Ov e r a Ce n tu ry o f Service t o CCN Y & T h e Harlem Communi ty
NEVE
E H S , S S E RTHEL
M ar c h 2 0 1 7
PERSIS
TED.
Who’s Next in Line?
Flying Solo
The Women’s Marches
Search for new President continues
Tips for Traveling Alone
Photos from across the country
In This Issue
Magazine Staff
The Women’s Marches
Editor-in-Chief / Sports Editor Curtis Ashley content Editor Curtis Ashley, Christian Hernandez, & Anthony Viola Copy Editors Janice D’Gracia & Christian Hernandez
Photos from across the country
10-11
–– Art Director Carmen Quang Illustrator Alexandria Naase Business Manager / Social media Manager Ebony Anderson-Brown Faculty Advisor Linda Villarosa * Cover Photo by Marist Media Hub * Back Cover Photo by Curtis Ashley
News
LIfestyle
Features
Sports
You are welome here (4-6) Women’s March (10-11)
An Open Letter (7)
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Contact Us North Academic Center 1/119 CCNYCampusnews@gmail.com CCNYCampus.org
The Campus @CCNYCampus @CCNYCampus 2 THE CAMPUS / MARCH 2017
Ticket for one (8-9) Treat yo’self (12-13)
One for the Books (14) Cheer Up! (15)
Editor’s Note It’s nearing the middle of the semester already, and while life here at City College hasn’t stopped, the world continues to create challenges. President Trump continues to be the most controversial man in the world, signing executive orders one right after the next. At the state level, students continue to fight for affordable college tuition, amongst a plethora of other issues. Here at City College, interim President Vincent Boudreau does his best to be as transparent as possible about what’s going on in administration. If history is any indicator, there is never a period of complete rest. Something is always happening around the world, and it is the job of people like The Campus to bring you the details. From our basketball team nearly breaking their 14-year championship drought, to women’s marches and protests from around the country, we want to cover the whole spectrum. Because while you’re taking midterms, it’s also important to know of the life that ceases to stop, just outside your classroom window.
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Trump’s tr av el b an, the I nteri m Presi dent’s r es p o nse, and what w e s ho u l d d o. by Katie Herchenroeder Photo by Anthony Viola 4 THE CAMPUS / MARCH 2017
WeAreOneCCNY S
ome historical moments demand an immediate response. These situations incite reactions in living rooms, classrooms, and courtrooms. When President Donald Trump’s recent executive order suspended entry of all refugees for 120 days and blocked entry from seven Muslimmajority countries for 90 days, it also created an atmosphere of resistance across the nation, and the world. The City University of New York, and City College alike are devoted to the protection and education of all undocumented students. Together, they refuse to conform to any hateful rhetoric coming from the White House. In the past several weeks, Interim President Vincent Boudreau has publicly opposed Trump’s executive order, hosting town hall meetings, and posting on social media. Three days after the White House issued the executive order, Boudreau sent out a detailed e-mail to all students explaining the actions CUNY and CCNY are taking. “The anger and resistance that this order sparked has been deeply gratifying for me, because it speaks to the generosity of spirit that I trust still lies in the heart of this nation, and I know is second nature to the people I work with, and the people who come to learn on this campus,” he wrote to the student body.
The interim president continued on, introducing “WeAreOneCCNY,” an addition to the City College website. This page contains “the best information we have on what’s happening to erode the rights and status of our immigrant brothers and sisters and to venues being set up to resist that erosion.” Boudreau ends his message by ensuring that CUNY and CCNY will “not surrender [their] values.” He promises that the current administration at City College will continue to mobilize the energy of the campus, and wants to make sure all students, undocumented or not, can continue to prosper and inspire at City College. Out of the 109 CUNY students from the banned countries, 66 of those attend CCNY. “This issue is a CUNY issue yes, but it is predominantly a City College issue,” he states. In regards to the process of immigration law, Boudreau points out many misconceptions. “Everybody kind of imagines immigration as storming the gates, and like going into classrooms and taking people out. That is probably not how it is going to go.” Immigration law is enforced much more calmly in educational situations. Most likely, a government official will come into the the college with an administrative warrant.
Our i nsti tuti on i s bas ed i n the i ncl usi on of al l i ndi vi duals. Boudre au know s CCNY’s hi story and notes that one can “r ead the foundi ng docum ents of Ci ty Coll ege and they are absol utely a w o r l d map for what w e sh o u l d be doi ng ri ght now.” As students at Ci ty Col l eg e today, w e need to em b r ac e these tradi ti ons an d fi g ht for the ri ghts of ou r peers. NEWS 5
YO U A R E W E L C O M E H E R E ( C T D . )
With this, they do not have access to student records protected by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Boudreau and his administration have made it clear that they “will not participate in the enforcement of immigration law.” Yet, this would change if they return with a court ordered search warrant. By refusing to divulge information, they are committing an act of civil disobedience. Boudreau admits that he cannot ask anyone on campus to commit that act. “It sucks, because you would love to say, as a sanctuary campus, we will lock the gates and no one will come in, and you can sleep in the cafeteria and you will be absolutely safe.” With this reality, he encourages all students to “know their strategies” and “be smart about their own futures.” Whether that be “keeping their head down” or “flying below the radar.” Moving forward, Boudreau is ready to fight, and he encourages students to do the same. But what steps do we take? He suggests that students protest, be passionate about others, and advocate for tangible moves towards change. 6 THE CAMPUS / MARCH 2017
“There is a time for protest, where you’re actually saying to someone in authority, ‘I disagree with you’, and what you hope when you protest is that someone is going to say ‘You’ve convinced me. I’m going to change.’ If you don’t think an authority is going to change, then you have to start thinking about actual resistance.” Our institution is based in the inclusion of all individuals. Boudreau knows CCNY’s history and notes that one can “read the founding documents of City College and they are absolutely a world map for what we should be doing right now.” As students at City College today, we need to embrace these traditions and fight for the rights of our peers. Boudreau goes on to say that this resistance begins with us, and our voice in society. “I think as people with voices, we just have to keep raising them.” If Trump
reinstates the travel ban, we as a college need to “hammer on that ban.” Individuals not directly affected by immigration law must also “consider the possibility that in the next four years, people on this campus may need actual help.” If a student needs to sleep on someone’s couch, or vulnerably request any other aid for their day to day life, they need to know that there are people readily available to help them. He warns us to be steadfast in our activism. “We have to work everyday to construct this community… We have to fight the fatigue that sets in three months out, four months out, eight months out.” Jeremy Travis is President of John Jay and a close colleague of Boudreau. When giving Boudreau advice on being a college president, he states, “Your biggest asset is your voice, and you have to use every opportunity to speak to the campus about things that matter.” We as students, and citizens, are living in a pivotal moment in history. How we respond to oppression and racist implications says a lot about who we are as a generation, as a community of student scholars, and as members of the legacy of City College.
An
Letter
For The City College Search Community: The City College of New York is an institution of extreme importance, not only to the city or state, but also the nation. Our history as the first element of CUNY has instilled a legacy that has been valuable to several generations of young men and women between the 19th and current century. This sense of responsibility and progress defines a City College student. These sentiments are embodied within the fabric of our college, from our architecture to the impactful alumni of our school. Thus, the selection of a president is a decision which will hold you all accountable for the actions of that individual once they assume office. We need a leader who can resurrect the glory of our institution. Select a president who is actually able to deliver an increase in revenue, and able to satisfy the demands of faculty and students. Though the soul of City College has been stifled by the past, the right president would drive the college community to more interaction, healthier competition, and a strong scholarly culture within our society. The concept of City College is a value which is tantamount to the success and relevance of the City University of New York. If our institution is unable to fulfill its goals; if our student body and faculty are unable to accomplish their tasks, then the entire system is thrown into question. The City College of New York holds a legacy which predates the CUNY system, and therefore our vision of City College shouldn’t be dictated through CUNY officials but through the ambitions of City College administrators, faculty and students. When a new president is selected, we hope that the legacy of City College resurfaces in order to demonstrate what an education in New York City really means, all the while setting a precedent for other presidents throughout CUNY. Sincerely, Nick Clarke, writer for The Campus
F E AT U R E S 7
8 THE CAMPUS / MARCH 2017
A dv e n tu r e s o f a First-T im e solo t ravele r by Janice D’Gracia
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Photos by Janice D’Gracia
anderlust. Adventure. Getaways. We see these words along with matching pictures of beautiful landscapes, cities, and beaches all over social media. Traveling seems to be more popular than ever, and it’s possible that we all know someone that got bitten by the travel bug. When thinking of travel, perhaps memories of a family vacation, a spring break trip with friends, or a weekend getaway with your significant other come to mind. But one type of travel that makes us think twice is flying solo. I certainly thought the idea over many times before taking the plunge. When I told my friends I’d be going to Europe by myself over the winter break, I got looks of confusion, and was simply asked, “Why?” The idea of traveling alone may seem daunting to many, but to me, it was more enticing than it was scary. After all, I wondered, what could possibly be different between traveling alone and traveling with family or friends? Before deciding, make sure you’re mentally and financially ready to travel alone. Think long and hard about it. Read all the solo traveler blogs you can find
online, bask in the gorgeous photos you see on Instagram and Facebook, and check out travel reviews of the places you’re interested in visiting. After that, get your bank account in order. Use some of your savings, or have some family members chip in. On a budget? No biggie. These kinds of trips can be inexpensive if you do your research. Many popular destinations have free attractions and events, and you should make a list of everything you want to do to ensure affordability. Now, about my trip. The first stop of my seven-day solo journey began with three days in London. I didn’t realize how much time I would spend just taking in (and eating) every single thing around me. This included historic and modern buildings, street performers, fish n’ chips, that lovely British accent, and riding the Tube during rush hour. Embrace it all. Seeing everything alone will help you to appreciate that experience so much more. There will be no one nagging you about what’s next on the itinerary, or reminding you that it’s time to eat. Selfies galore! Everything is on your terms. And when all’s said and done, I found
out that even on a solo trip you’re not alone. I met a fellow New Yorker from Queens, proving we really are everywhere. However, no trip would be a trip without a struggle of some kind. After a two-hour train ride into the Gare du Nord train station in Paris, I was met with the first, and luckily, the only dosage of fear for this trip: I didn’t speak an ounce of French and couldn’t figure out how to get to my hotel. It took a while to find the subway entrance and when I did, I almost got scammed by a lady who I thought was a station worker offering to help me buy a subway ticket. Phew! Unfortunate situations are, unfortunately, part of the travel reality whether you’re alone or not. If you find yourself in one of these, take a few moments to figure out your next move. You don’t want one bad experience to ruin your whole trip, so save your energy. You’ll have plenty of time to complain about it later – trust me. My trip was unforgettable, and on the flight back home, I couldn’t decide which city I enjoyed most. Then the words of a sales woman I met in London resonated in my mind: “Every place is magic.” That said, try to experience it – solo. LIFESTYLE 9
Ph ot os from t h ree of the Women’s Marches across the country. T h e m a rch es t ook place on Saturday, January 21, 2017 Photos by Ebony Anderson-Brown, Katie Herchenroeder, & Margaret Uhalde
T R E AT YO ’ S E L F 2 0 1 7
12 THE CAMPUS / MARCH 2017
record sounds in order to track the amount of movement and noise made throughout the night. The app serves as an alarm and logs your sleep debt (the amount of sleep you did not get).
A Gu i d e to Se lf Ca re by DeLannie Lopez Photos by Ebony Anderson-Brown
E
xams, jobs, internships, and sports are only are only a few items on the list of an exhausted college student’s life. These may attribute to high stress levels, eventually driving students to starvation and sleep deprivation. Let’s be honest, who has time to perform basic human activities nowadays? According to the 2016 National College Health Assessment, more than 85 percent of students are overwhelmed by all they have to do, and about 56 percent of students reported overwhelming anxiety. The take-away: responsibilities can cause a student to not perform to the best of their ability. But don’t worry, here are some tips to guide you toward stability of your mental and physical health:
1.
2.
3.
D r ink Wat e r
4.
Me d itat e a nd d o yo ga
5.
T ry a l it t l e r e ta il t he r a py
Pen c i l You r s e lf I n In order to ensure that you are giving yourself attention, make time in your daily schedule to cater to your needs outside of work and school. Set aside at least an hour every day to do activities you enjoy.
G et so m e s l e e p ! According a study released by the National Sleep Foundation in 2015, people between the ages of 18 and 25 should get seven to nine hours of sleep. Achieving this may seem impossible, especially if you work, attend class, and have a social life. However, it is essential for your brain’s development and body’s recuperation. In order to get a sufficient amount of sleep, complete assignments during your breaks and commutes. If you find trouble tracking your hours of rest, technology’s got your back. SleepBot is a free sleep tracker app available for both iPhone and Android users. The app links with your phone accelerometer and can be set to
The human body is 70% water. Water replenishes cells and energizes your body. The suggested daily intake of water is between nine and 13 cups. If you find difficulty in tracking your daily water intake, buy a measured water bottle and take notes on how many ounces you have consumed. Purchasing a reusable water bottle will save you money on buying overpriced and overrated water from the bodega. In addition, if you are hesitant about refilling your reusable bottle with water from City College’s questionable water fountains, consider using the Brita Hydration Station, located in the NAC and Marshak building.
we all know that buying yourself a little treat can often feel pleasurable, especially when your bank account isn’t in the negative after your purchase. As college students, money isn’t always flowing, however, there are many student discounts available. Unidays is a website that connects students to different discounts. Sign up with your school email (Citymail) account and you will have access to many retail discounts. College is not an easy process. Students are constantly overwhelmed and unable to cater to their own needs. It’s not easy, but if you follow at least one of these tips, you will be on the road to treating yo’self!
Many studies have proven the physical and mental benefits of meditation and yoga. Both activities can help reduce depression and anxiety. In addition, yoga and meditation can boost your immune system and help with muscle soreness. If you are hesitant about kickstarting a meditation and yoga routine, consider downloading the following apps: Pocket Yoga is a free app that has instructional videos to guide you on each yoga pose. Calm and Headspace are free apps that will help you focus during meditation; each app has tips on how to meditate and provides a daily schedule to track your meditation and mindfulness habits.
Although there is no scientific research supporting this statement, L I F E S T Y L E 13
ONE FOR THE BOOKS Beavers lose i n CUNYAC fi nal s, but make progra m hi s to ry.
T
by Christian Hernandez
he City College Beavers and the College of Staten Island Dolphins faced off on Thursday, February 24, for the 2017 CUNYAC Men’s Basketball Championship game in the Nat Holman Gymnasium. Despite a close first half, the Beavers were unable to end their title drought, falling
I fe lt we h a d a l ot of m om en t um , w e w e r e mov i n g t h e ba ll we ll, ge tti n g o u t in t ra n sit ion , a n d p l ay in g good d e fe n se - K ha l i l H am er , Sen i o r G u ar d
to the Dolphins 66-77. This game marked the third time these two teams met during the 2016-2017 season, with the first in December and the second in January. Just like the championship match, the first two ended with a loss for the Beavers. The energy from the audience filled the gym, as fans from both sides roared. The Beavers fed off this energy in the first half. They shot 50 percent from the three-point line and led the Dolphins 35-33 before the second half. “First half, I felt we played well. We were up by about 10 points at one time,” Senior guard Khalil Hamer commented. Hamer finished the game Thursday night with 16 points, six assists, and two steals. “I felt we had a lot of momentum, we were moving the ball well, getting out in transition, and playing good defense.” Although the Beavers were winning, their defense wasn’t as strong as their offense. Chants from the Beavers’ fans urged their team to pick up on defense, as 14 THE CAMPUS / MARCH 2017
Photo by Christian Hernandez the Dolphins continued to pull down boards. CSI rebounded nearly twice as many balls as CCNY, grabbing 23 to City’s 12. During the second half, the Beavers shot just as well from the three-point line (47.6%) and managed to pick up 22 more rebounds. Mark Richards, Khalil Hamer, and Robbie Dionisio led the way as they managed to pick up five rebounds each in the second half (respectively, gathering nine, seven, and eight rebounds in total). Despite stronger rebounding and a sharp offense, the Beavers ended up with twice as many turnovers than when they started the second half — going from seven turnovers to 15 by the end of the game. The Dolphins, on the other hand, only ended up with one turnover in the second half, ending with 14 in total. “I feel like we didn’t come out with same fire, offensively or defensively. We were a step slow on defense, a little stagnant on offense, and CSI capitalized on it and made it tough for us to get back in the game,” Hamer said about the Beaver’s second half play. Although the Beavers fell short of bringing the title home to CCNY, the 20162017 season is one to remember. This year, the men’s basketball team posted a 17-10 record, their best in the program’s history since the 1949-1950 season — the very Beavers led by Nat Holman himself. The 2016-2017 squad also ended the program’s 14-year absence from the CUNYAC Championship game. “A lot of people doubted us and thought we had a lackluster season for the CCNY books, but we really turned it around and focused,” Hamer said. “We never pointed fingers at each other for losses and took anything personal on the floor. We just played hard, came to handle business, and proved people wrong and I love my guys for that. Yeah we lost the championship game but my team is full of champions.”
Cheer Up! C C N Y Ch e e r s te ps in t o t h e spot ligh t. by Curtis Ashley
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Photo by Curtis Ashley
hen a college’s athletics program is Division III, it’s up to the students at the school to make sure the players on the teams feel the full experience. The crowd’s roars are part of what keeps the adrenaline coursing through their bodies. In addition to the fans, cheerleaders also provide a support system. At The City College of New York, that system isn’t one that gets the recognition it deserves. The CCNY Cheerleaders are a small (but never quiet) group of athletes that, with hard work and dedication, have become a more prevalent entity on campus than in recent years. Anna Chen, a member of the cheer squad, gave an in depth look at what it’s like as a cheerleader. “We usually start with warmups. It’s a set warm-up for each day, and we go through it as a team,” Chen said, speaking on the group’s practices. “After the warm-up, we go through announcements, and then we practice our cheers, dances, and our stunts.” The squad formed roughly three to four years ago. For each of those years, the girls — and guys — have been present for the both of the basketball teams, as well as for some of the volleyball matches. After supporting the other teams, the cheerleaders often have their own competitions to compete in. “Usually after the basketball games, we have a competition where we compete with other CUNY schools. This semester we are not competing, but in other semesters, we most likely will.” Instead, this semester will be spent on rebuilding the team and making sure that everything and everyone are in tip-top shape come next semester. The group welcomes newcomers, not just to the team but to the sport of cheerleading. According to Chen,
Illustration by Alexandria Naase
there is no experience needed in order to join the cheer squad. “Usually we don’t ask for experience, but we do have a tryout. We have clinics for the tryouts, where people who want to join the team can come. We teach them a cheer, a dance, and stunting as well,” Chen explained. There is more to this team than what meets the eye. This isn’t just a bunch of
W e have cl i ni cs for th e tryouts, where people w ho want to joi n the team c an c o m e. W e teach them a cheer , a danc e, and stunti ng as w el l . - Anna C hen random girls grouped together for the sake of supporting jocks at a sporting event. Chen describes the team as a “family,” one that does its best to keep school morale high. One way in which they achieved this was by holding a pep rally in the NAC rotunda, co-hosted by the basketball teams. Their commitment to cheer has also led them to off-campus events. “We also volunteered at events such as the breast cancer walks. We cheered the walkers on, and let them know ‘they could do it.’” CCNY may not be the most sportscentered school, but with a group like the cheerleaders, it’s hard to think otherwise. Their school pride and spirit is what keeps us vested in athletics, and in some situations, keeps the player’s head in the game.
S P O R T S 15
HSH: Es fácil enfrentar la vida cuando se tiene la fuerza necesaria para luchar y fé en que nuestros esfuerzos tendrán fruto. - las hermanas
HSH: Life is easy to face When you have the strength Necessary to fight And faith In which our Efforts will bear fruit. - the sisters
– Anonymous, 1988