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TUESDAY
oct. 10, 2017 high 72°, low 51°
t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r a c u s e , n e w yor k |
N • Key role
dailyorange.com
P • Losing bank
Syracuse University professors of physics discuss the role they played in contributing to Nobel Prize-winning work on gravitational waves. Page 3
The Greater Syracuse Land Bank’s usual $1.5 million in funding was cut for reasons that may be linked to public perceptions of the organization. Page 9
S • Name game
A gift from the Carrier Corp. gave the Carrier Dome its name in the late 1970s. With no official naming deal, the future of the Dome’s name is murky. Page 16
Uncertain ties Mayoral candidates believe SU can do more to help the city of Syracuse
on campus
Mumps outbreak grows 14 SU students have contracted the disease By Sam Ogozalek asst. news editor
Story by Rachel Sandler
asst. digital editor
Illustrations by Annie Schwartz
contributing illustrator
T
hree candidates for Syracuse mayor agree Syracuse University has an obligation to support the city and praise Nancy Cantor, SU’s previous chancellor, for investing resources outside of the university during her tenure. One candidate, Republican Laura Lavine, said she didn’t have enough information about the university’s programs in the city to respond. But all four candidates — Lavine, Howie Hawkins, Juanita Perez Williams and Ben Walsh — said they want to work with SU administration to help Syracuse. The city has one of the worst poverty rates in the country, according to census data, at a time when the current SU administration could be looking to be dialing back on high direct investments into large city projects that were characteristic of Cantor. At an open forum last month, Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly said SU has to remain aware of the surrounding city but that student community engagement is “up for development.” “We need to document and assess whether or not this is adding to the see engagement page 7
city
Residents call for Columbus Day name change By Kennedy Rose asst. news editor
Syracuse community members, balancing on a rim of the Columbus Circle fountain, held up a makeshift banner reading “Columbus Didn’t Discover Anything … 1,000s of Nations Were Already Here.” “What really shapes how we think of this day is how it’s taught,” said Claudia Klaver, an associate professor of English at Syracuse University. Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation held a rally in Columbus Circle Monday evening to promote a petition to rename Columbus Day “Indigenous Peoples Day.” The petition, circulated among
rally members, called upon local lawmakers — including Mayor Stephanie Miner, members of the Syracuse Common Council and Onondaga County Legislature — to change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. More than 100 people attended the rally, including Syracuse University students and members of the Onondaga Nation. The city of Syracuse and Onondaga County are both on former Onondaga Nation land. The nation claims to have lost possession of nearly 95 percent of its land between 1788 and 1822 to New York state. The Syracuse City School District, see rally page 6
MITCHELL ROSE BEAR DON’T WALK kneels during a rally for Indigenous Peoples Day. codie yan staff photographer
A mumps outbreak at Syracuse University again expanded over the weekend, with the number of students infected by the contagious disease jumping from eight to 14. In response to the outbreak, SU Athletics has canceled practices and scrimmages for the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams for a “minimum of three weeks.” Officials confirmed members of both teams have contracted the mumps. SU first announced two confirmed mumps cases in an email to the campus community on Sept. 21. “Our student-athletes’ safety, and the safety of all students, faculty and staff, remains our top priority,” said director of athletics John Wildhack in a statement Friday. “After continued discussions, and with great counsel from the state and county, we are confident this is the right call.” The Onondaga County Health Department last week ordered SU “exclude” 17 students from campus who have not submitted vaccination records. The exclusion started Oct. 2. Students with medical or religious waivers were not exempt from the exclusion. “Although vaccination is your best protection, it’s not 100 percent effective,” said Karen Nardella, medical director of health services, though, in a campus-wide email Monday afternoon. “In fact, every Syracuse student who has contracted mumps has been properly vaccinated.” Melanie Drotar, a public information specialist with the county health department, said in an email last Sunday all inquires regarding the issue should be directed to SU administrators. Symptoms of mumps can include a fever, headaches, muscle aches, puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw and neck. Most people diagnosed with mumps recover in a few weeks, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SU students diagnosed with mumps have been “isolated,” according to the university. Mumps outbreaks are known to occasionally occur on college campuses. Officials have advised students to wash their hands, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and avoid sharing cups and other utensils. sfogozal@syr.edu | @Sam13783