Volume 67, Issue 6

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April 22, 2013

Volume 67, Issue 6

Organic Ethics--Eco-Anxiety---Rape Culture---Bike Program---Paganism 101---Spirit Animals---Alternative Energy---& More

THE KNOTHOLE

is the State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry’s exclusive monthly student publication. The contents of the publication include recent and upcoming event coverage, interviews, editorials, opinion articles, political cartoons, artwork, poetry, club announcements, and much more.

SUNY-ESF students are able to make submissions at The Knothole office in 12D Bray Hall (BraySpace) or by email at esfknothole@gmail.com before 6:00PM on Tuesdays the week before the next issue is published.

The

Knothole meets every other Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the basement of Bray Hall. If you are interested in attending, please send us an email at esfknothole@ gmail.com so we can expect you!

Co-Managing Editors Heather Helman Gavin Cohen Layout & Design Meg Callaghan Gabrielle Alper

Editorial Staff Brigitte Moneymaker Emily Adams Christian Hill

Printer Scotsman Press

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he mission of The Knothole is to provide its readers with writings that are both stimulating and contemporary: to inform its students of clubs, events, and off-campus happenings, to challenge a world driven by progress to uncover the truth about current environmental policies and innovations, and to express such ideas, ingeniously and collectively.

We are not a newspaper; we are not a magazine; we are not The Daily Orange.

We are simply created by Stumpies, for Stumpies... and we like it that way.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the writers only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publication’s staff or anyone affiliated with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry.

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This is my last Syracuse spring before I graduate, and I want to savor it. Green Lakes hikes, walks in Oakwood, bike rides everywhere, the works. It’s easy to forget how beautiful this place can be. Then the sun comes out! Saying goodbye to everything is always weird, and weirdest of all will be bidding farewell to the good ol’ Knothole. Sorry if we’ve bombarded you all with too many cats, or too many zombies. We mean well, I swear. To all the graduating seniors: you’re probably close enough to graduating now that you can relax and enjoy the rest of your time here.

It’s time to let senioritis set in-we’ve earned it. To the Knothole: It’s been an honor to help run this ship. I’ll miss all of you so much!

Cheers, Heather

Inside Issue #6:

Treasurer Hui Lin

Advisor Karen Moore

Letter From The Editor

Am I the only one who is shocked that it isn’t snowing anymore? I have been actively trying to obtain a sunburn just to make up for all the lost sunlight over the past…5? 6? months. Finally!! This is truly the best part of the semester—we get Earth week, sunshine, and classes coming to a close, all at once. Unfortunately, I also get seasonal allergies, which means I’ve been sneezing non-stop since the temperatures rose above freezing, but I can deal. Maybe we’ll even get leaves on the trees soon.

In the news.............................................3 Bikes!.....................................................4 Mental Floss...........................................5 Celestial.................................................6 What’s eating you?.................................7 Dealing with the end.............................8-9 Outside................................................10 Articles continued................................11-13 Peace...................................................15 Paganism..............................................16

Cover Photo: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30_Doradus,_Tarantula_Nebula.jpg

THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

In The News

Environmental News and the American Media Christian Hill, 2014

Pesticides Hinder Bee’s Learning Abilities

Recently, research was presented that concludes the negative effect of pesticides on honeybees. Widely used pesticides were found to block a section of the honeybees’ brains that is associated with learning. This part of the brain allows the bees to correlate scents with food, and if blocked, encumbers their ability to link floral scents with nectar. This research enforces previous research that neonicotinoid pesticides are contributing to the decline in bee populations.

Peruvian Rainforest in Environmental State of Emergency

Peru declared an environmental state of emergency in part of its northern Amazon rainforest early in March. This part of the forest has long been home to one of Peru’s largest oil fields, operated by Pluspetrol of Argentina. On March 25th, for the first time

Photo Credit: onearth.org

since the oil field became operational decades ago, a law was established that sets standards on acceptable limits on contaminants like barium, lead, and chrome in the soil. Furthermore, Peru’s environmental ministry gave Pluspetrol 90 days to clean affected areas. This is good news to the Achuar and Kichwa, indigenous groups living near Peru’s border with Ecuador. They have complained continuously about the country’s failure to deal with the pollution.

China Deals with Chemical Spill in Zhuo Zhang River

China is still dealing with a chemical spill that occurred on December 31st of last year. The spill took place at a fertilizer factory upstream on the Zhuo Zhang River, which feeds into the Zhang River. A faulty hose resulted in a leakage of nearly 39 tons of aniline (a potential carcinogen). Thirty tons were contained in a reservoir while nine tons managed to make it into the river, making its way down the river and affecting more than 28 villages and over a million people. The villages, which were already dealing with an extensive drought, are still looking for compensation from the company, one of about 100 on the Zhuo Zhang River, which convert coal to chemicals.

See Environmental News, pg. 13

Steubenville Case Exposing Our Rape Culture Yocasta Pichardo, 2013

If you have not followed the recent Steubenville case, I will start from the beginning. In a nut shell, it is a case that originates in Ohio, where two Steubenville high school football players drug a sixteen year old girl and then drag her unconscious body to a number of parties, and then gang rape her while she is still unconscious. They call themselves, “Rape Crew”, tweet about it, take pictures of it, and videotape it.

This occurred on August 11th, 2012 and the verdict was recently announced the boys, Ma’lik Richmond and Trent Mays, guilty this past month.

One thing that shocked me the most from this case is that they were not only sentenced one to two years, but that the media outlets like CNN portrayed the rapists as victims. With comments such as, “Poor boys have had their future ruined” and “They were star players in a football town.”

This angers me it disregards the real victim. A girl was raped multiple times in one night and publicly humiliated on the internet and is currently getting death threats for reporting the star football players for raping as if she was in the wrong. How are we living in a culture where football is more important than the health of a young girl?

This is a great example of rape culture in the United States.

A rape culture is a culture that accepts rape by minimizing it, normalizing it, and makes jokes about it, clearly ignoring that it is an actual issue.

Rape cultures blame the victim that was raped instead of the rapists themselves.

Putting the blame on what the victim wore, if they were under the influence (alcohol, drugs), and other similar factors, even though it is well known that a rape happens no matter what, especially with no influence of trivial things

such as an outfit and the time of day.

According to the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN), 44% of all rape victims are under eighteens years of age, every two minutes a person is sexually assaulted, and 97% of rapists will never spend a day in jail. How is it that nothing is being done about this?

Yes, in this trial the rapists did get one to two years of jail time. But that is nothing compared to what that innocent girl has been through, and is still going through.

I only hope that this case will open the eyes of our society to end this victim blaming rape culture. Kill the expression, “boys will be boys” and educate our youth to respect each other’s bodies. Encourage victims to speak up instead of punishing them for it.

See Rape Culture, pg. 12

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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Bikes!

ATTENTION: April 15th ESF will be introducing a Bike Library Program Drew Gamils, 2013

What is it?

A bike library is a program in which bikes are made available for individuals to use, but not to own. Bikes will be kept at a designated bike rack on the south side of the Moon Library entrance. To participate, individuals must first fill out a waiver and a renter’s agreement, then pay a $20 membership due. The charge is only paid once to join the program, while the waiver and renter’s agreement must be renewed each year. Students are allowed to check out the bikes for a period of up to 24 hours, and then return their bike to the same check out location.

Gamils and Frannie Monasterio are responsible for the creation of the bike library program, “As seniors we realized how heavily we

have relied on our bikes these past four years. Biking is extremely popular on campus, and a program that allows students to check out bikes for a low cost allows our campus to encourage biking and alternative transportation,” says Monasterio.

What kind of bikes, and how do we get one?

Working in conjunction with Mello Velo, we have purchased the Kona ArifcaBike 3. The bike features amenities such as a three-speed internal hub, a basket, and a durable, walkthrough frame that allows for easy mounting and is good for all heights.

The SUNY ESF bike library program will start with five bikes each with a designated U-Locks and generator bike lights, and helmets from Upstate Medi-

cal University. The bikes will be stationed on campus with keys available for check out.

Between April 15th and May

Photo Cred: pbs.org

15th students with a valid ESF ID card must first fill out and submit a renter’s agreement, a waiver, and a $20 onetime membership due to a Bike

See Bike Library, pg. 13

Bike Safety is a Priority at ESF Drew Gamils, 2013

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any of us have experienced close calls with Centro buses, suffered injuries from getting hit by the door of a car, or have been hesitant to bike down a congested Euclid. ESF’s new Bicycle Safety Committee (BSC) hopes that through their initiatives, they will be able to one day reduce, if not eliminate, these hazards. The BSC is a subcommittee of the existing Campus Climate Change Committee and is chaired

by EFB’s Melissa Fierke. The Committee’s priorities are to develop and recommend initiatives to promote bicycle safety and ridership at ESF through:

• Enhanced infrastructure on the ESF campus, in transition zones from SU to ESF, as well as from university neighborhoods to the ESF campus

• Education and improved communication on best practices, bicycle facilities and safety programs at ESF

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• Application of the League of all weather conditions. Biking is so American Bicyclists’ program for ESF popular that sometimes all the bike to be considered a “Bicyracks are full and stucle Friendly University” dents are forced to lock

Increasing bike their bikes to benches ridership is important to or even trees. The BSC ESF, as it is a sustainable is made up of individumeans of transportation. als who bike to campus Increased ridership reand want to see changes sults in decreased CO2 made to ease their comemissions, decreased mute, and others who traffic congestion, and a are hesitant to bike bedecreased need for vehiccause of a lack of bike ular parking. Encouraginfrastructure. According ridership goes hand ing to the Syracuse Poin hand with promoting lice department, there bike safety, as this can be were 80 bicycle crashes a concern that limits rider- Bike Safety on Euclid! reported in 2011, and 95 in ship to and from our cam- Photo Credit: Drew Gamils 2012. pus.

ESF is a campus of determined The majority of these accidents are atbikers. Students, faculty, and staff have tributed to bicyclist error, driver been known to bike to campus through See Bike Safety, pg. 12

THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

Mental Floss

Something to Meditate On Emily Adams, 2014

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went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

These are the words of the wonderful poet, philosopher, and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden and many other works of literature. Thoreau strongly emphasizes in his writing the important role of nature in preserving moral and intellectual health, and prescribes a constant interaction with wilderness for developing an appreciation for beauty and a sense of tranquility. As students with finals right around the corner, aren’t these qualities that we all desire? But where can we find this “constant wilderness” in a city such as Syracuse?

The answer is two-fold. To find nature in an urban environment, one must be creative. Thorndon Park is beautiful at sunset and is a good setting for clearing your thoughts (just make sure to travel with others and leave before it gets dark, just to be safe)

The graveyard is also perfect for quiet contemplation. But what if these places are not an option, if you are too busy to leave your cluttered, book-strewn workspace for even a moment? It is at these times that we must look inward.

Most everyone has had, at some point, an experience in nature. These memories have probably shaped your love for the environment, and have fostered an appreciation for the beauty and the overwhelming power of nature. By closing your eyes and blocking out negative, stressful thoughts, you can pull forth these memories, and with them, feelings of serenity.

Nature can also spark creativity, as Thoreau implies when he writes, “This world is but a canvas to our imaginations”. Next time you are working on a paper, and you find yourself with a terrible case of writer’s block, try picturing this:

You are in a forest, away from the constant, always-rushing sounds of the city. Instead of honking cars, you can hear the distant sound of singing birds, and the soft crunch of leaf lit-

ter under your feet with every step you take. It is mid-day, and the sun shines through breaks in the canopy and gently warms your face and shoulders. Animals scurry around the undergrowth, unseen but undoubtedly there, and you can smell only the crisp freshness of the forest around you. There is a distinct sense of openness, of freedom, and the creeping realization that here, there are no deadlines, no obligations. Here, you are free to explore, to think, and to imagine without distraction.

This is only an example scenario, as any natural place will work for this exercise. A prairie, a lake, a glacier, whatever works for you. All that matters is you find your natural place, the place where you can develop creatively and intellectually. Whether that is a place in Syracuse, or in your mind, it makes no difference. As another great thinker and scientist, Albert Einstein, once said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

Beyond the Classroom: A Lesson In Tropical Ecology Cecilia Walenza, 2013

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here are many hidden gems in ESF, and yes, I am talking about the classes. EFB/FOR 523, better known as Tropical Ecology, is one such rock that is hidden, but still shines. As one of the older courses (taught since 1991), it has not only had time to be refined, but does double duty, counting as a 3-credit course as well as field experience. And what better place to truly learn about tropical ecology than a visit to a tropical paradise?

The class was designed in order to be taught by two faculty members with complementary backgrounds, so there is no shortage of information to be had when learning about Dominica (the destination for the 17 students who went on this years’ trip). A visit to places such as the coral reefs, Cold Soufrière, and Boiling Lake (which is not nearly as bad as it sounds), not only

showcase the unique structures that can be found on a tropical island, but also give students a sense of awe and accomplishment when they have not only put in the effort to see them and to study and learn about their unique features.

On the island, students have the experience of hiking through and viewing a variety of ecosystem types, as well as the benefit of being taught not only by ESF faculty, but by experts and locals on the island who have had firsthand experience studying the plants, fish, reefs, and forests up close and personal. Of them, a botany expert named Elvis, bus driver and tour guide, Clem, and naturalist Arlington James deserve special recognition for continuing to contribute their invaluable input year after year on the biology and natural habitats of Dominica to the Tropical

Ecology class.

Aside from biology-related fields, students also had the opportunity to observe a culture different from their own, from adapting to a new currency, to learning that words that we use in America can have different definitions in Dominica (for example, over there “tacky” actually means “dangerous”). Through lectures and casual interaction, the residents of Dominica and the Kalinago, an indigenous tribe that has a long history on the island, show a side of the island that cannot be read in any book, but must be experienced first-hand in order to understand and be in awe of their way of life. The island also held some other treasures that will not soon be forgotten.

See Tropical, pg. 11

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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Celestial

A Deep Connection: Spirit Animals Meg Callaghan, 2014

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here comes a time during social events and gatherings where someone raises the question, “What’s your spirit animal?”

Many times, the person who raises the question is none other than myself.

While it may seem like a simple, playful conversation starter, there are groups of firm believers in the spirituality of these creatures. Whilst researching my new obsession, I found that many people choose spirit animals for their friends and comrades, using their physical or personal traits.

Abby is a sloth, Dan is a housecat, Liane is a bush baby, and Christian is a turtle. In most cases, the person accepts his or her chosen spirit animal, and comments, insults, and laughter may all ensue.

Though this selection of spirit animal may be a fun cultural pastime, for oth-

ers, finding your spirit animal is a sacred affair. If this strikes your fancy, I would recommend starting off your search at the useful website http://www.spiritanimal. info. On this site, determining your spirit animal is a more personal affair. In the section “How to Find Your Spirit Animal” by website editor Elena Harris, simple tips are given to start your search: •Look in nature and observe •Be attentive when an animal appears in your life in a way that is noticeable, when it has an unusual behavior; it may be a spirit animal trying to grab your attention •Watch for repetitive encounters with the animal either in its physical or symbolic form (as object or image) •Read books on animals and reflect on an animal that is standing out

•Meditate either with the general intention of finding a spirit animal or on a specific animal you’ve found earlier •Be attentive to dreams featuring animals •Process of journeying (for instance visualization accompanied with sound, shamanic drumming)

The website states that the most popular spirit animals are bears, crows, hawks, owls, snakes and wolves. Overall, the world of spirit animals is a personal experience that can be revealed overnight or over your lifetime. The animal will reveal itself to you. You should ponder what the animal means to you, what connections it holds in your life, what qualities characterize the animal and how the animal is portrayed in society. Take the time to find your special spirit being. Happy Hunting!

An Interview With Mary Hudson, High Priestess and Pagan Chaplain at Hendricks Chapel Meg Callaghan, 2014

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oming from a winding life path, Mary Hudson is anything but boring. Over the course of her lifetime, she has lived from California to New York, holding jobs in government to now the Pagan Chaplaincy at Syracuse University. She creates a community for Pagans and Non-pagans on campus through her work at Hendricks Chapel and with the student group SPIRAL. As I have known Mary for the past three years, I found it more and more salient to spotlight her role on campus, as well as the strong Pagan community at Syracuse University and SUNY ESF. If you’re wondering about Paganism in general, or think it might be the right path for you, check out SPIRAL meetings, Monday 7-9 pm, Chaplain’s Suite, Hendricks Chapel; or contact Mary at mkhudson@syr.edu.

When did your chaplaincy begin at Syracuse University? Was there a movement on campus that facilitated the addition at Hendricks Chapel? Could you talk about student involvement

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before this time?

The Chaplaincy was recognized in February 2010. But this isn’t when the first work or recognition took place.

Nine years prior pagans were recognized as a religious organization on campus

by Hendricks Chapel and so we have been around for about a dozen years.

The initial push was by a few students, one of them a non-traditional student, who approached me to see if I would be interested in taking on the role of advisor.

There really wasn’t even a name to begin with; I believe they called themselves SU Pagans at first. At that time, there were only three students and myself.

Prior to the forming of the religious organization students practiced their faith on their own and had to find each other without a central point or commonplace to come together to meet.

To say the least it was difficult to find each other.

What does SPIRAL stand for? It›s open to SU and ESF students, correct? If so, is there an even number represented from

THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

each campus? Are any other faculty or staff involved?

SPIRAL stands for Student Pagan Information, Learning and Relations. The students came up with the name when they decided that they wanted to also be part of the SA. The group is open to any student on either campus, it doesn’t differentiate between the campuses at all. As to the amount of students from each campus, it varies from year to year. Some years it is more heavily populated by ESF students, some years by SU students. I have found that over time it is a fairly even mix between the two campuses as well as between majors, minors, ages, ancestries, faith paths, level of knowledge and any other factor you can use for comparison.

Beside myself there are two other individuals, one an assistant chaplain and another who is a volunteer that regularly work with the students.

They are both with the Church of the Greenwood, which sponsors the

See Interview, pg. 16

What’s Eating you?

Ethics Behind Organic Food: The Story Behind Quinoa.

Yocasta Pichardo, 2013

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uinoa (pronounced: keen-wa) Peru, and Ecuador (origins of Quihas recently grown in popularity noa). It was first cultivated in the Anin the United States. It is most popu- des Mountains more than 5,000 years lar amongst vegan, vegetarians, and ago and has since been intertwined into the health conscious. Quinoa is a seed their culture. similar to a whole grain, so it is usu- Unfortunately, as a result of ally used as a replacement for rice. It higher demands from places like the can be eaten cold in a salad or cooked US, the farmers can charge way more hot. The reason why many vegans and than what they usually charged for vegetarians love this super food is that this crop. In 2011, a ton of Quinoa was it has high protein content. In just one sold for approximately $3,115 dolcup there is approximately 8.14 grams lars. Today it is being sold for as high of protein. It is also cholesterol-free, as $8,000 dollars per pound. Theregluten-free, has a low calorie count, fore, the people that have been eating and only approximately 3.4 grams of this super food for centuries are not fat in per cup. Other nutritional ben- able to afford it anymore. In order to efits of quinoa are that it make more profit, farmis a great source of iron, ers tend to sell or export fiber, and magnesium. their crops, instead of

Due to all these eating it themselves, in nutritional values, it has order to make a profit. been a staple food for This leaves the natives people living in Bolivia, Photo Cred: Google images with no choice but to

replace this wonderful super food with less nutritious, cheaper food like bread and pasta.

Photo Cred: Google Images

Another negative result of the increased production of Quinoa is the impact it has on the land itself. The soils near the Andes Mountains, especially in Bolivia, are being threatened.

The high productivity of this crop is depleting the fertility of the soil.

See Ethics, pg. 11

Eco-Anxiety Gabrielle Alper, 2014

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t begins with questioning yourself.

Am I living as sustainably as possible? Then you adjust your life. You start walking or riding your bicycle as much as possible. Composting becomes a necessity. You start buying your food locally. You abandon meat.

No more disposable products, you carry your mug everywhere. You unplug everything when not in use. The possibilities are endless, and you do as much as you can.

Eventually, this is not enough.

Your concerns shift from questioning your own lifestyle to worrying about everyone else’s. The sight of cars lined up at the gas station induces heart palpitations as you worry about peak oil.

Then your chest begins to tighten as you think of the amount of exhaust being released into the atmosphere, and greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. This escalates to the

point where you cannot think anymore, constantly feeling anxious about every decision you (and the people around you) make on a daily basis.

Photo Cred: Google Images

At ESF, it is reasonable to assume that there may be students suffering from this problem. This begs the question, what do we do about it? According to the Denver Post, eco-anxiety sufferers in Boulder, Colorado formed

a community group in order to cope with their problems. They discuss various community measures they can take to live a more fulfilling, sustainable life. Some of these measures consist of community gardens, and learning how to repair your own bicycle.

Ecopsychology guru, Theodore Roszak, has written many books that examine these issues. If you have never encountered his work, I highly suggest checking out “The Voice of the Earth: An Exploration of Ecopsychology” and “The Making of The Making of a Counter Culture: Reflections on the Technocratic Society and Its Youthful Opposition.” Both are available at Bird Library. Roszak was Professor Emeritus of history at California State University. His extensive work in the field of ecopsychology sheds some light

See Eco-Anxiety, pg. 13

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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Dealing with the En

Alternative Energy Gabrielle Alper, 2014

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o you ever find yourself falling asleep in class? Busy with too many extra-curricular activities?

Waiting until the last minute to do all of your assignments? There are many ways to acquire an extra boost of energy, and the variety of choices can be overwhelming. That is why we have compiled a list of the pros and cons of different energy sources:

Nausea- The tannins in tea can cause nausea on an empty stomach.

Caffeine Pills Pros:

Coffee

Pros: Caffeine- Contrary to popular belief, tea (usually) has more caffeine than coffee.

Health effects- Some teas are known to prevent cancer and heart problems.

Cons:

Pros: Taurine- Increases brain function.

B-Vitamins- Increases metabolism.

Cons: Heart problems- The ingredients in energy drinks can eventually cause heart failure.

Sugar- Energy drinks have about 30 grams per can.

Unicorn Blood

Pros: Caffeine- A stimulant that is quickly absorbed into the body.

Taste- Coffee tastes much better than the so called “energy-boost” smoothies sold at the gym.

Cons: Bad breath- Worse than the aftertaste!

High acidity- Eventually, stomach ulcers can form.

Tea

Energy Drinks

Photo credit: Google Images.

Convenience- Small enough to fit in your pocket.

Fat free- Unlike most energy sources, caffeine pills have 0 calories.

Cons: Discomfort- Upset stomach, irritability, and anxiety are just a few side effects of too much caffeine.

Jitters- Do not practice calligraphy.

Pros: Easily accessible- Face it, we need to implement unicorn population controls.

Eternal youth- Not only will you not be tired, you will never have to sleep again.

Mild side effects- Almost no side effects shown in multiple studies.

Cons: Lumpus Cranius Maximus – Within 24 hours of unicorn blood consumption, 99% of people have elongated protrusions on their forehead.

Paranoia- Some unicorn blood consumers have reported feeling paranoid after consumption. One individual claims that they are followed by a constant “trotting sound” (more commonly referred to as “spook shadow”).

How to Order at the Trailhead Café Kristen Howard, 2014

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he recent opening of the Trailhead Café has caused a buzz in the ESF student body. As the days pass, it is becoming more popular and better understood.

Since I work at the Café, I feel obligated to explain the ins and outs of the foods we offer. There are many options for all the diets and palates that ESF students harbor.

Each day the Café offers the same main “staple” foods. These include salads, parfaits, ultimate nachos, cinnamon buns, garlic knots, subs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, black bean burgers, grilled

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cheese, fries and cookies. There are also daily specials for pasta, salad, and the “Meal of the Day.” But in order to fit your diet, here are a few guidelines:

Gluten Free: For our subs, there is an option for gluten free bread. We use a separate cutting board and knife for these sandwiches. This bread can also be used for grilled cheese, burgers, and chicken sandwiches. Also, you can request to have your pasta special made with gluten-free pasta.

Vegan: Our black bean burgers are 100% vegan and made with a multitude of vegetables, spic-

THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

es, and herbs. The cafe off gie” subs for those who wa like one with meat or chees kitchen is that we use Soy also options is to add extra burger, as well as requesting fruit to your black bean burg chos can be ordered withou will be replaced with extra v

Vegetarian: Man items are featured on the

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More Than Moon Brigitte Moneymaker, 2014

All Unicorns, Photo credit: uppun.deviantart.com

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f you are looking for a quiet place to sit down and get some work done, Moon can be a great resource

new spot on campus to get some studying in, or maybe you just want a change of scenery. Most people are aware of the more secluded areas on ESF’s campus (Nifkin Lounge, EFB lounge, B a k e r Lounge, etc.) but the majority of ESF students do not Photo credit: http://library.syr.edu/about/locations/map.php take the time to explore some of to utilize. Unfortunately Moon also Syracuse’s prime study areas. I am functions as a cafeteria, a home not just talking about Bird Library, theater, a bedroom, and sometimes I am talking about some prime SU the social center of campus. I am real estate and I’m going to tell you just as guilty as anybody of joining where to find them. a big group of friends in the middle of library and getting absolutely Heroy Geology Library - Lonothing done, but sometimes it can cated to the left of the physics really bug the people around you. building, the third floor has a map library with tables, chairs, and a With finals quickly approaching, printer. The only people who ever you might be in the market for a use this place are hardcore Syra-

fers tofu and “loaded vegant their sub/wrap as filled se. Another insight into the Oil in our fryer. There are a veggies to your black bean ng the “Big Neil” veggies and rger. Lastly, our Ultimate Naout meat and cheese, which veggies and corn salsa. ny of the Café’s vegetarian menu. Take a look at the

cuse geology majors, so basically it is always empty.

Schine - The Panasci Lounge on the top floor and the Ludwig Lounge in the basement are both great places to get prime table space and an available printer. The close location to Marshall Street and the dining hall-type cafe on the first floor also make it a popular spot to get food while studying.

Goldstein - If you feel like making the trek to South Campus, Goldstein Student Center has a quiet room on the second floor, a large computer lab with printing, and another dining hall. Anyone who has ever lived in the Skyhalls has fond memories of working late up in Goldstein.

Not quite satisfied? Make sure to also check out these other areas: Architecture Reading room,

102 Slocum.

Library of Science and Technology,

308 Carnegie.

H. Douglas Barclay Law Library,

College of Law. Eggers Café, 300 Eggers Hall.

Background photo credit: “Above the Clouds” by Star Creations

vegan options and add cheese to it. Maybe you are in the mood for soup? At least once a week there will be an option for vegetarian soup.

Locally grown: One of the best features of the Café is the locally grown food. Our lettuce comes from a local hydroponic farm and the burgers and chicken are from organic farms, all in the Finger Lakes.

Special Orders: Feel free ask your server to make something special for you. Most of the time the Café will be willing to substitute ingredients in and out. The Turkey Burger “Big Neil Style” is one example.

Or, ask your server to substitute the American cheese on your cheeseburger for Provolone.

The Favorites: Our featured items are our best sellers. If you have not tried the cinnamon roll, do it. Our Soup of the day often sells out, so make sure you get it before it is gone!

Suggestions and comments are always welcome. As the new eatery on campus, we are looking for your input to make sure we serve the needs of all students, faculty, and staff of ESF. See you at the Trailhead!

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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Captain’s Log #3

Outside

Nick Hlat, 2014

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reetings once again from a land Essentially, you could finish the paper a’far! Ironically so, I am currently as early as you like and be done with it. closer to beloved ‘Cuse than in my previous Captain’s Logs. I report my adventures to you now from Paihia, New Zealand. Paihia (pronounced pie-hee-yah) is a small town dubbed “Backpacker’s Heaven” (accurately so, I might add). But as always, to begin this third installment of my captain’s log, I must recount the past events before I make judgments on the future.

Finally getting into the real meat of my classes, I am realizing how wrong Hobbiton, the real life set for the Lord of the Rings, our way of going about things are located in New Zealand. Photo Credit: Wikipedia. back at home. Here they assign essays or papers weeks in advance, giving you Also, practically their whole curricuall the necessary materials on day one. lum is online. Every Professor, Assis-

tant Professor, tutor, or whoever, uses blackboard for EVERYTHING. On one side of it, that means that as a student you need to be much more on top of things independently.

It also means, however, that you could theoretically never go to a single lecture. They record the audio for each lecture, send the lecture slides to each student via email, and post each assignment online for the entire semester. In my opinion this is a much more organized and efficient way to go about things. If you have enough ambition, you could pump is out enough future assignments to give you plenty of relaxing time.

See Captain, pg. 12

It is Called the Game of the Earth:

How do other colleges get creative with the arrival of Earth Day? Liane DeRosa, 2014

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ave you ever wondered if the multitudes of events that take place in honor of Mother Earth are unique to ESF campus? All of the clubs and organizations join forces to give students an earthly-bash one week of the year. This celebration includes tie-dye events, food, t-shirt selling, clothing swaps, and soccer games. Last year we even had a (not-so-earthly) moon bounce!

Well, it may be surprising to hear that we are not the only school that goes hard in celebration of another year preapocalyptic.

Wake Forest University hosts a “13 Days of Celebrating the Earth” event. It allows students to, “Participate in environmentally conscious endeavors, such as a cardboard boat race and tours of local farms and gardens”, according to U.S. News. This may remind you of another time of year where we prepare for a single day nearly two

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Earth Day is every day, but it is especially April 22nd. Photo Cred: Tumblr.

weeks in advance. Can I get a gasp from our fellow mystical pantheist demographic on campus?

Students from the University of Georgia approved a $3 “green fee” to student billing in order to pay for Earth Day activities. Maybe they can use that for the new car wash soap coming out:

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GreenWash.

Colorado State sponsors a “VegFest” event for students to participate in free sampling of vegan food and they are encouraged to bring their own utensils to reduce waste. Talk about a green campus initiative. This year, a panel of speakers will come to discuss the campus adopting a plant-based diet.

The Earth Day award, however, goes to the college of Maryville in Tennessee. They engage in a week of Earth as well, and the general public is even invited to join in with the students! Activities include an electric car display, sustainable art exhibits and eco-themed food tasting. Although, last year they had issues with eager grandmothers lining up for the Chevy Volt test run, this year they may be

See Earth Games, pg. 12

Traditional Knowledge for a Sustainable Future Educational and Cultural Festival April 22nd 1:30-6:30 PM SUNY ESF Quad [Rain location: Gateway Building]

Featuring: Social Dancing led by Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers ...

Vendors selling Haudenosaunee and other native crafts and contemporary Native American artwork ...

Pottery demos by Mohawk potter and painter Natasha Smoke

Tropical, cont’d from pg.5 For those students who went on the trip or who have gone in the past, I’m sure that fresh fruit will never be looked at the same way again.

If you are a student who has to fulfill your field experience credits, has the money to spend, and is in reasonable shape, I encourage you to look into this

Ethics, cont’d from pg. 7

Additionally, the natives depend on manure from llama herds in order to fertilize the crops. The high demands for Quinoa result in the need for more manure, and more fields are needed to sustain these herds, and larger fields are needed for the crops themselves. Because of this, government programs are funding the destruction of the environment in order to supply and cultivate larger fields. This then leads to desertification, which is described as saline soil, loss of nutrients

spring semester class. Which despite most students’ apparent lack of knowledge on it, still manages to be not only popular, but a competitive course with limited open slots. Ecology has never been so interesting or majestic as in Dominica.

For more information about this class, feel free to visit: http://www.

esf.edu/fnrm/intfor/tropeco.htm

in soil, and erosion due to the increased agricultural production.

The solution for this issue is hard to find. Although the natives of Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador are unable to afford quinoa anymore, it still brings income to the farmers that grow this crop. So for the first time, farmers are receiving a fair price for their crops.

Therefore, stopping the purchase of Quinoa would negatively affect the farmers but continuing the consumption of it would make it even more dif-

ficult for the natives to afford it. And let us forget the impact it has on the land.

So what can we do? In my opinion, it is safe to continue the consumption of Quinoa, but in limited portions. This way, it still benefits the farmer but also slows down the increasing demands for more Quinoa. This suggestion is only temporary; hopefully a better solution is put into practice soon.

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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Articles Cont’d Captain, cont’d from pg. 10 Speaking of relaxing time, it seems that I have been enjoying this luxury much more than the tedious task of studying and all of that other learning nonsense. We have already had two house parties at my humble abode to which I am enjoying more and more each day. My housemates consist of a fellow American from Buffalo, NY, a Brit from Birkenshire, England, an Aussie from Adelaide, South Australia, and a Brazilian from Sao Paolo. It is quite the melting pot of cultures, accents, and weird words that mean the same thing (kitty = communal bowl of money, kettle = tea pot, duvet = comforter... etc.).

As for the future, it is safe to say there is more to come. Today we head to Russell, the first settled city in New Zealand. From there we board a ship that takes us to a cove to where we will swim with the dolphins... (Your eyes do not deceive you, I just wrote, “swim with the dolphins”). The days following, we plan on hitting up a place called Piha beach to try our luck at some surfing and soak up the NZ sun,

Bike Safety, cont’d from pg. 4 making our way back to Auckland for the night. The day after we head out Hobbiton, the famous site where several iconic scenes from the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy have been recreated (the shire, the Green Dragon Inn, etc.)

We end the day with amazing five hour tour of the Waitomo glow-worm caves, making our way back towards Auckland over the next few days, passing through a Maori village and ending it with a glorious dip in Rotorua’s natural hot springs.

It would not be an appropriate Captain’s log without exceeding my word count with an article chock-full o’ amazing revelations, and equally exciting future plans. Regardless, the initial signs of homesickness begin to linger.

It took me over a month before I even thought of home. Still, I am sufficiently distracted from any of these thoughts by my adventures and the joy of being able to share them with my fellow New Yorkers. Stay classy, ‘Cuse. Until next semester, farewell from abroad!

inattention, and failure to keep rightof-way. The need for an organization to promote bike safety seems obvious.

The BSC is taking steps to improve the bike commute through initiatives like asking ESF’s Physical Plant to remove the curb at the east end of Illick, working with Syracuse University planners to install a bike box at the intersection of Sims and Comstock Avenues, and engaging with the City of Syracuse about safety issues along Euclid Avenue. Additionally, events to promote biker safety will take place during Earth Week. Committee efforts will not stop there. The BSC is also reaching out to the Syracuse Transit Authority to schedule a bike awareness training session for bus drivers, and designing a website to include bike rules and bike safety information.

If you have ideas about how to increase bike safety please contact Melissa Fierke at mkfierke@esf.edu

Earth Games, cont’d from pg. 10 discontinuing the car display. Or possibly just getting rid of the public display, as the event would still be open to campus members.

We all know how competitive universities are about activities such as sports and academics. Whether the limit does or does not exist, think about how viral the competition between SUNY mascots went! It is almost as if we look for excuses to outshine our fellow institutions.

Now, picture this: a competition over which campuses put the most effort into a smashing, sustainable Earth Week! ESF students are already predisposed to self-priding environ-

mental knowledge. That, combined with our expert creative outlet (that means you LA majors), gives us a big advantage from the start. This all goes without mentioning how we have been looking for a script for eco-anxiety syndrome (EAS) since about 1850. What better prescription than a healthy competition?

The event will feature a panel of our most critical judges, and we have already received notice that Rush Limbaugh and Rex Tillerson are on-board.

Winners receive a 15% cut from Tillerson’s latest venture, and if you do not think that is a lot, ask Senator Schumer how big those checks can get.

Rape Culture, cont’d from pg. 3 It is time for a radical change and it would be unfortunate if something like this happens again.

If you or someone you know has gone through sexual assault you

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can seek help at the Advocacy center in Syracuse University. For help call (315) 443-7273or check out their website at http://advocacycenter.syr.edu/

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Watch out for car doors! And watch out for bikers! Photo Cred: Drew Gamils

Articles Cont’d Environmental News, cont’d from pg. 3

Majority of American Media Con- as different under Gina McCarthy as California” or “Queen Elizabeth is being tinues to Fear-Monger Cuba looked when Uncle Fidel passed treated for the stomach flu at a private

If you follow environmental the hammer and sickle to little brother hospital in London” received full fledge news avidly (i.e. you know what you Raul.” If that does not mean anything to segments. The American media is conare talking about when it comes to is- you, maybe it is because you are watch- tinuing to put stories that will subconsues like those mentioned previously ing the wrong news channels at home. sciously force Americans to harbor fear or other relevant global/national en- On U.S. media networks, the protests ahead of stories that actually have a vironmental current events), then you on the Keystone pipeline taking place relevance to the survival of society and may have heard of something called in D.C. got about 15-20 seconds of air- our biosphere as we know it. May I recthe TransCanada Keystone XL pipe- time. Other stories such as, “The 911 re- ommend stations like CCTV-America (a line. This pipeline would bring crude cording of a nurse refusing to give CPR Chinese central television station that oil through a 36” diameter pipe from to an elderly woman in Bakersfield, focused on the Keystone protests for Hardisty, Alberta, Canada to over four minutes) or the Qatari the middle of Nebraska, nearly owned Al Jazeera English-lan1,200 miles away. Disregarding guage service (having bureaus the magnitude of insanity there in over 42 different parts of for the sake of word count, anthe world), which covers global other major environmental media. They spend time on reltopic has been discussed freevant topics worldwide, and are quently in the past few weeks: following the opposite trend of the president’s nomination of the American newspaper indusGina McCarthy to replace Lisa try, which in the last 15 years Jackson as EPA administrahad over 18 different papers, tor. The American Energy Allisome very prestigious, elimiance stated, “the EPA will look Gina McCarthy, new EPA administrator. Photo Cred: Politico. nate all of their foreign bureaus.

Bike Library, cont’d from pg. 4 Committee Member. Students who fill out and submit the waiver will receive a red sticker on their ID that will allow them to check out a bike from the University Police Office (UPO) in the basement of Bray. Students will be responsible for filing documentation with identifying information, such as their name, student ID number, and time checked out at the UPO. Beginning in the 2013 fall semester, students will be able to check out the bikes from Moon Library in a manner similar to checking out books. Next year, waivers and renter’s agreements will be submitted

to the library circulation desk. Library employees will place a sticker on the IDs and provide students with a key to the bike lock.

Any other charges?

Members will be charged $15 a day for each day past the check-in date. After 10 days the Member will be charged $500 for the bike. If the bike is stolen, members must immediately file a claim and Bike Committee members will send an alert email to the student body.

A Bike Library Committee has been formed to continue the project in the future. They will be responsible for checking on the bikes, continuing the program, and contacting Mello Velo when extensive repairs or additional help is necessary.

Please contact Drew Gamils (dvgamils@syr.edu) if you would like to join the Bike Library Committee or want to obtain a waiver and renter’s agreement.

Who is responsible for the bikes?

Eco-Anxiety, cont’d from pg. 7 on the solutions to the many issues of eco-anxiety.

In an interview just a few years before his death in 2011, Roszak explained that when environmentalists address the public,

“They refer to fear, they refer to guilt, they seek to shock, they seek to shame. I understand why: The prob-

lems are urgent, and I accept the urgency of these problems. I don’t question that at all, but it may be important to ask at some point, whether we have done too much of that in the environmental movement, which I consider myself to be a part of. Perhaps we have to find other themes to introduce, other notes to sound, that are more positive,

more affirmative.”

Maybe Roszak was on to something. Eco-anxiety is becoming a diagnosable problem in this country. It is possible that a new approach to our environmental detriment is a step towards solving this problem.

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Peace!

Senior Spotlight: Cecelia Walenza Staff writer, 2011-2013

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fter participating in the Knothole for about two years, and being a part of ESF for close to four, it is hard for me to comprehend moving on from all of this and accept the fact that I will soon be a part of the working world.

As I reflect on my time here, I bid a fond farewell to the Knothole, which has allowed me to explore my writing abilities, and has given me both a club to enjoy, and friendly faces to see on campus. Participating in the Knothole has allowed me to write without the use of the scientific jargon that I am required to use for lab reports and classes. It also gives me a sometimes much-needed break from my homework and regular routine to delve into a different subject that caught my interest, although sometimes it felt like trying to write in a different language.

Reading the Knothole when it was published gave me the opportunity to see how my fellow ESF-ers viewed a current news topic, and what was going on around campus, and interesting and informative articles like “Make A Danket” and “Something to Meditate On” allowed me to see the variety of

interests that students in the school had, and how the Knothole tried to address and entertain these interests in their readers.

Although the Knothole is not a large club, I am sure that a lot of students have enjoyed and looked forward to reading the articles in here, as you never know what will be in the next issue. Despite its irregular schedule compared to the Daily Orange, I enjoy the much more relaxed and less news oriented style that this school paper has, because in my opinion, it reflects the interesting and unique nature of ESF students. And as a small school with difficult classes taking center stage, if the Knothole was like the Daily Orange and I was a part of it, I do not think I would have had the time, or the fun, that I have had these past two years.

Despite the fact I do not plan to work in any type of journalism career, I consider my time in the Knothole invaluable in reminding me how to talk about non-scientific subjects in a professional, but not technical way. I know that no matter what job I get, I

will have to know how to interact with others who will not have the scientific background I have had, and who would not understand me otherwise. In that case, I am grateful to the Knothole for helping me keep my ability to relate and talk like a non-scientist. And as I have said before, I have had a great time and am sad to have to go.

Senior Spotlight: Heather Helman Co-managing editor, 2011-2013

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hen I joined the Knothole back in 2009, it had half as many staff members, half the number of pages per issue, and was still printed on copy paper. Yet, the total weirdness of the publication was the same, which is what led me to join. During the four years I’ve spent with the group, I’ve watched past editors work hard to grow the newspaper into the version you all know today, and I’m so proud to have been a part of that process. If the Knothole has taught me nothing else, it is that everyone has a creative streak that deserves an outlet. We’ve had so many amazing writers, photographers, artists, and scientists contribute pieces and each one was rewarding to publish, read, and

share with the wider ESF community.

That little office down in 12 Bray has been my second home at times. The only place to get studying done during the loud room-mates era of 2011, a good spot to eat Indian take-out and rant about a bad day, and most importantly, the best place to pull an all-nighter finishing up an issue that needs to get published ASAP. I will miss that office, and the people who spent time with me in there, so much.

I might be a total nerd for saying this (whatever, definitely am), but the Knothole has been one of my favor-

ite parts of college. I am truly honored to have been able to work beside some of the funniest, most passionate people I’ve met, and I know that Volume 68 is going to blow this year out of the water.

I love you guys!

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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Interview, cont’d from page 6

and I find it extremely interesting.

My path has been anything but dull or straightforward. I was born into When is the next ritual that is open to Environmental ethics often parallel a Southern Baptist family and I love who the public? Are all rituals/circles open many Pagan beliefs (to different extents). and what they are after all it is where I to the public? Could you describe a bit Can you think of some examples, or came from. But early in life I knew that possibly some examples of the opposite where I wanted to be was outside in the about what will be celebrated next? trees or at the water. I began to find All of the rituals are open to the if I›m wrong?

For the most part you are right. ways to be outside and loved looking at public and I encourage people to come and join in or observe as their comfort I don’t know of any Pagans whose belief the moon. I know that I was taught very level allows them to do. The next two system doesn’t parallel an environmental early how to tell the moon phases in a rituals will be held closer to the end of ethics philosophy. But I dislike using way that you teach a child, although I April – April 24th for the full moon and absolutes. As with any group there are can’t remember who it was that taught varying opinions and practices; that is me.

April 29th for the “Cutting of Cords.”

I left the Baptist church and began All of the major holidays, our no different in the Pagan community.

Great Days are facilitated by myself or However, most Pagans see themselves attending first a non-denominational the assistant Chaplain however, because as part of nature and not separate from church, then the Episcopal Church and part of the job of the Chaplaincy is to it. Because of this any direct harm to finally the Catholic Church. Each time teach the students how to create and nature is a direct harm to the self and I found myself unsatisfied and wanting facilitate/conduct ritual the full moon so, in one sense, self preservation comes for something more, something more personal and me. In the meantime I rituals are done by students. Since this into play.

Paganism has as many of its never let go of my love of nature and next ritual is a full moon I can’t give you details because I am not putting it faith traditions earth-based or nature- being outside with the moon. I reveled based philosophies. We hold ritual in it and found the beauty of nature to be together.

I can tell you thought that it is outdoors in the elements, embracing the more spiritual and closer to deity than about the celebration of the cycles we lessons that both the harsh cold and the anything inside of a building. By the enjoy in our life that are embodied in the warm summer sun bring to us. These time I was attending the Catholic church cycle of the moon each month. As for the things are like family to us and we work I only truly related to the Virgin Mary, Cutting of the Cords ritual this is when hard to keep nature, the environment, a goddess as far as I am concerned, and finally gave in that Christianity was not I sever the ties the graduating seniors from harm. who I am and would never be. have to the group so that they can move I had been practicing Pagan forward in life as adults (graduating Could you talk a little about your own to the next phase) while leaving the path in life? What drew you to your traditions for a long time without a name bonds of youth behind as memories and own beliefs? I know you›ve talked given to them and, being an avid student lessons to recall. It is a moving ritual about your life in great detail to me, of religion, decided to leave Christianity behind and only practice what I had been doing all along any way. This fit since I was reading tarot since I was 18, fascinated with astrology and palmistry since my early teens and had received my first book of spells when I was 9 or 10.

I found my first metaphysical store and the hunt for teachers/mentors was on. This many years later I have had several of both and found myself in those roles on occasion. I have always worked with Celtic gods/goddesses and find that when I work ritual I feel absolutely at home. I cannot even begin to fathom anything that would change my beliefs (I am polytheistic) they are at the core of everything that I do. But I also know that mine is not the only path in this world and accept that others have A 2011 pagan summer solstice celebration (theatlantic.com). different beliefs and different lessons to learn.

Chaplaincy.

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that celebrates their growth throughout their time at college.

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