Over a Century of Service to CCNY & the Harlem Community
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CAN TRAUMA BE PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS
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NOVEMBER 2019
ELECTION DAY RUNDOWN
THE FUTURE IS FEMALE FOR THE TECH INDUSTRY
In This Issue
MAGAZINE STAFF
CAN TRAUMA BE PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS?
Editor-in-Chief: Aspasia Celia Tsampas Managing Editor: Ania Wojas
7-9
News Editor: Eric Bilach Feature Editor: Jana Makki Opinion Editor: Matthew Romano
NEWS
Lifestyle Editor: Sarah Logan Sports Editor: Anu Shetty Copy Editors: Joey Russo and Kia Thomas
THE FUTURE IS FEMALE FOR THE TECH INDUSTRY[4]
Staff Writers: Clark Adomaitis, Jada Gordon,
LIFESTYLE
Nate Izzo, Brahmjot Kaur, Sayra IIyas
Art Director: Naidya Rupan and Devon Smillie Designers: Chriscel Ann, Priyanka Thomas,
PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT: MIKHAL DEKEL [5]
BEST SPOTS ON AND OFF CAMPUS TO ENJOY THE FALL FOLIAGE [6] HOW TO HAVE A NYC NOVEMBER [10]
OPINION
OKAY FOR REAL, WHAT‘S GOOD WITH THESE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS?! [11]
FEATURES CAN TRAUMA BE PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS [7-9] ELECTION DAY RUNDOWN [12- 13]
SPORTS
FAIR PAY FOR PLAY ACT [14]
Justin Gordon
Cover Art: Devon Smillie Business Manager: Raquel Palumbo Distribution Coordinator: Clark Adomaitis
Editor’s Note Hello, Thank you for picking up this year’s 3rd issue of The Campus! It’s November, we are half way through the semester and if you are like me, you are probably peak stressed. Therefore, I invite you to read this issue, unwind, and simply enjoy the content we love producing for you.
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CONTACT US North Academic Center 1/119 CCNYCampusnews@gmail.com CCNYCampus.org
The Campus @CCNYCampus @CCNYCampus 2
This month, Jada Gordon highlights just one of the many accomplishments of CCNY faculty with a Professor Spotlight of Mikhal Dekel and her new book. In other news, Sayra Ilyas highlights future of the tech industry for women after CCNY receives a grant from Google for women in computer science. With autumn finally in full swing, both Clark Adomaitis and Sarah Logan chose to highlight some aspect of the new season. Adomaitis with a complete guide to the fall foliage around campus (page 6) and Logan with her guide to fall activities in New York City (page 10). Ania Wojas and I came together this month to combine her knowledge of science and my curiosity for culture to inquire with students and their experiences/opinions of Inherited Trauma in our article Can Trauma Be Passed Down Through Generations? With both Thanksgiving and National Day of Mourning occurring in November, reflecting on not only a nation’s past, but also an individual’s, is important. Lastly, on a lighter note, Brahmjot Kaur provides endless fun with not one, but two pieces! First, on page 11, she questions the notion of random national holidays. Second, on the back cover you will find a quiz for you to finally decide which generation (Millennial, Gen Z, or a mix of both?) are you really. Enjoy,
THE FUTURE IS FEMALE FOR THE TECH INDUSTRY: City College to receive grant from Google to promote women in Computer Science BY Sayra IlyaS
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he Grove School of Engineering has partnered with Google to create a pipeline program for New York City female high school students interested in pursuing a career in computer science. Google awarded The City College of New York (CCNY) with an $18,000 grant to help create new opportunities for women in STEM and hopefully incentivize a new generation of female tech professionals. The partnership between CCNY and Google blossomed during an information session held last summer for CUNY career service professionals. Brendan Collins, Google’s university program specialist, came to visit the campus three times over a five-month period, showing a great deal of interest in the diverse and bright minds over at the Career and Development Institute. Since then, Collins has worked to create resumé and interview workshops, as well as provide insight into the tech recruitment process, which focuses specifically on what Google is searching for in new hires. Statistics show that only 20% of computer science degrees in the United States are held by women. Incidentally, the percentage of women in the field has decreased over the years from 37.1% back in 1984. The number of women at the frontlines of tech companies provide an even more grim reality. Only 13% of executives of global Fortune 500 companies are women, including roles such as Chief Information Security Office, Chief Information Office, as well as senior executive positions including Vice President.
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“This grant allows us to expose high school students, especially young women, to computer science and coding. It gives students from schools without any programming classes a great opportunity to not only learn, but also, build a network that can help them in the future.” —WiCS Club The student-run club, Women in Computer Science (WiCS), will take initiative in reversing this bothersome truth by crafting the first curriculum to be used by the first cohort of New York City high school students. Together, CCNY’s very own undergraduate students majoring in computer science, as well as teaching assistants, will team up to educate the high schoolers about the tech field in two Saturday workshops spanning out over the course of two years. One workshop will take place this October and the second in October 2020. The aim of these two sessions is to create a tangible experience in a college setting for the high schoolers and help them better understand what a career in STEM entails. Topics will include the major obstacles that might come their way, specifically the severe underrepresentation of women in the field. The WiCS club is excited about the new opportunities that this grant will provide young, female high school students. The executive board was able to give The Campus a statement about the positive impact that the grant will have on the next generation of tech professionals. The club explained that, “This grant allows us to expose high school students, especially young women, to computer science and coding. It gives students from schools without any programming classes a great
opportunity to not only learn, but also, build a network that can help them in the future.” Over half of STEM-related professions deal with computing. Given the popular demand, however, there is a shortage of computer science courses being taught in NYC high schools. Only 44% of all NYC public high schools teach computer science. As a result, the NYC Department of Education is starting to take an initiative to promote computer science education and aims to have the course taught by all NYC public schools by 2025. With great persistence, the next generation of tech professionals will boast greater diversity and innovation than the tech giants of today.
PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT Mikhal Dekel talks new book Tehran Children: A Holocaust Refugee Tragedy
BY Jada Gordon
“I wanted to know more about him so I could also know more about myself.” been an educator for nineteen years. The idea for Tehran Children came about in 2007 at a faculty gathering, and Professor Dekel has been working on the book for over a decade since then.
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hroughout history, individual experiences have become the touchstone for collective experiences among people. In Professor Mikhal Dekel’s new book Tehran Children: A Holocaust Refugee Tragedy, readers get an in-depth look not only at The City College of New York’s own Professor Dekel’s story about her father and aunt, Polish-Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi terror to find refuge in Muslim lands, but also the tales that echo the voices of over a million Polish Jews who embarked on similar journeys. Professor Dekel’s book has helped her gain more of an understanding of her family, specifically her late father, Hannan Teitel. “In a deeper way, the motivation for this book came from a wish to understa- nd a man whom I saw every morning and evening for the first eighteen years of my life, but about whose past I knew nearly nothing: my father,” commented Professor Dekel. Professor Dekel is an English and Comparative Literature professor at both City College and the CUNY Graduate Center. She is also the director of the Rifkind Center within the Department of Humanities and the Arts, with a Bachelor’s of Law degree from Tel Aviv University, a Master’s from City College, and both a Master’s and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Columbia University. Professor Dekel has
“I was chatting casually with my IranianAmerican colleague, Salar Abdoh, who asked me if I knew anything about Jewish refugees who were in Tehran during the war. These were the days of the Holocaust denying Iranian Prime Minister Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which spurred discussions of Iran’s Nazi affiliation during the war. In response to these allegations, an article in an Iranian paper claimed that Iran was not only not pro-Nazi, but it sheltered Jewish children during the war. My colleague asked me about it and was of course stunned when I told him that my own father was in Iran during the war, and his questions were the catalyst for what is now this book.” remarked Professor Dekel. Tehran Children explores and gives a larger context to children refugee stories within Holocaust discourse, which includes works such as Night by Elie Wiesel, “An Experiment in Group Upbringing” by Anna Freud and Sophie Dann, and The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank. However, Professor Dekel wanted to examine the differences between children and adults as portrayed in Holocaust discourse, she states, “There are many memoirs of survivors who were children during the Holocaust but I do think that looking at the differences between children’s and adult’s experiences, or between women and men, is essential. We now know, for example, that there was a great deal of sexual violence that
was not reported on in testimonies because of shame. That needs to be unearthed.” In discussing childhood trauma in Holocaust discourse, there is concern of becoming borderline exploitative. This is something that Professor Dekel found to be difficult; “It’s very hard, and as a writer you always feel a little exploitative. From my experience interviewing these former child refugees, including my aunt -- my dad died in 1993 -- they appreciate it and will feel more honored if you know a lot about their ordeal, if you are not asking them dumb, insensitive questions out of your ignorance, and are not patronizing them.” Professor Dekel hopes that readers will gain more knowledge and perspective about an often-unexplored portion of Holocaust history. She adds, “The story of most Polish Jewish survivors, those who survived in Central Asia and the Middle East, their story is nearly unknown. Secondly, to understand the experience of refugees, and especially child refugees, more broadly. And I think the book offers a Holocaust story that is not all horrible. It is horrible, but there are glimmers of light in the help these refugees received along the way, and the help I received in my research in Poland, Russia, Uzbekistan, Iran and Israel.” More about Professor Dekel: CCNY Faculty & Staff Profile: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/profiles/mikhaldekel Personal Website: https://mikhaldekel.com/
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BEST SPOTS ON AND OFF CAMPUS TO ENJOY THE FALL FOLIAGE Words and Photos BY Clark adomaItIS
lenty of deciduous trees on and around campus are producing colorful arrays of leaves for us to watch and play in. They also leave a lot of work for CCNY’s Office of Facilities and Management, whom we thank for their hard and diligent work. According to Smoky Mountains’ 2019 Fall Foliage Prediction map, the peak foliage happened the week of October 19th. Nature’s autumn rainbow has littered the ground and filled our sky for a few weeks, and the variety of tints will now fade in November and December. Here are the best spots on campus where the leaves fell in large quantities and with the most range of color. Please enjoy the rainbow of hues our beautiful trees provide!
densest leaf pockets on campus. Yellows, browns, and oranges are popular on this ground. The area sees plenty of foot traffic as students and staff are constantly in and out of administration to handle tedious tasks including registration mishaps and financial aid issues. The sight of dense autumn colors or a playful kick to a stack of leaves could help stressed CCNY-goers re-center themselves.
CONVENT AVENUE
The aorta of campus is bordered by a row of trees on both sides. Cars, busy students, and fast-moving faculty must maneuver around or plow through piles of leaves. Thankfully, the Office of Facilities and Management have kept the road clean. Walkers and drivers appreciate their diligent work. Please look both ways before you cross the street. While you are looking out for cars, you will also see the different shades that color central passageway of our campus.
ST. NICHOLAS PARK
A plethora of vast trees and bushes arch over the pretty park. An array of oranges, reds, yellows, and browns cover Alexander Hamilton’s old stomping grounds. This once green park has transformed into an autumn wonderland. The blanket of dead leaves covering the recently vivid green fields enliven our visual appetites. The calming colors make this great park a relaxing sanctuary for the brisk mornings and crisp evenings that we have been enjoying this season. The sloping landscape of the park means that the leaves have more surface area of land to cover. Therefore, they spread across the park and onto the adjacent Saint Nicholas Avenue.
WILLE ADMINISTRATION’S LAWN This lawn has a few different kinds of trees that stretch over it and grow out of it. Some grow straight up, and a larger one covers the whole space, making this spot one of the 6
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THE QUAD Eight large trees and four small trees grow out of the Quad. The cold trees’ byproduct blankets the mostly-cement haven for lunch eaters. After you finish your sandwich, pizza, Chinese food, halal food, or bubble tea, hop into a pile of leaves and run through the layer that covers the ground. The leaves are consistently blown by the wind and by the facility’s employees. Therefore, the quad is never a safety hazard for walkers.
SHEPARD HALL’S LAWN This must-visit space has a gradient of leaf amounts. One large tree that produces many yellows hangs over the left side of the field. Many leaves litter the vast grassy area. They clog up the sidewalk entrance to Shepard Hall, and they reduce the velocity of the massive amount of daily foot traffic. The rest of the field only receives leaves from nearby sidewalk trees. If you are looking for a grassy space mostly clear of leaves, the right side of the Shepard field is your spot.
CAN A M U A TR
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SURVEY RESULTS ON INTERGENRATIONAL AND INHERITED TRAUMA
11% students who answered NO
89% students whose ancestors or previous generation underwent a trauma or traumatic event in a mass group or individually
students who are not sure if trauma can be inherited
Students who do not believe trauma can be passed down through generations
8 F E A T U R E
students who are positive trauma can be passed down through generations.
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ost people are aware of what trauma does to one’s general health. Extreme stress caused by an event can alter not only someone’s mental health, but physical health as well. However, is it possible that the trauma of our ancestors and past generations can be passed down to future generations? In all the world’s tragedies throughout history, many entire groups of people have undergone extreme stress and trauma. A recent study conducted by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) suggests that the experiences of our parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents, may be passed down through our DNA-- allowing future generations to inherit that trauma. The study particularly looked at survivors of the Civil War, especially prisoners of war (POW) and their offspring. They found that the sons of army soldiers who endured grueling conditions as POWs were more likely to die young than the sons of soldiers who were not imprisoned. This pattern is despite the fact that the sons were born after the war, so they could not have experienced its horrors personally. The study states that these findings are, “most consistent with an epigenetic explanation” and do not align with other factors such as socioeconomic standing, family structure, etc. This study is not the first time humans have questioned the likelihood of a genetic link for trauma. A study analyzing Holocaust survivors at Bar Ilan University in Israel suggests that, “Holocaust survivors suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder and their adult offspring exhibit more unhealthy behavior patterns and age less successfully in comparison to survivors with no signs of PTSD or parents who did not experience the Holocaust and their offspring.” Many manifestations of inherited trauma have begun to be addressed in first generation immigrants in the US, where seeking help for psychological distress and trauma is more socially acceptable than in many other places around the world. This distress is compounded by epigenetic accumulations of trauma throughout the years. In their homeland, it is often the case that people suffer through war and death and do not have the option of acknowledging trauma, let alone seeking help for it, when it seems to be a natural part of life. When kids come to a country where these issues are finally addressed, it may be difficult for their parents to
understand the extent of their suffering, or the idea that it can be alleviated. Education is key in understanding and overcoming inherited trauma. Former CUNY School of Medicine Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Michelle Juarez sheds some light on the genetic component of trauma, stating that, “Not just mutations can contribute to our response to environmental factors. This is an especially important consideration for the mammalian reproductive cycle, because genetically we originally develop in our mothers before they are born. Therefore the exposures of our great-grandmothers will affect our mothers and then be carried forward to manifest during our lives. This epigenetic pattern of inheritance, e.g. heritable changes that alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, can have dramatic results on future generations.” There is current research being done on the topic by demonstrating how the model of inheritance described by Dr. Juarez has the ability to alter immune system functions. This injury can accumulate and be passed down through generations, impacting even immunity to the influenza virus. Multigenerational weakening of the immune system provides an explanatory model of why there is such extensive variation of responses to both the flu and its vaccine, which cannot simply be explained by accounting for age and virus mutations. In mice, testing of this hypothesis revealed that generations up to, and including, greatgrandchildren can be affected, with female mice being more affected. To gauge the opinions and experiences of students at The City College of New York, The Campus, conducted a survey on intergenerational and inherited trauma. The City College community is among one of the most diverse in the world, housing students from all different backgrounds and experiences. Therefore, when asked if their ancestors or a previous generation underwent a trauma or traumatic event, either in a mass group or individually, 89% of students who took the survey answered yes. Nonetheless, of the same pool, when asked if they believed that trauma or traumatic events can leave a chemical mark on one‘s DNA, causing it to be passed down through generations, the answers were mixed. Only 46.4% of students were positive in their belief that, yes, inherited trauma is passed down genetically, 28.6%
were positive it was not possible at all, and 25% were simply not sure. Lauren Rosen, a third-year sociology major, believes inheriting trauma is very possible, but is not sure whether this mark is genetic or psychological. She states, “I do think that inherited trauma would be capable of leaving a psychological mark, especially in the cases of those that trigger episodes of depression, PTSD, or generally involve other forms of mental illness. There is a genetic component to many of these conditions, regardless of the initial trigger, and are somewhat likely to be passed down to future generations.” As a woman of Jewish descent, Rosen’s personal history of generational trauma stems from her people’s experience in the Holocaust. While her family was lucky enough to have migrated to America, much of her family is still very much wary of the traumatic events that occurred in the 1940s, as well as the continued long history, both prior and after, of anti-Semitism. Rosen states, “My grandmother, who is particularly proud of our Jewish heritage, still remains extremely wary of the antiSemitism that fueled the Holocaust, as well as smaller-scale hate crimes all over the world. Her way of coping with this trauma seems to be reassuring herself of our continued lineage, mainly by questioning my sister and me about who will continue the traditions when she no longer can herself. This creates stress and sometimes even a minute level of guilt for both my sister and myself, as neither one of us really practices this religion.” For Rosen, inherited trauma functions more like a chain reaction, where the need to survive and continue their lineage and heritage, falls upon her. She states, “Younger generations do tend to reap the consequences of their elders’ traumas, and consequently, develop their own. I think that inherited trauma functions more like a chain reaction than a direct inheritance of particular traumas.” Further research must be done to better understand this link of human traumatic events on our chemical composition, both genetically and psychologically, to help alleviate this enotion.
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How to Have a NYC November
Words and Photos BY Sarah loGan
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ow that spooky season is over, college students have started preparing for Thanksgiving Break, finals, and eventually the New Year. Fall is a beautiful and perfectly balanced season for many reasons. The weather prevents you from over-sweating with its nice cool breeze but stays warm enough that heavy coats are not needed. In addition to the superb weather, there are many activities that come with the autumnal season and endless opportunities to enjoy the reds, oranges, and yellows that give the New York City skyline life. To fully immerse yourself in the fall season, I’ve come up with a list of autumnal activities that you can partake in during the month of November. Park Visits The little pieces of nature scattered throughout the Five Boroughs are often forgotten about until you are actually in them. Public parks allow New Yorkers to visit areas that are a cross between the natural and urban lifestyle. Not only are parks incredibly beautiful and immersive, they are free to visit and enjoy. Here is a list of three parks, from most to least urban: Prospect Park/Grand Army Plaza: Brooklyn’s well-known park is a good place to see fall foliage while also viewing a man-made structure. Grand Army Plaza is similar to the Washington 10
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Square Arch as well as the Manhattan Bridge Arch and Colonnade. Looking beyond the towering structure, trees scatter the area. Alley Pond Park: this park, located in Queens, is the second-largest park in its borough. Here you can find beautiful oak and hickory trees, both colorfully vibrant during the fall months. This park also has designated hiking trails, the Alley Pond Adventure Course, and a zipline! High Rock Park: Staten Island is home to many forests filled with tall trees and winding trails. High Rock Park is one that is known for a hill with a scenic view. Because of its topology, it is the perfect hike for someone who is looking to get some exercise in while taking in the ambiance of the autumn season. Museum Trip A new Museum of Modern Art exhibit will be open for viewing on October 21st. This innovative mix of
art will allow you to enjoy creativity while strolling through one of NYC’s most prolific museums. To fully take advantage of this opportunity, go on a Friday for free admission from 4 to 8pm, or simply use your school ID. The Whitney, another modern art museum, is also enjoyable to walk through during the fall season. Connected to its exhibit are balconies where you can look out and see the Manhattan skyline while also looking over onto the Hudson River out into Hoboken, New Jersey. It should be noted, though, that this option is a little bit pricey, starting at $18 for student admission. After walking through the museum, you can walk the length of the Highline from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street. The Highline is located right next to The Whitney on Gansevoort Street. Support Fellow New Yorkers On November 3rd 2019, the New York City Marathon will be taking place throughout all five boroughs of NYC. Cheering on and encouraging those who are participating is a unique and fun experience that is truly unforgettable. To see where you can support the runners, go to https:// help.tcsnycmarathon.org/customer/ en/portal/articles/2053698-racecourse for a map of the whole course. There are many more things to explore in New York City during the fall season! The options are endless. Now go out and enjoy your November by exploring New York City while staying close to home!
Okay For Real,
What’s Good With These National Holidays?! BY BrahmJot kaur
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kay, what are these random holidays that your Aunt Kathy or Cousin Joe are posting about on Facebook? Every month, we see a new post on Instagram or a different social media app with a caption like “Happy National Garlic Day!!” or “Happy National Give Your Daughter Money Day!” and I think many of us, myself included, find it is getting a little ridiculous. I mean we have “National Drinking Straw Day” and “National Pi Day,” not to be confused with “National Pie Day” though which is actually in January. How do these random holidays even become a thing? After doing a little digging, a book known as Chase’s Calendar of Events is found repeatedly in other online articles. It is a reference book with over 12,500 events, holidays, and anniversaries. The book has been circulating since 1957 with a new edition every year. The senior editor at Chase’s, Holly McGuire, told The New York Times that at first, it was the government who compiled the holidays. Then, they got tired of it and Chase’s was given the honorary baton of holiday-ing up the country. In reality, anyone can make up a holiday. A lot of people will try to establish a day as a holiday the old-fashioned way, which is by asking an elected official to make it a day. I tried looking for a PDF or an affordably priced version of Chase’s book and to be honest, for a book of national holidays, it sure it difficult to find without selling your arms on the black market. So, I opted for the next best thing. Some websites vary in their lists of November holidays, probably since there’s so many. I’d like to share some of my favorite from this month.
Here are a few holidays that made me raise an eyebrow this November: 11/2: National Plan Your Epitaph Day (Morbid but seems fun, I guess) 11/3: National Sandwich Day 11/6: National Marooned without a Compass Day (???) 11/7: Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day (A bit long for a title but okay, they taste pretty good) 11/13: World Kindness Day (Kinda corny, but I think with the current climate we’re in, maybe it would be a nice reminder) 11/14: Spicy Guacamole Day (I think mild guacamole and medium guacamole are due an apology) 11/17: Homemade Bread Day (Sponsored by the Homemade Bread Day Committee of Montague, MI which is wild because I didn’t think anyone was this passionate about bread) 11/29: Square Dance Day (Apparently a lot of people learned square dancing in gym class and I just have one question: why is square dancing so significant that high schools are teaching this nationally? I don’t remember learning this, but I also have two left feet).
I understand that these random holidays are probably just ploys from different groups and companies to attract business or make a point, but it can be nice to change your daily routine and add a piece of bittersweet chocolate with almonds here and a touch of spicy guacamole there. I agree some of these seem like a reach but sometimes we need to appreciate the small things in life, too. I really enjoy homemade bread. Homemade bread tastes significantly better than store-bought factory bread that you would find in the bread aisle at the grocery store. However, it doesn’t cross my mind normally. Maybe we should consider adding a little razzle dazzle in what is normally an average November, or any other month for that matter. National Plan Your Epitaph Day may be a little morbid, but it really gets the creative juices flowing. Will I want a quote? Maybe I’ll add something creative like a tried and true recipe for a good cupcake since I love cupcakes, or maybe I’ll be sassy with something like “Wow, it’s really dark down here,” or maybe I’ll just get cremated. Whichever way the cookie really crumbles, planning your epitaph seems fun and would be a real laugh with your friends. Let’s be clear, some of these holidays really are whack. I’m just saying how it is. But you know what? It’s fun. So, stay whack, y’all.
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t’s election season! This year’s general elections are on November 5th, and while they may not be as exciting as the presidential, or even congressional elections, every election is a chance to make your voice heard. This year, there will be one public office and five charter revision proposals on the ballot. This article will unpack them all and help you better understand your options as a voter. P U B L I C A DV O C AT E The public advocate serves as the communicator between the city government and the people it represents. The public advocate is on the city council and can introduce legislation, but cannot vote on it. It is the job of the public advocate to act as an ombudsperson and oversee the city council to make sure that they effectively work for the citizens. This position is also second in line for mayor, should the office have a vacancy. Jumaane D. Williams (D) Democrat Jumaane D. Williams is the incumbent in this race, taking the office after a special election in February. Since his election, he has been successful in introducing and passing legislation with widespread support. This time, Williams is running on a progressive platform of improving affordable housing, increasing government transparency, and reforming the criminal justice system. He hopes to continue his work as an “activist elected official” to represent the voice of everyday New Yorkers. He is also the only candidate participating in the NYC Matching Funds Program. Joseph Borelli (R) Joseph Borelli is the minority whip of the City Council, representing Staten Island’s South Shore. His campaign focuses heavily on “stopping the de Blasio agenda,” though he has not outlined many specific policy plans when in office. However, during his time as a city council member, Borelli has led the committee overseeing the FDNY 12
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and increased funding to Staten Island schools. He is committed to either making the public advocate office more effective or scrapping the position altogether if it is unable to help taxpayers. Devin Balkind (L) Libertarian Devin Balkind is a nonprofit executive and civic technologist hoping to build technology-based services that aid New Yorkers. He aims to establish a 2-1-1 directory of public services, digitally update city agencies, and reform the MTA and NYCHA with new technology. He emphasizes the need for New York City to govern itself and not be restricted by the laws of the state government. With his focus on technology-based methods, Balkind plans to help New Yorkers gain access to social programs and better understand how the government works. C H A RT E R R E V I S I O N B A L L OT P R O P O S A L S NYC Charter Revision Ballot Proposals are proposed changes to the systems that run the city. This election, there will be five proposals for voters to consider. On the ballot, there will be a description of each revision followed by the question, “Shall this proposal be adopted?” As a voter, you have to understand those proposals and give an answer: “yes” or “no.” ELECTIONS The first ballot proposal deals with certain aspects of the election process in three parts. The first part would establish a ranked choice voting system for primary and special elections. Voters would rank all the candidates from most to least favorite. The candidate with a majority of firstchoice votes wins the election. If there is no first choice majority, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated, ranks are adjusted to match, and the process repeats until a candidate has a majority. The second part of this ballot proposal would lengthen the time between the
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vacancy occurring and the election to fill it. Currently, mayoral special elections happen 60 days after the vacancy, and all others happen after 45 days. If the proposal is adopted, both periods would increase to 80 days. This system gives more time to send ballots to military voters and for candidates to run a campaign. The final part of this ballot proposal moves the deadline for redrawing district lines from March 2023 to December 2022. The current deadline makes it difficult for candidates and voters alike to prepare for New York’s primary elections in June, since the exact makeup of the constituency will still be unknown. The new deadline gives more time for those preparations.
Rundown BY nate Izzo
CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARD
The Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) investigates complaints against police officers and recommends discipline when necessary. There are five proposed revisions to how the CCRB functions. The first part would add two more members to the board. One would be appointed by the public advocate, and the other would be appointed by the mayor and City Council Speaker. The latter would act as chairperson of the board. The second part establishes a minimum budget for the board; at least high enough to fund a staff equal to 0.65% the number of uniformed police officers. This proposal protects the CCRB budget from year-to-year inconsistencies. If the board recommends disciplinary action, the police commissioner can accept or reject the recommendation. Part three of this proposal would require the commissioner to give detailed explanations of whether or not action was taken, as well as the reasoning for that decision. Parts four and five give the CCRB more power during investigations. The fourth part gives the CCRB power to investigate potential false statements made by police officers during an investigation and recommend discipline if a lie is found. Part five gives the CCRB the power to issue and enforce subpoenas to gain evidence in a more timely manner. ETHICS AND GOVERNMENT The third proposal deals with the ethics policies of the government in five parts. Part one would
extend the prohibition of former officials communicating with the government on their new employer’s behalf from one to two years for higher-ranking officials. The second would diversify who appoints the members of the Conflicts of Interest Board. Currently, the mayor appoints all five members, but the revision would have the public advocate and Comptroller each appoint one member. It would also require three members to approve board decisions instead of two. The third part further restricts COIB members’ political activity and campaign contributions. The fourth part would require the Minorityand Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) director to report directly to the mayor. Currently, the director may report to the mayor or to a commissioner that reports to the mayor. The final part deals with the leader of the Law Department, the Corporation Counsel. The proposal would require the City Council to approve the mayor’s appointee. The mayor would also need to offer a replacement within 60 days should a vacancy occur. CITY BUDGET The fourth proposal deals with the City’s budgeting process. The first part would establish a “rainy day” fund, which would be set aside to use for unexpected future expenses. The second part would set a minimum budget for the public advocate and borough presidents and tie them to inflation and the city expense budget. This proposal would protect them from the inconsistency that comes with standard yearly budget negotiations.
to estimate the total revenue the city has to work with so that the City Council can consider the impact of each decision. This proposal moves the deadline for that estimate from June 5 to April 26, giving the Council more time to deliberate. The fifth section is fairly simple: it would mandate the mayor to give the City Council a 30 day notice before revising the city’s financial plan. LAND USE The final ballot proposal is only two parts, and it deals with how land is used in the city. When developers seek exceptions from certain zoning laws, they have to send in a “land use application.” This process does not currently involve borough presidents or the borough and community boards, and that is what this proposal seeks to change. The Department of City Planning would be required to create and publicly publish a detailed review of every application before it is approved. In the same vein, the second part of this proposal would give community boards more time to respond to certified land use applications. This response includes informing the community, holding meetings about the application, and submitting recommended changes.
Part four deals with balancing the budget. It is one of the mayor’s responsibilities F E A T U R E
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FAIR PAY FOR PLAY ACT California won the battle; who will win the war? BY Matthew Romano
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t’s just after spooky szn and there is a history-making development regarding a longstanding dispute over paying college athletes that has ghosts of the NCAA’s past out on the haunt, advocates for the NCAA’s traditional ‘amateurism’ model spooked, and what is likely to be a 4-year legal battle brewing. On September 30th, California’s Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, with much theatrics and fanfare, signed the Fair Pay for Play Act (SB 206). Sitting alongside the governor as he warned the NCAA, “I don’t want to say this is checkmate but…” was LeBron James, Ed O’Bannon, and many other players in the fight for student athlete compensation. The Fair Pay for Play Act, which is anticipated to be enacted in 2023 pending its survival in litigation battles, will make California the first state in the country where student athletes are eligible for compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness (termed NIL rights) in endorsements and commercials. Though Newsom and LeBron’s will get the majority of attention and credit for the act, there are 2 other important people behind the production of monumental moment in the history of college athletics. Ed O’Bannon The writing on the wall Ed O’Bannon, a former UCLA power forward, is known as the lead plaintiff in his class action suit O’Bannon v. NCAA. This case, despite failing to achieve NIL compencompensation, allowed players to receive scholarscholarships equaling cost-of-attendance, marking a significant shift in court bullish opinions on the issue of amateurism, player compencompensation, and the relation of antitrust law to the NCAA over the previous 30 years. The writing was on the wall for the eventual “Ed O’Bannon laws” as they are being coined, of which SB 206 became the first. Nancy Skinner the woman behind the win, the war. In 2015, Nancy Skinner set her attention towards the NCAA, a “multibillion-dollar 14
S P O R T S
enterprise dependent on amateur athletes.” Now in the State Senate for California’s 9th district, Skinner co-wrote the 2019 bill securing NIL rights and an attached monetary value, which passed the Assembly and Senate floors with bipartisan support and the approval of notable figures in sports and politics like, LeBron James, Bernie Sanders, and Duke Men’s Basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski. Despite the success of Skinner, Newsom, and their star-studded supports, the fight continues. Sadaab Rahman, a political science major at City College, commented, “The battles are far from over yet, and actually just beginning.” Yet, the most interesting stories to follow in this ongoing tussle might not occur on gym floors, but in the senate and courtrooms. In the wake of the act’s signing, politicians across the table and around the nation are scrambling to propose similar or more extensive bills. According to Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.com, as many as ten other states, including New York, are in the bill proposing process. On the flipside, the NCAA and the PAC-12 are expected to respond with counterlitigation in the hopes of overturning the California law. The NCAA has responded with a statement highlighting the confusion that state-by-state legislation will cause. Rahman, who concurs with the concern, warns, “…while this may seem like a good thing, I actually think it will complicate matters tremendously. The reason being, when you have different state laws, it becomes hard, if not impossible, to create a nationwide standard which the NCAA wants under the Commerce Clause.” The PAC-12 conference warns of the negative effects the law will create around issues of the professionalization of college sports, recruitment imbalance, and negative impact on female athletes. Additionally, the new law has prompted the NCAA to threaten to ban California universities from championship competitions. However, the legitimacy of the threat is questionable as California makes up the NCAA’s largest
economic beneficiary and has the world’s fifth-largest economy. All signs point to federal action unless the NCAA and the PAC-12 can manage to eke out a now unexpected win and overturn the new California law. Some find themselves in support of the players in this dispute; Rahman has said, “I think it’s a game changer for college sports and long overdue… but there is sure to be opposition from those who don’t want to see young men and women benefit from a system that has long profited off them and their situation.” However, others like Eric Bilach fear, “The selfishness and self-importance that could be cultivated among young players, the prioritization of athletics over academics, and the killing of the distinction between amateur and professional sports.” The battle may have commenced at the tip of Newsom’s pen, but the side that wins the war is still to be determined.
CCNY ATHLETICS CALENDAR 1
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MSOC @ Yeshiva Univsersity Teaneck, NJ 8:15 PM
WBB vs Cabrini/ Pitt-Greensburge Galloway, NJ 1:30/3:00
WVB @ CUNYAC 1st round 2019 CUNYAC
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MBB @ Connecticut College New London, CT 7:00PM WBB @ Wesleyan University Middletown, CT 7:00PM
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GEN vs Holman Hysteria New York, NY 7:00 PM
WBB @ United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NY 6:00 PM
WBB vs S Joseph New York, NY 6:00
WVB @ CUNYAC SEMIFINALS 6:00/8:00PM WVB at CUNYAC Finals 8:00 PM
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WSOC @ CUNYAC CHAMPIONCHIP Brooklyn, NY - TBA
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MSOC @ CUNYAC SEMIFINALS TBA WSOC @ CUNYAC SEMIFINALS TBA
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WSOC @ CUNYAC CHAMPIONCHIP Brooklyn, NY - TBA
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MBB vs Plattsburgh MXC @ NCAA DIII Reginal Canton, NY CC @ NCAA Regional - TBA WBB @ StocktonStockton-
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WBB vs Albright College New York, NY 2:00PM MBB vs Rutgers New York, NY 4:00PM
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MBB @ St Jospeh’s College Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY 1:00PM
S P O R T S 15
T
he Pew Research Center explains that a millennial is anyone born between 1981 and 1996, while those born between 1997 and 2012 are considered Generation Z. There are also the cuspers of Generation Z and Millennials who are classified as Generation Z but can also relate greatly to Millennials. These so-called “Zillennials” are a blend of both and were probably born between 1997 and 2000. Please note that while some may consider themselves one generation and relate more to the other, there are no clear lines and indications of who is what. Each generation is considered its own generation when a large group can relate on a few commonalities, not by any particular years. Childhoods and personalities vary based on several things like family, friends, and geographic locations so just have fun!
BY Brahmjot Kaur What TV show would you consider culturally impactful in your childhood? A. Malcolm in the Middle B. Suite Life of Zack and Cody C. Jessie What song would you be jamming to your middle school dance? A. Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato B. California Girls by Katy Perry C. Buy You a Drink by T-Pain What movie did you and your friends get excited to see on a Friday night after a long day of (high school) classes? A. The Dark Knight B. Ant-Man and the Wasp C. The Hunger Games
Do you remember using Netflix when the company only provided disc rentals through the mail before they introduced video on demand services? A. Yes, even the concept of having DVDs mailed to your house instead of going to BlockBuster was revolutionary B. I sort of remember but it definitely isn’t a strong enough memory C. No, I only really remember it as a streaming service Who was your favorite celebrity power couple growing up? A. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West B. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie C. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
Just like a strawberry-banana smoothie, you’re a true blend. Even though you are a Gen Z, you found the perfect balance between both worlds. When talking to older people you can relate and when you talk to those slightly younger, you can still relate! A win-win!
You’re true to yourself and the culture you grew up with! You have fun and have no problem acting your age. Your time to hang with the big kids is coming up, and while you might not completely relate, your own personality and vision of pop-culture is an important asset that some wish they had and understood.
KEY: 1. A-0, B-1,C-2; 2. A-2, B-1, C-0; 3. A-0, B-2, C-1; 4. A-0, B-1, C-2; 5. A-2, B-0, C-1
Congrats! You are officially an honorary millennial! You can pride yourself on your extensive knowledge of pop culture and you refined tastes, just like the big kids!
