Harpur's Ferry turns 40
Release writers drop the load about both the crappiest and the most pristine bathrooms on campus, see page 12
Pipe Dream examines the history of the student-run ambulance service, see page 6
Pipe Dream Tuesday, October 22, 2013 | Binghamton University | www.bupipedream.com | Vol. LXXXIV, Issue 14
‘Frackdown’ draws 120
BU alums to open housing complex Chenango Place boasts 47 apartments, riverside view
Brendan Zarkower Contributing Writer
Downtown rally joins protesters from communities nationwide
Photo Provided
Students and community members responded to a call to action Saturday afternoon at the Peacemaker’s Stage in Downtown Binghamton. The rally drew over 120 to protest hydraulic fracturing.
WHAT IS FRACKING? Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a natural gas extraction process. It involves digging a vertical well and tapping into shale rock to inject a mix of water, sand and chemicals that break up the rock and release the gas.
Christina Pullano | Editor-in-Chief Eurih Lee | News Intern Students and community members responded to a national call to action Saturday afternoon at Binghamton’s “Global Frackdown.” Held Downtown at the Peacemaker’s Stage, the rally drew over 120 to protest hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The increasingly controversial process involves shooting water, chemicals and sand into the ground to break apart rocks and extract natural gas. Supporters of fracking claim that the industry could offer New York an economic boom, specifically reviving economically struggling areas like the Southern Tier, while anti-frackers cite chemical contamination and adverse health effects as reasons to ban the process. At the “Global Frackdown,” citizens gathered with signs to hear personal testimonies from several speakers who have felt the effects of fracking. Two of the signs read “We Are Not Guinea Pigs” and “Don’t Frack With Our Water.” For five years, New York has been under a de facto moratorium on high-volume fracking, launched in 2008 by thenGov. David Paterson. Paterson delayed a decision on fracking, ordering the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to complete the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) before committing to a ban. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has delayed action until SGEIS, meant to determine the potential environmental and health effects of fracking, has been completed. In the meantime, anti-frackers in New York are pushing for a full ban on the process. “Global Frackdown” organizer and Binghamton University alumnus Isaac Silberman-Gorn called the rally a “day of solidarity” among communities fighting to end fracking. Over 200 communities participated in the movement, with 22 just in New York state. “What people don’t realize is that this is a statewide, countrywide and worldwide
Drill
Well
Water Table Aquifer
Shale issue,” Silberman-Gorn said. “If you don’t feel the effects of fracking, you’re going to feel the effects of the associated infrastructure.” New Yorkers Against Fracking, Food & Water Watch, Frack Action, Citizen Action of New York and New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) collaborated to host the second annual “Global Frackdown.” Among the anti-fracking attendees was also a group of roughly 10 pro-drilling campaigners. “It’s better than the alternative,” said Binghamton native Victor Furman, naming nuclear and coal fuels as more harmful energy options. “There’s a whole bunch of things that you can do to conserve energy and not have such a high demand for energy, but we’re pigs. We’re energy pigs. We can’t live without it.” Ayla Alvarez, a junior majoring in
political science who joined the Frackdown with a sign that read “Frack is Wack,” said regional environmental concerns are important across the state. “Whether or not if you live in New York City or Long Island, fracking, if it begins in New York state, will affect all of us regardless,” Alvarez said. “A lot of people aren’t aware of that, and they think that it’s just an isolated issue, and it’s really not.” Justin Neal, a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, called for more attention to fracking legislation. “Stop watching reality shows, and stop watching Miley Cyrus,” Neal said. “Turn on the news for a second and stay informed.” Saturday’s demonstration took place in the wake of a letter written earlier
See FRACK Page 7
Two Binghamton University alumni are planning to increase options for Downtown student housing with the Chenango Place on Court Street, set to open in fall 2014. Ron Kutas ‘06, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, and Ian Bel ‘06, who graduated with a bachelor’s degreee in philosophy, politics and law, converted the historic Fair Store into 47 apartments containing 176 bedrooms. “The location is perfectly situated on the water, right next to a newly renovated river trail,” Kutas said. “It’s a very historically symbolic property and a unique building.” Kutas stayed in the area for a year after he graduated to manage some properties he had purchased during his undergraduate years. He now lives in New York City but decided to expand his operations in Binghamton. “We wanted to be part of
the modern revitalization effort of Downtown. I love the charm that Binghamton has,” Kutas said. “It really has a small town and community feel while being a good-sized city. It’s really laid-back here and provides for a nice quality of life.” Prices of the units depend on several factors, but will generally be between $700 and $1,000 per month, including utilities. The apartments range from studio to six-bedroom. Many students are interested in the prospect of additional housing options, but have reservations about the cost of Chenango Place. “I’m considering moving off campus next year, and I’ve heard it can be cheaper than living on campus if you go to the right place, but I feel like [Chenango Place] might end up more expensive after all is said and done,” said Paul Miller, a junior majoring in English. On-campus housing will cost students anywhere from $4,148 per semester for a double in College-in-the-
See alum Page 4
Student recalls riots in Egypt Jessie Heller Pipe Dream News
To give Binghamton University students a look at the conditions for students their age in Egypt, Peace Action Binghamton University organized a Skype conversation with a student from Cairo University. JooWon Kim, a senior majoring in political science, interned in Egypt and hosted the session to discuss violence taking place in the country. Uprisings
in Egypt started in 2011 when the people clamored to oust then-President Hosni Mubarak, who was not elected democratically and was denounced through social media. Students spoke live via Skype with Omar Deraz, a 19-year old studying political science and economics. “Things are really unstable right now. Every day people are dying and going missing,” Deraz said. “Yesterday there was a
See riot Page 5
Janine Furtado/Assistant Photo Editor
JooWon Kim, a senior majoring in political science, speaks on the uprisings in Egypt before hosting Omar Deraz, a 19-year old studying political science and economics at Cairo University, on Skype.