The Oswegonian 2-26-21

Look Inside: A3 School faculty express relief with COVID-19 vaccine

Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 VOLUME LXXXVI ISSUE II SINCE 1935 www.oswegonian.com

*Last updated Feb. 25*

**Positive rate over a seven-day average**

18,181

35

0.42% 143

149,415 37,256,699

3.44%

Patrick Higgins | The Oswegonian

Milestone passed in COVID-19 testing

SUNY has reached over 1 million COVID-19 tests administered

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian Lee Hall has been turned into a testing site by SUNY Oswego for students and staff.

Ben Grieco Editor-in-Chief bgrieco@oswegonian.com

CONTENT

The State University of New

Crossword................... C6 Contact Info................ A2 Laker Review.............. C1 News............................. A1 Opinion........................ B1 Sports........................... B3 Sudoku........................ C6

York has crossed yet another milestone when it comes to COVID-19 testing: over 1 million campusconducted tests since the start of the academic year.

As of Thursday morning, SUNY

had conducted 1,155,683 campusadministered tests. SUNY Oswego alone is at 40,851 tests since the beginning of the academic year.

Since Jan. 2, SUNY Oswego has conducted 18,181 tests.

With this milestone achieved, SUNY has conducted more tests than some entire states throughout the country. As of Thursday morning, SUNY has tested more than Vermont Wyoming, South Dakota, Hawaii, Montana and Idaho.

SUNY not only required all students to get tested prior to the start of the semester but now requires all students, faculty and staff to complete weekly tests through the semester.

Over the last 14 days, SUNY has a 0.54% positivity rate, while the state of New York has a 3.56% positivity rate.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras called testing “a part of campus life for now,” providing evidence “to keep our students safe,” he added.

See UPSTATE, A4

Students warned to stay off ice on lake Annika Wickham Copy Editor awickham@oswegonian.com On Feb. 12, all SUNY Oswego students received an annual warning from the Office of Student Affairs: “Lake Ontario ice is not solid.

PLEASE STAY OFF THE ICE.” Sent by Dr. Jerri Howland, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the concise email detailed the importance for all students to stay far away from Lake Ontario and the Glimmerglass Lagoon during the winter months.

“Ice can be unpredictably thin … the wind is strong, the waves are overpowering and the water is freezing,” the email said. “Should someone venture too close to the lake when these conditions prevail, the results could be unfortunate and perhaps fatal.”

According to Howland in an email, the messages are standard and are “sent out each year during this time to warn students about the dangers of walking or playing on the ice.”

Lake Ontario is around 30 degrees Fahrenheit in certain areas and at the warmest around 60 degrees during the winter months.

Even with the water reaching near freezing, Lake Ontario rarely freezes over due to its depth, and its location being further east than the other Great Lakes. The other four Great Lakes often freeze mostly or completely over each year.

Lake Ontario is also fed by the Niagara River, which keeps the water circulating more compared to other lakes and keeps ice from forming.

Lt. Matthew Barbeau of University Police said monitoring the lake shore and around Glimmerglass Lagoon is important to help keep the campus population safe. “[University Police does] our best to try and keep an eye out there, and if we see anyone headed out we ask them to come back off the ice,” Barbeau said.

Barbeau also said there had been no issues with students going onto the ice since he started working for SUNY Oswego in 1999.

See LAKE, A3

Opinion

Sports

Laker Review

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OPENING FITNESS

ATHLETES REJOICE

TAYLOR’S VERSION

BUSY BUCS

B2

Photo from Flickr

B4

The Oswegonian file photo from 2019

C5

Image from Taylor Swift via YouTube

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Ben Grieco | The Oswegonian

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THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

Weekend Forecast

Gonian Social

FRIDAY, FEB. 26 THROUGH SUNDAY, FEB. 28

Friday

H: 33°

Sunday

Saturday

L: 26 °

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WEATHER FRIDAY, FEB. 26

Potsdam 33°/21°

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Buffalo 40°/29°

Syracuse 39°/25°

Albany 38°/23°

Stephanie Cusyck, 25, was arrested at 12:39 p.m. on Feb. 20 for criminal sex act in the third degree and rape in the third degree following an intimate relationship with a 16-year-old.

Kristy M. Balcom, 29, was arrested at 6:29 p.m. on Feb.

NYC 43°/36°

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18 for criminal impersonation in the second degree and unlawful publishing of an intimate image after a domestic incident.

Extended Forecast Monday

Tuesday

MONDAY, MARCH 1 THROUGH FRIDAY, MARCH 5

Wednesday

Thursday

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Christian J. Camacho, 23, was arrested at 8:48 a.m. on Feb. 18 for kicking in a door and damaging the door frame during a domestic dispute.

H: 36°

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Derek Francis Bivens, 23, was arrested at 1:39 a.m. on Feb. 21 for driving while intoxicated and reckless driving,

40%

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On the Opinion Cover!

NEWS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Testing is a part of campus life for now, and it provides us with the evidence we need to keep our students safe.”

-Jim Malatras, from A4

Hope for return to normalcy rises following vaccine

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

A3

SUNY Oswego facultly demonstrate relief following COVID-19 vaccine

Tomas Rodriguez Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com As University Police officers, front-line health services and, most recently, college instructors teaching in-person become eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, many are reflecting on what this means for the university moving forward.

While the duties to ensure everyone’s safety on-campus have not changed for UP during the pandemic, non-emergency, or service calls, may involve police officers taking some reports over the phone. But emergency calls or any call for help will be addressed in-person.

If the pandemic has altered campus law enforcement officers’ schedule, it has allowed them to spend more quality time with family, UP Chief Kevin Velzy said.

“I know that some people may disagree, but I feel that the sooner everyone is vaccinated, the sooner we can put this pandemic behind us,” Velzy said. “That would change things in that we could go back to having those sporting events, concerts, gatherings and important moments in our lives such as in-person commencement ceremonies.”

Even though UP has begun to receive the required doses for the inoculation, Velzy’s team is still required to wear personal protective equipment until they receive advice from the health departments along with the SUNY Director of Environmental Health and Safety that it is no longer needed.

“It’s a huge step in the right direction, but to be effective, we will need a majority of the population to become vaccinated,” Velzy said. “As soon as I was eligible, I registered for the vaccine, and I got both doses.”

Similar to UP, health services has faced many challenges during the pandemic, Director of Student Health Services Angie Brown said.

“I would say the hardest was developing a COVID tracking system and protocols from the ground up and COVID fatigue,” Brown said. “As nurses you are always prepared for the unknown

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian Some SUNY Oswego faculty have become eligible for and recieved the COVID-19 vaccine.

and the ability to shift and use what you have. What we were unprepared for, as were many others, were the long, nonstop hours of work and the constant changing and evolution of the virus.”

Brown is optimistic about the future, not only for her department, but also for the campus community as a whole.

“Hopefully it provides front-line workers extra protection against the virus,” Brown said. “By protecting us, we can help others.”

In terms of the faculty, for many, the pandemic has led to experimenting with new ways that would help students be successful.

Dr. Jessica Reeher, Department of Communication Studies Chair, said the pandemic has really changed the way they do everything.

“Our faculty are also in the same pandemic as students and are trying to figure out the best courses of action,” Reeher said. “Sometimes we get it right, but sometimes we need to find other ways to deliver our course content and meet the course objectives.

I think the vaccinations are the first step to getting back to the classroom in the ways that we prefer, with our students, working together.”

From a communications standpoint, Reeher said the pandemic has brought far more challenges than just those that are utmost tangible.

“In a classroom, even when looking at one student, I can see hands up, nodding heads and disagreeing faces through my peripheral vision,” Reeher said. “I can see most of the students in a class. I lose all of that on my screen, especially when cameras are off. When you’re muted, I don’t know if you’re

laughing at my jokes. When a screen is blank, I don’t know if you look confused.”

Reeher also added that she cannot imagine the impact the pandemic has had on students.

“I’ve had to change the way I work, but [students] had to change the way [they] live.” Reeher said. “Many have lost a secure home or secure meals that the residence halls provide. We all have experienced this ‘pandemic tired,’ which is tired but on a whole new level.”

Similar to Reeher, Communication Studies professor Maggie Simone said the pandemic has upended her “normal” class routine.

“I’m just beginning to grasp the true impact on college students, including my own two,” Simone said. “Developing the tools and tricks to stay engaged, to stay positive, to manage time, to battle pre-existing or new mental health issues – I think the effects of the last year of virtual learning have impacted how students are developing into adults.”

While she has been able to receive the inoculation, Simone recognizes the adversity that individuals with pre-existing conditions who have not yet been able to receive the vaccines endure.

“I was so grateful to get vaccinated, the relief was immense,” Simone said.

“But so was the guilt, my husband has cancer, and he just became eligible. My mother has Alzheimer’s, and because of where she lives, I couldn’t get her an appointment until April. So while I know the light at the end of the tunnel will include vaccinations for everyone who wants one, the immediate relief has been tempered with a certain amount of ‘survivor’s guilt,’ if you will… [a] weird combination.”

COVID-19 pandemic hits student employees at SUNY Oswego Lake Ontario ice School attempts to help student staff return to their previous positions Eurokah Sejour Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com As students continue to settle into the Spring 2021 semester, places all around campus are looking to help students keep their on-campus jobs.

Last semester, many employment locations around campus needed to shut down in order to meet the pandemic safety protocols and because of the decrease of students that came to campus for the fall. This semester, even more places like FANS, which is located in Marano Campus Center, Fusion Cafe located in Shineman Center, Wall Street Market located in Rich Hall, Ontario Bagel Company located in Lanigan and Mackin Dining Center were not able to reopen. This has left students who were previously employed by these establishments without work.

On the SUNY Oswego campus, there are many departments where students can be employed. The offices who tend to employ a majority of students are Auxiliary Services, federal work study and Residence Life and Housing.

Auxiliary Services is an independent not-for-profit corporation located on the SUNY Oswego campus. Their mission seeks to provide excellent additional services to the college community, and they employ over 750 student employ-

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian Cooper Hall (above) is one of four dining halls open this semester offering students employment.

ees. They recruit students in positions such as Residential Dining Services, Retail Dining, the College Stores and Accounting and Administration.

Federal work study, unlike Auxiliary Services, is a bit more strict because its funds are more limited and is an opportunity that is not offered to everyone. To be eligible for this program, it is strongly advised that the applicant is a current and full-time student and has indicated that they have a federal work study award on their most recent award notice.

Residence Life and Housing has also

SA is currently working to establish a flag policy, in regards to the flags that formerly hung in the Marano Campus Center.

SA Chief of Staff Justin Techmanski said that the policy is “on the forefront” of this year’s agenda. The goal is for a proposal to be drafted by the end of this semester. The flags were removed in the fall of 2018.

SA has sent out a survey

been prioritizing their student employees and has been trying to help their student staff stay employed. In addition to their Resident Assistant and Mentor staff, they also offer great opportunities through student operations staff or SOS. However, since these jobs are right in halls, students do not have to go far, and therefore they are much harder to get.

“For us, we realize that it is important to employ students while still making services accessible,” said Shaun Crisler, the Assistant Vice President of Residence Life and Housing, referring

to gauge student desires relating to the upcoming May 2021 graduation. Due to COVID-19, there was no formal graduation in May 2020, instead, a virtual “graduation celebration” event was hosted. The Dec. 2020 Ceremony was also virtual. The survey was sent out to students in an email in the form of a Google Form.

to his goal for working with desk attendants (DA), who are part of the SOS staff ,along with recycling technicians (RT), SOS Coordinator (SOS-C), and Computer Technicians (CT).

Crisler explained that with many students not returning, Residence Life and Housing’s goal was to help its staff by accommodating the hours to fit their schedules and availability, while providing great service to those who came back to campus.

“It’s really calm [being a desk attendant],” said Arielle Walker, who works as a DA in Hart Hall.

Walker also added that being a DA allows for students to multitask and “do [their] homework.”

Multiple places all around the campus are currently still looking to hire. Littlepage Dining Center, located on West Campus, is currently accepting applications. It especially has been helping students get employed by offering applications and constantly making students aware that they are opening. On Friday, Feb. 5, Littlepage Dining Hall even gave the opportunity for immediate hire if the interviewees showed up at a 3 p.m. group interview.

Opportunities are currently available around the campus for students who may be looking for employment, not to mention many of the staff at SUNY Oswego are willing to work with the students schedule.

emphasized to be dangerousinemail STUDENTS from COVER “We haven’t had any incidents that I know of, of students falling into the lake after being out on the ice pact,” Barbeau said. “And I think one of the big reasons why is because the college is letting the students know it’s dangerous and it’s not safe to be out there.”

Though there have not been any injuries or accidents for over a decade on campus, Barbeau mentioned knowing rumors of a student, while he was in school who passed away after falling into Lake Ontario in the early 1980s.

“I had heard about a student who was out on the ice pact, and it broke free and he fell in,” Barbeau said. “[the ice] closed over top of him and he ended up drowning and passing away.”

Barbeau thinks this tragedy is one of the reasons UP and the SUNY Oswego Administration takes the danger of Lake Ontario so seriously.

“The safety of our students and all members of our campus community are first and foremost in our minds,” the email to students stated.

With winter lasting until April most years in Oswego and students settling back in after their break, the administration will continue to remind everyone on campus to stay far away from dangerous Lake Ontario ice.

the incoming President the main reason for this and Vice President. SLE change in the process.

56.02 will allow future SA members taking over the positions of President and Vice President to receive more concise training.

The Senate also voted on SLE 56.03, following the passing of RES 56.08.

The bill will significantly SA also passed a reso- lower the amount of siglution relating to upcom- natures needed for Presiing elections. RES 56.08 dential candidates, from will eliminate the need 500 to 200. It will also alfor Presidential and Vice low candidates to conduct Presidential candidates their petitions electronito acquire a petition with cally. Like RES 56.08 This SA passed a bill intend- 500 student signatures. bill cites the COVID-19 ed to “bring structure to The resolution cites the pandemic as the main the transition process” for COVID-19 pandemic as reason for its creation.

s.

NEWS

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

A4

Students, professors face odd National Association of Black Accountants offer advice circumstances with digital snow days Association hosts ‘Tips, Tricks for Students’ for students struggling in digital setting Dylan McGlynn Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian SUNY Oswego Campus, pictured above, faces severe snow and ice nearly every day.

Kaitlyn Goodwin Contributing Writer news@oswegonian.com Wednesday, Feb. 10, was the first day of the Spring 2021 semester that SUNY Oswego had to cancel in-person classes due to hazardous weather conditions.

Cancellations due to snow are no strange occurrence to the students at SUNY Oswego, but this instance proved to be markedly different from previous cancellations in one way: instead of classes being completely canceled, they were moved to an online format.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, schools and universities have gotten more and more comfortable with providing remote instruction to their students, so it is easy to see how SUNY Oswego might find it beneficial to use remote instruction as an opportunity to continue classes even on days when weather makes it difficult to meet in person. However, the students seem to have a different opinion regarding the pros and cons of eliminating the snow day.

SUNY Oswego sophomore Josh Arnold said while he was glad he did not have to go into his 8 a.m. class, he still wished he had been able to enjoy a snow day. While he does admit that it was nice that he did not fall behind in a few of his classes, one of his lab groups is now behind because the other group was not affected by the virtual day. Despite lagging behind in his lab, Arnold prefers a full day off.

“I would rather have the snow

day just to make things a bit easier,” Arnold said. “And a bit more fun too.”

A number of other students expressed similar sentiments regarding the switch from a snow day to a virtual day.

Opinions among the professors were not as uniform as they were within the student body. Dr. Zoë Misiewicz, a professor in the mathematics department, expressed a similar opinion to the students, though for different reasons. Misiewicz claims that she felt the switch to a remote day was “chaotic” as there was very little notice, and she had to make quick and difficult changes to adjust her coursework for a remote setting. She also believes that the students did not get much out of the experience in some of her shorter classes.

“I think we should do a few snow days,” Misewicz said. “If it gets to the point where we’re missing a lot of class, maybe we need to figure out some remote days.

But if it’s just one, especially because they got rid of spring break…

I think it would make sense.”

While Misiewicz and many others may not like the virtual classroom, some professors deem it necessary. While history professor David Deacon said he does not feel the same energy when teaching online, he would “rather go virtual” because missing too many days can put his classes too far behind schedule to catch up.

“It’s a good alternative,” Deacon said. “We have a lot to cover in a semester, especially this semester because it is short. If that’s a way to do it while keeping people safe, [it is] OK.”

In the past year, many students have struggled to adjust to their new digital classrooms. Others have found it difficult to advance their careers after school, with a large amount of internships and other opportunities either being canceled or shifting to a completely digital environment.

To help combat these issues, the National Association of Black Accountants held an online seminar on Monday, Feb. 15, titled “Tips and Tricks for Students.” The presentation provided numerous resources that students can utilize to help them in the classroom and beyond.

The first resource that was highlighted during the presentation was Rate My Professors, a website allowing students to leave reviews and recommendations on their instructors.

In turn, students that are registering for future classes can access the site to see exactly what their fellow classmates thought of a prospective professor. Instructors are rated on the quality of their teaching and the difficulty of the course.

It also allows students to see more specific details, like attendance policies and whether or not the professor requires a textbook.

This can prove especially helpful for students who may have to decide between multiple professors who are offering the same course.

“Even though it’s very opinionated, a lot of us [students] can agree with [the reviews],” said Britania Solomon, a NABA member who hosted the presentation. “It can be very beneficial.”

LinkedIn and the LinkedIn Learning program were also discussed as ways that students can help manage their professional identity and gain professional knowledge through online courses.

LinkedIn, which is an employment-based social media website, is often used by employers as well as those seeking to build their professional identity. Through Career Services, students can meet with Digital Dirt Interns, who assist in optimizing their profile in order to help attract potential employers.

“We specialize in LinkedIn, teaching [students] how to use it in a positive way and how to brand yourself,” said Emma Armstrong, a Digital Dirt Intern. Awppointments with interns can be booked through Handshake.

LinkedIn Learning is another program that can be very beneficial to students.

“Once you complete a course, it actually uploads to your profile so that it will be shown to employers,” Solomon said. “I would definitely highly recommend it.”

LinkedIn Learning offers professionally-instructed courses in a variety of fields, including creative skills, business skills and more.

“Maybe if you’re not proficient in something or you haven’t taken

a class in something, at least LinkedIn Learning can give you a bit of that background,” Armstrong said.

“You never really want to not go for a job because you feel like you’re not qualified enough, and LinkedIn Learning is a great way for you to extend those qualifications.”

Handshake was also discussed in greater detail, as it offers much more than just LinkedIn advice.

The website, available exclusively to SUNY Oswego students, allows them to seek out job and internship opportunities. Through the site, potential employers can directly contact students about potential opportunities and other resources.

However, Handshake is not the only source for students to inquire about potential job openings.

CareerShift is another website dedicated to assisting students with finding internships and other job opportunities. Through the site, students have access to “dynamic job, contact and employer searches, targeted results, organizational tools and proactive career management,” Solomon said.

In addition to online resources, SUNY Oswego will also be holding a Career Fair on March 10. This will allow students to converse with potential employers about jobs and internships.

The presentation was not solely

focused on career and school advice, however. It also highlighted additional benefits that students can receive throughout their time in college. One of these was the UniDays app. After creating a free account through a school email, students can receive discounts at places such as Apple, Reebok, H&M and American Eagle.

One specific benefit that students can take advantage of through UniDays is a discounted Apple Music subscription. Typically, a monthly subscription costs $9.99, but students can use the app for just $4.99 monthly.

Another tip that was provided for students was the opportunity to take paid surveys. Websites such as Survey Junkie and Harris Poll Online offer cash payments in exchange for reviews and opinions on a wide variety of products and services.

On an academic note, NABA holds an annual student conference, which offers networking and job opportunities to members of the group. Students who wish to join NABA can visit their website for more information.

While many things have been altered or completely changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunities for students to learn and grow during their time at SUNY Oswego are still plentiful.

Patrick Higgins | The Oswegonian

Upstate Medical expects to increase weekly testing capacity by 75%

New lab at University at Buffalo that opens March 1 will help with capacity, slicing turnaround time in half MILESTONE from COVER “As SUNY is the largest higher education system, regular COVID testing of our students, faculty and staff helps us deal swiftly and aggressively with any emerging issues in a targeted way to limit spread and keep campuses safe,” Malatras said. “Hitting 1 million tests wouldn’t be possible without the researching firepower of SUNY Upstate Medical and Quadrant Biosciences, which gave us the world’s number one ranked saliva test, an easy to administer and less intrusive test, which detects asymptomatic cases.”

Upstate Medical University President Dr. Mantosh Dewan also echoed the chancellor’s statement.

Upstate worked with Quadrant Bioscences, developing Clarifi COVID-19 test, also known as the saliva test, nearly a year ago. Founder and CEO of Quadrant Biosciences Richard Uhlig said it is “extremely gratifying that the Clarifi COVID-19 test has not only been administered over a million times but also has been recognized as the most sensitive COVID-19 saliva test by the FDA.” Dewan added to the excitement

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian SUNY Oswego has used Lee Hall as its COVID-19 testing site since the fall semester, as the gymnasium provides plenty of room for social distancing.

of surpassing 1 million tests.

“Upstate is incredibly proud to be a part of this monumental achievement. While I know we would all rather have the pandemic behind us, creating an environment in which testing is accessible, efficient and accurate is the next best scenario to keep students, faculty and staff safe on campuses across the state,” Dewan said. “Our team’s impressive work to create the Clarifi COVID-19 test

is having a profound impact on every aspect of SUNY, allowing campuses to remain open and offer the world-class education that SUNY is known for. Upstate is proud and humbled to play such an important role in this effort along with our partners, Quadrant and SUNY.” Upstate Medical currently has the capacity to conduct 200,000 COVID-19 tests per week, according to the press release. However, a new lab is being constructed at the

University at Buffalo, which will handle saliva testing for all SUNY campuses in Western New York. It will be operational starting March 1, and it will increase the weekly capacity to 350,000 tests per week.

With the increase, results will have a 24-hour turnaround rather than a 48-hour turnaround.

The press release also states that Malatras is investing $120,000 in the expansion by purchasing Upstate Medical’s COVID-19 test that

will be used at UB’s new lab. Other funding will come from Quadrant Biosciences, who will be staffed at UB’s lab alongside SUNY faculty and staff research teams.

“Our ability to scale this vital testing across our campuses over the past several months has paid dividends because as I travel to campuses and I meet with our students, they are happy to be back, and they want to keep it that way,” Malatras said. “Testing is a part of campus life for now, and it provides us with the evidence we need to keep our students safe, our first priority above all else. With our additional capacity, SUNY will also continue to help other community partners in need access our saliva test as well.”

OPINION CAPITAL STATE

B2 Photo from Flickr

OPINION

VOLUME LXXXVI ISSUE II

“Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press.”

SPORTS B3

THOMAS’ JOURNEY

The Oswegonian file photo from 2019

FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

B1

Will COVID-19 restrictions put clubs in danger if they continue to stay as strict?

Future losses The strict COVID-19 restrictions will definitely put organizations in danger. It is not so much immediate because most clubs and organizations have adapted to these restrictions. However, I am more concerned with the future.

What are these freshman who were hoping to get involved in their first year going to do? They do not know the joys of an in-person organization. What are next year’s presidents and vice presidents going to do? They might not know how a “normal” year operates. It is time to back off a little and allow for a smooth transition into next year.

-Ben Grieco, Editor-In-Chief

Lack of motivation Frightening effects The restrictions will definitely put clubs in danger. With a lack of in-person social interactions, many students remain unmotivated to participate, which is putting many underclassmen at a disadvantage for building their resumes and becoming more well-rounded.

-Mary Katherine Moylan, Laker Review Editor

With the current restrictions, it is hard to picture any club having much success involving new and current members. This can be especially concerning when considering how much clubs and organizations influence the overall college experience. While I can understand that there are certain safety measures that must be followed, without allowing consistent meeting spaces or times, it is hard to see how clubs will stay active. It is worrying to think about the loss SUNY Oswego may have if clubs are unable to gain new members and keep interests high. I will be interested, although frightened, to see the effects.

-Abigail Connolly, Opinion Editor

From my seat: The Editor-in-Chief’s column

Sports are back; I cannot contain my joy After month of unknowns, Laker athletics are finally returning

Ben Grieco Editor‑in‑Chief bgrieco@oswegonian.com

THE OSWEGONIAN

The independent student newspaper of Oswego State since 1935

G UIDELIN ES We want your thoughts on our coverage, campus and local issues, or any‑ thing regarding the Oswego State community.

Email all letters as Word attachments to opinion@oswegonian.com or mail submissions to 139A Campus Center, Oswego N.Y. 13126 All writers must provide their real name, address, academic year, major and phone number (which will not be published).

Typically, I have kept these columns generic to the SUNY Oswego community. Despite coming from a sports background, I had to adjust to news coverage this past year and most of my columns revolved around COVID-19 and how both SUNY and SUNY Oswego were responding.

But now, it is time to go back to sports for a moment.

For the last three years in the middle of February, I covered both the Oswego State men’s and women’s hockey teams. I spent every weekend either at the Marano Campus Center or in some other rink around the state. Was I sleep deprived? Yes. Did I forget about class assignments? Sometimes.

But I loved every minute of it. The people I met, the games I saw; I would trade the world to cover one more Laker hockey game at MCC, hearing the 3,000 fans roar when Oswego State scored or when David Richer made an unbelievable save, followed by the “Richer!

Richer!” chants from the student section.

On Jan. 26, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras made a request to the SUNYAC schools to come up with a plan to safely bring back spring sports. We found out that the presidents of the SUNYAC schools had been meeting, postponing a final decision

a couple times.

But on Feb. 23, nearly a year after the last Oswego State sports contest on March 10, Malatras, alongside President Deborah Stanley and several student-athletes from the spring sports teams, announced that the SUNYAC had a spring sports start-date of March 20, and practices would begin very shortly.

For a while, I thought the SUNYAC presidents were going to drag their feet until it was too late to even consider bringing back sports. Everything was behind closed doors; no one knew what was going on during the weekly meetings. But sports prevailed—and now baseball, softball, lacrosse, women’s tennis, and track and field are officially back for the SUNYAC. I, for one, have never been so excited to see Laker Turf being utilized again. I cannot wait to experience a whole different world of temperature at the Laker Baseball Field despite how close it is to campus. More importantly, I am thrilled for these student-athletes who get to play the sports they live and breathe, something most of them have

done since childhood.

The press conference on Feb. 23 with Malatras at the Romney Field House gave me the same exact excitement as the hockey press conferences in MCC Room 114 in September during a “normal” year. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning—excited to see what the day was going to bring.

Except now, Santa Claus was Malatras and the gift was sports are coming back.

With the aggressive testing strategy placed by SUNY, plus other guidelines that the SUNYAC will follow throughout the remainder of the season, it made perfect sense to let athletics come back. There is limited travel, mandatory testing three days before a competition and masks must be worn at all times except when student-athletes are actually competing.

Bringing back sports, as many other college conferences have done, such as the nearby Empire 8, which has Nazareth College and Utica College, was the right choice by the SUNYAC and the SUNY presidents.

I will see you at the turf, and baseball and softball fields soon.

Ben Grieco | The Oswegonian Chancellor Jim Malatras makes announcement that spring sports in the SUNYAC will return on March 20.

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OPINION B2 Statehood, Experiences lost, despite increased safety Vacation Despite rigorous testing, heavy restrictions remain implemented leaves little not all for faith one THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

Matt Watling Managing Editor mwatling@oswegonian.com

Photo from Flickr

Ashley Scott Staff Writer opinion@oswegonian.com It is no secret that Washington, D.C., has pushed for statehood for years, but could this dream become a reality under the Biden administration? In an article written by The Guardian, the movement for D.C. to become a state is “bigger and better organized than ever before.”

The U.S. currently has five territories: Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Besides American Samoa, the people in these territories are American citizens, who pay taxes and can even send a delegate to the House, but they do not actually get a vote. D.C. has better representation than the territories with the passage of the 23rd Amendment, which allows those residing in D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections.

If D.C. can vote in presidential elections, why can it not become a state? The U.S. has had these territories since the 19th century, why can these areas not become states?

“...the overall picture here is that adding these territories as states would result in an upset of the ‘balance of power’ that has been established...”

In the article by The Guardian, it is argued that race is an issue for why these areas cannot become states. The article describes the residents of these territories with, “most of them people of color-effectively treated as second-class citizens.” The article goes even further to question if America has a true democracy, if so many people of color do not have a seat at the table but are a part of the American “empire.” I think it is very counterproductive and mindless that the territories can send delegates but cannot actually vote on any matters; likewise, it is even more senseless that D.C. can vote in presidential elections, but it is not an actual state.

I do not think it is far off to describe this issue as an issue of race, but the overall picture here is that adding these territories as states would result in an upset of the “balance of power” that has been established.

It is true that more and more states are becoming more blue or are becoming more red, but it is hard to deny that most states are set in their ways about how they vote. We still use the electoral college for a reason: it benefits traditionally red states.

D.C. is a city and urban areas traditionally vote blue, and it should come as no surprise that last year, even though the D.C. statehood passed the House, there was absolutely no chance it would get past the Republican Senate. With Biden in office and these institutions now in Democratic majority, can we potentially see D.C. become a state in the next four years? I think there is a very high probability of that happening, but unfortunately I do not see statehood in the future of American territories.

On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the SUNY system reached an incredible milestone of administering 1 million COVID-19 tests. While I am incredibly proud of my school, SUNY Oswego, and to even play a small part in this accomplishment, it comes with a sadder realization. Despite the constant testing of students, the administrations across the SUNY system have failed its students in creating a real college experience.

I am not asking for SUNY Oswego to allow its students to party in dorms or off-campus fraternity houses, just the opposite. SUNY Cortland students tried to party and failed in incredible fashion, as it saw a 75-person party broken up, and students faced disciplinary action. I do not want parties, but safe, school-sanctioned activities.

The administration’s decisions feel almost hypocritical, with no real rhyme or reason. We see inperson classes of 20 students in a normal sized classroom in Mahar Hall, but organizations cannot meet without intense restrictions.

The Oswegonian office could easily host at least four people with social distancing. Instead, it is limited to just two. Last semester, Ben Grieco, the Editor-in-Chief, and I walked maybe 15 feet to a neighboring classroom in the Marano Campus Center, which was set up for double-digit students.

The classroom is not five times the size of our office, it is not even double. So, again, I ask, why should we or other student organizations be subjugated to lesser after the sacrifices we have made?

It feels as if the school and SUNY as a whole are sending mixed messages. I understand that classes are essential but so

is the mental health of students.

Personally, all of my classes are online, so I only leave my offcampus house for clubs. Without The Oswegonian or WNYO, there would be no reason for me to be in Oswego.

This semester, SUNY Oswego created spaces that clubs can reserve for one hour at a time. Sure, this is a great option for organizations to meet and communicate, but it is not enough. I wish the school explained to us why these bookings are safe but having people in our office is not. With more and more testing we should have the opportunity to be given more freedoms as students.

Again, I am not asking for SUNY to throw caution into the wind for its students. I am asking it to try. Students have busted their butts getting tested, maintaining social distancing and surrendering the typical college experience. We deserve a bit of

safe fun. If a standard classroom can host 20 people for roughly a 90-minute class, clubs should be able to have smaller groups of 10 members meet more frequently than the sporadic reservation that is available.

As I sit back and look at all the good SUNY did this academic year, keeping us safe and investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into COVID-19 testing, I cannot help but think of the not so good. SUNY and SUNY Oswego, in our specific case, punted on a full year of extra-curricular activities.

I missed out on weekly Oswegonian issues, in-person productions for WTOP-10 and countless other memories, while I see other public institutions like Central Michigan University and University of Miami in Ohio who did not try half as hard to test their students open up their collegiate athletic programs, TV studios and so much more.

Photo from Flickr With current restrictions, clubs are unable to meet regularly and the Marano Campus Center is empty.

Fitness for mind, body, college campus

Opening fitness centers will create positive change for students

After a cryptic teaser shared by the “OswegoFit” Instagram page, students on the SUNY Oswego campus were met with the news that fitness centers would be opening. The Marano Campus Center Ice Arena was converted to accommodate fitness equipment for the campus community. By opening up this facility, SUNY Oswego takes a step forward in giving students a “normal” semester, or at least one that resembles it.

This is a good idea.

With COVID-19, the fitness centers have been closed, not allowing students to be able to go there to work out. I have personally never been to the fitness center before it closed, but I would imagine it is not a huge area of space. Putting equipment in the hockey rink would allow for things to be spread out more and for people to work out in a socially distanced way. Obviously, people would still have to wear masks and things should be sanitized more frequently, but it would still allow for people to work out.

It would also be a good idea to limit the number of people allowed into the hockey rink. Even with all this extra space you still cannot be cramming people right next each other to work out. I am not someone who goes to an actual gym, so I do not know

AJ Battista Staff Writer opinion@oswegonian.com What happened in Texas this past week is a once in a lifetime event. Unusual amounts of snow and ice led to the loss of power, electricity and running water. President Joe Biden has gone as far to declare a major disaster for The Lone Star State.

Also, the way Texas’s electrical infrastructure is set up only added more problems to the situation. One problem that was avidable was Ted Cruz boarding a plan with his family and flying to Cancún

SPEAK YOUR MIND, TWITTER! POLLS POSTED EVERY WEEK TO @GonianLRO

Sarah Skibickyj Contributing Writer opinion@oswegonian.com

Photo from Flickr

the limits that are put into place there, but since this is at a school fitness center, the limits might be different than at an actual gym.

With increased testing on campus, positive COVID-19 cases are being caught earlier than last semester, and positive cases have remained relatively low. I do not think allowing students to work out, especially in such a big open area such as the hockey rink, would affect COVID-19 numbers in a negative way since it is not an activity that every student on campus will take part in. You are not going to have every single SUNY Oswego student going to work

out no matter what the location is. If the capacity of students is limited to a certain number, that would make it easier too.

Overall I think if COVID-19 numbers are not increasing on campus, the new fitness area in the Marano Campus Center will provide a positive space for students to better their mental and physical health. In my opinion, we need to do everything we can to keep everyone on campus safe and stop the spread of COVID-19, but we also cannot close things forever and need to figure out ways in which places such as the fitness center can open up again in the safest way possible.

Abigail Connolly | The Oswegonian The Marano Campus Center houses the new fitness center, offering free access during its first week.

“The public who voted for you is in need and expect you to respond appropriately to that [natural disaster]... ” .

Now, I have been to Cancún before. It is a very nice place. I recommend it, if you have not been. However, the time to go to Cancún, if you are the senator of a state, is not when it was just hit by a natural disaster.

Not a great move. Sub-optimal idea. The optics are not great.

How a politician responds to a major natural disaster or tragedy is a huge part of that politician’s approval rating from the public. The public who voted for you is in need and expect you to respond appropriately to that event. The bare minimum is staying in your state and helping out.

“Damage prevention is still a part of damage control.”

Cruz has been a senator for Texas since 2013, and this is far from the first time Cruz has done something that has been heavily criticized by news outlets and the public. By now, Cruz should be able to take a second and think about the choice he made and how the public would react to it.

Or at least he would have a person who works for him that could call him out before he does something. Do politicians really have publicists? Supposedly, they do.

Cruz might need to invest in a different one. He needs someone that works with him, to be that voice of reason. Cruz needs Mike Novick. For those who do not know, Novick is the former Chief of Staff for President David Palmer on the show “24.” On top of that, he was the voice of reason for Palmer in that show. He helped Palmer make critical decisions but would also give him insight on how things might look for Palmer based on the decisions that were made. Cruz needs a Novick-like-person because clearly he does not have someone on his side who does that. If somehow Cruz already has that kind of person on his side, then they need to start doing their job before Cruz does something stupid because, wow, they stink at their job. Damage prevention is still a part of damage control.

At this point, no one should be surprised that Cruz has done something stupid. It is the depth of the well that is surprising.

SPORTS

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

B3

Women’s lacrosse, led by upper- Amber Thomas reflects on career at Oswego State classsmen, eager to start season Digby praises Thomas’ consistency during time as Laker

The Oswegonian file photo from 2020

Ben Diamond Sports Writer sports@oswegonian.com With collegiate spring sports starting to pick up, most coaches do not know what to expect from their teams due to the lack of time in-person and practices. Oswego State’s women’s lacrosse head coach Britt Howard falls in that category. Losing 11 seniors and all of the 2020 spring season, her team is full of new faces. In this unique time for sports, Howard’s goal is to make sure the team is able to gel together with a lot of new players and very limited facetime over the last year.

“The biggest thing I would say is just making sure we build our team chemistry up,” Howard said. “We have a lot of new faces, and I think it is important that our freshmen get to know our seniors, juniors and sophomores.”

Howard knows that her team has not been able to play for a long time, so she is going into this new season with different expectations than what she would have under normal circumstances. With the limitations that have been set due to COVID-19 and the inconsistencies with the weather, Howard is prepared to “go with the flow” this spring.

“I think the biggest thing is changing my coaching mentality,” Howard said. “I’m not going to have the same expectations as I would in a normal year, because of the limitations on facilities and different gyms you can go to and the equipment at the gym, so [we] really just have to go with the flow.”

With the addition of many new

players to the team this spring and the inability for them to really meet in person, Howard had to get crafty, like many coaches, to keep her team connected with each other. Using Zoom was a big part in making sure the new players were able to connect and meet with the older players.

“The upperclassmen did a good job keeping the team connected, as we had a few freshmen transfer in,” Howard said. “They wanted to make sure the new freshmen understood the culture of our team, I like to meet with the girls once in a while via Zoom as a team, and we have had personal meetings to go over academics and personal goals.”

Howard hopes that the incoming freshmen will mesh with the system that has been created with the returning players. Even with limited practice, she believes that if they stick to the team’s system, they will be successful.

“They need to buy into the system,” Howard said, “and listen to the upperclassmen and they are asking questions.”

Although there has not been any practices yet, junior Erin Lehmann and sophomore Sela Wiley have been making sure they are ready to play Both know it is important to stay fit and prepared to play because they never know when they will be called upon to start playing again. They also hold a role in making sure they keep the team is connected and making sure everyone feels comfortable.

“Personally, I have been getting out and getting active. Going to the gym and trying my best to stay connected with the team,” Lehmann said. “That is my number one priority, making sure that everyone can come in and feel that family atmosphere.”

Wiley has been doing her part by staying connected with the freshmen while being on campus this semester.

“I have the benefit of being on campus this semester,” Wiley said. “I have been able to go get lunch with some of the girls on the team and get to know them better.”

Lehmann took it upon herself to really make sure that everyone was acclimated to the team. She feels it is very important for the team chemistry that everyone feels comfortable being around the team.

“Last semester, I took it upon myself to do one-on-one meetings with the girls just to introduce myself,” Lehmann said. “Just so everyone had a friendly face going forward”.

The Oswegonian file photo from 2019 Amber Thomas (9) scored six goals and had 15 assists for a total of 21 career points as a center for the Oswego State women’s hockey team.

Jack Perdek Contributing Writer sports@oswegonian.com From a Panther to a Laker in all but three years, Oswego State women’s hockey forward Amber Thomas proved to be one of the most vital players for the green and gold last season.

Before Thomas came to play hockey for the Lakers, the senior played two seasons for Plymouth State, her freshman and sophomore years. In search of a better environment and a good hockey fit, Thomas made a connection with the Lakers’ team and coaching staff.

“I was not happy where I was,” Thomas said. “I knew some of the girls who went to Oswego and reached out to the coach and that is what basically reeled me in.”

Thomas, the Cornwall, Ontario, Canada native, felt that Oswego State would be a good fit for her because it was close to home. As a transfer student, she did not know how smooth the transition would be, but fortunately for both, Thomas and Oswego State benefited from her arrival.

“It was the best I could hope for,” Thomas said. “You never know when transferring if it is going to be the greatest thing that happens or the worst.”

Thomas was a great offensive and defensive asset for the Lakers. In her junior season, she had her best statistical performance of her collegiate career, where she put together six goals and 15 assists for 27 total points

throughout 27 games played. Thomas’ newfound home and teammates were the cause of her instant success.

“We all wanted to be a competitive collegiate team, and we did really well at that,” Thomas said. “I honestly cannot pick a favorite moment; you can’t get any better than Oswego. I never felt that I was not at home.”

For Oswego State and countless college programs, athletics were put on pause due to COVID-19. It was tough for players like Thomas to grasp, as it seemed like everything was put on pause at the drop of a puck.

“I have been playing since I was four years old,” Thomas said. “It was devastating to see it come to an end during your senior season, which a lot of people look forward to.”

Fortunately, during the biggest moments of uncertainty, women’s hockey head coach Mark Digby served as a beacon of light for newcomers and returning players on the team. For Thomas, Digby’s perseverance to prepare his team for a potential return to the ice was a sign of relief.

“I found coach Mark Digby kept us going with our Zoom calls and meetings,” Thomas said. “I thought that he really helped a lot of the newcomers and returning players to keep pushing to the goal and what we really wanted.”

A good relationship between a player and a coach is exactly what every good team needs. There was nothing but respect for one another when it came to Thomas and Digby. When it came to one of the coach’s most self-

less players on the team, he was enthused to have coached her.

“The easiest way to describe Amber is consistent,” Digby said. “She does everything in her life the exact same way, you know exactly what you are going to get every day. Every single shift you know what you are going to get physically, you know what you are going to get mentally.”

Taking Thomas’ impressive stat line for her first season into account, Digby was more satisfied by the role she played as a teammate. In a game against Castleton University, last season the coach was amused by her performance to bring pucks back.

“It was almost hysterical,” Digby said. “Amber’s ability to repeatedly bring pucks back for us in that game created a ton of offense. Not everyone has the ability to make those plays and that is what I thought was the strongest part of her game.”

Thomas plans to start school in hopes of becoming a police officer after she graduates. Using those communication skills from the ice and having good teamwork traits will benefit her career down the road.

The senior received Oswego State Athlete of the Week and NEWHL Player of the Week in her one season at Oswego State.

“It was a really good feeling,” Thomas said. “It felt like what you were doing was getting noticed. I am usually someone who flies under the radar, and all my teammates were very supportive.”

Coach Smith, track & field, look toward future after Yensan, Burke

2 All-Decade athletes departing opens up new opportunities for underclassmen to shine are in the same boat going into a potential spring season. It will be a year at least since they were able to compete in any track and field events. If athletes’ high schools did not participate in an indoor track season, it might be a year and a half or two years since they last saw competitive action, depending on if they ran cross country or not.

At least for me, track determines my whole schedule. Once I have it again, I’ll be back in my routine.”

-Lindsay Fluman, Oswego State Track and Field thrower

Photo provided by Oswego State Athletics The Romney Field House serves multiple teams during the spring season while the snow still lingers in Oswego, including the track and field team.

Brandon Ladd Sports Editor bladd@oswegonian.com Now that spring sports have been approved by the SUNYAC, the Oswego State track and field season will look different in two ways. The high-rate of turnover among the program and the presentation of a smaller team due to opt-outs for the season.

One athlete has already chosen this route, according to coach Jacob Smith, who is entering his second season as coach of the team. The coach who’s job at Oswego State goes the full academic calendar during a non-COVID-19 season, due to his head coaching role with the cross country team and the indoor and outdoor portions of the track and field season, looks forward to seeing

athletes participating in their respective events.

“We still have a good core of people that are really passionate about this and want the opportunity to compete and to practice,” Smith said. “I’d be excited if we could offer them that opportunity.”

The 2019-20 Oswego State indoor track and field season was highlighted by the outstanding performances of seniors Catarina Burke and Sarah Yensan. Both received an invitation to participate in the NCAA Div. III National Championships in March before COVID-19 canceled the event.

Yensan finished with the sixth best long jump mark in the country last year, with a mark of 5.80 meters. Burke was ranked 16th with a high jump 1.68 meters.

Kevin Mitchell who is cur-

rently a junior was the only other Oswego State athlete who posted a top 10 performance at the regional meet that preceded the national championship.

For returning athletes a modified season might be easier to adjust to than the new athletes on the team. Smith provided the advice he would give to freshmen athletes who are potentially going to debut for the Lakers this spring.

“The key thing to try to emphasize with them is this is obviously very different than what they would normally experience,” Smith said. “Let’s really focus on enjoying this and get what we can out of it because it is a great opportunity in which we have not had in a long time.”

All returning athletes and new athletes, transfer or high school,

Junior thrower Lindsay Fluman from Pittsford will be called upon to be one of the steady influences when the season occurs. Her 2020 season was highlighted by nine top 10 performances in events last indoor season, besting her total of six during her freshman year. Fluman shares Smith’s enthusiasm to be able to compete again.

“I am very excited about... it because throwing has been something very important to me since high school,” Fluman said.

“It was one of the few sports I have made good friends from, [allowing me to] connect to the sport and people.”

Fluman does have the lingering thought of the risk of competing during COVID-19 in the back of her mind. A thought that has caused thousands of athletes around America to decide to opt-out of their prospective seasons across all divisions. She has trust in the SUNYAC to have

a safe plan for the spring season.

“I am sure that the SUNYAC will make sure that everything is safe,” Fluman said.

That trust is built by the impressive numbers that SUNY schools have been able to deliver in respect to the number of tests available for students and the frequency of those. SUNY has conducted over a million tests since the start of the fall semester. That is more tests than Idaho, South Dakota and Wyoming have been able to individually perform since the start of the pandemic. The current 14-day rolling average of positivity rate for SUNY stands at 0.52%, well below community spread levels seen across each region of New York.

Fluman wants to get back to throwing again and believes that any athlete joining the team needs to find balance between fear and normality again, a task that every American has been trying to do for themselves the past 11 months.

“I would tell them to find as happy a medium as they can between being safe with COVID and trying to find some normalcy in track,” Fluman said. “At least for me, track determines my whole schedule. Once I have it again I’ll be back in my routine.”

Smith shared what a season would look like around the SUNYAC this spring, based on his meetings with other coaches and the Commissioner of the SUNYAC Tom Di Camillo. Still, a lot is unknown as to the aesthetics of a track and field event during COVID-19.

“There are very few details we have been given so far,” Smith said. “I anticipate we are not going to be able to compete in as many meets as we normally would just because there isn’t going to be as many available.”

NEWS ICY

A4

LAKE

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian

SPORTS THE OSWEGONIAN

VOLUME LXXXVI ISSUE II • www.oswegonian.com

OPINION BAD

B2

TIMING

Photo via Flickr

FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

Patrick Higgins | The Oswegonian

Spring sports return to SUNYAC March 20 Oswego State athletes reSUNY chancellor, SUNYAC commissioner explain current plan act to spring sports returnBen Grieco Editor-in-Chief bgrieco@oswegonian.com Three hundred and fifty days since the last sporting event at Oswego State, a men’s lacrosse game against Clarkson University, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced on Feb. 23 that spring sports are coming back to the SUNYAC. If the positivity rates and total cases stay low, competition for baseball, softball, lacrosse, women’s tennis and track and field will begin on March 20, with practices “starting shortly, if not immediately,” SUNY Oswego President Deborah Stanley said.

“Today, I’m happy to announce that…we will resume athletic competition for the SUNYAC, which is great,” Malatras said.

“We’re going to be focusing on immediate, low-risk sports … It’s great to have that competition to come back.”

On top of the aggressive testing policies already instituted

by SUNY, which includes weekly testing of students, the SUNYAC will be split into eastern and western divisions in order to limit travel and overnight stays.

The dividing line for the two divisions is essentially Interstate 81, which goes North to South in the middle of the state.

For all four sports that Oswego State hosts, it will be in the western division.

In baseball, the Lakers will play SUNY Fredonia and Brockport State.

For softball and women’s lacrosse, Oswego State will take on SUNY Fredonia, Buffalo State, Brockport State and SUNY Geneseo.

In men’s lacrosse, the opposition will be Brockport State, SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Cortland.

Malatras added that the conference is trying to limit out-ofstate travel but will be looking into opportunities for out-ofconference play.

Student-athletes will be tested three days before competi-

tions, as well, to “better monitor” the situation and avoid unknown spreadings of COVID-19. There will be limited capacity on busses along with no eating and mandatory mask-wearing.

Student-athletes must wear a mask at all times, except when “they’re in the middle of competitive play,” Malatras said. Coaches and support staff will have masks on at all times, as well.

No group celebrations will be allowed during games, nor will there be any pre-game or postgame meetings between the two teams, such as handshakes.

For now, spectators will not be allowed at games in line with the New York state policy. That policy could change as time goes on, according to Malatras. SUNYAC Commissioner Tom DiCamillo also said that the media will be on the list of approved people to attend athletic contests.

“Quite frankly, I want to go see some athletic competition, especially with my son,” Malatras said. “I’m hopeful with these protocols in place, we will be able to resume [athletics] in an effective manner.”

DiCamillo said the conference also has full intentions to have postseason play. Since all teams are within New York, avoiding the out-of-state travel is a positive, he said.

Our obligation is to protect our student-athletes’ health first.”

-Jim Malatras, SUNY Chancellor DiCamillo broke down every sport following the press conference. For softball and women’s lacrosse, which have 10 teams each, with five in each division.

The top two teams from both divisions will be in the champion-

ships. With men’s lacrosse only supporting eight teams, it will still be the top two teams from each division, but SUNY Cortland will be in the west division.

The playoffs will be a crossover. In the first round, it will be the No. 1 team vs. the No. 2 team from the opposing division.

The commissioner said baseball is “the unique one,” with seven teams — three in the west and four in the east. For the baseball championships, it will be the division winners plus the next two best teams in the entire SUNYAC. Baseball and softball will both be best-of-three series in the playoffs.

DiCamillo added that there is no official track and field schedule, but there will be a SUNYAC Championship meet at SUNY Cortland for the postseason.

In softball and women’s lacrosse, if the seeds are tied in the championship game, the eastern region will host. For men’s lacrosse, it’s the west. Baseball is different because of the multitude of scenarios with the different playoff seedings.

“Let’s say the two No. 1’s advance, or the two No. 2’s do, there’s a formula in place looking back the last five years between the east and west [to determine the championship location],” DiCamillo said.

Fielding questions about COVID-19 concerns, Malatras said there is no plan to cancel the entire season if there is a rise in positivity rates or positive cases.

He added that games may have to be postponed or teams may have to be put on pause.

The SUNYAC will have to adapt, Malatras said, since there is no way to plan the uncertainties that may come with sports.

“Our obligation is to protect our student-athletes’ health first,” Malatras said. “To stop the [potential] transmission, we’ll cancel those games and do those types of things needed. We hope we do that in a limited way opposed to pausing the season in its entirety.”

Matt Watling Managing Editor mwatling@oswegonian.com After nearly a full year of waiting, hoping and training alone, SUNYAC spring athletes will rejoin their teams and begin play March 20, as SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced Tuesday at the Romney Field House.

This news comes after there were reports that Oswego State’s spring sports would have been able to begin practicing earlier in the month if not for snow. There is also a chance for fall and winter athletes to return to facilities later in the semester if COVID-19 rates remain low. While the seasons may be a lot different than normal, the athletes are excited to be back.

“It’s great I can tell you, our team is very, very excited,” said Kevin O’Donnell, a senior goaltender on the men’s lacrosse team. “I can tell you the rest of the athletes are excited as well, and we are ready to get back at it.”

One difference this year is the new division formats. In an attempt to limit travel, the SUNYAC will be divided in half along I-81, a proposal that was initially approved last summer when fall sports were expected to be played. One thing that was made abundantly clear by the athletes at the press conference on Tuesday is that they are all just happy to be on the field, regardless of who they have to play.

“I think the division style is great, it limits the travel, so better with safety protocols,” said Ryan Enos, a senior on the baseball team. “We’ll play whoever is on the schedule. We are just glad to be able to be here.”

Malatras said that only “low and intermediate risk” spring sports would begin play, which includes baseball, softball, as well as men’s and women’s lacrosse for Oswego State. A formal schedule has not been created for both track and field teams in the SUNYAC, but there will be a postseason, led with a SUNYAC Champi-

onship meet at SUNY Cortland.

All we can say is ‘thank you’ to everyone who was a part of putting this together,” -Leah Czerwinski, Oswego State softball player One thing that stood out during the press conference was how appreciative the studentathletes were. Many of those at the event were seniors, meaning this season would be their last real chance to wrap up their athletic careers.

“All we can say is ‘thank you’ to everyone who was a part of putting this together,” said Leah Czerwinski, an outfielder on the Oswego State softball team. “ As a senior, it means everything to be able to play [my] last season before we get going into the real world. I think I speak for every athlete, we are beyond grateful to just be able to play because that’s all we wanted.”

Despite the overwhelmingly positive news for the teams, this is just the beginning. COVID-19 is largely looming, and teams must remain diligent at mitigating the spread. Malatras does not plan to cancel the season, but teams may be put on pause if there is a rise in positive cases. Student-athletes are up to the test, however.

They have lived with COVID-19 for nearly a full year and will implement the COVID-19 prevention plan like they do a gameplan on the field.

“We want to lead by example, it feels good to finally have a plan in place,” Enos said. “We are going to follow the protocols as they give it to us. We are just thankful to finally get out there. They put all the steps in place, now we just need to execute.”

INSIDE

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‘A Court of Silver Flames’ release creates conflict

C3 Studio Ghibli’s releases C5 Taylor Swift announces

first film in 5 years

‘Fearless’ re-release

FRIDAY Feb. 26 , 2021

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LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

Sarah J. Maas’ new release causes conflict between fans Caitlin Alicea Contributing Writer laker@oswegonian.com

Thirty-four-year-old Sarah J. Maas is the author of the “Throne of Glass” series, the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) series, as well as the newest edition still being worked on, the “Crescent City” trilogy. Millions of copies have been sold and are translated into 37 languages. Maas is one of the many authors best known for her High Fantasy writing. While her books are technically marked as Young Adult High Fantasy, many believe that it should really be considered Adult Fantasy since Young Adult describes works written for the ages 12 to 18.

“Throne of Glass” is a series that consists of seven books and one prequel. “Throne of Glass” was the first book in the series which she started writing back when she was just 16 years old with her first book released in 2012. She became a New York Times bestselling author for the YA series that had readers falling in love with the fictional story of a young assassin, Celeana Sardothien. Maas later released the first book to the ACOTAR series in 2015. In June 2020, the ACOTAR series got a new cover look and only these books were placed in the adult section in all stores.

This series consisted of three full-length books and one novella in total but with the new release, there are now five books. It originally started out as a Beauty and the Beast retelling but quickly took a twist when hitting the second and third installments. In this series, we follow a girl named Feyre who has hunted and killed predators all her life to survive. When she spots a deer being pursued by a wolf, she doesn’t hesitate to kill it for its flesh. However, in doing so it costs a big price that she must now repay. She is brought into the world of faeries but with being human, she is vulnerable to the dangers this new world threatens to unfold. With many characters that come in and out throughout the entire series, this allows so many opportunities for different narratives as

the books continue.

With this new release, Maas decided to make it not about Feyre but about her older sister, Nesta. This character is both loved and hated by many readers while reading the series but when fans found out she was getting her own book, many were thrilled by the idea of it.

On Feb. 16, Maas’ new book “A Court of Silver Flames” came out. Many videos were posted on TikTok throughout the day of people waiting in lines to purchase one of the most anticipated reads of the year. On Instagram, the book community started posting pictures, displaying the cover and congratulating the author on her new release.

It was a big day for readers until it started to get ugly.

People started posting videos on TikTok within the literatureloving community known as BookTok, slandering the accomplished author. With insults such as “If you preordered Sarah’s new book or purchased it today, unfollow me right now”

character at the time, people raged over the fact that her role within the books was cut short despite the series continuing for another five books.

Such outcry and opposition may remind some of the similar controversy with the acclaimed “Harry Potter’’ series author, J.K. Rowling. Rowling, who waited years after her series became a movie franchise and was included in theme park rides at Universal Studios, didn’t add any diversity or even LGBTQIA+ characters until just recently in what seemed to be a way to stay relevant and has even received backlash for transphobic comments and beliefs. Despite there being drastic differences between Maas and Rowling, one would hate to see Maas’ writing career suffer a similar fate for lack of diversity. Although, not as wholly opposed, Maas’ recent controversy has many forming their own opinions, with some buying her books to simply make an opinion for themselves or just tear it apart. She could soon be walking on eggshells.

A situation like this is never one-sided. When talking about Maas as a writer, most would agree that she is very talented.

She started at the age of 16 and published her first book at age 26. However, with all the books she’s written in total, there still seems to be little to no representation in her stories. There can be many reasons for this.

One could be that she doesn’t fully understand what it’s like to be a person of color or to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community so she feels that she can’t write it validly. With this point in mind, readers argue that she can still put more effort into doing the research so that she can educate herself like many other authors do. Even the people reading the books do their research to better understand the meaning behind the story or sexuality of a character. Let’s say that she does write in a POC or LGBTQIA+ character but it’s very stereotypical. There will be people who will be upset about that so it’s kind of a “damn be damned” situation.

That is what makes being Image from Caitlin Alicea via Instagram an author or writer so difficult.

Follow @writingwithcaitlin on Instagram for more book reviews and updates. People write because they love or “you are supporting a problematic author by giving her your money,” some of these comments were being ignored.

Unfortunately, this is when things started to escalate.

There is lots of controversy when it comes to Maas’ books.

While her books are well written, they lack diversity which is something readers have been seeking more of with everything that’s been happening recently in the world. The LGBTQIA community have expressed that she needs to show some representation in her books without feeling the need to kill them off or keep them as a side character. An example is Nehemia from the “Throne of Glass’’ series. Nehemia appeared in the first installment as Celeana’s best friend when Celeana needed to disguise herself. Nehemia was the Princess of Eyllwe, one of the kingdoms within the fantasy series. She was unfortunately killed off too soon in the second installment “Crown of Midnight.” Considering that she was the only POC

to tell a story through the pages that are read. But while doing so, there are always people to please. And if they are not happy, then there will be some disliking that spreads and there will be people who will choose whether or not to agree.

A big personality on both of TikTok and Instagram platforms posted a video in the early afternoon of Feb. 16 sharing to his followers that he had received his book. A couple of hours later, he posted a video saying that he deleted the previous video because he was receiving mean comments and death threats through direct messages for purchasing the book.

These platforms which originally started so that readers can express their love for reading with people who will understand it best, are now being used as a method of antagonizing individuals within the writing community. Many people started calling these platforms and profiles toxic and stated how ashamed they were to be a part of such a community that just tears people apart for having their own opinions.

While many agree that encouraging diversity is good, it gives no one the excuse to send rude comments and especially death threats. Bullying is not acceptable in any environment.

A book release shouldn’t have surged into a bunch of death threats being sent.

The situation, however, settled in a matter of days. Readers started posting on their pages communicating that their feeds will be a safe space to comprehend everything that went on and where spoilers of the book will not be posted without warning.

Situations like these are not just one-sided. But whichever side was chosen, opinions shouldn’t be something that has to be accepted personally but rather respected. This goes for most things within the Arts and Literature. If you love something, never let anyone take away what brings you joy. If you do not like something, that is okay too. Shaming people is not welcomed, and this has been displayed once again, throughout the writing community.

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

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Miyazaki let down disappoints following Studio Ghibli hiatus

Ethan Stinson Asst. Laker Review Editor estinson@oswegonian.com

Rating: From “Castle in the Sky” to “My Neighbor Totoro,” Studio Ghibli has been long revered for its works in the field of animation. Since its establishment in 1985, the studio has become well-known for its beautiful, hand-drawn productions, and especially the works of animator and director Hayao Miyazaki (“Princess Mononoke”), whose retirement in 2014 resulted in the temporary halt in production of films at the studio.

Though no major theatrical film has been released by the studio since that time, one new work has reached the public eye, albeit as a television film. The film in question, “Earwig and the Witch,” may not look like a Ghibli film upon first glance. This mostly has to do with the notion that, unlike Ghibli’s other films, the film was animated

utilizing CG animation rather than traditional animation, thanks to the efforts of director Goro Miyazaki (“Tales from Earthsea”).

Miyazaki may seem familar because he is actually Hayao Miyazaki’s son. Despite the family name and hiatus of Studio Ghibli, hopes were never exactly high for the director who has a history of being the let down of the Japanese animation film studio. If one were to look into his career, his directed films are the only ones to receive poor ratings.

Although the idea of producing Ghibli’s first CG film may have seemed like a novel one during the early stages of production, the end result is a rather unattractive and cheap-looking film. For those who grew up during the 2000s, one may find that the animation in “Earwig” looks eerily similar to that of the “Scary Godmother” Halloween specials, thereby reinforcing the idea of how wooden and unfin-

ished the animation in this film looks. Furthermore, the artificial look of the CG animation causes the film to feel less magical and have marginally less personality in comparison to Ghibli’s hand-drawn films.

With an 82-minute runtime, “Earwig” feels stunted on a narrative level. Though it provides glimmers of intrigue through the characters, world and magical elements which it sets up, the film’s brevity makes each of these elements feel less compelling and developed than they could have been in a longer film. There are also times in which “Earwig” feels narratively familiar to other Ghibli films which are arguably better than it. Notably, there are times at which the film features story beats that resemble those seen in other, arguably superior, Ghibli films such as “Spirited Away” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” Regardless of how coincidental these narrative similarities may be, it still

“Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” damaged Wanda.

While Disney has released plenty of Marvel TV shows, few were released on a weekly basis, and none to the scale that “Wandavision.” In the past, Marvel’s focus on blockbuster movies left little for shows to work with. Fans of “Daredevil” or “Jessica Jones” would love for those characters to make the jump to the movies, but that never happened, and these shows were quickly canceled. Even “Agents of Shield,” which utilized characters like Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg, “Cap-

tain Marvel”) who was prominent in earlier MCU movies like the first “Avengers” movie and “Iron Man 2,” never truly crossed over. The largest cross-over “Agents of Shield” ever got was a single line of dialogue in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

Instead of having characters join the Avengers on the big screen, the shows had to work around the movies, and it left them with much to be desired. Stakes could never get too high, and plot lines could easily be snipped off by one line in a movie. Super villain groups in “Daredevil” were contained to New York

Image from HBO Max via YouTube Goro Miyazaki’s animation fails to impress compared to his father’s hand-drawn style.

greatly asserts the blatant lack of inspiration that went into the film.

Aside from its animators’ attempt at making it visually deviant, “Earwig and the Witch” otherwise possesses very little to help it stand out from the rest of Studio Ghibli’s iconic library. Given that it was intended for release as a television film, some may be willing to excuse the film for its lesser quality. However, seeing as Ghibli had not released a film in seven years

before giving us “Earwig,” others may find themselves to be disappointed by the film’s uninspired presentation and subpar visuals. Given the clear risks it took through experimenting with a different art style, the studio may be entitled to some mild praise.

However, the film’s clear lack of heart may be a good indicator that Ghibli would be better off pursuing traditional animation, through which they have already experienced great success.

City, and even then, only regions of Manhattan like Hell’s Kitchen or Harlem. The villains could never be taken too seriously, because if something was actually going to happen in-universe, Iron Man could just drop in and take care of the problem in a second as he first does in the beginning, of “SpiderMan: Homecoming” before Peter Parker gains his footing. However, “Wandavision” changes this.

Originally, Disney was going to start “Phase 4” of the MCU with the release of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Slated for release in August 2020, production was majorly delayed, and the release was moved to March 19. This pushed “Wandavision” forward to be the first Disney+ MCU show.

Disney seized the opportunity, and the use of “Wandavision’’ as the flagship MCU show has paid off. Minor characters from “Thor’’ and “Captain Marvel” have been given major roles, and these new roles have given opportunities for these characters to be moved to the MCU movies and truly shine.

This shows that unlike “Agents of Shield,” superheroes and villains created on Disney+ shows can

move to the big screen.

This is an intentional move

by Disney, as it’s always about the money. Having seen the failure of MCU shows separated by streaming services like Netflix or Freeform, condensing the releasing service enables Disney to force viewers to stream through them, and only them, if they’d like to understand everything going on in the next big “Avengers” movie. By creating new canon characters essential to future plots, viewers are caught in Disney’s big money grab and must watch the shows to understand.

On a more hopeful thought, this can pay off big for future movies.

Instead of forced character exposition, characters can come in more fleshed out from their individual shows, and the movies can be used to explore more interesting villains or new characters. Similarly, smaller plots or niche characters from movies can be moved to the small screen and new spinoff shows can be created.

“Wandavision” is released Fridays on Disney+, with the final two episodes to be released on Feb. 26 and March 5.

Disney+ gives Marvel Universe television series new vision John Custodio Staff Writer laker@oswegonian.com

“Wandavision,” set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and released weekly on Disney+, is vastly different from any MCU show produced previously, like “Agents of Shield” or “Daredevil.”

“Wandavision” is set just days after the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” and stars Elizabeth Olsen (“Avengers: Endgame”) as Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany (“Avengers: Infinity War) as Vision. Viewers immediately question how Vision is alive, as he was killed twice in “Avengers: Infinity War.” “Wandavision” shows Wanda and Vision as a couple living in suburbia, living a peaceful life.

Right off the bat, Disney switches up its style by having each episode be a different decade’s style of sitcom, starting with the 1940s and going up a decade each episode to use the styles seen in shows like “I Love Lucy” and “Full House.” While each episode starts like a fun look through TV history, the show quickly takes a darker psychological turn, showing exactly how the events of

Image from Marvel Entertainment via YouTube “Wandavision“ thrills audiences with exploration into different eras within television.

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LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

Potential for ‘Ma’ sequel thrills hopeful cult horror fans Lucas Fernandez Staff Writer laker@oswegonian.com In a dazzling moment of triumph for fans of cult horror, Tate Taylor, the director of the iconic modern classic “Ma,” has come out with the announcement of his personal vision for a sequel. A director known best for films such as “The Help,” Taylor created “Ma” with the intention of veering away from his comfort zone and in doing so, generated a massive online fanbase and a decade’s worth of valuable memetic real estate.

With the possibility of a sequel on the horizon, fans are holding their breath for more “Ma” insanity.

If you have not seen “Ma,” the word that most accurately describes the film is “audacity.” The film stars Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer (“The Witches”), who reportedly was over the moon when presented with the opportunity to play a horror mov-

ie antagonist. She delivers a film experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. Her evil schemes are as shocking as they are convoluted, and all are presented with the bizarre villainous flair which her character has become so well-known for.

From the signature haircut to the insanely quotable lines, Spencer has put forth a performance that people are clamoring to see more of, though initially the ending of the first movie left many feeling the story had come to a close. However, Taylor has gone on the record to say that he is certain Spencer would reprise her role for a sequel, and that he already has a plan for the next movie.

According to the director, the sequel to Ma would star Spencer in the titular role as a real estate agent, having escaped the previous town which she terrorized in the first film.

Now hungry for the blood of looky-loos, “Ma” would use her devious motherly

Image from Universal Pictures via YouTube If produced, “Ma 2” may set the stage for a franchise of equally campy “Ma” sequels to eventually be developed and released.

ways to trap unwary suburbanites in McMansions of death. Needless to say, many have become excited at the promising absurdity of this premise, and the new setting would give Spencer a chance to show off even more of “Ma’s” vile potential.

Think of how much damage she could do with giant staircases, voice-activated appliances, chandeliers, and real estate pricing. Considering her main strengths are gaslighting and sneak

attacks, the possibilities are unfathomable. This is a movie that could lead “Ma” to becoming the next overly long but culturally beloved horror franchise. Just imagine, in 30 years, we could be living in a future where the Ma eight-movie DVD set sits in the Walmart five-dollar bin, waiting for a worthy owner to be purchased and watched by. Video essays would be made about how, actually,

“Ma 5: Cult of Ma” is the best in the series. Think of the merchandise. If you are a “Ma” fan, keep your voice loud so this sequel can get made. If you have not seen this film, then you are missing out. For any person who is a fan of campy horror films, or is simply looking for an absurd premise which they may have a good laugh over, “Ma” is the film for you to watch.

for deodorant, Townshend tells the listener of a female musician who is talking to a man backstage. Things are going well until the man realizes that there is a foul smell in the room. That is when Townshend lays the bombshell that she forgot to use Odorono. The song ends and on to “Tattoo.” This is another great track that follows two brothers who want to get tattoos. “Our Love Was” is another infectious song that ends with Townshend doing his best Jimi Hendrix impression on the axe.

“I Can See for Miles” is the song that to this day Townshend believes is one of his finest hours as a songwriter, even referring to it as “the ultimate Who record.”

This was the highest charting song The Who ever released, going all the way to No. 9 on the Billboards. It also is the reason that Paul McCartney wrote “Helter Skelter” on The Beatles’ “The White Album” the following year. In a review, “I Can See For Miles” was said to be the “heaviest” song recorded, so McCart-

ney wanted to establish an even heavier display.

Side two is very refined with more abstract themes. Entwistle’s tune “Silas Stingy” is a humorous attempt that follows a frugal man. It’s easy to see that The Who were heavily influenced from “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles from a few months earlier.

Overall, the dynamic qualities that would dominate future albums like “Tommy,” “Quadrophenia” and “Who’s Next” are foreshadowed in this album. Moon’s drumming was always eye-openingly brilliant, and the song “I Can See For Miles” showcases one of his all-time best performances. Daltrey’s vocals are an indicator of the things to come; eventually turning into a rock god in the early ‘70s. Although Entwistle was supposed to provide bass lines to give the other members to work off, he made his own riffs that stood their own ground. Townshend was the backbone of the band, and together they created the magnificent “The Who Sell Out.”

‘The Who Sell Out’ sets early standards for rock bands Alex Kent Staff Writer laker@oswegonian.com

Rating: Regardless of one’s age, it is almost impossible to never have heard at least one song from the band The Who. Some of their more radio-friendly hits include “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Who Are You.” Their 1967 release “The Who Sell Out” may also stand out to some due to its bizarre cover, which depicts the band’s four members quite literally “selling out.”

On the front cover art, guitarist and primary songwriter Pete Townshend is seen applying deodorant to his underarm. Next to him is the lead singer Roger Daltrey, who is bathing in a freezing tub of Heinz Baked Beans. On the back, the rhythm section composed of bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon are also depicted doing things for the mighty dollar. Moon is jokingly demonstrating how to use an acne ointment and Entwistle is

Image from The Who via YouTube

The album features rock songs such as “Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand.”

very close to a woman in a bikini.

Now to the music. This album is filled with some of the most melodic songs found in the 1960s.

There are also faux jingles that follow the concept of the album.

Townshend compiles nine of the 13 songs on this record while Entwistle writes a memorable three. The opening track “Armenia City In the Sky” was written by special guest Speedy Keen, who was a friend of the band.

On the vinyl release, side one features an array of tunes that

are short but sensational. Townshend’s lyrical ability to tell captivating stories in under three minutes is showcased throughout the first half. He also writes many of the songs as mock-advertisements. “Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand” is an example of a songwriter being subtle with their references to risqué subject matter. Townshend also put similar themes into the earlier single “Pictures of Lily.” After “Mary Anne” is “Odorono,” another interesting story. In a fictional ad

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

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'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' invokes nostalgic feelings in Swift fans Mary Kate Moylan Laker Review Editor mmoylan@oswegonian.com

Rating: Thursday, Feb. 11, Taylor Swift announced to her 148 million fans on Instagram that she would be would re-releasing her sophomore album “Fearless” as “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” with 26 original songs and six songs that have never been heard before from the vault. The following day, Swift released “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” which left fans nostalgic for the times well over a decade ago.

“Fearless,” which was released Nov. 11, 2008, by Big Machine Records, was rooted deep within the country genre for the young musician, who was 16 when she released her self-titled debut album in 2006.

Having moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue music, Swift quickly caught the eyes of Big Machine Records and Scott Borchetta, who signed a deal with Swift in 2004 which granted them ownership of the master recording of her first six albums in exchange for a cash advance to kickstart her career.

It wasn’t until 13 years later when Swift released her sixth studio album “Reputation” that she was finally free from the contractual obligations of Big Machine Records. Unfortunately, this is where things started to get a little messy for Swift. The popstar then signed a new deal with Republic Records and Universal

Music Group, which she has been associated with since.

In this new deal, she negotiated ownership of all future masters whereas Big Machine Records retained ownership over her first six albums. Scott or “Scooter” Braun, of Ithaca Holdings, acquired Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group in late July 2019, when Borchetta sold it to him. Braun, a prevalent individual within the pop and rap industries, had clientele and contracts with Justin Bieber (“Anyone”) and Kanye West ("Bound 2").

If anyone hasn’t heard about the beef that stewed from West jumping up on stage and derailing Swift’s first large VMA award moment in 2009, they are simply living under a rock as it has been the means for West and his wife at the time, Kim Kardashian, to try and stay relevant with younger crowds by antagonizing Swift in recent years. West, who had gotten on stage, took the microphone from Swift, dismissing her to say that Beyoncé (“Lemonade”) deserved to win the Best Female Video award over Swift, who was just 19 at the time. Since then, there have been ongoing conflict with West and Swift as he has used her name in songs such as “Famous” in lyrics where he says, “I feel me and Taylor might still have sex.” He had also featured a nude version of Taylor Swift in the music video for the song which she had referred to as revenge porn.

Instances of Kim Kardashian posting an illegally recorded phone call between West and

Image from Taylor Swift via YouTube

The re-release album features updated versions of early Swift songs such as "Love Story."

Swift led to a lot of talk around her final album with Big Machine, “Reputation,” and West’s album at the time, “Life of Pablo.”

So, when the news of Big Red Machine being sold to Braun was released, Swift was rightfully enraged and took to Tumblr to release a blog-like post on her discovery of the selling of Big Machine and subsequently the masters to her six albums. In the post, she recalls the unsavory relationship between herself and Braun and his clients like West and Bieber and that by Borchetta selling out to Braun, she stated her “musical legacy was about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it.” She and Big Machine had struck a deal to eventually allow her to buy back the rights to her earlier albums, as she produced more under their label, making her continue to work under them. After the news of the sale, many musicians took sides with artists like Rihanna (“Umbrella”), Miley Cyrus (“Midnight Sky”) and Adele (“Someone Like You”) unfollowing Braun on social media which other artists such as Halsey (“Closer”) showing earnest messages and statements of support for Swift. Some such as Todrick Hall (“Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels”) even recounted their own experiences with Braun, affirming his disdain for Swift and even claiming he was homophobic.

Swift, who had been pumping out new full-length albums, alongside singles, live albums, extended plays and compilation albums, had been releasing an album about every two to three years. With each album evolving with who she was as a young musician in Nashville, her first three albums, “Taylor Swift,” “Fearless” and “Speak Now,” were solely radio country albums.

It wasn’t until 2012 when “Red” came out that Swift started experimenting more with genre and her own range and capabilities vocally. This is where we see a rebranding of her image and an evolution of character with each subsequent album. Some fans, avid and loyal fans of hers, loved every

move she made, while others who were now going into their teenage years were put-off by what could be frail and thin vocals that couldn’t hold up against the likes of pop and attempts of speech and almost rap within her albums “1989” and “Reputation.” It wasn’t until Swift signed with Republic Records that she was finally able to transition into a new era of music with her album “Lover,” which was released in August 2019, “Folklore” and “Evermore,” which were released within mere months of one another in July and December 2020.

So, two weeks ago when Taylor Swift announced the rereleasing of her second album “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” one can now take into the fact that much of the identity and reputation that she had sacrificed through her music at the hands of Braun throughout her career. Swift, now 31, has been in the music industry since she was 15 and as a young girl growing up in shark-infested waters, has endured all sorts of slander from press regarding her relations, autobiographical approach to writing, and even down to how much skin she prefers to show on stage.

Now that she has taken a turn in her musical path and process with her two most recent albums “Folklore” and “Evermore” which are both two incredible works featuring the likes of Bon Iver (“Skinny Love”), The National (“Light Years”) and HAIM (“Gasoline”).

Not only did these two recent albums top the charts, but they also confirmed Swift as an evolved and experienced musician who has finally found peace and clarity within her own voice and music.

The release of “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” was incredibly well received and truly hit hearts that heard Swift’s songs over the lyrics she had written and recorded over 15 years ago. Not only does it offer some more introspective but also reflective as well to be mulling over the past and reclaiming her music for herself once again.

“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” with its archival songs will be released on April 9.

"The Days of Our Lives" actre ss Sasha Calle has been cast as Super girl for the upcom ing film, "The Flash."

"Baby Driver" director Edgar Wright is slated to direct a film adaptation of Stephen King's novel, "The Running Man."

The music duo Daft Punk has broken up after 28 years of perfor ming together.

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FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

Crossword Puzzle

Across

Sudoku Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 block contains 1-9 exactly once.

1. Disorderly crowd 4. Scrapbook need 9. Blasting letters 12. “____ Got You Under My Skin” 13. Type of poplar 14. Giggle sound 15. Pekoe, e.g.

16. Fragment 17. Disencumber 18. Board member 20. Snakelike fish 21. Rose Bowl city 24. Novel’s protagonist 27. Eating area 30. Get even for 33. Dishonor 34. Meal ender 36. Country hotels 37. Put up with 40. Singe

42. Jennifer ____ of “Friends” 46. Make a doily 47. Fry lightly 49. Alias initials 50. Blvd.

51 Kitchen gadget 52. Atlas entry 53. Sleeping place 54. Accumulate 55. Needle opening

Down

1. Baseball glove 2. Above 3. Sweetheart 4. Ziti, e.g.

5. Fire residue 6. Butter or jam 7. Golf peg 8. Discontinue 9. Endanger

10. Rocker ____ Young 11. Koppel and Kennedy 19. Certain advertiser 20. Foes 22. Performed 23. Wind dir.

24. Possessed 25. Adam’s companion 26. Paraphrased 28. Summer hue 29. Navy officer (abbr.)

31. Toothpaste form 32. Browning’s “before” 35. Serious injury 38. Stakes 39. Seat rows 40. Pierce 41. Icicle’s spot 43. Not wild 44. Give approval to 45. Neck region 47. Bus terminal (abbr.)

48. Objective

For this week’s puzzle answers ...

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LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021

Watermelon Trees and an Autumn Breeze

by Harrison Richardson

A picture-perfect sunset kisses the dying leaves on the trees for weeks, And weeks.

Slowly saying goodbye to the once blooming cornucopia Until the crisp, cold air cracks open the lonely watermelon tree.

Seedless and bountiful, his beauty will not last much longer.

His presence is alarming, for autumn at least The trees have grown and died.

Before he was born, his friends were already barren.

Yet he remains Until the crisp, cold air withers his rind and coats the sweet red leaves with winter sugar. Seedless and beautiful, he will fade by tomorrow.

The rind peeled back to the ground it came from Leaving the crimson heart of the fruit to fall and crunch under boots, claws, and tires.

After death, the hollow branches still danced by the tune of the crisp cold air.

Seedless and brackish, He will turn with the year.

C7

Shea McCarthy

Jacob Fallat