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Student property stolen

Several individuals charged with petit larceny, criminal mischief

Friday, Feb. 6, 2015

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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF OSWEGO STATE UNIVERSITY • www.oswegonian.com

VOLUME LXXXI ISSUE I

Oswego State goes tobacco free

Education faculty only Americans at Brazil conference Lydia Goerner Contributing Writer news@oswegonian.com

Policy takes effect 3 years in the making, administration expects culture Photo provided by pixabay.com College adopts policy that bans tobacco and all like products anywhere on the Oswego State campus. This includes Rice Creek, Phoenix Center, Metro Center and at all campus-related events and organizations.

JoAnn DeLauter Asst. News Editor jdelauter@oswegonian.com

Oswego State has joined other colleges across the nation by prohibiting tobacco products on campus as of the first of the year, after years of planning and promotions by a variety of students, faculty and staff members. “We are really talking about a culture change, it is really not going to happen overnight,” said Barbara St. Michel, the associate director of Campus Life and head of

the Clean Air Committee. “It is really everyone’s responsibility to understand that we are not asking you not to smoke, you just can’t smoke on campus.” Last semester, students, faculty and staff were only able to smoke on campus if they were 25 feet away from the nearest building. This new policy is an update to the latest smoking policy. As mentioned in the Oswego State Student Code of Conduct, smoking of any kind along with any kind of tobacco products are prohibited on campus, at the extension of campus, at all indoor and outdoor events, college-sponsored programs and activities on campus, in person-

ally owned vehicles parked on campus and all vehicles and equipment owned, leased or operated by the college and all affiliated organizations. This policy prohibits the use of tobacco products and other smoking apparatus such as pipes, hookas, vapors and e-cigarettes. This policy is in effect on the main campus, Rice Creek, the athletic field, the Phoenix Center, the Metro Center and all property of Oswego State. “I believe that we are building a healthier community we are doing our part to make sure we have an environment that is sustainable,” said Oswego State Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment-

Management Jerald Woolfolk. According to Woolfolk, a tobacco-free campus has been in the works for about three years. In 2012, when SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher started an initiative to make all State University of New York campuses tobacco free, Oswego State started to see how it could be implemented. In 2011 the Clean Air Steering Committee, comprised of smokers and non-smokers, students, University Police, Auxiliary Services, the Mary Walker Health Center and other faculty and staff unions, was created

See TOBACCO FREE, A5

Oswego State faculty members Alfred Frederick and Tania Ramalho were the only representatives from the United States to attend the 2014 National Conference of Education in Brazil. The conference took place Nov. 18 through 23 and was held in the nation’s capital, Brasilia. Representatives from the 26 states in Brazil attended to discuss a variety of topics related to education. Frederick and Ramalho were not daunted by being the only U.S. citizens present at the conference. “We both felt it was an honor to be invited,” Frederick said. “It was very exciting. There were over 3,000 people with all the diverse populations of Brazil represented.” Frederick, a distinguished service professor who has taught at Oswego State since 1985, was invited to the conference because he has been a consultant and visiting professor to Piaui since 2013. Frederick teaches there from May to August before continuing his education classes at Oswego State. Frederick first became involved with

See BRAZIL, A5

Humanitarian, actor speaks Gov. proposes student loan forgiveness plan to celebrate legacy of MLK, State plan would cover two years of debt for grads earning below $50,000 begin Black History Month Tatyana Bellamy-Walker Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com The Oswego State Division of Student Affairs and the Enrollment Management Committee commemorated the beginning of Black History Month on Jan. 30 with keynote speaker Hill Harper, a humanitarian, best-selling author and actor on “CSI: NY.” “We are gathered together because of Dr.

King, we stand on his shoulders,” Harper said. “We want to celebrate him but also remind all of us that he was [an] agitator. He shook things up to create positive change. The best way to remember his legacy is to live that way as well.” In part of the university’s mission to spread social equity within the college community, the 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration has once again led students to a path of civil empowerment and communal inclusion. “We need this now more than ever,” Oswego State President Deborah Stanley said. “We have to remind ourselves of the values and principles of Martin Luther King constantly because our world demands it. We are still at a place where we are moving forward... hopefully we have moved light years ahead [but] the work is not done.” The evening ceremony featured the talents of the Oswego State choir, chanting

CONTENT

Photo provided by Office of Public Affairs Hill Harper remembers Martin Luther King, Jr.

Calendar...........................C2 Classified..........................C7 Crossword.........................C6 Contact Info......................A2 Laker Review.....................C1 News.................................A1 Opinion............................B5 Sports...............................B1 Sudoku.............................C6

See HARPER, A4

State. I’m proud to include this item in my 2015 Opportunity Agenda as it represents another step forward in our goal of growing economic opportunity for New Yorkers.” The goal of the program is to assist recent graduates with student loan debt as they seek employment in New York. According to the governor’s office, the program will cost $41.7 million for the state by 2020. Oswego State 2014 graduate, Shannon Sampson, thinks the program is beneficial as she expected to get a job after graduation but currently holds a temporary position, which makes paying back student loans difficult. “I believe many graduates, including myself, expect a decent paying job right out Photo provided by the Governor’s Office of college and for many of us, that doesn’t Gov. Andrew Cuomo discusses New York state college students at his 2015 State of the State Address. happen,” Sampson said. “Any effort to reduce student debt is Michael Medina college graduates, as part of his plan to repositive,” said Oswego State Financial Aid Contributing Writer vitalize New York’s economy. Director Mark Humbert. news@oswegonian.com “Student loans are one of the greatest In 2013, the Institute for College Access challenges that today’s recent college graduand Success reported 60 percent of public and In his State of the State address on Jan. ates face when starting their careers – and we nonprofit college graduates took on debt. 21, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed the “Get must do more to give them a full opportuni“The average debt on federal student on Your Feet Forgiveness Program” for colty to succeed,” Cuomo said. “By alleviating loans for [Oswego State] graduates is about lege students in New York. the weight of student loan debt, we can give $25,000,” Humbert said. Cuomo’s program would relieve the our recent graduates a better shot at estabfirst two years of student loans for qualified lishing themselves right here in the Empire See LOANS, A5

Sports

Opinion

Laker Review

Oswegonian.com

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SILVER RESIGNS

KEEPING IT 100

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Thomas Cullen, 50, was arrested on Jan. 28 at 11:36 p.m. at 148 E. Second St. for criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, harassment in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child.

Martin Smith, 52, was arrested on Jan. 29 at 8:12 a.m. at 169 W. Second St. for burglary in the second degree that occurred on Oct. 28, 2014. Smith was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.

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Michael Whittaker, 42, was arrested on Jan. 28 at 9:19 p.m. at 169 W. Second St. for subjecting a person less than 11 years old to sexual contact.

Darren Terry, 30, was arrested on Jan. 29 at 2:28 a.m. at 211 E. First St. for driving while intoxicated.

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Michael Whittaker, 42, was arrested on Jan. 28 at 9:41 a.m. at the corner of State Route 104 and Judson Street when an investigation showed that on Jan. 24 he possessed a precursor and chemical reagent with knowledge that they were to be used to unlawfully manufacture methamphetamine.

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POLICE

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

WEEKEND WEATHER Graphics by Devon Nitz

Friday

Saturday

Jason Demett, 30, was arrested on Jan. 29 at 9:01 a.m. at 169 W. Second St. for conspiracy in the sixth degree. Jennifer Schumaker, 32, was arrested on Jan. 29 at 1:45 p.m. at 169 W. Second St. for subjecting a person less than 11 years old to sexual contact. Schumaker is currently being held waiting arraignment. Jennifer Schumaker, 32, was arrested on Jan. 29 at 1:50 p.m. at 169 W. Second St. when an investigation showed that on Jan. 24 she possessed a precursor and chemical reagent with knowledge that they were to be used to unlawfully manufacture methamphetamine. Jamie Rizzi, 21, was arrested on Jan. 30 at 2:12 a.m. at the corner of West Second Street and West Bridge Street for public urination.

High: 26

Low: 20

Sunday

High: 23

Low: 17

High: 26

Low: 16

There is a 60 to 80 percent chance of snow thorughout the weekend. Friday will have varying cloud cover and snow showers with winds from 15 to 25 mph. One to three inches of snow is expected. On Saturday there will be snow during the morning and showers throughout the afternoon. Sunday will see occasional snow showers, with snowfall estimated at about one inch during the day and three to five inches overnight.

NEWS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK We are hoping that people follow the policy and if they don’t, then we might have to go back to the table and put some sanction into place. We wanted our community to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do and give them that opportunity [to do it] .”

-- Jerald Woolfolk, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Students consider class cancellation late Oswego State has canceled classes multiple times after conditions improved

The Agenda

Our weekly list of what to do in Oswego Men’s Ice Hockey vs. Morrisville, Friday in the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena at 7 p.m. Art exhibition: “Fantastic Architectures,” Downtown, 186 W. First St. at 12 p.m.

Women’s Ice Hockey vs. William Smith, Sunday in the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena at 3 p.m.

Random Acts of Kindness Week activities, Tuesday in the Marano Campus Center at 11 a.m.

David Bubbins | The Oswegonian A look at snowy conditions at Oswego State in the late morning and afternoon of Feb. 2, a campus-wide class cancellation wasn’t enacted until the evening hours.

David Bubbins Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com All last week, the Oswego State meteorology department and WTOP-10 were tracking a low-pressure system that had the potential to produce over a foot of snow in Oswego last Monday. The storm deceived many of the meteorology students because the Liquid Water Content Ratio, or the ratio of air to water that a snowflake contains, was over reported. “Lake-effect snow tends to have a LWC ratio of 15:1 to 20:1,” said meteorology professor Robert Ballentine. “This kind of snow was somewhat heavier, and usually has a ratio of 10:1 to 12:1.” Even though the storm was deceiving, the amount of snow and the high wind speeds during the storm created visibilities that were less than a half mile, according to the National Weather Service. Oswego State administrators decided to cancel classes on Monday; however only after 4:30 p.m. Some students were frustrated because the cancellation did not take effect until much of the snow and wind subsided. Oswego State has can-

celed classes much more frequently in the last two years than in recent memory. Last spring, Oswego state canceled classes four times, but once again, only after 4:30 p.m. There was one exception where classes were canceled after 11:30 a.m. due to blizzard-like conditions. “I think it was an unfortunate decision [to wait until late afternoon to close], and I think it’s been a trend that’s been happening lately,” said WTOP-TV Chief Meteorologist Molly Mattot. “The conditions on the campus, especially in the late morning, were so bad. When I tried to walk to classes, I couldn’t even see the walkway.” Many of the meteorology students believe the people who make these decisions should consult the forecasting organization the meteorology department has on campus, which is known as the Lake Effect Systems Prediction and Research Center (LESPaRC). Consulting with LESPaRC is something the college did once. Unfortunately, administrative contact for the purpose of weather-related decisions has ceased within the last few years. Mattot believes this decision may have something to do with the fact that most of the forecasters are students.

“I trust all of my peers, but you don’t want someone to say ‘I really don’t want to go to my 1:50 p.m. class, so I’m going to lie and say that there’ll be a foot of snow within an hour, which is an understandable caution,” Mattot said. However, she added that every person who works for LESPaRC is a trained professional, and it would be a wise decision for the college to consult with LESPaRC when necessary. Ballentine said it will be very unlikely that consultation will happen, and he recommends that students who are commuting within Oswego, should take public transportation to avoid dealing with the problems the roadways can cause during these snowstorms. “One thing that I used to do before I learned to take the bus was to come in the night before, or even the day before,” Ballentine said. “Now, that’s not always possible. If you have a friend in the dorms, or even stay in a motel, I would look into those options if you absolutely have to get to class.” It is possible this situation could reoccur this semester as February and March are still prone to lake-effect snow and coastal systems.

The Student Association held its 12th meeting of the academic year Tuesday evening. The number of senators needed to make quorum was satisfied. The minutes from last meeting and the agenda for the current meeting were both approved. There was one guest to the senate. Kimberly Bracken, a representative from the Students for Global Change Club, made a presentation about putting on an event to fundraise money for Big Cat Rescue, a notfor-profit organization that provides a permanent home for unwanted, abused and neglected exotic cats. It houses 16 different species of exotic cats with at least 100 cats in each species. There is a table in the Marano Campus Center on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that accepts donations to this cause. Bracken also informed the senate about a dodgeball tournament on April 12th. Bracken requested SA to fund $10 for water, $50 for raffles, $28 for magnets to advertise, $150 for T-shirts that students will pay for partially out of pocket and $25 for decorations, which is a total of $263 for the event. Sen. Sarah Woods volunteered to write up a bill for the proposal. There was no public comment. In executive reports, SA Vice President Jillian Kranz announced her excitement as the new vice president. “I know I haven’t been a senator that long, this would have been my fourth semes-

ter as senator, but I am really excited to try and I am looking forward to working with you guys in a different aspect,” Kranz said. Kranz told the senate she got the opportunity to meet with President Deborah Stanley on Friday, which was a great experience and throughout the past week as the new vice president of SA, she has been getting organized and working with Neely Laufer, the former vice president of SA. Kranz plans to continue some of the things that were left off last semester like bringing in new speakers to provide more information on campus. Something that she wants to work on during her short time as SA vice president is quicker turnaround time on bills. She doesn’t want to wait two to three weeks for a bill proposal and wants them to be taken care of as soon as possible. Elena Sanchez, director of finance, presented the final draft of SA’s Conflict of Interest Policy. This document was written in order to ensure that all members act in the best interest of SA with no conflict of interest. It states how conflict of interest must be handled in the senate. They must later discuss whether they will agree on having electronic signatures to keep better track of who agreed to sign the policy. The SA Conflict of Interest Policy was moved to the Rules and Judiciary Committee for a period of one week. In committee reports, Josh Pascucci pre-

sented the idea of SA apparel. The reason for this idea was to offer branding and a more professional look for SA, so students can recognize who the people are that represent them. Style, design and pricing were discussed. Kranz also stated that after the apparel is out, it would be appropriate for senators to either wear the apparel to meetings or continue dressing in business causal. Sholtes mentioned that the senators would be expected to pay half price like any other club but going forward maybe it could be budgeted so the SA apparel would be incentive to join SA. The design and orders should be finalized by the end of February. It was also mentioned how there is a position available for director of academics for anyone who is interested. Christopher Collins-McNeil, civic engagement director, spoke about upcoming events as a part of the Spring Action Campaign, which is a semester long campaign featuring green and gold bands. Students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to participate and wear bands that promote discussion about race, gender, class and other social identity groups. On Feb. 5 the Race, Place and Being Campaign was held in the Sheldon Ballroom. Its purpose was to discuss Ferguson and recent trials concerning race. Ryan Hopf, President Sholtes’ chief of staff announced the spring Off-Campus Fair. There will be 10 to 15 landlords to discuss

Men’s Basketball vs. New Paltz, Tuesday at Max Ziel Gymnasium in Laker Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Job-a-Roma, an opportunity for undergraduates to learn about internships and part-time employment, Wednesday in Swetman Gymnasium at 11 a.m. Science lecture: “Evolution and Creation: Conflicting or Compatible,” Wednesday in the Shineman Science Center, Room 175 at 4 p.m. Documentary film: “Slavery by Another Name,” Wednesday in the Marano Campus Center, Room 132 at 6:30 p.m. Jazz concert: Piano-saxophone duo, Thursday in the Sheldon Ballroom at 6 p.m.

different housing options available for offcampus students. Sholtes ended the committee reports by welcoming Kranz to her new position and was thankful for the “seamless” transition. Sholtes also mentioned that Campus Technology Services came to him with a proposal to create a service agreement between CTS and SA. They presented for SA to go under contract with them to get on a four-year replacement cycle, meaning all SA computers will eventually become their computers which they can update. Sholtes is looking to incorporate the media organization in order to save budgeted money for computers. Sholtes said that during their meeting with President Stanley last week, she mentioned that the college has shown a great interest in giving a big upgrade to WTOP-10. Sholtes said SA has to decide whether they will be a part of this upgrade. They have to weigh the pros and cons of fixing old and potentially damaged equipment or making the investment now for new equipment. Also, Sholtes said the contracts are still being worked out for the spring concert including three different acts and that there will be more discussion next meeting. Sholtes told the senate that two to three weeks ago he, along with a couple of senators, went to Albany for the SUNY chancellor, Nancy Zimpher’s State of the University

Address. He mentioned that she came up with a lot of initiatives. According to Sholtes, Zimpher made a mandate for all students to have an internship before they graduate and it is mandatory all campuses have a chief diversity officer. Sen. Woods was elected director of the Rules and Judiciary Committee to replace Kranz and Sen. Emily Nassir replaced Sen. Woods as the director of the Elections committee. SA introduced Oswego Student Discount Cards that are now available for all students with an Oswego State I.D. They are for students who are looking for discounts to local businesses. It is also available on the app “College Discounts.” There was a discussion that began in the senate about whether or not to continue to allow the public access to the app, even though they might not be a student. With new legislation, the philosophy club requested funds for $300 for pizza. The bill was moved to the Finance Committee for discussion. Also, the Oswego film club requested funds to put on its Mixed Emotions Film Festival. The bill was moved to the Finance Committee. There were no hall council or special reports. The SA senate meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Lanigan 102. All meetings are open to the public.

NEWS

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Speaker highlights remaining injustice

Locals charged with East Campus thefts,E Hill Harper, preliminary speaker press students to be aware of social issues car stereos taken from 5 student vehicles Luke Parsnow News Editor lparsnow@oswegonian.com

Photo provided by the Office of Public Affairs Hill Harper speaks to the crowd in Sheldon Hall and Oswego State students who have pushed for diversity and inclusion this year and also spoke remembering Martin Luther King, Jr..

HARPER from COVER the traditional South African folk song, “Tshotsholoza,” which means “go forward” or “make way for the next man” in Swahili. The vocal group sang a repertoire of African-American anthems such as “We Shall Overcome” and “Lift Every Voice.” Christopher Collins-McNeil, a graduating senior and director of civic engagement for the student association, followed this momentum of freedom with a reading of the biography of Martin Luther King Jr. “A lot of systemic issues exist on a different level,” Collins-McNeil said. “We are seeing issues on mass incarceration, stop and frisk. We are seeing issues that persist on a more nuanced and insidious level in our culture that stem from those issues not

being addressed in the ‘50s and ‘60s.” Before intermission, orientation leader Garrison Kingston left the audience with a spirit of hope in his 2015 rendition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech. “A lot of people say that as students, that we can’t do anything, there is no limit to what you can do,” said Michael Nedrick, an introductory speaker and vicepresident of the Sigma Omicron Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. “I encourage people to use [their] gifts to give back to not only their community, but also donate to their future, so they can reap the benefits of what they planted at Oswego.” Tiraya Conyers, a preliminary speaker and a chief organizer of the memorial event, explained that unity services help to inform students of the issues regarding the minority community.

“It is important to raise awareness because if you are not aware, often times you are oblivious to the issues that occur in society,” Conyers said. While Harper energized the crowd with the sustainability of physics, the main message of the former “CSI: NY” actor was that systemic issues remain unchanged by individuals who are silenced by injustice. Sophomore and broadcasting and international trade student Jasheah Howard agreed with Harper’s statements. She said he is a role model for African-American youth. “Hill Harper is an inspiration to many young black students,” Howard said. “He has accomplished so much, not only is he an actor, he is also an activist. He has been through a lot in his life and that has made him who he is today. He is someone that we all can look up to.”

University Police and the Oswego County Sheriff’s Department arrested four individuals in the early morning hours of Jan. 29 by following an investigation of an assault and series of thefts on the eastern edge of the Oswego State campus and Baylis Street. According to University Police, a man reported at 2:44 a.m. that night that he was assaulted on Baylis Street just south of Washington Boulevard by two men who then stole his iPhone. UP responded with Oswego County sheriff ’s deputies. The suspects ran from the area toward the Mackin Complex on campus. University Police officers swept the area on foot and found five cars, all parked in a Moreland Hall resident student parking lot, had been forcefully entered and had their stereos and other personal items removed. “There were footprints in the snow that were photographed by our officers,” UP Chief John Rossi said. “The state police stopped a vehicle in the town of Minnetto on a traffic violation and detained the four occupants. Further investigation revealed two of the robbery suspects were in the car and they were arrested and the car towed to the sheriff’s garage. A search warrant was obtained and we assisted the sheriff’s investigators in searching the car and recovering the stereos, tools, a jump pack, iPod and other assorted items that were reported stolen.” Although none of the accused were Oswego State students, the Office of Public Affairs sent out a campus announcement via email to all faculty and students at 11:52 a.m. that day with the details of the incident. “We strongly believe in sharing safety-related information in a timely way with members of the campus community so that they conduct their lives here with a proper sense of security and an aware-

ness of potential hazards,” said Oswego State Public Affairs Director Julie Blissert. “I should note that the college was not required to send an urgent alert to the campus community about this incident, because suspects were quickly in custody and there was no ongoing threat to the campus community from those particular individuals.” On Feb. 2, University Police investigator Daniel May and officer Robert Vaccarelli went to the Oswego County Jail and arrested 26-year-old Jonathan Ford and 33-year-old Eddie Jones Jr., both residents of Syracuse. They were arraigned at the Oswego County Court House. Jones, who was being held without bail was charged with five counts of petit larceny and five counts of criminal mischief in the 4th degree for damaging the vehicles while removing the stereos, according to Rossi. He was remanded back to the county jail being held again without bail. Jones was charged with five counts of petit larceny and had bail set at $5,000 cash. Both were returned to the custody of the Sheriff ’s Department. One of the accused was charged by UP with one count of petit larceny and was issued an appearance ticket to return to Oswego City Court on Feb. 19. “This case was solved by the teamwork of the members of the Oswego County Sheriff’s Department, State Police and University Police,” Rossi said. “Our officers work extremely hard day and night at providing a safe community for everyone at all times.” Student safety on campus has been a growing issue over the last few years with multiple intrusions and thefts, both involving Oswego State students. UP stresses several safety tips, including avoiding wearing headphones when walking or jogging, always being aware of one’s surroundings, avoiding isolated or dark areas, especially late at night, making sure students’ cars are locked and all valuables are hidden or locked in the glove compartment and using the recently improved Rave Guardian app.

President Stanley visits South Korea, establishes partnership in education Neeny Phakdeetham Staff Writer news@oswegonian.com Oswego State and Gimpo Foreign Language High School in Seoul, South Korea signed a memorandum in December forming an educational partnership between the two schools. Joshua McKeown, Director of International Education and Programs, was alongside President Deborah Stanley throughout this cooperation. McKeown described Gimpo Foreign Language High School as a “high quality, rigorous school typical of the educational system in Korea, which is excellent.” While the relationship and program details are still in their very early stages, Oswego State anticipates an expanding collaboration by sending Oswego State students and graduates to teach English at the school. “President Stanley is committed to expanding opportunities for Oswego students to engage with peers and cultures beyond our borders,” said McKeown said. “Building new relationships like this is a way to open rich and productive pathways for bringing more international students to our campus and sending more members of our campus community abroad to learn and establish meaningful connections.” Many Oswego State students, including Julia Graham, a sophomore teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) and linguistics major, welcomes this exciting news and believes this program will be beneficial to both Oswego State and Gimpo students.

“A program like this allows South Korean students to become better English speakers, and it gives teachers the amazing opportunity of teaching abroad, which is what I want to do someday,” Graham said. Another TESOL major, Audrey Downey, holds the same goal as Graham. Downey is in her junior year and has taken many TESOL and linguistics classes. She believes Oswego State graduates will make this cooperation very successful. “They are going to be great teachers,” Downey said. “The TESOL program here is really tough, which makes it really good. The professors push you and push you because they want the students to perform the best they can as teachers.” Gimpo Foreign Language School is currently only discussing receiving teachers from Oswego State. Bong In-kun, the school’s principal stresses there is certainly a high demand for native English speakers who have been properly trained to teach non-native speakers at his institution. “We have emphasized mastering diverse languages, let alone having good command of English,” Bong In-kun told The Korea Times. “We need well-qualified native teachers to pursue this goal.” In addition to exchanging college students, Oswego State also looks forward to bringing Gimpo students and educators to campus for special programs and in the summer months. It would be a stepping stone for Gimpo students to learn more about American college education and possibly attract these students to pursue their undergraduate education in the United States.

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,Education

quality, financing discussed

Oswego State faculty give presentations on diversity, positive image

BRAZIL from COVER Brazilian society and culture when he worked at the Federal University of Santa Maria for seven years as a professor. At the conference in November, Frederick gave a presentation titled “Education and Diversity: Social Justice, Inclusion, and Human Rights.” Experienced in this field, Frederick has lived on four continents and has conducted cross-cultural curriculum research. He was personally interested in the topics of multicultural education discussed at the conference and in the proposals that were accepted on that subject. Frederick said he feels a Eurocentric curriculum doesn’t give developing students a positive self-image because a significant part of society is excluded from school curriculum. He feels strongly that it is vital for the contributions, history, struggles and heroes of underrepresented people to be highlighted in future curricula. Other topics discussed during the conference were education, work, and sustainable development; education quality; democratic administration; popular participation and social control; valuing professionals in education; financing education; and the national education plan and the national education system. Some proposals were rejected, but many were accepted and changes are in store for the education system of Brazil. “There is a serious effort being made to reform the educational program in Brazil,” Frederick said. He believes that all societies, whether Brazilian or American, need to interact with, appreciate and understand diversity and that the curricula used in schools must reflect this appreciation. “The conference was being organized since 2010,” Ramalho said. “It involved near 3 million Brazilians in the education sector at all levels. Administrators, teachers and professors, parents, and students were part of the process, including student

unions that sent their national leaders to the conference in Brasilia.” Ramalho explained that these 3 million participants in the conference deliberated for two days to come up with recommendations to address national education concerns. In their recommendations, they emphasized the importance of Brazil remaining committed to achieving excellence in public education. “‘Education is not merchandise’ was a teachers’ union slogan signifying resistance to privatization and increasing influence of for-profit education corporations in the educational sector,” Ramalho said. Student leaders also participated in the conference and contributed their opinions. “For me, as a Brazilian-American, it was important to see the show of democratic participation and concern for the country’s education by educators and students who are politically conscious about the global forces trying to shape education into a for-profit industry,” Ramalho said. “The most clear and impassioned voices were those of secondary

(high school) and college student leaders. They gave me hope for a democratic future.” Frederick hopes that moving forward from the National Conference, educational systems will seek to reflect the realities of the country’s demographics. He believes that this will help students feel more capable to contribute and become more active participants in their education. He noted that these issues of social justice are relevant not only in Brazil, but throughout the world, including at Oswego State. Marginalized groups are often underrepresented in school curricula, and he believes an important component of social justice lies in culturally relevant teaching. “We all deserve the same privileges and the same opportunities to study and learn and develop whatever talents we have, regardless of our race, social economic status, religion, or gender,” Frederick said. “Whatever category of diversity that exists, these are all human beings. They’re all members of the society and deserve social justice.”

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Students to give thanks to donors Aaron Wilson Contributing Writer news@oswegonian.com Oswego State’s Future Alumni Network and the Alumni and University Development Office are sponsoring Love-a-Donor Day to let students thank the school’s supporters Friday Feb. 13. Tables in the Marano Campus Center will be decorated for Valentine’s Day. Students can stop by for free candy, take a selfie and post it to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag OswegoLove and learn how donors make a positive difference in students’ lives. “Thank you” cards will be available for students to sign during Lakeside Late Night on Feb. 12, and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Marano Campus Center on Friday, Feb. 13. Over 800 cards were collected and sent to donors last year for this event. Five students who submit thank you cards will be randomly selected to win Dining Dollars. Oswego State senior Matthew Chrostowski participated in the first Love-a-Donor Day last year. “SUNY Oswego would not be the excel-

lent university it is today without the amazing support from its donors,” Chrostowski said. Donors bridge the gap between students’ tuition and funds from the state. New York supplies only about 20 percent of Oswego’s operating budget, and more than one-third of freshmen at Oswego State receive renewable merit-based scholarships. Gifts from donors support more than 250 scholarships in addition to dozens of programs and events on campus, such as the Media Summit and Business Symposium. In 2014, more than 7,000 donors gave more than $12.8 million, including the largest gift in Oswego State’s history--a $7.5 million bequest from the estate of Lorraine and Nunzio Marano. Love-a-Donor Day raises awareness about philanthropy’s impact on Oswego State’s campus, according to Michelle Tackett-Spinner ’98, associate director of stewardship for the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations. “Participating in Love-a-Donor Day is a fun and celebrative way to learn why donations to SUNY Oswego are important and how students are affected by them,” TackettSpinner said. “It’s also a great, and rare, opportunity for students to say thank you and show their appreciation directly to our donors.”

Photo provided by the Office of Public Affairs Students send a message to donors thanking them for the their support during 2014’s Love-a-Donor Day.

Students question effectiveness of “self-enforced” tobacco policy Administrators plan to examine behavior, results of tobacco-free campus that might call for re-evaluation of specifics

TOBACCO FREE from COVER to explore the possibility of going smoke free and tobacco free at Oswego State. Surveys were completed and focus groups were formed in order to collect data and get more information on smoking preferences and how smoking impacts the community. The proposal was presented to Oswego State President Deborah Stanley and the president’s council by Woolfolk. When it was approved, it was decided the campus was going to prepare to enact a new tobacco-free policy at the start of 2015. Leading up to this semester, the Clean Air Committee has used different advertising strategies to inform students of the new policy change. They have used posters, flyers, stands, digital signage, brochures and letters to be sure students, faculty and staff are aware of the change in policy. The committee has also worked alongside the admissions office to promote a tobaccofree campus to students before they apply. Announcements at home hockey games were made as well. “We are looking at new versions of our brochures and they are in the process of being printed. They will not say that we are starting on Jan. 1 but that we started and [the brochures will] have new colors and will have new stuff to them. But the message is always, support, and this is the policy,” St. Michel said. According to Woolfolk, tobacco free is now a part of the Student Code of Conduct and as of now it is considered to be a self–enforcement policy. “We are saying that we value clean air and that is what we value at SUNY Oswego, and if you are going to be a part of this community,

Photo provided by Alfred Frederick Over 3 million participants were involved in the Brazil conference to address national education concerns.

THE OSWEGONIAN

JoAnn DeLauter | The Oswegonian The tobacco-free policy has been campaigned for years.

then you must value the same thing and not pollute it,” Woolfolk said. “We are hoping that people will do the right thing.” As of now, there is no protocol for documenting a student who is smoking on campus and violating policy other than asking them to stop, educating them on the policy and giving them information on how they can stop smoking. “We are hoping that people follow the policy and if they don’t, then we might have to go back to the table and put some sanction into place,” Woolfolk said. “We wanted our community to do the right thing just because it is the right thing to do and give them that opportunity [to do it].” Residence Life and Housing is responsible for enforcing this policy in and around the residence halls. According to Richard Kolenda, assistant vice president of Residence Life and Housing,

the resident assistants along with the administration of Residence Life and Housing, are expected to confront a student and document them. The hall directors are responsible for meeting with the people who decide to violate this policy. “Depending on the severity of the case or if it was a repeat offender, they would be handled like any other violation,” Kolenda said. “What we are trying to do is follow the policy as much as we can within reason. We don’t want to make this a state of everyone looking over their shoulder. That is not what we are here for. We want to educate.” UP has developed a different approach than Residence Life and Housing but still has the goal to educate and inform students about the policy and the health risks. “They do not want to seem like they are trying to strong arm people in this so that is one of the reasons why we are not enforcing it,” Lieutenant Matthew Barbeau said. “It is more of a peer-related enforcement. The biggest goal of the committee and the college is for the people who want to quit smoking to give them the help that they need, the desire to get them to actually stop smoking. It is more or less trying to work with the student and try to explain the process and the policy to them, to get them to stop what they are doing at the time. Hopefully once word gets around more and more then hopefully it will stop.” At this time, only two weeks into the semester, there is no way of telling if the amount of tobacco users have diminished but with personal observation she sees an improvement, according to St. Michel. “It is about communication, cooperation and

2015-2016

education on issues surrounding tobacco use,” St. Michel said. “We hope we catch somebody, inform somebody and have a change in their behavior.” Since this policy has been enacted, there are no longer green cigarette butt pots to aid students in the disposal of butts on campus. Students have noticed more of a concern over the littering of cigarette butts on campus grounds. Junior Stephan Hook originally thought Oswego State was always a smoke-free, tobaccofree campus. Now informed of the newest policy, he thinks students have the right to smoke. “I don’t mind if people smoke on campus as long as they do it away from other people,” Hook said. Junior Danielle Minnick, thinks it is a good idea but has a problem with how they plan to enforce this policy. “It will certainly cut down on the amount of air pollution going around campus and it will certainly make our overall environment nicer,” Minnick said. “But I have a big problem with how they are going to enforce this type of behavior. I mean, I have seen people smoke even now, and from what I read of the agreement it says that multiple offenses will end up with repercussions but it does not state what those repercussions are… I think that with this new policy in place, people [are] just going to sneak around more and it is just going be more of a problem than it was before.” The Mary Walker Health Center is offering

help to anyone who wants to quit smoking. They offer free Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges for students as well as smoking cessation workshops and counseling. “[Our goal is to] provide as much knowledge and advice, support and tools as much as we can,” Clean Air Committee member and nurse practitioner Donna Jerett said. According to Jerett, when a person comes in, Mary Walker, staff usually have a meeting with them, mostly just to talk, but if they are at a point where they are contemplating and ready to set a quit date, everyone at the health center is trained to give them the tools they need to be successful. “If I help one person quit, I would feel successful,” Jerett said. “We have an open door here and we want to help anyone who wants to quit.” According to Jerett, she has helped more people last semester after the tobacco-free policy was being heavily advertised. “The basic philosophy is that smoking tobacco is bad for the environment, bad for people and bad for the economy. If you look at the long term health cost for people who smoke, and studies have shown that the number of people who take up smoking during the college age formative years is pretty staggering, and if we can make a difference when people are young then people might not choose to smoke.” St. Michel said. “Not in my generation but in the generation to come, people will see a difference.”

Loan proposal would begin in 2015 LOANS from COVER In order to qualify for the program, students need to meet the following requirements. First, the program only applies to graduates of 2015 and later from New York state colleges. This includes graduates with two or four year degrees. Second, graduates must continue to live in New York after completing their degrees and earn less than $50,000 annually. The last requirement is graduates have to be enrolled in the “Pay as You Earn” program. Under “Pay as You Earn,” participants pay up to 10 percent of their discretionary income, which is income after taxes and charges. In addition, debt not paid after 20 years is forgiven. Cuomo’s office estimates 7,100 people would benefit from the program within the first year. As more people join “Pay as You Earn,” it is anticipated the program will benefit 24,000 graduates by 2020. The requirements limit the number of graduates eligible for the program. “This type of legislation will always have pros and cons depending on who benefits and who doesn’t, but the intent is good and there can always be changes implemented once the program is up and running,” said Nicholas Lyons, the college’s vice president for Administration and Finance.

Lyons believes the program has the potential to benefit Oswego State graduates with their student debt. Tyler Edic is a 2013 Oswego State graduate. Edic graduated with $27,000 in student loan debt. Six months after graduation, he began making payments on his loans. “While it’s not enjoyable making monthly $275 payments, I find them to be manageable,” Edic said. Even though Edic finds his payments to be manageable, he understands paying back student loans can be a challenge for graduates. In response to the program, Edic thinks it could be beneficial for people who qualify for the program and have difficulty paying back their loans. There are other federal loan forgiveness programs. Humbert said the Office of Financial Aid is committed to minimizing student debt. Due to the nature of the “Pay as You Earn” program, students may pay back loans for a longer period of time since the payments are smaller. Humbert “cautions” students about spreading their loans out over more time as this may increase the total amount of loan repayment. “I’m sure people will enjoy the benefits of the plan, but I don’t think it will solve the student loan problem in New York State,” Edic said.

NEWS

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 6 2015

DO NOT

PARTICIPATE in ROOM SELECTION as a BACK-UP PLAN! If you complete Steps 1 and 2 of the Village Room Selection process and are successful in securing a room in The Village, you will be obligated to live in The Village next year according to the terms of The Village Housing Agreement.

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2015-16

ROOM SELECTION

Lily Choi | The Oswegonian

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• 4a:Village Squatters Lottery........................................Feb. 17 Lottery #s available 4 pm Feb. 16. • 4b:Village Resident Lottery .........................................Feb. 18 Lottery #s available 4 pm Feb. 16. • 4c: Village Majority Lottery.................................Feb. 24 – 26 Lottery #s available 4 pm Feb. 23. • 4d:Village General Lottery..................................Feb. 24 – 26 Lottery #s available 4 pm Feb. 23.

SPORTS

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TURNS 80

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Editor's Column

Laker Ledger: Core four already among best ever

Andrew Pugliese Sports Editor apugliese@oswegonian.com Heading into the 2013-2014 season, on top of replacing the seniors of the Class of 2013, a question on the minds of many was how Oswego State was going to replace the line of Paul Rodrigues, Luke Moodie and Jon Whitelaw. On Feb. 6, 2015, we have four names to answer that inquiry: Kenny Neil, Shawn Hulshof, Matt Galati and Alex Botten. Between the fall of 2009 and spring of 2013, Rodrigues, Moodie and Whitelaw scored 166 goals and tallied 238 assists for a total of 404 points. Their consistency made them a staple of the Laker offense during their tenure and paced the team to 99 wins, four NCAA Frozen Fours, four SUNYAC regular season titles and two SUNYAC tournament titles. In the Class of 2017, head coach Ed Gosek brought in 18 talented skaters who had the ability and potential to fill the shoes of the graduated line of Nos. 7, 10 and 14. While many have come on since the run to last season’s Frozen Four in Lewiston, Neil, Hulshof, Galati and Botten have stood out above the rest in terms of producing at the level of their predecessors. The four have combined for 93 goals and 125 assists, already amassing 218 points, which is more than half the points Rodrigues, Moodie and Whitelaw had in their four seasons. Knock on wood: Botten and Galati have the potential to eclipse the 100-point mark by the end of junior year. Such statistics speak to the argument that this Laker offense is even more potent than the years of the Class of 2013. From their efficiency on the power play, where they’re a part of the same unit, to three of the four being on the same line (Galati, Neil and Botten), the four sophomores have become one of the nation’s best team cores. In fact, during the 2014-2015 season, the four have evolved as players and become even more effective. Galati has 15 assists through 18 games after only tallying 12 all of last season. His increased play-creating ability makes him tougher to defend as he becomes more than a goal-scoring threat. Hulshof had just 20 points all of last season and already has 28 thus far this season, ranking in the top 10 among Div. III players. He is the most balanced offensive player on the squad. Botten continues to be the best playmaker on the team with his speed and high ice hockey IQ. He has scored big goals, such as the sixth goal in last season’s SUNYAC championship. His 45 assists in the last two seasons are the most of any Laker. His 21 assists so far this season are the third-most in the country. Neil, who tore his medial collateral ligament right before Valentine’s Day last season, has come back just as strong for his sophomore campaign. He had 26 points through 24 games and was considered on pace for a point total similar to Botten and Galati. A grinder and playmaker, he is right back to tallying points at the same clip. All four sophomores are a threat to explode on any given weekend, like Hulshof did against Buffalo State and SUNY Fredonia when he went for six points in two games. The worries of replacing Rodrigues, Moodie and Whitelaw are long gone. Hulshof, Neil, Botten and Galati have already etched their names in Oswego State men’s ice hockey lore. More SUNYAC titles and Frozen Four appearances seem inevitable, along with individual accolades-- even a national championship perhaps.

UPCOMING MATCHES * green indicates home games

LAKERS' NOT-SO-

THE OSWEGONIAN

Photo provided Wikimedia

VOLUME LXXXII ISSUE I

SPORTS SECRET WEAPON

David Armelino | The Oswegonian

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Lakers' team play quiets critics

On pace for another record-breaking season, women's ice hockey is overcoming great odds Sam Watkins Staff Writer sports@oswegonian.com This story has been seen before. It is all too familiar, yet surprising nonetheless. The Oswego State women’s ice hockey team is defying expectations. Following a season in which the team set a program record for wins, the Lakers are casting their magic once again, and leaving all those who bet against them, pleasantly baffled. With their 1-0 win against Utica College on Tuesday, the Lakers move to 14-4-1 on the season, and are looking to pass the 17-win mark they set last winter. With six games left in the season, the Lakers are pleased with their chances, but are setting their sights much higher than breaking team records. Sitting at third place in the ECAC Women’s West conference, only behind the top two teams in the nation, Elmira College and SUNY Plattsburgh, the Lakers are looking to make some serious noise once they head to the playoffs later this month. Although the Lakers were met with many doubters before the start of the season, one who always believed this team was capable of such greatness, was head coach Diane Dillon. “Am I surprised [at the team’s success]? No,” Dillon said. “I am thrilled? Absolutely.” Dillon is nearing her 100th win as coach of the Lakers, with 97 currently, and is no stranger to managing expectations for her teams. “Every team is different,” Dillon said.

Seamus Lyman| The Oswegonian Sophomore Erika Truschke has been one of leaders, on and off the ice, for Oswego State as they have surprised many with their great play this season.

“It’s a compilation of different personalities, different talents, different strengths and different weaknesses. You’ve got to build; we’re a young team, and it’s about little successes.” The Lakers have received an extreme amount of production from their freshman class, with their top three pointsscorers all being of the first-year class, but Dillon continues to give credit to the leading upperclassmen, as the glue of the team. “First and foremost you have to look at the top, at our leadership,” Dillon said. “Those girls have done an excellent

job at assimilating the new players into the Laker culture.” One of the aforementioned Laker leaders is junior goalkeeper Tori Trovato, who was granted the title of captain before the start of the season. The humble Trovato was singled out by Dillon as an instrumental force for the Lakers, but credited her teammates with guiding the team both on the ice, as well as in the locker room. “I see all of the upperclassmen as leaders, in one way or another,” Trovato said. “Our team consists of only five upperclassmen, and we all play a key role

in leading the team.” As a junior, Trovato is now hungrier than ever for that ECAC Women’s West title, and a national title as well. “We’re determined to fight to the end,” Trovato said. “Our team won’t be satisfied until we have the NCAA rings on our fingers.” Trovato and senior teammate Bridget Smith are both in the midst of strong seasons, with Smith owning the best save percentage in Div. III women’s ice hockey, but goalkeeping is only one half

See HOCKEY, B2

Balanced group flourishing

Men's basketball playing as top team in SUNYAC with depth supporting group of leaders Matthew Moran Asst. Sports Editor mmoran@oswegonian.com After making it to the semifinals last season, seeing only one player graduate from last year’s team and having their top scorer healthy for the entire season thus far, the Oswego State men’s basketball team is looking for another SUNYAC Championship. The Lakers showed their dominance early on in the season, winning six of their first eight games and also starting 5-0 in conference play. This was a quick start that put them on top of the standings where they are currently in a tie for first place with SUNY Plattsburgh at 8-3. During that early stretch, the Lakers also

played in two tournaments, one at home—the Max Ziel Men’s Basketball Tournament—and one in Daytona Beach, Fla., the Land of Magic Classic. Head coach Jason Leone said how playing the teams in those tournaments, teams that they do not usually play and who have different styles of play, helped them improve as a team. Another boost to the Lakers so far this season is the amount of close games they have played. Of their 18 games, 10 were decided by single digits. In those games Oswego State is 5-5, but thanks to those close losses, Leone believes the team has grown. “Every night we’re being put in a different learning experience,” Leone said. “I think losing is never fun to go through, but it puts

David Armelino | The Oswegonian Junior Walter Sampson's improvement over the offseason has led him to be one of the top guards.

you in opportunities to learn something about yourself. I’ve been very pleased in my tenure here with our ability to persevere and bounce back after our defeats.” One of the key cogs in this season’s success for the Lakers has been sophomore guard, Brian Sortino. The leading scorer, who is averaging 14.2 ppg, returns last season from being the No. 2 scorer before he suffered an injury that caused him to miss the last eight games of the regular season and the Lakers playoff run as well. “Your health is your biggest thing,” Sortino said. “That really put me down last year. I really wanted to be there for those guys and win SUNYACs, but it’s a new year and I’m having a better season than I did last year.” Leone said the team is clearly a better one when Sortino is on the floor. But what has really impressed him is Sortino's responsibility in handling the pressure of being the top scorer as only a sophomore. “To go from that number two option to number one is a a very big jump in any level of college basketball,” Leone said. “People are gameplanning against you, they know your every move... Brian, I think, has learned a lot about himself and he certainly has performed at a high level for us.” Another leader on the Lakers is the lone senior, forward Rashawn Powell. Being the only graduating player has not altered his play he explained because of the support and encouragement he receives from the rest of the team. “It hasn’t affected my mentality,” Powell said. “I have a great group of guys with me, helping me out with whatever I need help. On the floor, we all stick together.” Powell and Leone have a special connection as they both came to Oswego State for the 2011-2012 season. That year, the team went undefeated in SUNYAC play with incredible players like Hayden Ward and Chad Burridge leading the way. Leone has seen the

Men's Basketball

Men's Ice Hockey

Women's Basketball

Friday, Feb. 6

5:30 p.m.

vs.

7 p.m.

7: 30 p.m.

progression Powell has made in his time with the Lakers to one of the leaders of the team, second in scoring with 10.2 ppg and leading in rebounds with 8.8 rpg. “He’s been through a lot in his four years here, playing behind two All-Americans in Hayden and Chad, and then finally getting an opportunity last year to persevere and to stick with it,” Leone said. “To do what he does, where he’s consistently giving up size and strength in the post, is really an impressive feat with numbers he’s put up over the last two years.” That work ethic and ability to do whatever it takes for the team is another reason Leone is glad he is coaching Powell, and not against him. “He’s a proven player in our league, and Ray has done everything we’ve asked him to do,” Leone said. “He’s constantly a team player. There’s not one coach in the league that doesn’t say, ‘If I could only have a guy like that on my team, we’d be much better.’” The X-factor for the Lakers this season has to be none other than junior guard Walter Sampson. Going from averaging 2.7 ppg last season to now 9.2 ppg now. Sampson’s improvement, on and off the court, over the offseason did not go unnoticed by Leone. “Walter improved his maturity level quite a bit,” Leone said. “He went home over the summer and really did some soul searching. [He] put the time in the weight room, he came back a more focused guy, a more mature guy and a more confident guy because of the work he put in over the summer.” According to Sampson, putting on the extra muscle over the summer and also improving many other facets of his game led him to become one of the more prolific passers this season, second in assists, averaging 2.4 apg. He is second only to Sortino who is averaging 3.3 apg. When Sortino was out during pre-

See BASKETBALL, B2

Women's Ice Hockey Saturday, Feb. 7 @

4 p.m.

Blue Line Oswego State

SCOREBOARD Wrestling 12 31

Women's Basketball Tuesday, Feb. 3

56 67

Women's Ice Hockey Tuesday, Feb. 3

1 0

Men's Basketball Tuesday, Feb. 3

55 59

Oswego State

ROAD RECAPS Women's Ice Hockey The Oswego State women's ice hockey team defeated the Utica Pioneers on Tuesday on the road by a score of 1-0. The lone goal of the day came on the power play off the stick of freshman Andrea Noss, getting the first ever power play goal of her collegiate career. Sophomores Alli Ullrich and Kendall Applebaum picked up the assists on the goal as Ullrich now has seven points in her last three games. Senior Bridget Smith pitched a shutout for the Lakers with a 27-save performance, picking up her third shutout on the season and 10th shutout of her career. Oswego State now has a home-and-home two-game series against William Smith College this weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

Track and Field The Oswego State men's and women's track and field competed at the Ithaca College Bomber Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 31. For the men, the 4x400 relay team of junior Brandon Comden, sophomore Ben Griffin and seniors Nicholas Reinsdorf and Matthew Wagenhauser came in second in the event with a time of 3:26.07. In jumping, senior Chris Bridgewater led the way placing second in the Triple Jump and 6th in the long jump. On the women's side, senior Marissa Pariseau's time in the 500 Meter Dash qualified for the ECWC Championships. Junior Karlee Duffer set a lifetime best in the 3000 Meter Run with a time of 11:14.26. Freshman Anna Tafolo also had her lifetime best and team-leading the 200 Meter Dash with a time of 27.89. Both teams are set for another meet at the College at Brockport on Saturday for the Golden Eagle Invite.

We're determined to fight to the end. Our team won't be satisfied until we have the NCAA rings on our fingers." -Tori Trovato, women's ice hockey junior captain

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Coach-player combo looks to return to First-year talents, veteran leaders have former glory in final season together eyes set on more than setting records BASKETBALL, from B1

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Quote of the Week

season due to injury, it was Sampson who was there to take the reins. “Walter was a big part of holding the ship together,” Leone said. “He’s certainly taken a big step forward.” Being the player who passes the ball around and gets everyone participating is something new for the junior. “Ever since high school I’ve always been the [one to] pass first and try and get my teammates involved,” Sampson said. “I feel like I could always create my own shot but if I can get my teammates involved early on, it will open up better opportunities at the end of the game.” The team would not be as good as it is if it were just for the leaders, however. Players like juniors Kyle Covley and Mark Candelario are also important assets. Covley is third on the team in scoring with 10.1 ppg, and Candelario holds the position of tallest man on the roster at 6’8”. Newcomers freshman Ian Schupp and sophomore Dustin Pond have had successful first years at Oswego State as well. Having these other players to go to, as well as players off bench, is what everyone believes will be key going down to the final part of the regular season and toward a playoff run. “If you look at our league, one of the common denominators that comes with winning this conference is depth,” Leone said. “We’re in the midst of a stretch now where we play six games in two weeks. It’s hard to play five or six guys and be successful with the amount of physicality that goes on in our league.” Sortino and Powell agreed with the statement of how it will come down to not just a few players, but the entire team, if they are going to make a run. Both of them also completely trust the players they have around them. “I have a ton of confidence in them, I know that if I pass them the ball, I know they’re going to make a play,” Sortino said. “They’re all just great shooters.” “Any given night it can be anybody on our team,” Powell said. “We have a lot of guys who

can play, and a lot of guys who can put the ball in the basket. So you just have to be ready any given night when your number is called.” These extra players not only help in games, Leone said, but in practices as well. Their input makes the team more competitive and pushes everyone on it to do their best. And because they have so many upcoming players the future of the program looks very bright. But right now the focus is solely on what they can do this season, as the team looks to return to the SUNYAC Championship for the first time since Powell and Leone’s first season back in 2012. All three players and their coach agreed that their togetherness is what will help them get back to the NCAA tournament once again. First things first, however, is winning the regular season championship and getting to host a playoff game, and possibly the conference championship in front of their home crowd, is very important to the team. But with still seven games on the schedule, and a big one coming up on Saturday, Feb. 14 at home against the team tied for first place with them [SUNY Plattsburgh] the Lakers need to to make sure everyone is performing at their highest to make it down this final stretch. “I think what will be the telltale sign is to what we’re trying to get our guys to buy into, and they have, is the intangibles are going to become that much more important,” Leone said. “Taking care of your body, being the best teammate you can be, being the first to dive on the floor, making the extra effort plays. It is also going to be about how every player is getting ready for each game. At this point of the season, every game holds a lot of weight. “The more you prepare, or the better you prepare, that in terms gives you more confidence, and a more confident athlete is an athlete that performs better,” Leone said. Leone hopes to see his team perform better and better as the season comes down the wire. If they do, the dream achievement they’re all gunning for this season, a SUNYAC Championship, will set closer and closer to reality.

HOCKEY, from B1 of the story. After struggling at times to score goals last season, the Lakers have put their woes in the rear-view-mirror, and look to be one of the better scoring teams in the league for years to come. One of the main reasons for this optimism: the output from the new Lakers. Freshman Olivia Ellis has been nothing short of brilliant for Oswego State, tied for the team lead with seven goals, and leading the team with 11 assists. Sophomore transfer Briana Rice, at 6 feet tall, has also netted seven goals, and has been a physical force for the Lakers since the season commenced. One of the other quick-to-contribute Lakers is freshman Rachel Lenard. She looks to be a major player for the Lakers for the next three seasons. With five goals and five assists, Lenard is already a factor for Oswego State, and her stock is rising. Lenard acknowledges that her freshman class was granted a heavy amount of responsibility this season, after the team parted ways with nine seniors from last year. “I think there was a lot of pressure [on the freshmen] because of the players the team lost,” Lenard said. “With so few upperclassmen, we had no choice but to come in and make an impact right away.” Lenard also admits there are changes to be made when moving to the Div. III ice hockey level. “When you play travel hockey, you’re only on the ice three days a week,” Lenard said. “Being on the ice six days a week, it gets tiring, you have to adapt. You need to make sure you’re taking care of your body and your health, and you have to put in the work to win.” Lenard and the Lakers are not only playing for themselves, but for the supremely close group of teammates they have developed around them as well.

“The teammates we have here, we’re like a family,” Lenard said. “It’s about more than one person, you just have to go out there and work hard for your teammates.” One of those teammates is the fiery sophomore Erika Truschke, who can easily be identified on the ice by her short stature and wicked tenacity. Truschke has seen a major increase in her role this season, and insists that her hard-nosed effort on the ice is merely her natural style of play. “I think it comes with how I have to react,” Truschke said. “With me being so small, I have to be able to throw my body around. I have to play a little bit stronger than everybody else, to be able to fight people off, and compensate [for her height].” With a year under her belt as a Laker, Truschke’s role off the ice has changed as well. “I think the biggest change this year has been being more of a leader,” Truschke said. “It’s trying to show the new players what is expected of you, as a player. Helping them through the ropes, and understanding what my role is, and what I need to accept.” Though fervent on the ice, Truschke’s awareness of her team responsibilities, should give the Lakers optimism that they have found yet another leader for the next two years. The Lakers have delicately balanced confidence with level-headedness. A reflection of their head coach, the Lakers understand what it means to truly play team ice hockey. The talent is there, the production is there and to this point in the season, the results have been there too. The Lakers appropriately have their eyes set on rings and titles this season, and all those who watch this great group of athletes will likely agree; the future is shining brightly for the Oswego State Lakers.

SPORTS

Top unit provides ultimate advantage

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

B33

Athletes of the Week

Men's ice hockey power play led by set of players more efficient than most Div. III teams overall Andrew Pugliese Sports Editor apugliese@oswegonian.com Five men’s ice hockey players meet over along the boards joking around after a hard midweek practice. They act like great friends just having a good time playing the sport they love, but they’re more than that. These five members of the No. 2 Oswego State Lakers make up one of the best power play units in Div. III and are crucial to the team’s success. Over the past two seasons, the unit of senior captain Bobby Gertsakis and four sophomores, Kenny Neil, Shawn Hulshof, Matt Galati and Alex Botten, has accounted for 40 of 58 Laker power play goals. As the players recognize, their success when on the man advantage can be the difference between winning and losing a game. They give a lot of credit to the coach who works with them, Dan Ford. “I think a lot of it has to do with Ford-o, our power play coach,” Botten said. “He emphasizes that power play either wins games or loses games, as well as PK and special teams in general. He gets us all fired up for every power play.” To the average fan on campus, the differences between even strength ice hockey and being on the power play can be difficult to understand or simply overlooked. Those important two-minute time frames when an opponent is down a skater must be treated a bit differently. “The major difference between five on five and five on four play is the amount of time and space you have,” said Dan Ford, Oswego State power play coach. “The systems that we have in place as a team for five on five hockey are completely different than what we have in place for five on four hockey. Five on four hockey is more looking for set plays and reacting off of rebounds and loose pucks from those set plays. So, a whole different way of looking, a whole different strategy between five on five and five on four hockey.” Ford works with the power play units each day in practice so they can be in top form and make sure each of the two units is ready to capitalize whenever an opportunity arises. The team has used the same scheme for the power play for a number of years. Each of the five players has a set spot on the ice he covers and from that spot he has two or three options of what to do when the puck is on his stick. On top of that, each player is given a couple options of what to do when expecting the puck, as well as a few others in neutral puck situations. Neutral puck situations are situations where a battle to retain full possession of the puck ensues. According to Ford, a big part of the practice time is getting in as much time as possible in the multitude of situations that could occur throughout a game. “We try to put them into different scenarios that they’re going to see in a game,” Ford said. “Repetition brings about scenarios where you’re making plays in a game without having to think too much because one thing that can really hurt you on the power play is overthinking things.” The top unit of Gertsakis, Neil, Hulshof, Galati and Botten has become a product of this philosophy. The reps they get in during practice and games over the past two years has put them in a position where the five members of the unit believe their puck movement is so quick that eventually someone will be open with a chance to score. In many cases, their unit does capitalize on the opportunities it gets. It has scored on 16 of the Lakers’ 64 power play chances this season, playing a big part in making the team second in Div. III in power play efficiency at 32.81 percent. The unit accounts for all but five of Oswego State’s man advantage goals through 18 games. Ford believes the number one thing that makes the unit so good is the attitude they bring to the power play. Having a high skill level and good shooting are both crucial components to success in those situations, yet the right attitude is even more important. “What I mean by attitude is, their willingness to put the extra work in, the extra time in, watch extra video, to spend extra time af-

ter practice on, to have great dialogue amongst each other and great give and take with me and anybody on the staff,” Ford said. “That’s what’s made the biggest difference.” Another factor that helps Gertsakis, Neil, Hulshof, Galati and Botten thrive, is the continuity they have. Other than the time last season when Neil was out after tearing his medial collateral ligament, the five of them have been a power play unit since the start of last season. With the injuries the Lakers have dealt with throughout this season, Ford recognizes that the second unit has been shifted around quite a bit, affecting its success. As the first unit continued to score, it was getting more and more ice time and continued to tally goals. Last season, the top unit provided offensive support in key situations, and this season Ford sees that it has picked up right where it left off. “Right away, they had success,” Ford said. “We had one power play opportunity against the U.S. under-18 team and they score 16 seconds in. It was a big moment in the game. The

from Botten in the right circle to Galati in the left for a one-timer, which Ford said is an NHL-level shot. “It’s not regular,” Botten said. “If it’s open, it’s there. If I can throw backhand sauce, I throw backhand sauce. If the lane’s open I’m going to try to get it to him. But, if it’s not, anybody else can get the puck and score.” Galati and Hulshof added that they move the puck so quickly as a unit that they get the defense out of position, which opens up that passing lane. Gertsakis also attributes it to the unit’s chemistry. “That has a lot to do with trust between each other to pull that stuff off,” Gertsakis said. “Like, we kind of know where the other guy’s going.” A member of the unit who has upped his play and has become a formidable threat every time the team is in the offensive zone is the unit’s man in the slot, Hulshof. Ford has observed him combining confidence and work ethic this season to make a great impact on the team this season. Hulshof, who finished last

together. His confidence grew. You’ve got to have confidence on the power play. It’s a very difficult facet of the game. It’s a fickle facet of the game.” The entire unit can score, making them all the more dangerous. The five players hold the top four spots on the team in points, and the sixth spot as well. Galati believes this fact is a big part of what makes the unit go. “I think the bottom line is all of us love to score,” Galati said. “When we get a power play we want to get out there. We want to put the puck in the net. I think it comes from within. We all have a drive to score goals and make something happen offensively.” To put the unit’s success into context, Ford believes it is among the best the program has ever had. An assistant coach with the program for a number of years and involved with ice hockey in the Oswego area for even longer, Ford has seen many talented Laker teams. “We’ve had guys with equal or more skill and we’ve had very good power plays,” Ford said. “But, I think, what keeps

ALLI ULLRICH

Women's Ice Hockey Sophomore, St. Louis, Mo. Ullrich was a force on the special teams this past weekend, recording five of her six points during the power play in two games against Buffalo State. In Friday's game, she notched the first goal for the Lakers as she came in from the blue line during a 5-on-3 and sent the puck past the goalie's shoulder. The sophomore stayed hot going into Saturday's game, recording her best game, points-wise, of her career. Her effort led her to be named Women's West Player Of The Week for the ECAC.

JUSTIN BERRIOS

Men's Swimming and Diving Senior, Bronx, N.Y.

Lily Choi| The Oswegonian

very next game, we’re losing to Buff State, 3-0, and we go on the power play, we need it, and we get two power play goals, get back in the game, and end up winning the game. So, what happened with that is, we gave them the majority of the minutes in the power play opportunities because continuity and flow is extremely important in power plays.” One sign of the continuity of play paying off for this unit is the play that has set up many of Galati’s power play goals over the last two seasons. That play is a cross-ice pass

season seventh on the team in points with 20, is leading the team this season with an already higher total of 28. His balance of scoring has been huge as well, totaling 14 goals and 14 assists. Ford said the success has been a progression, which started during the summer. “It started way back in September,” Ford said. “Guys said, once we got together as a team, ‘Yeah, before you even saw him, he came back from the summer at a much higher level.’ So, he put the time and work ethic in over the summer and it paid off. It all blended

them right there in the conversation at being at the level we’re talking about, again, goes back to their attitude toward it. How they treat it, how much pride they take in it and the composure they have. Go back over the years and we’ve had guys who maybe got more frustrated than you should on the power play. That’s a big part of it. You’ve got to have great composure. So, they happen to have all the elements you need to go along with the skill set, which puts them in the conversation to be one of the best.”

Berrios capped his Senior Day by scoring a 276.55 in the 1-meter dive, thus qualifying himself for the NCAA Regionals which will be held at the end of the season. Berrios also took second in the 3-meter dive, posting a score of 247.40. The senior helped his team defeat SUNY Potsdam by a score of 165107. Men's swimming and diving will return to the pool at 12 p.m. on Saturday as it participates in the Geneseo Invite for its last regular season meets before SUNYACs.

12:

Of the men's ice hockey top power play line, sophomore Alex Botten has amassed the most points this season with 12 on the man advantage. Eleven of those coming from assists, making him one of the best setup men in the nation. The Lakers have also scored on the power play in each of their last six games, proving the level of consistency has not faded lately.

14:

David Armelino| The Oswegonian The top Laker power play line accounts for 16 of the team's 21 power play goals this season. Sophomore Matt Galati (44) is second in the nation with seven of those goals.

Men's basketball freshman Ian Schupp was the leading scorer in the Lakers 59-55 defeat against SUNY Geneseo on Tuesday. This was the fifth time this season, and fourth in the last seven games that Schupp has shot into double figures.

After picking up an assist on Andrea Noss's goal on Tuesday against Utica College, women's ice hockey sophomore Kendall Applebaum extended her point streak to four games. She has also recorded a point in five of her last six and overall she is fourth on the team in the category this season with 11.

SPORTS

Campus Recreation Report Kelsey Blair Contributing Writer sports@oswegonian.com As the new semester begins, campus recreation has a lot of great activities everyone can be a part of. Campus Recreation has a full semester of exciting intramurals ahead, which started this week with basketball and broomball. There was a lot of intense competition throughout the week, and there is sure to be a lot more during the upcoming weeks. The broomball tournament is all new this semester, 8 v. 8 on the full ice. Basketball intramurals are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in Lee Hall, and broomball is held on Sundays and Tuesdays in the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena.

There are still plenty of other opportunities to get involved with intramurals this semester, such as the volleyball league. Sign up on imleagues.com by Tuesday, Feb. 10. The captain meeting is on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m., with play beginning Sunday, Feb. 15 in Lee Hall. Campus Recreation’s “Run With It” posters are all around campus and list upcoming events for students to participate in. The No-Limit Texas Hold’em event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. Register online by Friday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. or onsite Saturday, Feb. 7 between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. The event is located at the Marano Campus Center Food/Activity Court. There will be free food and beverages provided by Auxiliary Services. Winners may

receive college store gift cards for $50, $30 and $20. On Friday, Feb. 13 Campus Recreation is hosting a Valentine’s Open Skate event from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the Marano Campus Center Arena. Admission is $1 and skate rentals are $2. There will be games and prizes throughout the night. Free swim lessons offered by Campus Recreation will be held on Wednesdays starting Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. and will go until March 4. The deadline to sign up for the swim lessons online is Sunday, Feb. 8 or onsite on Feb. 11 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. These lessons will be held in the Lee Hall Pool and are open to any skill level. For more information about Campus Recreation programs, building and pool hours, visit oswego.edu/campusrec or call Lee Hall at (315) 312-3114.

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

B34

2015-2016

OPINION HOW TO KEEP NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

B?5 Photo provided by christmasstockimages

OPINION

VOLUME LXXXII ISSUE I • www.oswegonian.com

“Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...” -First Amendment

THE OSWEGONIAN The independent student newspaper of Oswego State since 1935

GUIDELINES

We want your thoughts on our coverage, campus and local issues, or anything 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). Members of organizations should include their title if their letter addresses an issue pertaining to the organization. For publication, letters should be 250 words or less and submitted by the Tuesday prior to the desired publication date. The Oswegonian reserves the right to edit and reject letters and cannot guarantee that all letters will be published. Opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not always reflect those of The Oswegonian.

SPORTS LAKERS CREAM

OF CROP

David Armelino | The Oswegonian

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

STAFF EDITORIAL

TOBACCO-FREE POLICY DISPUTED Oswego State’s campus is now tobacco free, but the so-called policy is too weak to make any real change happen in the near future. The policy relies on students to police their peers as they go about their day. If you see someone smoking or chewing tobacco, Oswego State officials are essentially expecting students to tattle on one another. Planning has been going on since 2011 when the Clean Air Steering Committee was created at Oswego State. The original plan was to enact a policy making the campus tobacco free by 2014, but that plan was pushed to this year when things fell behind schedule. Currently, there are no real repercussions being discussed for those who do not comply with the tobacco-free policy. However, university officials claim that in the future there could be consequences for repeated offenders. University Police is instructed to educate those seen smoking on campus to the details of the policy, but will not be writing tickets to those caught. Resident

assistants are instructed to enforce the policy in and around residential areas of campus with documentation. The tobacco-free campus policy falls in line with what SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher asked of all campuses within the statewide system to enact in 2012, but it is poorly planned. Shaming smokers to not light up on campus is not the right way to go about changing a societal issue, especially when there are no real known repercussions. The campaign that coincided with the policy had a cigarette for a mascot and the brochures depict a cigarette being cut with scissors. This sets the idea that the campus is smoke free and not tobacco free, as it actually is. All cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, vapor pens with tobacco, hookahs, chewing tobacco, tobacco pipes and any other form used to ingest tobacco is banned on campus grounds. This criticism of the policy does not mean smoking is a good activity to partake in. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than

16 million people already have one disease as a result of smoking and nearly nine out of every 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking. Smokeless tobacco is just as harmful with 28 carcinogens, according to the HHS. Chewing tobacco is also known to cause oral cancer. A real plan that includes enforcement is necessary to be successful at Oswego State. As of now, the policy relies on the already declining rate at which Americans are smoking. The number of smokers in the U.S. has declined from 42 percent in 1964 to 18 percent in 2014, according to the HHS. Instead, the policy should actually hold students accountable if they break the new rule. Write tickets, have fines, just as if a student parked in the wrong parking lot. The tobacco-free campus policy certainly is not going anywhere anytime soon, but it should be revisited in the immediate future. Having the label as a tobacco-free campus is not the same as actually being tobacco free.

IN THE OFFICE

Do you think classes should have been canceled earlier on Monday? Why or why not?

New position brings excitement, drive

The Oswegonian gives good experience heading into real world

“Classes should have been canceled from 12 p.m. and on... it’s not safe for teachers to commute because the roads are really icy.” Tal Gordon sophomore, marketing

“They probably should have because [there aren’t] that many night classes. You have classes that get out at 4:20 p.m.” Derek Sexton junior, journalism

“I think they should have been because the campus wasn’t really plowed that well and a lot of people were slipping and falling going to class.” Diana Rispoli sophomore, chemistry

“Classes should have been canceled because it’s not safe for students or teachers to be commuting.” Claudia Cedrone sophomore, risk managment

“Definitely... there were warnings about the snow storm, so I think they definitely should have canceled classes earlier, maybe even the night before.” Aidan Meehan senior, broadcasting

See web exclusive Opinion articles at www.oswegonian.com/opinion

David Armelino Opinion Editor darmelin@oswegonian.com Becoming the opinion editor for The Oswegonian is something I have been looking forward to for some time now. The position became available for the fall semester in 2014, as the opinion editor at the time, Alain Pierre-Lys, was to be promoted to managing editor that coming spring. Being the photography director at the time, I was looking for more of a journalistic role on the editorial staff. I enjoyed

my time taking pictures for the various sections of the paper, however, taking on more responsibility appealed to me, which I eventually had the opportunity to do. The job came down to last semester’s opinion editor, Shanna Fuld, and me. Shanna would end up taking over for fall 2014, however, instead of becoming an editor for an entire school year, as per usual, she decided to study abroad for the spring semester in 2015, leaving the position open for one semester, which I was offered to occupy. This left me with a unique opportunity to continue being the photography director, while assisting Shanna as she performed her daily tasks as opinion editor. This included copy editing articles, coming up with headlines and even aiding on formatting the section from time to time. When it came time to take over the section by myself for the last issue of the fall semester in 2014, the transition was made much easier than if I hadn’t helped Shanna for the past few months. Had I gone into the position without experice in Indesign, the editing program used to create

the newspaper, I would have been more than overwhelmed. Working for The Oswegonian was something I had wanted to do ever since I found out I had been accepted to Oswego State. Because of my background in photography from high school and my two years at Onondaga Community College as a photography major for my first year, I was able to get my foot in the door by using skills I thought I would never use again, except for a hobby. After declaring my major in journalism, I was originally bent on writing for the sports section and nothing else. My interests eventually expanded into all the sections of the paper, particularly in the opinion section, because I felt as though I had more free reign over what I was writing. I could not have asked to be in a better situation here at The Oswegonian. The staff here resembles one big family. Though it has only been two years, I will always have fond memories of where my journalism career began.

Campus officially smoke free

While criticisms from students remain, campus asked to come together Nick Brown Contributing Writer opinion@oswegonian.com As of January 2015, Oswego State is a tobacco-free campus. When I first heard about the impending switch last semester, I was against telling adults they are not allowed to have a cigarette without fear of getting reprimanded and punished. Having to go off campus, especially during the harsh weather in the winter months, is such a burden to place on someone, who may very well have a serious addiction. However, after hearing the reactions from students, and researching the facts of other campuses going tobacco free, I am more inclined to be in favor of the ban. A resident neighbor of mine, who wished to remain anonymous, was against the ban, citing much of the reasons mentioned above. He felt like working harder to enforce the designated smoking areas should have been a step taken before a total ban of tobacco. Student Laura Smith offered a rebuttal to that argument, claiming student smokers “did not listen to the signs” and going to further measures to enforce the area restrictions was a waste of the university’s and University Police’s time and resources. I agree with Laura’s position and then some. In theory, designated smoking areas would prevent anyone who does not want to inhale tobacco from doing so. However, many students agreed the areas were still close to main areas of walking traffic, and there are not

any invisible walls preventing smoke from drifting toward those nearby. Students Kevin Spath and Emily Nassir both said they struggled to get to class without smelling cigarettes. Student Kevin Clark said he believes the school’s “heart is in the right place,” but that adults should still be able to make a choice whether to smoke or not. Clark compared the situation to dining hall food provided by the school. Yes, some food is awful, health wise, but there are plenty of alternative healthy options available. In the end, the student decides

“No one is forcing anyone to be here,” Nassir said. “It’s a matter of respect too. Respect the rules and respect others around you. You can’t catch second hand alcohol. Smoking can harm other people in addition to the damage it’s doing to your own body.” Furthermore, in the couple weeks she’s been here this semester, she believes the ban has helped. Tobacco-free college campuses are on a rapid rise in the U.S. In the four years since 2011, the number of tobacco-free campuses has jumped from just under 600 to over 1,500. The sentiment of wanting to keep young adults away from such a harmful addiction is hard not to admire. According to the Tobacco Free College Campus Initiative, around 99 percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 26, so college provides a perfect age platform to discourage potential smokers and help those who have already indulged in the habit. Whether one believes the tobacco ban helps prohibit an addiction or merely makes the addiction harder to maintain is up for debate. One Lily Choi | The Oswegonian could even argue somewhere in the what he or she wants to put into his or middle, that making an addiction harder her body. Clark supports efforts to en- to maintain does indeed help end an adcourage students to stop smoking but diction. However, those opposed to the still thinks the decision to smoke should ban should not be angry at Oswego State. be an option. There is an increasing social norm against Nassir agreed with Clark that the public smoking and we are just joining school is concerned with the well-being the trend. When the intent of a policy is of their students. However, she believes to improve public health, I find it hard to the university absolutely has the right to be mad at the policy, despite legitimate tell its students what they can and can- gripes about the difficulty some may have not do. adjusting to it.

Silver resigns from seat

Assembly speaker took bribes while in office Emily Cole Contributing Writer opinion@oswegonian.com New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is stepping down after being arrested on multiple corruption charges. Silver is being charged with “two counts of honest service fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit honest service fraud, one count of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right,” said Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Silver obtained a substantial amount of money through attorney referral fees, real estate kickbacks, awarded grants to hospitals that referred their patients to him if they needed a lawyer and interfering with a public corruption investigation. With these charges, Silver could still remain New York state assembly speaker, however, he has felt pressure to step down, especially from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. It looks very bad for the state of New York to have their Assembly speaker arrested, especially with corruption. Silver made the correct decision to step down. If he stayed in office his arrest would be a distraction and may get in the way of important decisions that need to be made. The assembly could also lose credibility and respect. When some people think about politics, the first thing that usually comes to mind is corruption and dishonesty. Therefore, it is

not a surprise when a lawmaker lives up to the stereotype. In the history of the United States, there have been countless cases of lawmakers committing illegal, dishonest and unethical acts. Some influence the nation as a whole, while others only affect a select few. Even though a person is not directly impacted, it changes how they view the United States political system. We the people elect these lawmakers to some of the most powerful positions and trust them to make decisions that will be in our best interests. It is hard to trust another human being with our best interests when we have seen the track record. A lawmaker will preach about all of the wonderful things they will accomplish while they are in office, how moral their standards are and how ethical their decisions will be. We the people elect them, and most of the time our faith and trust is broken when they go back on his or her word. It is hard to have trust in people who are only in politics for the money and do not care about the people. It is alarming. These lawmakers are making decisions every day that affect every New York state resident’s taxes, education and the way we live. Silver stood in the way of an investigation of campaign finance reform which is necessary if there is any hope that decisions and elections will be solely based on the people’s best interest rather than money. Today, politics is becoming all about the money and less about the well-being of society and the Silver case is a perfect example of this.

Super Bowl ads lack humor, pizzazz Emily Stasko Contributing Writer opinion@oswegonian.com This year, the Super Bowl ads weren’t quite what we expected. We had a mix of giggles, goose bumps and possibly even some tears. Though there were decent commercials, there was a big upset with the lack of comedic-relief commercials. Many people watch the Super Bowl only for the commercials and the halftime show. This year you didn’t miss out on too much if you only tune in for the commercials.

Lily Choi | The Oswegonian

There were a couple commercials that stood out to me. One of my favorite commercials shown was the one by Always, which targeted young women. Children, men and women were asked to do things like “run like a girl” to see what different people and different genders thought that looked like. It was interesting to see the different perspectives and was an empowering commercial for young women. Another commercial I enjoyed was the Budweiser commercial “Lost Dog.” Though it didn’t have much to do with beer, it was quite touching. The back-

ground music, plus the concept of this lost dog finding its way home was adorable. It showed a farmer losing his dog, being torn up about it and searching for it. The dog ends up finding his way back and runs home with the farmer’s horses. McDonald’s also presented a cute commercial where they hand picked certain people that would pay for their food with good deeds instead of money. It was a nice commercial with a lot of smiles and heartwarming images. One of the biggest complaints this year was there were not nearly enough funny commercials. Every commercial break, people were probably waiting for something to make them laugh. One commercial that did make me giggle was the T-Mobile commercial with Kim Kardashian. It was great to see her pick fun at herself as she discussed how data is lost by other cellphone services and acts as if this is a tragedy. It had the same tone as the commercials that raise money for abused dogs. She is a media-obsessed woman, and it was funny to see her joke about this. The Clash of Clans commercial with Liam Neeson was another commercial that stuck out to me as being funny. He acts the same as his character in the “Taken” movies and it was funny to see this grown man acting in such an aggressive way while simply playing a video game. It would have been OK to deal with mediocre commercials that weren’t absolutely hysterical, but what I didn’t like at all was the Nationwide commercial. The Super Bowl is a time for families and friends to sit down and spend some quality time together. Death should be the last thing on people’s minds while watching the Super Bowl. This commercial had a child die as part of their ploy to get you to buy insurance, which was horrifying. This year’s Super Bowl commercials were definitely a hit or miss. Hopefully next year we will be laughing during the breaks and not become depressed from watching a Nationwide commercial.

Vanderbilt case brings solace to victims Cindy Garcia Contributing Writer opinion@oswegonian.com The verdicts have finally arrived as former Vanderbilt football players have been found guilty of rape and aggravated sexual battery. Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg have plead not guilty to raping a fellow student and are currently awaiting their sentencing in March. The jury has denied their poor excuse of being “too drunk” to recognize what they were doing. Most rape victims on college campuses have avoided the process of reporting the crime to the police, but this Vanderbilt case gives them hope. Bureau of Justice statistics state that 80 percent of rape and sexual assault victimizations of students go unreported to the public. Women are petrified of not being heard and not receiving the justice they deserve. Many students are, in fact, deterred from reporting their rape or assault to the authorities because they believe they will have to go through years of reliving their attack and will

never receive justice. According to the Rape Crisis Center, sexual assault is one of the most unreported crimes, averaging just 39 percent of rapes reported each year. Our courts are the only way a student will receive a possible chance of justice, although that should not be the case. It is the college’s job to make sure that each student is safe and retribution will be certain if they are in any harm. Students claim that college campuses handle these situations poorly by not supplying a certain amount of evidence, being asked inappropriate questions and not being able to have a lawyer present. Oswego State supplies the necessities for any victim who is ready to come forward. The campus provides a counseling service center where anyone can receive help, an R.A.D. system (Rape Aggression Defense), where one can learn how to defend oneself if needed, and a campus organization named Two and a Half, which is based on teaching the student population about violence against women. Student voices as a student body should be heard and the only way the schools will listen is if the student population keeps themselves aware.

OPINION

THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Tip of the hat...

◊...to classes not being cancelled earlier on Monday. ◊...to those who have given up on their New Year’s resolutions already.

◊...to the snow removal teams on campus. ◊...to Netflix for finally adding “Friends.” ◊...to the bus drivers for braving the elements and storms to come.

◊...to this year’s Super Bowl ads not being up to par.

Wag of the finger...

Free community college viable option

Priceless college schooling presents variety of opportunities, potential Jenn Shuron Contributing Writer opinion@oswegonian.com

As college students, the word “free” has a special place in all our hearts. We scour the campus for free T-shirts and are always on the look out for scholarships that could help save a few dollars, or even a few grand. As of late, President Barack Obama is also looking for ways to help college students continue on their valiant efforts to save some money by making it possible to obtain a two-year degree at a community college for free. On Jan. 8, 2014, Obama proposed the concept of making community college education within the United States free for students seeking a two-year degree. This all sounds too good to be true, right? Well, maybe. According to Obama and the White House, students wishing to obtain this free two-year degree must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher and develop a steady pace to reach completion of his or her degree. Talk about an incentive to keep your GPA up. If all states were to participate in this proposed program, it could benefit over 9 million students. An average of $3,800 a year could be saved by each student, according to the White House. This program would not only be targeted toward high school seniors entering their first year of college, but older students as well. Obama’s reasoning behind this new plan is to give students who are struggling financially a chance to receive professional training and education within their potential career market. According to The Huffington Post, Obama stated in a videotaped message, “We also have to make sure that everybody has the opportunity to constantly train themselves for better jobs, better

Photo provided by Visha Angelova For those who could not afford college yet deserved to attend, this new initiative gives an opportunity.

wages, better benefits.” Many careers require some type of degree or schooling for one to be an eligible applicant. The White House states that by 2020, 35 percent of jobs will require a bachelor’s degree and 30 percent will require an associate degree. If Obama’s proposition becomes reality, a student could obtain an associate degree knowing that when they walk the stage at graduation there will be no debt looming over them. This would leave extra money for textbooks, educational technology and other school related expenses. We’ve all heard the expression that nothing in life is ever truly “free.” The money that would fund this program must come from somewhere if it’s not coming from the students. According to The Detroit News, The White House says the federal government would be covering 75 percent of the $60 billion cost of this program, while the states would cover the rest. The idea of a free education can have a

huge impact on those looking to go back to school or those who are just starting out on their college journey. Because students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA or higher, there is more incentive than ever before for community college students to value their education and strive for excellence. This program, if put into place, could essentially boost graduation and retention rates. Those who decide to transfer to a four-year school after obtaining their associate degree would have the ability to save money during their two years at community college. This would enable them to reduce loan costs significantly when they reach their four-year school. There are still many hurdles to overcome before this proposal can be put into action, but as of now, the idea is creating a promising future for those who wish to receive a degree, while also being able to kick the idea of student loans to the curb.

The Oswegonian turns 80, media tradition continues Seamus Lyman Editor-in-Chief slyman@oswegonian.com This year marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of The Oswegonian. Since 1935, Oswego State’s independent newspaper has provided coverage of the campus and surrounding community. This semester, we want to recognize the past 80 years of journalism produced at the hands of students. In our office, we have bound books full of past issues of The Oswegonian, including from the very first issue on June 29, 1935. Jack Quigg was the only member of the editorial staff for that first issue. The newspaper began during the summer session and was published by the Associated Student Body of the Oswego Normal School, as the teaching school would not become a degreegranting college until 1942. Just as it is today, the first volume of The Oswegonian was published each Friday morning. Members of the first staff came from a newswriting class, as well as students who were not in the class. The main objective of The Oswegonian was “to present the news of the school, serve as a bulletin, bring in a wider knowledge of the school as a whole to all the students and greater recognition of the

Image from The Oswegonian archive The cover of the first issue of The Oswegonian.

achievements of those connected with the school, either as students or faculty.” As a premier student media organization, we still hold true to these original goals. Now, in 2015 the circulation of The Oswegonian has reached 3,500 copies, spread throughout campus and the city of Oswego. Our staff has a total of 22 students and a number of reporters who write on a weekly basis. In a time where “newspapers are dying,” it’s

nice seeing the transition of The Oswegonian into the digital age, hopefully something Quigg and other founding members would be proud to see today. In the article introducing The Oswegonian, it was envisioned by the members that the newspaper would expand and grow beyond its four pages. “Although the paper begins as a small weekly news bulletin it may be expanded during the regular session of the Normal school by an increase in the number of pages or an increase in the size of each page.” Not only has The Oswegonian changed in page size, but we now publish a weekly paper with four sections totalling 20 pages. We also have an extensive website with two additional sections exclusive to the Internet. We’ve seen the likes of Steve Levy, Jay Beberman, John Kucko, Ryan Deffenbaugh and many more put words on our pages and in the future more will contribute to the living history of Oswego. So what does the future hold for The Oswegonian? Hopefully 20 years from now future members of the newspaper will look back and reflect on the milestone they’ve reached. Until then, we’ll stay dedicated to serving the student body of Oswego State.

Virtual reality may or may not be future for film industry Cherilyn Beckles Staff Writer opinion@oswegonian.com With technology rapidly advancing and enhancing each year, it keeps the public on its toes about what our future may look like. One of the most talked about new innovations in the tech world is virtual reality. Virtual reality has been dubbed the future of not only video games, but also film. As a child, I couldn’t have imagined a world with touch screen phones and Siri, but now as an adult I am thrown into a new world that could include virtual reality. I have read and watched a number of reviews and looked at new products such as the Oculus Rift, the Samsung Gear VR and Google Cardboard. Even though the

public loves the new virtual reality technology, I do not believe that it can be the future of film. With new technology comes new rules and new techniques that one has to learn and not everyone is currently or wants to be tech savvy. Having virtual reality encroach upon older generations and even the current generation’s way of watching movies will ruin the experience of film for everyone. Watching a movie with your family or friends should mean popping in a DVD or turning on Netflix and being able to be a part of your loved ones reaction to something funny or devastating. With an obnoxiously huge pair of goggles strapped to your head, I can imagine it being difficult to bond over a film. In the direction we are moving as a society, I understand the importance of technological advancement and how it can improve lives

across the globe. Virtual reality may even be cool and exciting for younger generations or those who are passionate about gaming, but for others who just want to go to a movie theater and watch a movie, virtual reality is impractical. We already have IMAX theatres that show movies in 3D and I think that is where film should end. No person should want to feel as though they are actually in “Frozen,” they should just sit back, relax and enjoy the movie. All the virtual reality technology it will take away from the film and people will be more interested in how cool it was rather than in the plot or the dynamic characters. Implementing virtual reality in film would change film’s relationship with our lives, which I believe we should not be allowed to happen.

INSIDE

Best of Netflix: shows to dive into when it’s cold

Fall Out Boy’s non-stop pop-punk party

Spring Video Game Preview: what’s new, what’s hot

FRIDAY Feb. 6, 2015

Laker Review The Oswegonian

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Events Calendar Friday, Feb. 6 through Friday, Feb. 13

ART EXHIBITIONS: “IDENTITY TIDES” & “SEARCHING” Date: Friday, Feb. 6 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: Second floor, Penfield Library ART EXHIBITION: “FANTASTIC ARCHITECTURES” Date: Friday, Feb. 6 Time: 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. Location: Oswego State Downtown, 186 W. First St. RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK Date: Monday, Feb. 9 Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Location: Marano Campus Center INTERNATIONAL COFFEE HOUR Date: Monday, Feb. 9 Time: 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Location: Room 255, Marano Campus Center FILM: “SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME” Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11 Time: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Location: Auditorium, Room 132, Marano Campus Center JAZZ CONCERT: PIANO-SAXOPHONE DUO Date: Thursday, Feb. 12 Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Ballroom, Sheldon Hall

LAKER REVIEW

Best of Netflix: Perfect snow day binge fest Ronel Puello Laker Review Editor rpuello@oswegonian.com With the worst of winter here and in Oswego’s case, here to stay for the rest of the semester, people are going to need their respites where they can find them. Some find relief in the gym by working on their summer beach bodies, but most of us are sulking in our rooms while we wait for delivery and watching Netflix. Here are a few shows to get you through waiting for that takeout that seems to be so far away. “Broadchurch” is a terrifically bleak British detective series starring fangirl favorite and “Doctor Who” alumnus David Tennant as a brooding investigator trying to solve the murder of a young boy in a small, seaside village in the U.K. The series lit up the social media scene in England and garnered enough buzz to warrant a watered-down American remake also starring Tennant, but those who consider their interest piqued should stick to the original. Aaron Sorkin’s “The West

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Photo provided by wired.com

Photo provided by flickr.com

Wing” is frequently touted as the greatest political drama ever put to the small screen, and with an ensemble cast supporting an absolutely electric Martin Sheen as fictitious President Jed Bartlett, it’s hard to argue with that. The show tackles the real issues facing the country in real-time in a post-9/11 world and the show still has much to say about our political discourse and the public’s relationship to the Oval Office in a moving and

poignant way as only Aaron Sorkin can. The show takes a markedly different tone with Sorkin’s departure in season five with the addition of a new president, but the show as a whole is 21st Century television at its best. The Internet was absolutely abuzz with the news that the entirety of the smash, much-beloved sitcom “Friends” would be available to stream on Netflix. Fans can now re-experience every “PIVOT,” every rendition

of “Smelly Cat” and “How you doin’?” as well as the still talked about series finale with Ross and Rachel’s emotional down-to-thewire romantic embrace. There’s a warm cup in front of a cozy couch at Central Perk waiting for you, so why not take the time to hop in? You can’t really go wrong with choosing on Netflix, there will always be something to watch and binge for hours on end and hopefully, you can make some friends in your dorm who happen to like these shows too.

Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World.” Ultimately placing second, it seemed that Simms would have the world at her fingertips. But, after only releasing a single following her reality television career, Simms parted ways with the mainstream industry and record labels all together. In 2014, she found new life in PledgeMusic, where she was successfully crowd-funded for an EP titled “All Or Nothing.” On the heels of its release, Simms will surely appeal to fans, both old and new. While sometimes falling back too closely to Loveletter’s mid2000 sound, “All Or Nothing” as a whole is a refreshingly good EP release. It brings out her rasp that is sure to be loved by older audiences, and creates an atmosphere of rebellion that will appeal to those of college ages or younger.

The debut single, also titled “All Or Nothing,” is the EP’s best track. It is anthemic and impressive. Most similar to her work on “The Voice,” she will surely reach the most audiences with this track. Its fiery tone and ferocious guitar-smashing beat will bring out the head-banger in all of us. On “Mystified,” Simms showcases a fervent side of herself that lines itself with metal-genre guitar streams and echoing lyrics. It is fierce and engrossing. Showing that she has lasting power as a solo act on “Mystified,” Simms exhibits a type of ferociousness that lets listeners know that she’s not backing out of music. “Evangeline” acts as the EP’s most classically rock tracks. With opening lines and beats reminiscent of Fleet-

wood Mac, Simms quickly explodes with a climactic chorus. On “All Or Nothing,” this track is refreshingly epitomic of a time many music lovers thought was gone. It will take listeners all of the will power in the world not to jump up and rock out. “End of The World” and “Not Broken Yet” are two tracks that are more in line with Simms work on Automatic Loveletter. While not a completely terrible aspect, the inability that seems to exist within Simms to part from this mid-2000 punk rock lens is one that is a little underwhelming. However, even with slight setbacks, the EP as a whole is actually quite amazing. Sifting through the two tracks moments of old-fan appeasement, the new direction that Simms looks to be going into is a welcome one. “All Or Nothing” blends a much more classic rock with a contemporary arrangement that will fill listeners to the brim with excitement.

Weekly EP: Juliet Simms’ “All or Nothing”

Riley Ackley Staff Writer laker@oswegonian.com

Cover image provided by falloutboy.com

Formed in 2007, Automatic Loveletter spoke to teens across the United States with their angsty punk-rock lyrics and Vans Warped Touresque lingo. Loveletter’s front woman, Juliet Simms, was a shining star in a sea of gritty, garage band rock music. With her classic and unique rasp, Simms seemed unstoppable, and when the band became mostly dormant around 2011, the rocker found herself lined up for a promising adventure on NBC’s “The Voice.” During her run on the show, Simms won over viewers with her classic rock covers of “Roxanne” and “It’s A

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

‘Taken 3’ doesn’t break mold, predictable action feature

Elliott Altland Staff Writer laker@oswegonian.com

The original “Taken” was a special movie akin to the original “Die Hard.” Both were fantastic action movies that were later worn out with increasingly worse sequels attempting to cash in on their initial success. “Taken” stands as the beginning of Liam Neeson’s dominance in the action genre; while none of his subsequent movies quite match the magic of “Taken,” they do an acceptable job of scratching the action movie itch. “Taken 3” once again fails to live up to what came before it, but it passes as a fun and engaging action film. The biggest problem with “Taken 3” is that the movie doesn’t really fit into the “Taken” universe. “Taken,” as a standalone movie, is an incredible action film with great “Bourne” style close combat and memorable quotes. “Taken 2” was forced in its narrative, but utilized a lot of the combat aspects that made the original great, making it enjoyable in its own right. “Taken 3” does not follow the narrative path the initial films created and greatly limits the action, making it the worst in the trilogy. The plot of the movie isn’t terrible.

However, it is an unoriginal story that has been told better before. We have the unstoppable action hero, the team of sidekicks, the defenseless damsel, the obnoxious Russian crew, the psychopath Russian spy, the useless cops and the one cop who actually knows what’s going on. If you are looking for a stereotypical action movie trope, “Taken 3” has them all. The problem is it doesn’t do anything to differentiate these characters from what’s been done in the past. Liam Neeson (“A Walk Among the Tombstones”) attempts to shoulder the weight of this movie as ex-CIA agent Bryan Mills, but his screen time and action sequences are far too limited. The foundation of this franchise is built upon the ferocity and charisma Neeson was able to bring in the first installment, so it’s disappointing to watch this entry move away from that. The bottom line is that these films have succeeded because people want to see Neeson run around being a rough action hero, threatening, torturing and murdering everyone that stands in his way. This film tries to get all of the secondary characters involved too and focuses more on the emotional ramifications of a traumatic event, in the process drifting away from the strengths of the franchise. Still, Neeson once again succeeds as the damaged and desperate anti-

hero. He brings a charismatic and intimidating presence to the screen that wins over the viewer. His action sequences are gritty and engaging. At any point it looks like he might be losing the fight. This coupled with the smart use of setting makes for entertaining and realistic action set pieces, while also making his more malicious actions socially acceptable. Neeson is an unstoppable physical force paired with smart one-liners. He is the reason people are buying tickets. “Taken 3” limits his action to the second half of the movie, unfortunately, and gives way too much screen time to a less talented crop of secondary characters. Maggie Grace (Kim, the daughter), Dougray Scott (the step father) and Sam Spruell (the angry Russian) all do average jobs in their limited roles but don’t bring anything new to the table. These are cookie-cutter roles that have been seen time and again and make “Taken 3” more of an action movie highlight reel then a new adventure. Forest Whitaker does a great job as the one smart cop but has random and unexplained character tendencies. Whitaker is a mental rival to Neeson but has no character development or background. That being said, Whitaker is a nice addition to the series as he pushes Neeson past just his physical limits. Neeson has some great undercover detective-like

with Larry Wilmore” debuted at 11:30 p.m. on Comedy Central. “The Nightly Show” finds its strengths in synthesizing a program that borrows from the best aspects of “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” while also adding its own spin on the formula. Similar to Stewart’s and Colbert’s shows, Wilmore begins his by sitting at a desk and speaking directly to the camera about the absurdity of the news that day. But unlike Stewart and Colbert, Wilmore’s show chooses to focus on one specific news topic and poke fun at, interpret and dissect it. So far, the topics discussed on the show are boldly controversial and fully embrace that quality. Some that were already discussed include Ferguson protests, gay marriage, the allegations against Bill Cosby and issues within the NFL. “The Nightly Show” thrives on tackling legitimate issues while also poking fun at them. The show’s entire second half is devoted to discussing the news in a panel discussion with Wilmore acting as the moderator. Wilmore always makes his stance abun-

dantly clear and challenges the always-rotating four-person panel with simultaneously hard-hitting and humorous questions. So far the panel has consisted of a variety of comedians, politicians, journalists, authors and more each representing varied political, racial and social views. The final segment of the night, and often the most entertaining, is “Keep It 100,” which Wilmore describes as, “the black version of Truth or Dare except here we don’t have the dare.” In this segment, Wilmore poses a question to each member of the panel. Sometimes the question is absurd, but other times they are very personal or controversial. Wilmore challenges the panelist to be 100 percent honest in answering. He then decides if they “kept it real” and awards them with a “I Kept It 100” sticker or a “weak tea” tea bag if they did not. “The Nightly Show” is an impressive feat. The show manages to meaningfully examine news topics and actually delve into the real issues while simultaneously finding

Photo provided by hdwallsource.com Liam Neeson is back again as a vengeful father who can’t stop losing his daughter.

scenes to accompany his action, giving us a full range of his talents. The director, Olivier Megaton, took some surprising camera choices in the faster moments of the movie that didn’t pay off. In a car chase and in a gas station fight the camera rapidly changes angles throughout, taking away from the feeling of immersion. At some points it’s hard to distinguish what is actually going on in these scenes because the director is constantly jumping between cameras. The action in the first two movies was successful because it was engaging, but the action in this movie can be jarring to watch. After some one-note villains and an overused plot, the series comes to

an end in disappointing fashion. After everything we have seen over the trilogy, and everything Neeson did, he walks away with no real closure or conclusion for his character. He is almost in the exact same spot he was in the last movie. Considering this is supposed to be the final chapter, it leaves the viewer wanting more. “Taken 3” doesn’t live up to the level of quality set down by its predecessors. It attempts a new formula by giving a much larger role to the supporting cast, but this franchise was loved because of what Neeson delivers. The movie ultimately ends the franchise on a whimper rather than a bang, but Neeson makes for an enjoyable ride.

‘The Nightly Show’ lives up to hype, adds new things to mix Peter J. Hanley Copy Editor phanley@oswegonian.com

When “The Colbert Report” left the air in December, it left behind a big half-hour timeslot to fill. Colbert’s unique blend of satire and politics was able to transcend its “Daily Show” origins to become its own beast. The show had a fervent fan base and left the air as fresh as ever. Naturally, this led to doubts about whether the replacement act would even come close to hitting as strong as Colbert did. In May of 2014, Comedy Central announced Larry Wilmore would take over the timeslot upon Colbert’s departure. Like Colbert, Wilmore was groomed in political comedy on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” where he served as the show’s Senior Black Correspondent from 2006 to 2014. Regardless of his experience, there were still skeptics who wondered if Wilmore could breathe his own life into a political late night comedy show. Those doubts were laid to rest on Jan. 19 when “The Nightly Show

Photo provided by thecomedynetwork.ca “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” is keeping it real after Colbert’s departure.

the humor in them. The debates in the show are just as lively as the laughs, and this is entirely due to Wilmore knowing exactly when to go in and when to pull back and be

serious. This perfect balancing act is what keeps the show’s formula feeling fresh every episode. It’s an exciting show so far, and one to keep an eye on.

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

‘American Sniper’ complicated, emotional portrait of war veteran

Elliott Altland Staff Writer laker@oswegonian.com

“American Sniper” makes you leave the theater in a state of semishock trying to absorb/rationalize everything you have seen. If nothing else, “American Sniper” elicits an emotional response from the viewer like few other films can. This ability to force empathy doesn’t come from the script’s narrative strengths, but instead rests solely on the shoulders of star Bradley Cooper (“Guardians of the Galaxy”). While the film is faulted, Cooper’s performance is unquestionably award-worthy. In an industry oversaturated with films depicting soldiers at war, a well told, modern, Middle Eastern war movie still feels original and fresh. The War on Terror, while initially dramatic in its effects on American life, has faded to the background of our culture. The difference in the cultural and daily impact of war on our nation now, compared to the past wars, is drastic. This change in perception of war is what adds to the dramatic nature and emotional impact “American Sniper” has on the viewer. While the war in the Middle East doesn’t bleed over into American culture the same way wars of the past have, “Ameri-

can Sniper” brings the horrors of war to the viewer by giving them a new cinematic approach in understanding what has been happening. Ultimately, Clint Eastwood is attempting to make “American Sniper” a tribute and a “thank you” to the soldiers overseas by acknowledging the mental and physical trials they have been enduring. Cooper is extraordinary. His performance carries the otherwise simplistic narrative and is the singular reason this movie is great rather than just good. Doing what he does best, Cooper begins young, energetic and charismatic. This aura follows the character into his first tour of duty when the soldier is finally tested. By quickly and successfully winning over the audience early on, the film is then able to show the character’s descent into darkness without isolating Cooper. The audience is sympathetic toward the character throughout the entire movie and is actively rooting for the character even at his lowest moments. This is less impressive though because the audience is never really tested. Cooper’s character finds his fair share of struggles handling PTSD and adjusting to civilian life, but his actions never push the audience away. It’s easy to feel bad for Cooper because we see him struggle to connect with his family, and watch him panic in everyday life, but all of this build

up is for nothing. However with Cooper’s ability to portray paranoia, fear and panic leads to a compelling character that is easy to support and feel empathetic toward. Everything surrounding Cooper is immersive though unremarkable. The secondary characters, setting and action all do their part without ever standing out. Ultimately, it’s this fear to explore murky waters that holds back Eastwood’s film. Almost all Middle Eastern characters in this movie are shown as terrorists, helping the terrorists or as civilian bombers. The only exception is a family that is killed off by The Butcher, the primary antagonist, early on in the

Andy Hurley on percussion and Joe Trohman on guitar. All four of the band members had a hand in writing and composing the album. “American Beauty/ American Psycho” introduces a new sound for the pop-punk quartet. While some songs are reminiscent of their previous albums, most of the songs are much more pop-oriented. Unlike their previous albums, the lyrics on this album are very repetitive. Much like their previous album, Patrick Stump has kept up his soulful sound. “One of the things with this record that we wanted to do was more or less reinvent our sound,” Stump said in an interview with VH1. “A big reason for that is we wanted to establish for ourselves that we want to be doing this for a while. We don’t want to be caught up in the past and just keep repeating ourselves.” To start off the album, “Irresistible” begins with a loud and powerful introduction that features a

brass ensemble. Also debuting at No. 1 on the charts, “Irresistible” showcases Stump’s unique falsetto. Throughout the song there is a rhythm break where the bass drum hits twice without anything else in the song. It is a quick and unique rhythm choice that adds to the overall quality of the song. “Jet Pack Blues” is the closest thing to a ballad “American Beauty/American Psycho” has. The song mainly focuses on the beautiful yet somber lyrics. Throughout the song, there is a heavy drum beat and just a hint of a piano that brings a calming effect to the sound. Near the end of the ballad, a beautiful guitar solo adds a very rhythmic and cosmic feel that is not present in any other song on the album. Named after the actress, “Uma Thurman” is the third single released off the album. Featuring the theme from “The Munsters,” “Uma Thurman” is bursting with energy. The song makes you want to jump out of your seat and start moving to

Photo provided by americansnipermovie.com Bradley Cooper excels as an elite sniper dealing with the ramifications of his choices.

film. As a result, there’s a clear divide in good against evil and the audience isn’t phased or alarmed when it’s said that Cooper has killed over 150 people. The audience feels that each kill was justified because the movie never shows good, innocent people, only murderers and enemies. The setting and action are noteworthy only because they never take the viewer out of the movie. The Middle Eastern setting is fully developed, though it’s something that doesn’t impress the viewer. The final action set piece stands out because of a large incoming sandstorm; the choice to cover the action and character in the chaos of the storm was a risky move,

but it pays off. The viewer finds themselves confused and wondering what’s happening, the exact emotion Eastwood wanted to achieve. What the movie does very well rests in Cooper’s emotional responses to his actions in combat. Watching Cooper filled with regret, panic gets the viewer on the edge of their seat and immersed in the firefights, something that wouldn’t have been achieved without his caliber of acting. “American Sniper” is a great movie that is just too afraid to be risky. The movie serves as a glimpse into the evils of war that our troops are fighting, both away and at home. In this regard the movie becomes easily likable and elicits an emotional response from the audience. The viewer is never questioned or tested, making them supportive and sympathetic to Chris Kyle throughout his life. Cooper does an extraordinary job both in showcasing his charisma and internal suffering. Ultimately, the movie gives the viewer a new sense of appreciation for the work that our soldiers are doing by making the war a simplistic good vs. evil conflict and showcasing the mental and physical scars our soldiers are suffering. “American Sniper” is definitely a movie worth seeing even if it hamstrings its own potential to be greater.

Fall Out Boy’s irresistible pop-punk sound on newest album

Heather Clark Asst. Laker Review Editor laker@oswegonian.com

The guys of Fall Out Boy are back with their sixth studio album “American Beauty/American Psycho.” On Jan. 16, the album debuted as the number 1 album in the U.S. In the first week alone, the album sold 192,000 copies, making it their third No. 1 album. The lead single “Centuries” has gone platinum since its release in September. “American Beauty/ American Psycho” is a follow-up to their fifth studio album “Save Rock and Roll” which was released in 2013. All of the lyrics for “American Beauty/ American Psycho” were written during Fall Out Boy’s “Monumentour” this past summer which was co-headlined by fellow pop-punk band, Paramore. Fall Out Boy is made up of Pete Wentz on bass guitar, Patrick Stump on lead vocals, keyboard and guitar,

Photo provided by vvinyl.com The boys are back in town with an infectious sound on ‘American Beauty/American Psycho.’

the beat. Although it is repetitive, the song’s lyrics are very catchy and can get stuck in listeners heads after the first listen. Toward the end of the song, there is a heavy rock vibe that wraps up the song perfectly.

Unlike some other rock bands, Fall Out Boy is not afraid to embrace the pop take-over. “We aren’t the last rock band,” Stump said in an interview. “But we’re the last rock band that doesn’t think that pop is a four-letter word.”

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Icelandic vocalist Björk’s new, dazzling reinvention of pop

-Riley Ackley gPromotional Director -rackley@oswegonian.com . s s g c It could be said that no artist’s rbody of work has been consis,tently marked by acclamation and eapplause more than Icelandic artrist, Björk’s. With eight, full-length LPs under her belt and the most trecent one’s early release receiving opromising remarks, Björk’s career ais one for the history books. t Titled “Vulnicura,” Björk’s latyest installment is as much a piece eof artwork as her previous endeavdors. With unique compositions mand new age synthesis, the flow of -the record is impeccable. Its abilgity to create an atmosphere that cis both endearing and creatively .absorbing is a clear and precise bability that only Björk seems able ato master. It is one of her strongest ,releases to date and as a whole, it wrepresents the months leading up kto her breakup with artist Matythew Barney. d The lead track off of “Vulnicugra” is “Stonemilker.” Always odd rand incredibly hard to decipher, nBjörk’s style is most classically h n

utilized here. Echoing and powerful, “Stonemilker” tells a story of heartache and the inability for two people to meet eye-to-eye emotionally. It’s emotional and raw and through careful listening, one will be able to pick up on its beauty. On “History of Touches,” Björk showcases throbbing and pulsating beats, as she recounts moments of spiritual intimacy in the end of her relationship. Through hollow sounds and poignant lyrics, listeners will feel as though they are as much a part of the story as the person she sings about. “Family” begins as one of Björk’s darkest tracks. It’s wiry, synthetic instrumentals and shadowy vocal strides are sure to consume those exposed to this intricate creation. Coming through the airwaves in pieces of a whole, each moment of this eight-minute track is as grasping as the next. It is one of the most serious tracks off of “Vulnicura” and a surefire favorite. But, while “Family” is one of the best songs off of the album, the truly greatest is “Notget.” With an opening most in line with a peculiar sideshow of melodies, “Notget” only continues on its journey

Photo provided by commons.wikimedia.org Internationally renowned singer-songwriter Björk graces her avid listeners with an entirely weird, untouchable style of her own.

in eccentricity. As it grows, this outlandish creation brings itself to its own end. The final track off the album is “Quicksand.” Written and composed solely by Björk, “Quicksand” shines with slithering and somehow danceable beats. It is by far the most pop-oriented song off “Vulnicura,” but it still

feels like regal art. Maybe it’s mainstream to an extent, but for Björk, a little normalizing can be afforded, at least for a moment. As otherworldly and extraterrestrial as albums go, Björk’s “Vulnicura” takes the figurative cake. It is a piece of a revolutionary masterpiece performance art that has allowed her to succeed and stave

off irrelevancy in a time saturated by single line lyrics and basic pop beats. She is both a creator and a visionary and what she provides to us is the means to listen to something we may not be meant to understand, but should still appreciate. “Vulnicura” is everything the pop world needs right now. Other “artists” should take note.

Spring video game preview: something for every niche Elliott Altland Staff Writer laker@oswegonian.com

Fall 2014 graced us with a mixed bag of triple-A video games; while there were some undoubtedly exceptional titles, they were outnumbered by the amount of games that shipped broken and riddled with technical issues. If you still haven’t made it through the fall backlog, you should definitely visit titles like “Dragon Age: Inquisition,” “Halo: The Master Chief Collection,” “Far Cry 4,” next generation “Grand Theft Auto V,” “Sunset Overdrive” and earlier titles “Destiny” and “Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor.” While many of the most anticipated games of the year are scheduled for fall 2015, this spring promises a diverse as,sortment of games to appeal to eany gamer. From open world eRPG’s to multiplayer shooters, nspring 2015 has games for everykone and is bringing us what may abe the best game yet for next generation consoles.

Photo provided by mortalkombat.com

Mortal Kombat has had its high and low moments over its plethora of entries, but for the casual two-player fighter, no franchise is more fun to play with friends. “Mortal Kombat X” is exceptionally beautiful and this is coupled with a wide collection of brutal fatality finishers. Fatalities are what make “Mortal Kombat” special; it’s a simplistic fighting game with a layer of depth for those who want it, but it provides the player with highlights they can’t wait to tell their friends about. For anyone looking for a fun couch two- player, “Mortal Kombat” promises to deliver and have the whole room on their feet cheering.

Photo provided by flickr.com

Most of the games so far have been beautiful in a sense of realism, but “Ori and the Blind Forest” uses color to create unforgettable level designs. A 2-D platformer is usually more at home on a handheld device, but “Ori and the Blind Forest” controls well on the console and has critics comparing it to greats like Rayman and Mario. The storytelling, particle effects and upgrade system have players excited for more time with the game. While this game won’t provide as much value in terms of length, as some of the other games on this list, it’s a platformer that has set itself up to be a can’t miss game of the year.

Photo provided by evolvegame.com

“Evolve” is a breath of fresh air in an overcrowded FPS genre. The game finally brings something new to the table that isn’t just speed or changes in weapons. The game modes in “Evolve” are unique and creative instead of just variations of what we have played before. The game stays fresh and new by including 12 different playable characters and three unique monsters, ensuring that almost no match plays the same. Controls are fine tuned, characters are well developed and diverse and the game is balanced, never feeling unfair.

Photo provided by thewitcher.com

Coming in right at the end of the semester, “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” claims to last over 120 hours for completionists. This stands as the perfect summer game because you can spend countless hours running around after side quests and hunting monsters without ever touching the story. From dynamic storytelling, compelling and emotionally realistic characters to the unique and unmatched quality of its world creation, “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” has a strong chance for 2015 game of the year and has been the most anticipated E3 game for two years now.

LAKER REVIEW

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Comics & Games

Cre ati ve Writing

Crossword Puzzle Nora stood calf-deep in the cold lake water. She could feel her lower back muscles more than she had in a number of years, due to carrying the cedar planks for their new dock down to the water bank. She watched her husband swear under his breath. He had been fidgeting with a piece of galvanized steel for 10 minutes, trying to place it in the rocks for the base of the dock. “Do you want me to do something?” she asked. Her husband let out a deep sigh. Nora couldn’t tell if it was because he was exhausted or because she’d asked the wrong question at the wrong time. “No,” Jim said. Nora nodded. “They lied on their website,” Jim said. “What are you talking about?” She walked closer in the water. “You know, on their dock website, they said, ‘Easily installed by the doit yourselfer!’ They lied.” Nora pinched her lips together, trying not to laugh. “Maybe you’re just not a do-it yourselfer. Maybe we should have paid the money for them to assemble it?” With his hands around the pole, Jim twisted it into the rocks underwater. He made a grunting sound that reminded her of her labor with their daughter. “We don’t need people to do it for us, Nora,” he said between twists.

Camillo Licata | The Oswegonian

Lily Choi | The Oswegonian

“You sure I can’t help more?” Jim dropped the pole in the water and stood straight up in one quick movement. “No,” he said. “Just need a break.” He said it under his breath, like he was almost ashamed. “I’m going to get a beer,” he said. Nora sat down on the beach to wait. They had only had the cabin for a few months and it seemed they had had more arguments in it than they had in their year-round home. She told herself it was the stress of an extra mortgage and maintenance of another house that caused it, but she didn’t always believe herself. She sifted through some stones on the edge of the water and found a piece of rock. It was gray and smooth, even with little pieces chipped away. She had been watching documentaries on geology at night since Hannah had gone away to college. She’d learned quite a bit about rocks. “Got you a beer, too,” Jim said when he reached the beach again. Nora saw him looking at the rock in her hand. “What’s that?” he asked. “A piece of shale,” she said, handing it to him. He looked at it for a second and then tossed it into the lake. She watched it go. What she knew: It took 10,000 years to create a piece of shale, layer after layer, the finicky work of centuries. It took no time at all for it to fall apart.

Down

1. Beer’s kin 2. Hastened 3. Intrinsic 4. Traditional saying 5. List ender (abbr.) 6. Run into 7. Vague 8. North African

Across

1. 5. 8. 12. 13. 14. 15. 17. 18. 19. 21. 24. 25. 26. 31. 33. 34. 35.

38. 39. 40. 42. 46. 47. 48. 52. 53. 54. 55. Puzzle provided by boatloadpuzzles.com 56. 57. 9. Beasts of burden 27. Brother’s sib 10. Tootsies 42. 28. Measuring utensil 11. Attaches 43. 29. Toledo’s lake 16. Ark patriarch 44. 30. Raggedy Ann, e.g. 20. Forget-me-___ 45. 32. Narrowed 21. Peddled 49. 36. Mr. Franklin 22. Earnest request 50. 37. Delhi dress 23. Going away 51. 41. Biblical food

Opera song Outback bird Lounge Come ashore Twice five Cut down Improved Mind Self-esteem Renters Butter or jam Pro Bullfight cheer Paused Pre-Easter season Fasten Roman emperor Large sets of computer info Be unwell Part of MPH ____ in distress Souvenir Knock sharply Copier Chicago’s state Swamp Born as Flaring star Scored on serve “In ___ We Trust” Afresh Doll’s cry Hero’s tale Insignificant Bogus butter Conducted “___ Got Sixpence” Carpenter’s tool

For this week’s crossword answers go to:

Oswegonian.com/lreview

50 190

CLASSIFIEDS

lassifieds

Contact:Selena Ferguson

classifieds@oswegonian.com

Phone: 315.312.3600

Efficiency apartment. One quiet person required. Utilities included. Internet, cable, water and trash included. No smoking or pets. Off-street parking. On bus route. Avaliable immediatly. 3437072. Leave message. Affordable off-campus housing. Great locations. 1-8 bedroom houses. Starting at $340/ month pp. Utilities included optional. 315-591-2735 www.oswegostudenthousing.com www.dunsmoorstudenthousing.com

4 Bedroom house, 2016-2016. One of our nicest homes. Hardwood floors. Double living room. Two bathrooms. Dishwasher and coin-free laundry. See this house! $369 base rent or $519. EVERYTHING included. 315-963-8286 or 315-593-0707 2 Bedroom duplex, 2015-2016. First floor, nice size, good condition. Front porch. Coin-free laundry. 315-963-8286 or 315593-07007 (no text) 2 Bedroom House, 2015-2016. Very close to the college. One of our favorites. Clean and nice. Private. Dishwasher, coin-free laundry. A great home. 315-963-8286 (no text) Renting for 2015-2016 school year. Newly remodeled 4 & 5 bedroom houses. 1 block from campus. Off-street parking, garbage, snow removal, free laundry. 2nd semester available. Call Geoff 315-439-0805

Renting for 2015-2016 school year. 1-8 bedroom house/ apartments. Neat, clean, quiet. Off-street parking. Garbage and snow removal. 315-343-5005 www.AveryRentalProperties.com 3 Bedroom House, 20152016. Very nice shape. Large living room with hardwood floors. Dishwasher, coin-free laundry. $509 p/p, everything include. 315-963-8286 or 315-593-0707 (no text) 4 Bedroom House, 20152016. Our most affordable house. Nice condition. Large lawn and deck. Coin-free laundry. 2 bathrooms. Close to campus. Only $489 p/p, includes EVERYTHING: Heat, Electric, Water, Garbage, Cable, and WIFI. 315-963-8285 or 315-593-0707 (no text)

LOOK COLLEGE LADIES who dance! Make some serious cash dancing at Boozer’s Saloon. Amateurs welcome. Apply at 171 East Mitchell St., Oswego. 315343-0631

Newly built 1 & 2 bedroom apts. Free lawn care, garbage/ snow removal. On premises washer/dryer. Partial or all utilities. 342-6764 www. mbrancatoproperties.com Available 2015-2016. Newly remodeled 1 & 2 BR apartments. Prime location. Free garbage, lawn, and snow removal. 591-2253 LARGE 3-4 bedroom HOUSE. HUGE rooms. Nice location, Close to downtown. ALL utilities included. Call or text 315-593-4857 4-5 bedroom home. Large rooms, great location. ALL utilities provided. Plenty of parking with plowing. Free use of furniture and washer/dryer. Call or text 315-593-4857

With a disruptive vibe settling in, you may need to watch out when it comes to over-estimating results and outcomes. A tendency to assume the absolute best could have you missing out on subtle gains.

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20): You may notice a slower pace, whether you’re working or not. It’s going to be a week where you may need to defer from creativity in order to follow a more routine course of action. It’s best to focus on the end results rather than on innovativeness.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22):

If yesterday you put your foot down and got the results you wanted, then today is a day to move on from that point. It might not always be in your best interests to be too accomodating, but this week you may actually benefit from such an approach. Acknowledge the progress you made.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22): You should be able to enjoy a major success at work or school, thanks to your naturally sharp communication skills, as long as you don’t try to take on too much. Take a breather during the morning to accurately assess what you can do without overextending yourself.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21): Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22): A shift in your attitude could have you going off in the wrong direction. You may be inclined to react without thinking through the various risks. Snap decisions may appear easy, but you’re likely to keep changing your mind thereafter. Progress might be difficult this week.

A break from routine is what you’ll want, and there’s a good chance an attractive suggestion might turn up. You’ll also be in demand to offset the rather dull vibes on the work front; someone will be looking to you to liven up the atmosphere.

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

Difficulty: Easy

Nice 5-6 bedroom house. Many updates. ALL utilities included. Call or text 315593-4857 Very spacious 7-8 bedrooms. Nice size rooms. Great location. ALL utilities included. Call or text 315-593-4857 Available 2015-2016: 1-4 bedroom houses. West side. Free washer/dryer, off-street parking. Rent includes snow, garbage, lawn care and water. Lease and security. Call 529-1015 Attractive 1,2, & 3 bedroom apartment. Heat, trash, washer/ dryer included. Off-street parking. Near campus. Available June 1, 2015. 720-9333

Horoscopes Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19):

Sudoku

FRIDAY, Feb. 6, 2015

Difficulty: Hard

BY Gabrielle Reimann Libra (Sep. 23 - Oct. 23):

A short journey could bring surprise. Get-togethers with friends will be much more fun than your original plans for the weekend. Your finances are looking good, so you can afford to be a little impulsive, even if you haven’t planned anything definite right now.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 21): It’s a day to muddle through. There is a great deal of determination in certain key areas of your life, but not in others. This may leave you feeling a little let down, since you’ll be able to deal with some circumstances, while the easier things may well be harder than you thought.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Dry characteristics could have an impact on emotional and romantic matters. You will need to make sure you are clear in what you are saying. Dropping ambiguous

ON THIS DATE

hints is unlikely to work, as there is a

distinct likelihood of a misinterpretation, which can be avoided.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19):

There’s a definite vibe slowing you down, which will become apparent as it starts to impact your energy levels from the start. You may be thinking seriously about getting things done, but moving forward might be difficult. You’ll need extra effort if you want to move forward.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): There is a possible bit of good luck, that could be connected to your finances. The connection may well be indirect, but this will serve as a good time to look at your current money arrangements. A few small changes could lead to some major improvements overall.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20): There may be a slight tendency to revisit and go over a fairly recent

conversation. If this is connected to a romantic matter then it might not be the best day to address all the variables as the timing may be out of sync. A slight sense of confusion may be the real antagonist.

1895: Famous New York Yankees baseball player Babe Ruth is born. 1911: Fortieth President of the United States Ronald Reagan is born. 1932: Dog sled racing happened for the first time in Olympic competition. 1943: Frank Sinatra made his debut as a vocalist on radio’s “Your Hit Parade.”