns about a lack of diversity within St. John’s University’s faculty and administration, and said institutional racism exists here. While the University has responded to these concerns in various ways, their most significant action has been creating the Task...
