by The sounds of Ping-Pong balls being hit in the Student Life Zone drowned out the broadcast of President Donald Trump’s inauguration Friday.
Surprisingly, not many Northampton students turned out to watch the beginning of the new, and extremely controversial, government administration of the United States. As one of the staff members turned to CNN’s coverage of the inauguration, most students in the Student Life Zone continued on with their everyday activity. Plenty gathered around the Ping-Pong and pool tables, not seeming to notice as the commentators announced the arrival of different political representatives.
Criminal Justice major Steven Muzila, however, had his eyes glued to the screen once the
content started.
“That’s why it was important to me [to be here], since my major is Criminal
Justice,” he said. “I voted for Hillary [Clinton], Trump is kind of a hot head. I just hope his diplomacy isn’t far off, and that he keeps peace with other countries. If he isn’t too radical, we’ll be fine.”
Caitlin Bach, Student Life and Leadership administrator at NCC, said one thing she
always worries about with new government leadership is the future of schools in the country.
“With any new administration, I would be afraid that education will lose funding.
Whether it be K through 12 or higher education, it’s important that schools have funds they need to serve students. Given my occupation, I worry about how every administration will handle funds for education.”
When asked who she voted for in the election, Bach said she tends not to share her
political beliefs with students.
“I don’t want to sway their views. I like to give both sides so they can form the best decision for themselves. I don’t want them to not be comfortable sharing how they feel with me.”
NCC student Queena Anyan decided not to vote in the election at all.
“I didn’t vote because I felt there could have been better candidates to choose from. They
were just attacking each other and didn’t care about other people, they just care about their wealth.”
Despite this, she does not wish President Trump ill.
“I fear more division in communities, and that no one will respect each other’s opinions, but I hope that everything is balanced the right way,” Anyan said.
By the time Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ended his speech, no one, aside from the journalism students required to be there, was paying attention to what was happening on screen. As the newly sworn in President Trump began his remarks only a handful of people remained, many citing class as a reason for leaving before the speech began.
Much of his address resonated on bringing the country together.
“Forgotten classes will be forgotten no more,” Trump said. “From now on, America first…you will never be ignored again.”
Muzila did not buy into the message of the speech, nor did it change his mind on Trump.
“He kind of just said what people want to hear for now. He’s trying to say that he wants to get everyone recognized and involved in some sort of way. He just wants to please people. I just hope he’s as good as Obama.”
