INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880
The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 136, No. 1
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019
n
ITHACA, NEW YORK
20 Pages – Free
News
Arts
Sports
Weather
New Year, New Papers
Boyband
Taking the lead
Chance Of Showers
As Cornell welcomes 3,218 new students, The Sun publishes its first issue of the year. | Page 3
BROCKHAMPTON is back, but something feels off.
Seniors George Holm and Jelani Taylor will serve as Cornell football's 2019 captains. | Page 20
| Page 11
HIGH: 73º LOW: 56º
Controversial Arrests of 2 Black Ithacans Head to Trial Over 100 protesters flood a Tompkins County courtroom to contest decision to pursue charges By GIRISHA ARORA and SARAH SKINNER Sun Senior Editor and Sun Managing Editor
Protestors and attorneys continued the case of two young black Ithaca residents facing criminal charges for an April altercation with police on Monday, as a six-minute procedural hearing became a local platform for the nation’s ongoing debate about police brutality. On April 6, officers on the Ithaca Commons arrested Rose de Groat, 22, and Cadji Ferguson, 26, after an altercation with a middle-aged white man, in which police say Ferguson struck the man. During the Ithaca Police Department intervention, police say that de Groat hit two officers in the head who approached her from behind while they tried to detain Ferguson. In body camera footage of the incident released by Mayor Svante Myrick ’09, Ferguson, who was tased by the officers, told the police while on the ground that the man had “tried to assault his friend.” De Groat was initially charged with two counts of assault in the second degree. Her charges were reduced to one count of resisting arrest and two counts of obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, The Sun previously reported. In his opening statement in court on Monday, District Attorney See PROTESTS page 6
SARAH SKINNER / SUN MANAGING EDITOR
Courtroom drama | Amidst charges of racism and police overreach by protesters, the presiding judge has ruled that one of the two residents will face trial after she refused the District Attorney’s plea bargain.
Man Wields ‘Machete Type’ Knife in Attempted Robbery By MARYAM ZAFAR Sun City Editor
COURTESY OF HOLT ARCHITECTS, PHOTO: REVETTE STUDIO
24/7 again | One of Cornell’s most popular late-night study haunts, Uris Library’s Cocktail Lounge reopened earlier this month after undergoing a semester-long project to upgrade the space’s furniture and design.
After wrapping up a two-day move-in, the Cornell University Police Department issued a Crime Alert for an attempted robbery on the fringe of Cornell’s south campus, just yards from Collegetown Bagels and across from the Schwartz Performing Arts Center. At around 2:21 a.m. on Sunday, a suspect ran towards
the victim while displaying a “‘large machete’ type knife” and demanding property. The Ithaca Police Department responded to the incident around the 100 block of Oak Avenue, and reported that the victim was not physically injured. The incident took place as many students and parents are on campus during Cornell’s move-in weekend and the beginning of See ROBBERY page 4
Revamped Cocktail Lounge Reopens By EMILY YANG Sun Staff Writer
It’s a new dawn for Cornell’s nocturnal population: The Cocktail Lounge has been reopened. After being shut down in January for renovations, the Uris Library basement is now ready for the students again. The freshly finished lounge will feature a self-serve Starbucks kiosk, a new entrance and more accessibility facilities. Last upgraded in 2002, the 24-hour study space closed in order to “improve the interior furniture and finishes” and meet current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, according to Jon Ladley, the facilities planning manager. The south entrance facing Libe Slope was opened last week. The interior has been open since
June, but exterior landscaping work was delayed due to rain. Previously an emergency exit, the new entrance will have a card access reader along with an automatic door operator, an in-ground snowmelt system and a regraded accessible pathway to Ho Plaza. Changes to the lounge include upgraded lighting, carpet, seating and group study room technology. The layout features expanded views of Libe Slope, and furniture was chosen after testing and receiving student feedback. Vending machines have also been added, along with more electrical outlets. The restrooms have also been remodeled to ADA standards along with the addition of an all-gender restroom. See LOUNGE page 5
KATIE SIMS / SUN FILE PHOTO
Razors edge | A suspect attempted to rob a victim early Sunday morning by brandishing a ‘large machete’ outside Collegetown Bagels, see above.