WELCOME TO THE SPRING 2021 SEMESTER! Cayuga Community College Auburn & Fulton, New York
Collegian cayugacollegian@gmail.com
VOL. 67 ISSUE 13 FEBRUARY 2, 2021
CAYUGABRIEFS
NEW RULES FOR THE NEW 2021 SEMESTER
NEW CCC STUDENT TRUSTEE NAMED
A note from Cayuga President Dr. Brian Durant On behalf of myself and everyone at Cayuga Community College, I would like to welcome our students enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester. If you are returning from the Fall 2020 semester, most of the course formats and health guidelines will be familiar. Our health and safety protocols remain in effect. Courses are primarily virtual, with any in-person components for specific courses resuming the week of February 1. Support services are available virtually, and will also be available in-person starting the week of February 1. I encourage you to contact your professors or our College offices with questions.
An Auburn area student who is already a member of an academic honor society and the National Society of Leadership & Success has been voted the new Cayuga Community College Student Trustee. Alaina Bates, a second-year student at Cayuga who is pursuing a degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Medical Technology & Medical Biotechnology, was sworn in as the 2020-21 student trustee at Cayuga’s Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, December 22. Bates, 19, enrolled at Cayuga in 2019 after graduating from Auburn High School. CONTINUED PAGE TWO
FORMER FACULTY MEMBER PASSES Cayuga retiree, Rosalie Minturn Ward Rosalie Minturn Ward, 82, of Genoa NY passed away suddenly but peacefully in her home on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Rosalie served as a tenured member of our nursing faculty for 21 years. “Sad news. Rosalie was a dedicated colleague and friend. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She will be missed,” said CCC Faculty member Dan Schultz. “That is very sad news. Rosalie always brought joy to her classroom; her laughter was infectious. She was inspiring and knew how to reach students about serious topics. I remember Rosalie fondly, as she was my psych instructor in the classroom and at Willard’s lockdown unit back in ’90-’91,” said Edie Smith MSN, RN, CNE.
June’s Clover by CCC student Odayls Velazquez-Gonzalez
YOU’RE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN CAYUGA ART DEPARTMENT’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD The Cayuga Collegian is proud to publish the artwork of Cayuga’s Art Department’s Studio Art and Design Student Fall 2020 Art Exhibit. Associate Professor of Art, Melissa Johnson, is inviting the campus community to vote for their favorite work by voting in the department’s People’s Choice Award. Email your selection to Johnson at melissa. johnson@cayuga-cc.edu by midnight on Tuesday, February 5th. The Collegian will feature the winner in the next issue.
“Untitled” by Nancy Cheney (ceramic)
However, there are several new health and safety requirements. All students must submit an online return to campus survey. This brief survey was sent to your Cayuga email account by Dean for College Advancement Dr. Cathy Dotterer. Most students received the email on January 23. There are also new guidelines for students who access campus this semester. If you need to access campus for any reason this semester, please adhere to the following requirements: BEFORE ACCESSING CAMPUS • Students must complete a seven-day precautionary quarantine before accessing campus. • Before accessing campus, you are required to complete ONE of the following: — Provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days prior to returning to cdottere@cayuga-cc.edu; OR — Provide evidence of a positive diagnostic result for COVID-19 from the previous three months to cdotterer@cayuga-cc.edu; OR — Participate in on-campus pool testing the week you access campus.
“Untitled 2” by Theresa Netti
AFTER ACCESSING CAMPUS • Students with at least one on-campus course, student-employees, students residing in Lattimore Hall and students who access campus for any reason must participate in weekly COVID-19 testing throughout the semester. • Testing is available on both College campuses. • Failure to meet the weekly testing requirement will result in restricted access to campus and additional disciplinary action. Individuals who have received a COVID19 vaccine are still required to fulfill the testing requirements. Thank you in advance for adhering to our health and safety protocols. I wish each of you a successful semester, and I encourage you to contact your professors and our College offices with any questions.
CAYUGA TRUSTEES EXTEND PRESIDENT DURANT’S CONTRACT Cayuga Community College Board of Trustees formally approved a contract extension for College President Dr. Brian Durant on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Unanimously approved by trustees, the contract extension solidifies Cayuga’s continuity of leadership through the 202526 academic year. The announcement comes as the College advances a series of community-focused initiatives and completes a semester with more than 90 percent of its courses in a virtual setting to protect students and employees amid the pandemic.
Swallow Tailed Hummingbird by Kennard Emmanuel
TELL US YOUR NEWS EMAIL THE COLLEGIAN! CAYUGACOLLEGIAN@GMAIL.COM
NOW RECRUITING!
“Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are still required to fulfill the testing requirements.” — Cayuga President Dr. Brian Durant
“Future” by Michaela Lawrence MORE ART WORK ON PAGE THREE
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
OPINIONS
HOW I SEE IT... WORK AND PLAY IN A PANDEMIC
Michael Perry EDITOR-IN-CHIEF When COVID-19 first hit last year, everything shut down including sports. However, most professional sports have been able to resume playing under modified conditions. NBA Players finished out their season in a “bubble” and the NFL has nearly completed a season despite many positive cases throughout the league. A point that people have continually tried to make with the return of these sports is that “we’re disrespecting professional athletes by forcing them to play a game for our entertainment in a pandemic.” How I see it, the working people of America are being disrespected by being forced to go to work in a pandemic, rather than being paid to stay at home. If we shut everything down or forced people to work remotely for a long period of time, we would have a much better fighting chance against the virus. This would obviously require higher ups to take pay cuts or Congress would have to agree on a bill to support citizens in a pandemic, both of which are rare. Just because it’s what should be done, it doesn’t mean it will happen, but it is frustrating. Something that is rarely mentioned in this discussion is the fact that the players themselves need to play to get paid. Just like many other Americans, they could quickly find themselves without pay if they can’t work. If anything, they are probably happy to have the opportunity to work given the current situation. This isn’t me complaining that they should be grateful for getting paid to dribble a ball. My point is, when you watch a game, don’t feel bad that they’re “playing for our entertainment” (that is quite literally their job), instead try and feel supportive that your viewership will help feed their family.
CAYUGA CLUBS! FULTON AND AUBURN CLUBS Please share your meeting times, events, and fund-raisers with The Cayuga Collegian We want to publish your news!
Email: cayugacollegian@gmail.com
The Cayuga Collegian welcomes letters from its readers. Submissions must be from a ‘cayuga-cc.edu’ email domain. Contact us at cayugacollegian@gmail.com. Submissions must include your name, address and daytime phone number. All letters to the editor do not reflect the viewpoint of the Collegian office, its staff or advisor. All letters are simply the opinions of the writers themselves. All letters may be edited for content or length. We reserve the right NOT to PUBLISH.
“I want to gain all the experience I can while I’m attending Cayuga, and being the Student Trustee is a great opportunity. I know I could focus on my classes and not participate as much in college organizations, but why do that? I want the leadership experience and want the opportunity to meet and learn from people,” she said. During her time at Cayuga, Bates has proven a strong student who is interested in being involved in student organizations. She’s a member of academic honor society Alaina Bates Phi Theta Kappa and the Cayuga Science Club, and has served as an officer in both organizations. She’s also a science and math tutor, and continues to tutor students in microbiology this year. Bates is also the recipient of several scholarships, including the ACC/CCC Alumni Scholarship, the Leo & Elizabeth Curtin Fox Memorial Scholarship and the Holy Family High School Alumni Scholarship. Her enthusiasm for the College and her commitment to helping fellow students succeed is part of what will make Bates an excellent addition to the College Board of Trustees, said Cayuga President Dr. Brian Durant and Board Chair Marian Brown. “Alaina is everything we hope for in our Student Trustee — highly motivated, a leader in the classroom and in student organizations, and committed to helping her fellow students succeed,” said Durant. “We’re looking forward to working with her, and to hear her suggestions how Cayuga can continue finding ways to help our students achieve.” “The Student Trustee is an important position that demands leadership and communication skills, and Alaina has demonstrated both qualities throughout her time at Cayuga,” said Brown. “She has a proven commitment to helping other students, and will share student concerns, ideas and accomplishments with our College leaders. We’re excited to work with her and are proud she’s representing our students.” Originally studying Liberal Arts when she came to Cayuga, Bates found herself developing a strong interest in Biology and decided to switch her academic focus. She’s planning on eventually transferring to continue her education and earn her doctorate, though she’s still determining what biology-related degree she’ll pursue. In the meantime, however, she’s looking forward to supporting other students through Cayuga’s Student Government Organization and as the Student Trustee. “People look to our Student Government Organization when they need help with something, and that’s something I want to be a part of,” said Bates. “With the pandemic, I miss the connection with other students and campus members. Being the Student Trustee allows me to step in and help, even if it’s primarily in a virtual setting.”
Michael Perry Joshua Hart Patrick Mahunik Caleb Rodan MaryJo Solazzo Mary G. Merritt
CAYUGA
WELLNESS
SERVICES
Christina Bentley, MS Wellness & Intervention Counselor
Dr. Jerimy Blowers Wellness & Intervention Counselor
WELCOME SPRING SEMESTER! —submitted by Christina Bentley, Wellness Counselor, Fulton Campus As we continue to approach this virtual world we are living in, your Wellness Counselors at Cayuga want to be sure that you all have access to services and connections during this important time. We understand that these times can be especially stressful and want to offer as many services as we can to assure your best mental health. Fortunately, SUNY has helped with some important resources that we want to share, as well as some more localized options for talking and texting for assistance when you need it.
TALK AND TEXT HELPLINES We previously provided you with specific, local resources for a variety of needs and wanted you to know that there are talk and text lines freely available to you as well. • NYS OMH Crisis Text Line: Text GOT5 to 741741 • Peer Warm Line Cayuga County: 315-294-3004 • Middle Earth from the University at Albany (open to SUNY students): 518-442-5777 As always, we are here for your counseling and referral needs. If you or another student you know ever needs anything, please email us: Dr. Jerimy Blowers at jblowers1@cayuga-cc.edu (Auburn Campus) and Christina Bentley at cbentle2@cayuga-cc.edu.
RESOURCE GUIDES The State University of New York has provided a service, ReachOut SUNY This service links you to a variety of important contact points and services to continue promote your mental health during the semester and beyond.
MEET THE COLLEGIAN STAFF Caleb Roden
Patrick Mahunik Jr.
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
Hi, my name is Caleb Roden is my 2nd year here at Cayuga. I am a baseball player at Cayuga and I’m majoring in media communications. I am planning to transfer to Penn State to continue my media studies and I’m hoping to attend law school after Penn State to deal In copyright and media law.
My name is Patrick Mahunik Jr. and I’m in my 2nd year here at Cayuga Community College for Media Production. I’m from Auburn, NY. I have been interested in Journalism since I can remember specifically Sports Journalism from watching SportsCenter every morning before school. Through this, I became very knowledgeable about sports and what occurs behind the scenes for a team. I’m planning on transferring next fall and majoring in Journalism or Broadcast Journalism depending on the school. I’m really looking forward to writing articles for The Collegian and learn my craft in Journalism. Go Bills!
WE WANT YOU! GET INVOLVED! WRITE FOR THE NEWSPAPER OR PARTICIPATE IN OUR NEW MEDIA SHOW CAYUGA BYTES!
ELEVATOR VERTICALLY CHALLENGED
PHOTOS BY MIKE PERRY
NEW CCC STUDENT TRUSTEE NAMED
Once again, the elevator in the Technology Building on the Auburn Campus is not operable. Officials at the college say the elevator is down until further notice. They say it should be operating soon, however, there is no ETA as to when it will be fixed. Officials say there is only one company in the nation that can fix this kind of elevator and they are not local. The elevator is hydraulic, and they say the issue is a faulty piston within the hydraulic system.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STAFF WRITER STAFF WRITER STAFF WRITER STAFF WRITER FACULTY ADVISOR
We are looking for more staff members!
PAGE TWO FEBRUARY 2, 2021
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PARTICIPATE IN CAYUGA ART DEPARTMENT’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
“Untitled” (mirror) by Sarah St. Clair
“Logo” by Mason Simmons
The Crow’s Autumn by Odayls Velazquez-Gonzalez
“A Walk In The Graveyard” by Odayls Velazquez Gonzalez “Bebop” by Ella Bard
“Another Look Little Red” by Ella Bard
“Metamorphosis” by Elizabeth Diego
“Untitled” (after Hockney) by Haley Brewer
“Landscape with Stethoscope” by Kennard Emmanuel
“Catepillar” by Michaela Lawrence
“Untitled 3” by Theresa Netti
“Bird Flight” by Ian Moore “5 Line Poem” by Ian Moore
“Untitled” by Meah Canino
“Medusa” by Alina Palmer
“Love Is Love is Love” by Kennard Emmanuel
“Untitled 4” by Theresa Netti
“Untitled” by Jenn Kozma
SERVING THE STUDENTS OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR MORE THAN 67 YEARS!
“Hummingbird” by Megan Coe FEBRUARY 2, 2021 PAGE THREE
PARTICIPATE IN CAYUGA ART DEPARTMENT’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
“Split Self Portrait” by Michaela Lawrence
“Untitled” (after Frida Kalo poem) by Ella Bard
“Ice I” by Ella Bard
“Organic Sun” by Michaela Lawrence
“Untitled 2” by Mason Simmons
“Metamorphosis Monarch in Flight” by Elizabeth Diego
“Tile Project“ by Jenn Kozma
“Untitled 5” by Theresa Netti
“Untitled” by Megan Coe
“Tiny House” by Michaela Lawrence
“Self Potrait” by Odayls Velazquez Gonzalez
“Untitled” (after hockney) by Mason Simmons
“Fire” by Megan Coe “Untitled 6” by Theresa Netti “The Floating Candle” by Odayls Velazquez Gonzalez
“Hero” by Megan Coe
“6 Minutes” by Megan Coe
“Blue Jay in Flight” by Haley Brewer
“Ice II” by Ella Bard
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE