Fall 2014 Issue 26

THIS YEAR IN POP CULTURE

2014 has been a wild ride. Let’s review, shall we? see pages 5 and 6

2014

YEAR IN REVIEW

PIPE DREAM Monday, December 15, 2014 | Binghamton University | www.bupipedream.com | Vol. LXXXIII, Finals Issue

In finals stretch, Bartle becomes home

Students bunker down within library stacks for last-minute studying

Zuzu Boomer-Knapp Staff Writer

Pei Qi Yang sat at a secluded computer in the Glenn G. Bartle Library Pods Tuesday evening as she put the finishing touches on her history and psychology final papers.

Everything she needed was laid out on her desk: two empty teas from Jazzman’s, a box of crackers, lip balm, hand lotion and a bag of chocolates.

“I’m here all the time,” said Yang, a senior majoring in integrative neuroscience. “I guess it’s just the thought of being in a library that pushes you to do work and that’s why I always come back here. My dorm gets distracting more easily.

It’s almost like your bed is screaming your name. You want to jump in and be comfortable.”

As finals approach, many students like Yang go to the library to study, do work or escape the dorms. However, as Yang attests, sometimes sacrificing sleep for a better grade is detrimental in the long run.

Yang said she does not spend the night at Bartle like some of her fellow Binghamton University students. She said she learned that lesson three years ago as a freshman, when spending two nights studying for finals in Bartle with friends resulted in her doing poorly on her finals that semester.

See CRAM Page 2

At town hall, a call to address discrimination

Groups present Nieman with 25 reforms for Spring Chloe Rehfield Staff Writer

Photo Illustration by Klara Rusinko/Assistant Photo Editor

Jordan Merritt, a junior majoring in biology, sleeps on a couch while studying in the Glenn G. Bartle Library. A recent Binghamton University study conducted on 100 BU students found that a lack of sleep, or even going to sleep too late in the night, can lead to an increase in negative thoughts similar to those produced by anxiety disorders.

Lecture Hall 13 was overflowing Thursday night as students dragged in extra chairs and filled doorways to discuss the prevalence of discrimination on campus.

Led by a panel of E-Board members from the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Equality Project, students reviewed a list of 25 reforms being submitted to provost Donald Nieman to address racial, sexual and ethnic discrimination.

E-Board members and students who partook in the conversation said they felt targeted as minorities and found that staff, faculty and students are uninformed about different cultures. According to many attendees, however, the University administration had done little to address such discrimination.

Nieman was made aware of these issues at a BSU town hall meeting on

See BSU Page 4

January break brings chill Hundreds rush to early graduation to Downtown economy Foregoing spring ceremony, undergrads plan life after BU Local businesses brace for decrease in customer traffic during winter “From the minute we opened we’ve been a student-driven restaurant,” McKenna said. “You definitely notice the streets are quieter without the students When finals end and students here. We don’t like it.” head home for winter break, favorite Even non-student-oriented Downtown businesses have learned to businesses have come to rely on adjust to the time off from the University Binghamton University for a steady flow rush. of revenue.

Binghamton has a population of “We started out as a predominantly approximately 47,000 and when school is local-based business and we’ve grown in session, students account for another to have a strong BU following,” said 15,000 in the area. This means that when Rob Ruggiero, owner of Café Oasis. “I students are on vacation, a large portion of the city’s population vanishes.

See DT Page 4 Most businesses Downtown are affected by this fluctuation, but some feel the pressure more than others.

Larry Shea, the owner of Tom & Marty’s, said that business decreases by about 50 percent when students are not around. Because of this, he said that they cut back on their staff during January, but this happens somewhat naturally since some of their employees are students.

“State Street bars in general, we contract significantly when the students are gone,” Shea said. “For the bar business [students] are absolutely vital, we build into it. It’s part of our business plan knowing that three and half months a year [students] are gone.”

A drop-off in business is not always Megan Reilly/Pipe Dream Photographer bad. According to Marie McKenna, co- Pictured: State Street in the late afternoon. owner of restaurant The Lost Dog, these Binghamton has a population of approxibreaks are also a time to get maintenance mately 47,000 and when school is in session, students account for another 15,000 in and repairs done. However, she added the area — when students are on vacation, a that it is strange to not see students large portion of the city’s population vanishes leading to a downturn in local business. around.

Pelle Waldron

Pipe Dream News

Emilie Leroy

Pipe Dream News By the time Jeremy Min sits down for his first final exam on Thursday, he will already be a Binghamton University alumnus.

“It’ll be a little hard for me to enjoy my graduation because I’ll have to start thinking about finals again,” Min said.

Min, a senior double-majoring in history and political science, is one of 307 students who received their bachelor degrees in the fall 2014 commencement ceremony on Dec. 14, and he is among the seniors who completed their degrees in under four years.

With tuition, housing and other fees costing in-state students $22,000 per year — thousands more for out-of-state

See GRAD Page 2

Michael Sugarman/Contributing Photographer

Pictured: Students attend their commencement ceremonies and anticipate receiving their diplomas in the Events Center. Fall commencement highlighted the achievements of graduating students, many of whom are graduating in under four semesters.

University stresses relaxation, relief Food, massages among amenities offered by Dean's office Alana Epstein Staff Writer

With finals approaching and stress levels rising, students are searching for ways to relax and blow off steam.

The Dean of Students office is trying to provide just that.

The office has teamed up with the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, Campus Recreation, Sodexo and the music department, for De-Stress December.

With events running from Dec. 1 until the end of finals week, coordinators

said they are hoping to provide students with much-needed breaks to relax and relieve stress caused by the pressures of final exams, projects and the end of the semester.

“The goal is to get as many offices and departments on board to coordinate programs and events that are tailored to be an outlet for students as they’re beginning to study for finals,” said Jazell Johnson, the program coordinator.

Study breaks and relaxation are fundamental for a student’s success during finals week, according to Nancy Lamberty, a counselor at the University

Counseling Center. She said students need to put aside a minimum of one to two hours per day to relax and take a breather from their studies.

“Good sleep, good nutrition, exercising and relaxation are what the brain needs,” Lamberty said. “Some things like meditation and going for a walk or hike for an hour allow your brain to relax, and to be in the mood, which is what the brain needs. If you keep pushing yourself and keep studying your brain reaches a point where it’s had

See STRESS Page 2

2

NEWS

www.bupipedream.com | December 15, 2014

Long nights can lower grades BU revamps finals scheduling Policy bans tests during last week of classes Zachary Wingate Staff Writer

According to the study done at BU

According to the CDC

According to the National Sleep Foundation Corey Futterman/Design Assistant

BU study links lack of sleep to poor performance Alexis Hatcher

Contributing Writer Though an all-nighter may sometimes seem like the best way to tackle finals, experts are learning that losing sleep for a grade can do more harm than good.

The importance of sleep is common knowledge, but a recent Binghamton University study conducted on 100 BU students has found scientific proof. In the study, to be published later this month in the research journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, professor Meredith Coles and psychology Ph.D. candidate Jacob Nota found that sleeping habits, such as how many hours the person sleeps and what time they fall asleep, can lead to an increase in negative thoughts similar to those produced by anxiety disorders, impairing the student’s well-being and ability to absorb information.

“People who slept shorter amounts on average tended to have more worried thoughts, ruminative thoughts and obsessive thoughts,” Nota said. “Those kinds of thoughts probably aren’t going to help you study well for a test.”

The average bedtime of the subjects was about 1:00 a.m., but ranged from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Though it cannot be pinpointed what bedtime directly leads to negative thoughts, Coles and Nota hypothesized that people who went to bed before 1:00 a.m. tended to have fewer pessimistic

thoughts than people who went to bed after, gauged by answers the test subjects provided on a questionnaire.

“The research has documented that there will be a change associated with staying up for a whole night for most people,” Nota said. “Messing up your sleep is probably not going to be helpful to doing stuff that college students need to do, like studying for tests and being able to perform during tests. You’re more likely to be preoccupied with these worries and obsessive thoughts.”

Dr. Michael Grandner of the University of Pennsylvania has found in his research that sleep also influences the process of brain rewiring to accommodate new information. While the mind can retain certain information without sleep, it becomes much more difficult.

“You’re not integrating the information,” Grandner said.

“You’re trying to learn stuff and it’s not going to happen, because you can read it and understand what you’re reading when you read it, but you can’t really take it and integrate it into your knowledge.”

According to Grandner, adults aged 17 to 22 need eight to nine hours of sleep for prime performance, and less than that affects performance the following day.

“If you’re going to pull the all-nighter, don’t do it the night before the test,” Grandner said.

“Do it the night before the night before the test.”

Grandner also mentioned that naps were extremely beneficial after not sleeping well. He said that the prime time for a nap would be in the middle of the day and for no longer than an hour.

According to Nick Allen, a registered sleep technologist at the Lourdes Hospital sleep laboratory, an effect of lack of sleep is excessive daytime sleepiness, or a severe lack of energy.

“They have a harder time staying awake during tests or any kind of class,” Allen said. “That’s where you fall into the excessive daytime sleepiness problem.”

Eileen O’Hara, a sophomore majoring in biology, said she has felt these effects the day after pulling an all-nighter.

“I felt okay at first, but, as the day went on, I started to feel really groggy, even doing simple things,” O’Hara said. “I think people think about the immediate reward of doing well on the test and they want to just cram as much knowledge as they can the night before.”

Mark Stepniewski, a senior majoring in computer science, said that sometimes an all-nighter is just necessary.

“I do have to take a few allnighters throughout the semester just to catch up on work,” Stepniewski said. “Sometimes you have to take the sacrifice of sleep to study more and get better grades.”

A new policy put in place by the Faculty Senate this year has changed the future of final exams at Binghamton University.

The Faculty Senate, a representative body of professors from every department at BU, voted unanimously in the spring of 2014 to ban instructors from giving final examinations or endof-course tests during the week before finals week.

According to the motion presented before the Faculty Senate, the week before finals had become a de facto final exam week for professors who, for their own scheduling reasons, did not opt-in for a time during the official finals week.

Donald Nieman, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs of BU, said that the new policy is in place to make sure students have the full semester to learn and study.

“We pride ourselves on offering rigorous courses, and students need the full 14 weeks of the semester to complete assignments and master the material,” Nieman said. “The new policies are also designed to ensure that students have time to prepare for final examinations by assuring that the last week of classes is not filled up

with exams.”

The Office of Course Building and Academic Space Management (CBASM) schedules all finals, so now in order for faculty to administer exams outside of the official time slots they must get permission from the deans of their schools and then go through the office.

According to the CBASM website, courses are automatically registered for a final exam, aside from independent study, internships and practicums, and instructors need only request makeup exams. The dean of each school must provide CBASM with a list of classes that do not commonly have a final or have an “alternative method evaluation,” such as Writing 111 or music performance courses.

Similarly, students who cannot make it to their respective final during exam week must continue to go through their professor and the CBSAM to schedule a makeup, as before the policy was revised.

Some students, though, were forced to reschedule their exams.

Laura Keim, a senior majoring in music, had to make plans to take her finals the week before finals week because she graduated Sunday and is attending a wedding on Wednesday.

“I just have too much to do for graduation,” she said. “I just can’t stay around here — it

doesn’t make sense — so I’m just doing my finals and final projects [early].”

According to Nieman, the policy also states that students are not required to take more than two final exams in a 24-hour period. If a student’s schedule exceeds this, the teacher with the largest class must arrange a makeup exam.

Chris Geadrities, a Latin professor who started this fall, said he was not aware of the policy change until a colleague forwarded him an email from Nieman. By that time, he had accommodated several students who had a conflicting Chem 107 exam.

“As it turns out, this was not my responsibility,” Geadities said.

“I didn’t know this at the time.”

Professor Diane Sommerville, a history professor and a member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, agreed that the old system was unfair to students who did not have the full semester to prepare for exams. According to her, though, many professors were probably not aware of all the changes.

“Some are a bit confused about not longer having to request an exam time and that was always a strange procedure,” she wrote in an email. “Most institutions assume every instructor is administering a final exam and schedule them accordingly.”

At Bartle, an impromptu sleepover CRAM continued from Page 1 “What we did not incorporate into the equation is how stupid you become after certain hours and how sleep deprivation can really mess up your brain,” Yang said. “I had a panic attack because I hadn’t slept in two days. I freaked out and I bombed all my finals and I never did that again.”

While Yang said that she now tries to pace herself while studying and avoid all-nighters at Bartle, other students still believe sleeping over at Bartle is the best way to avoid distractions and prepare for finals.

Pawan Marfatia, a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, said he estimates that he will spend the rest of the week in Bartle, including two allnighters the weekend before finals.

“I’m in Bartle 24/7,” Marfatia

said. “It’s easier than going home.

I live in Susquehanna, so I’d rather not walk in the cold.”

This is not the first semester Marfatia has spent the night in Bartle. He said that during one finals week freshman year, he spent two whole nights at Bartle between his calculus and chemistry finals.

“I first slept on this floor on the side with the couches and I then went up to the fourth floor in one of the corner group rooms,” Marfatia said. “Honestly, I don’t remember how I did on the final but I got an A in the class.”

Jaime Lau, a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, said that she slept at a desk in Bartle during finals week last year. She said it was not the best sleep, but it was her only option.

“It was hard,” Lau said. “First of all, it’s not your own bed — you’re never going to fall into a really

deep sleep, but at the same time it’s finals week, so you do what you can to get sleep.”

Although Lau said that sleeping in Bartle did not make much of a difference for her, she said that the number of people at the library shows BU students are serious about their grades.

“I tend to stay here late and especially during finals week, everyone’s just sleeping everywhere,” Lau said. “I think it’s a good reflection, it shows that people are willing to do what it takes to get what they want.”

Kahlil Stultz, a senior majoring in history, agreed with Lau, adding that the sacrifice is worth it in the long run.

“You might as well get a good grade,” Stultz said. “Lose a little sleep so you can enjoy your summer and not have to take the class over again.”

Undergrads opt for winter commencement Between papers, tests, GRAD continued from Page 1 students — many look to save money by graduating early.

To do so, those like Min overload more than 18 class credits a semester in order to quickly finish up degree requirements, while others may take summer and winter courses to expedite the process.

In addition to taking heavy course loads, many students are now starting school with a substantial amount of credits.

According to Katherine Collette, an undergraduate adviser for the School of Management, the increased number of Advanced Placement high school courses means that undergraduates are entering BU armed with enough credits to make early graduation possible.

“It’s not unusual for a student to come in with a year’s worth of credits done already,” Collette said.

Niketa Hyder will be graduating three semesters ahead of her classmates. Hyder, a junior majoring in psychology, came to BU with 60 college credits from

her high school, which offered an accelerated program. For Hyder, one of the difficult aspects of graduating early was managing upper level course loads as a freshman.

“It was hard establishing a routine, figuring out how I should study and get my work done,” Hyder said.

While short-term financial need motivates some students to complete degree requirements early, Jill Seymour, an adviser and the associate director of Harpur Academic Advising, cautioned students against rushing to finish their degrees at the expense of missing out on valuable experiences.

“They may miss the opportunity to do things like study abroad, add another major or minor or have to forego internships because they are packing their schedule with only the essentials,” Seymour wrote in an email.

Missing out on experiences can negatively impact how potential employers may perceive a graduate’s ability to function in the workplace, said Kelli Smith,

the director of University Career Services at the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development.

“An employer might see you as overly, what they call, book-smart and not able to apply what you learned to the real world or you haven’t proven that yet,” Smith said.

Dan Black, Ernst and Young Americas’ director of campus recruiting, agreed that there was value in hiring older graduates.

“There is something to be said for spending more time interacting with other students pursuing the same discipline,” Black said. “Students can learn more about teaming, exchanging ideas and being challenged by other bright college students, which are all beneficial activities that can enhance an individual’s career readiness.”

Despite these concerns, some seniors, such as Justin Craig, are just glad to be finished with college and moving on to the next phase of their lives.

“I’m glad to be done with school and classes and homework,” said Craig, a cinema

major. “I’m excited to be an adult, but the responsibility will be tough.”

For Natalie Murphy, a senior majoring in English, leaving BU and starting her career will be bittersweet because she won’t be graduating with her friends.

She decided to graduate early for financial reasons and is taking a six-month public affairs internship with Disney.

“I’m in the last semester mindset and all my friends are in the second-to-last semester mindset,” Murphy said. “I’m going through all these milestones like the last Thursday night or the last study session in Bartle, and I’m going through that emotional toll by myself.”

I'm going through all these milestones . . . by myself —Natalie Murphy BU Senior

University offers respite STRESS continued from Page 1 enough.”

Lamberty said exercise is an efficient way to relieve stress, as it releases anxiety and excess energy. She recommended that students do muscle relaxation exercises while studying, like tensing the muscles in the hands and then letting them go, which is especially beneficial after writing for long periods of time.

Students can also take advantage of the de-stressing events provided by Campus Recreation in the East Gym, such as free group fitness classes and “pool parties” at the pool from Dec. 15 until the end of the week.

A wide range of events are offered by De-Stress December.

Johnson said the most popular activities include chair massages, therapy puppies, free coffee at Jazzman’s, Game Night and Donuts with the Dean.

In addition, the REACH (Real Education About College Health)

pink car Lulu is driving around campus giving out free stress and sleep kits, which come with eye masks, stress balls, candy, tea and ear plugs. Sodexo is on board as well, providing free soda, ice cream and fruit in the dining halls.

According to Johnson, the most popular event is playing with therapy puppies, planned for Dec. 17 in the Tombs area of Glenn G. Bartle Library, at the bottom of the stairs of the flag room.

“It gets so crowded that many students don’t even get to play with the puppies,” Johnson said.

“But puppies on campus just makes everyone so happy.

Elyse Harrison, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said DeStress December is a good way to sit back and gather the energy needed to take on finals.

“I love being able to grab free fruit or ice cream from the dining hall,” Harrison said. “It’s the perfect reward after a long day of studying.”

PAGE III Monday, December 15, 2014

Address: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 Phone: 607-777-2515

Pipe Line

It's All In The Chemistry

Fall 2014

STATE NEWS Thousands march in NY against police killings Chanting “I can’t breathe” and carrying signs saying “black lives matter,” tens of thousands of people marched up New York’s Fifth Avenue and down Broadway on Saturday as part of a day of protest centered in the nation’s capital over the deaths of unarmed black men by police. Saturday’s outpouring of demonstrators followed a series of protests over the last several weeks since grand juries decided against bringing charges against white police officers in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and chokehold death of Eric Garner in Staten Island. The noisy march through the heart of Manhattan swelled to at least 25,000 people, police said. It remained mostly peaceful until violence broke out as protesters marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, blocking traffic. NYPD Chief of Department James O’Neil said two lieutenants were injured by protesters as the officers tried to arrest a man who had attempted to throw a garbage can from the bridge onto other officers below. No arrests had been made late Saturday. The man was able to flee, O’Neil said. The officers were treated for bumps and bruises, including a broken nose. Deputy Commissioner John Miller said officers recovered a backpack, which they believe belongs to the man, containing three hammers and a black face mask.

Cuomo says he will offer justice reform package New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday a genuine problem exists with the perception among minorities that the criminal justice system isn’t fair and he’ll propose reforms next year. While the issue of dual standards in the American justice system is debatable, Cuomo said, the perception is real. He said it predates the case of Eric Garner, the unarmed black man whose videotaped death while being arrested by police in Staten Island led to widespread protests. No officers were indicted. He didn’t specify them Thursday, saying he’s been talking to police, prosecutors and community activists. He said changes should have been made years ago, but you need to seize the moment when people are focused to make them happen. He also said being a police officer is a difficult, frightening job, noting there are two sides to the issue. One option being discussed is a special prosecutor for cases against police, which Cuomo called a complex matter. Other questions include whether it would be a permanent office or if there would be case-bycase referrals, who the prosecutor should be, and whether it would be right to automatically disqualify every local district attorney from such cases within their jurisdictions. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has written to Cuomo, proposing the governor authorize his office to investigate cases where unarmed civilians are killed by police until the Legislature addresses the issue. He said that authority exists under current law.

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Kyle Cullin, a freshman double-majoring in molecular biology and Spanish, and Shiau-Sing Ciecierska, a freshman majoring in integrative neuroscience, attend a review session for their Chemistry 107 final hosted by the Undergraduate Chemical Society.

Students gathered in Lecture Hall 8 for Chemistry 107 Study Fest to practice in groups and ask last minute questions.

Barnard may adopt transgender student policy New York’s Barnard College is the latest women’s college to consider adopting a formal policy for transgender students.

The New York Times reports that Barnard President Debora Spar addressed the question in a letter to students this week.

Spar said the time has come for the all-female institution to examine how it defines “women.” At issue is how to view applications from students who are designated male at birth but identify as female or fluid. Spar wrote that Barnard currently considers applications from transgender students on a case-by-case basis. Other women’s colleges around the U.S. have been revisiting policies regarding transgender students in recent years. Some schools allow applicants to select “transgender” as a third option for gender or let them write a short essay about their gender identity.

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“Torture is what the al-Qaida terrorists did to 3,000 Americans on 9/11. There is no comparison between that and what we did with respect to enhanced interrogation.”

This Day in History

— Former Vice President Dick Cheney, in defense of enhanced interrogation techniques used on terror suspects

December 15, 1791 The United States Bill of Rights becomes law after being ratified by the Virginia General Assembly.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY NEWS Students stole fraternity’s chicken, ate it University of Vermont Police say three students are accused of stealing a chicken from a Burlington fraternity house, killing it and eating it at a dormitory. The Chittenden County prosecutor says he has declined to prosecute the students and all three cases have been referred to a reparative justice board. Police said they received a report of trespassing and larceny on Sunday at a private residence where members of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity live. The president of the fraternity, which is for those interested in agriculture or food industries, said they have decided not to pursue charges. Police say they don’t know the motive for the theft.

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stabilizing: zack's column

pizza:destabilizing

4

NEWS

www.bupipedream.com | December 15, 2014

As students leaves city, money follows After protests, students

Megan Reilly/Pipe Dream Photographer

Pictured: Court Street in December. Local businesses are expecting a downturn in revenue once Binghamton University students leave at the end of the semester.

DT continued from Page 1 would say we would still be able to survive without the University students, but it definitely is a big boost for our business.”

David Whalen owns Binghamton Hots, a local restaurant that opened in

conjunction with the recent student housing complexes Downtown. Without students, he said staying open becomes more difficult.

“I’ve considered amending our hours while the students are gone, though I haven’t done that yet,” Whalen said. “I don’t think we rely

solely on the student population to stay in business, but they’re certainly a very large chunk of our clientele.”

Andrew Dervay, a junior majoring in computer engineering, is from Apalachin, New York, which is about 15 minutes away. He said he

frequents Downtown Binghamton over break, and that it is a very different scene.

“There is a noticeably older crowd at the bars, you don’t have people spilling out into the streets like a normal Friday night,” Dervay said. “When students are around there are simply more people spending money Downtown.”

Some businesses factor the month of January into their plans as a time that sales dip down.

Chris Diemand, owner of the smoke shop Sugar Mountain, one of many shops on Main Street, said that for him, sales drop approximately 20 percent when students are gone. But it’s better than the alternative; he says the expansion of student life Downtown is good for the city.

“In the last 10 years there have been many more small businesses that have popped up and there’s more development,” Diemand said. “It’s getting more of a college town, eclectic feel to it.”

Ryan Vaughan, an English professor who lives in Endicott, said that it is always noticeable when students go home for break, and likened the impact the the University has on the city to IBM 20 years ago.

“The University is the new community, the economy,” Vaughan said. “This is everything.”

Students take cover in favorite study spots During finals week, many seek out perfect space to prepare for exams Kanchi Chandwani Contributing Writer

In the spirit of finals week, Binghamton University students are rushing to their favorite study spots around campus. And while all have the same goal of getting good results on tests, papers and projects, they have different places where they like to prepare.

Students camp out all across the University during this time of the semester, and have a variety of opinions on which locations are the most conducive to productivity.

Michael Gutierrez, a junior double-majoring in management information systems and leadership and consulting, said that he can be found studying on the fourth floor of Glenn G. Bartle Library.

“The fourth floor is open 24 hours, so I know that no matter what time of the day it is I can walk in,” Gutierrez said. “[Once] I’ve started working, getting on the grind, I can stay there until I want to leave. There is no rush and I’m not going to be kicked out.”

James Martone, a junior majoring in accounting, said

that he prefers working under a deadline. Martone studies in the Hinman Success Center because it is close to his dorm and closes at midnight.

“I’m usually done doing homework by 12 or at least I try to be,” Martone said. “I don’t like to stay up too late for work.”

Other students prefer an entirely different environment, and prioritize fresh air and a view over library desks. Kirsten Schaal, a junior majoring in biology, said that when it’s nice out she studies in the Nature Preserve.

But during the winter when this isn’t possible, she still goes for a similar vibe.

“It’s nice to go to the Red Lounge,” Schaal said. “The courtyard is pretty in the winter months, and it’s pretty warm and quiet in the Fine Arts building at night.”

Aviva Korbman, a junior majoring in psychology who lives off campus, said she opts for the comforts of the Bartle Pods because of their location and convenience.

“They’re always open, [and] they have computer and printing access that I need,” Korbman said.

“They’re right next to Jazzman’s,

Photo Illustration by Klara Rusinko/Assistant Photo Editor

Pictured: Nate Christman, a junior majoring in biology, studies for finals in the Information Commons in the Glenn G. Bartle Library.

but they’re not distracting.”

When it’s snowing and raining, some students prefer the convenience of their housing communities to stay warm and get work done. Christina Nigro, a junior double-majoring in finance and management information systems, said she prefers her dorm in the winter.

“The dorm lounge has people that I can talk to while studying,” Nigro said. “I like the noisy environment and the fact that I know the people around me while

I’m working.”

Nicole Oppedisano, a junior majoring in psychology, said she prefers to study in her dorm because it’s quiet and she can focus.

“I find even the library has people that are talking, because they go together with their friends,” Oppedisano said. “It’s just hard to concentrate with that. Also if I need anything, it’s close. I just have to go to my room.”

call for policy reforms BSU continued from Page 1 Thursday, Dec. 4 that hundreds of students attended to express grievances and discontent in the community.

BSU put forward to Nieman the list of reforms they wanted implemented. Such changes included mandatory culture competency training for all faculty, administration, student employees and resident assistants that would teach about various cultures, a cultural competency general education requirement for all students to fulfill, more diverse student and Greek organizations and a zero tolerance policy for offensive comments.

Nieman was asked to make these reforms and changes by Jan. 19, 2015, one week before spring semester begins. If no steps are taken by the administration to meet these requests by this date, several attendees suggested a demonstration on campus.

“We need to take the first step in constructing a ‘premier’ school, and have other SUNYs follow in our footsteps,” one BSU E-Board member said.

One suggested demonstration involved hundreds of students gathering around and barricading the entrances to Binghamton University to prevent anyone from entering or exiting. However, BSU president Ndeye Niang, a senior majoring in political science, assured Pipe Dream that if any protest were to be held, it would be peaceful and nondisruptive.

BU spokesperson Ryan Yarosh said that the University has had “a number of productive conversations” with the groups in recent days.

Organizers of the event said that if members of the University make offensive comments, then their case will be brought to administrative authorities or other students who can judge the extremity of the case and decide proper recourse.

“Just like there’s a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism,

there should be one for discrimination,” said a junior Equality Project E-Board member who did not wish to be identified in print by name.

“This doesn’t mean students will be automatically expelled, but they just need to recognize many insidious forms of discrimination that both directly and indirectly target individuals or communities.”

Other speakers said that even side comments had a real impact on the student body. According to them, even professors have to learn to be more sensitive to the wider BU community.

“Faculty sometimes make micro-comments that could potentially offend us,” said Rayan Reid, an E-Board member of BSU. “We want them to learn that they could have a negative effect on us.”

Other reforms touched on gender discrimination, asking for gender-neutral bathrooms and readily available healthcare and insurance for transgender people.

Raul Cepin, a sophomore majoring in finance, said that students and University officials need to work together in order to enact positive change.

“We need to make sure staff is taking the issue seriously,” Cepin said. “We all need a good understanding of each other and need to learn how to interact with one another.”

Just like there's a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism, there should be one for discrimination —Ndeye Niang BSU President

RELEASE Arts & Culture

The right way to study for finals in the library Getting an A takes more than flashcards Odeya Pinkus | Assistant Release Editor

Photo Illustration by Klara Rusinko/Assistant Photo Editor

Alright everyone, let’s huddle up. We’ve got five more days of finals. Five more days until the semester is over, and we can all go home and be reminded of why we like being in school so much.

But until then it’s time to buckle down. Sure the school tries to help, but there is no amount of therapy dogs that will ace an orgo test (alright, maybe five golden retrievers, if they really put their heads together). Yes, sitting to study might suck, but it will all be worth it this Friday. That being said, it doesn’t necessarily have to suck. There are plenty of ways to make finals week a fun and educational experience. As an early Christmas present, here are Release’s tips to a fun week of exams.

1. Relax in the Stacks Finals week can cause a lot of stress, and frankly, venting on Twitter might not cut it for most.

It’s important to make sure that you are adequately relaxed while studying, and what’s more stressrelieving than some casual sex!

Put down your French homework and find a study buddy for this Glenn G. Bartle rendezvous. Any place in the stacks will do. Well maybe not any place. We don’t want to end up arrested for public indecency here. Bartle is pretty much packed this time of year, so you’ll have to hunt for a spot. For those who love symbolism, try the romantic literature section.

Once you’ve secured a location,

put down your books and get your freak on. But don’t waste study time — remember to exchange flashcards and quiz each other while you bone.

2. Put on an impromptu performance in the Pods People may need to study now, but they want to be entertained always. Grab a couple of your friends and learn all the words and dance moves to High School Musical’s “We’re All In This Together.” Spread yourselves out in the Pods, and pop up one by one, singing different lines.

People will love your spontaneity and quest for fun. Your fellow students will be grateful that you gave them the study break that they wouldn’t take themselves.

They will also love your #tbt to the Zac Efron days. Who knows, maybe they’ll all sing along. Don’t feel limited if you don’t sing well, it’s really the thought that counts here.

3. Print out a coloring book and finish every page Look for a full activity book online and print it all out. Find a good 120 PDF and print out the whole thing. Make sure it isn’t double sided, that way you can give your masterpieces out to friends. Don’t worry if other people need to use the printers.

They understand your cause and will respect it. Once it’s printed, finish the whole book, mazes and all. Then once you’re done, you can turn all of Bartle into your own personal gallery. Hang them up, and attach modest prices along with your phone number.

Maybe someone will want to buy an original print, and you can make some money while you are at it.

4. Cry it out Sometimes the only thing that can relieve stress is a good long cry, so just go for it and let it all out! Don’t bother texting your friends across campus, a random stranger will do. Most people procrastinate while studying, so they probably aren’t too busy to give you a shoulder to cry on.

Plus, you’ll probably make a new friend.

5. Pregame your study session Finals week should be fun, and what’s more fun than alcohol!

Shotgun a few beers before you find a spot, or if you’re feeling classy, split a box of Franzia with some friends. If drunk speech is sober thought, then drunk studying should lead to a sober A. Once you get to the library you might not want the party to end, and that’s OK! Find a few people for an impromptu game of flip cup. The second floor tables are perfect, and the space is good for people to gather around you and watch.

6. Study in another language English can be so boring sometimes, so why not switch it up! Translate all your notes into Macedonian on Google Translate, and go from there. You might not consciously understand anything, but your brain will pick up all the information from its plethora of ingrained knowledge passed down for generations.

New Years resolutions for Binghamton University From parking spots to dining hall food, here are some ways our school can improve Evy Pitt-Stoller | Staff Writer With Dec. 31 right around the corner, it’s definitely time to start thinking of how we can improve ourselves. Sure us students have our standard resolutions, such as “go to office hours” and “don’t cry after every test,” but what about our community as a whole?

Looking around, it’s clear to see that Binghamton University has plenty that it could work on. So as the clock tower strikes midnight on Jan. 1, 2015, we urge the administration to check out this list of sample resolutions, and to start thinking about the future.

I will work on my parking situation This year, we hope that the administration of BU will resolve to fix the parking situation (or lack thereof). Maybe next semester, off-campus students won’t have to leave 40 minutes earlier than necessary in order to get to class on time. The only consistently available parking spots lie in Mountainview College and beyond. Once you get a spot, good luck finding your car when it’s time to go home — if you haven’t turned into an ice sculpture on the trek there. Is it too much to ask to turn some

of that metered parking into free-tered parking and save us a freezing pilgrimage to the forest of cars that is Lot M? I will reduce the prices in the Marketplace We all waited long and hard for the arrival of the New University Union, with its array of food options, open lounge and study space. And while we’d be lying if we didn’t say that it is quite heavenly in a plethora of ways, we’d also be lying if we said that it didn’t run our pockets dry. Moghul, I love you, but I cannot afford to eat paneer at $8 a container as often as I would like to. The Marketplace is supposed to be a casual dining experience, available often and offering a variety of choices, but I could go to the Chenango Room and get a better quality meal and a lot more bang for my BUC. How about a little Red Mango quality at Yolato price?

I will provide amenities in the Science Library If you haven’t figured out that the Science Library is where it’s at for a quiet and uninterrupted study session, you probably haven’t been doing as well on your exams as you should be. It is far less populated and congested than the white room and almost

always has available desks, unlike in Glenn G. Bartle Library. The one drawback? NO COFFEE. They’re basically begging us to take study drugs so that we can pull our all-nighters! If they had a nice little snack station where BU students could nourish themselves, the Science Library would be everything and more.

Might I suggest moving the mini Jazzman’s station from Academic A over? C’mon, who uses that one?

I will make the gym free of cost Anyone else miss the longgone days of the free mini-gym in the Old University Union? The University should be providing its students with free and easy ways to stay fit; the only exercise I can afford around here is walking to find my car in Lot M. How about we give a little back to the people — maybe I wouldn’t spend my spare hours in bed watching “Chopped” on Netflix if I could be sweating my troubles away on an elliptical. Save me the $100+ so I can afford something from Salad Toss after my workout.

I will make all of the dining halls equal to the Appalachian Dining Hall Okay, BU, maybe I’d be an athlete too if you provided me

with fresh almond butter, a Mediterranean bar and an on-site sushi chef. Appalachian is famous for its quality of eats and its impressive late-night ice cream station and grocery. It is also only

one of the two dining halls that has a whole section called “simple servings,” where you can get fresh and healthy meals, as opposed to having approximately 150 burritos per week. The choices at

Get TIPS alcohol service & intervention training certified.

Get NYS Responsible Vendor certified.

Appalachian are impeccable and it becomes clear whose health BU is truly looking out for. On the bright side, you can stop there for a mid-hike meal on the way to your car.

For more information, contact: SUNY Broome Admissions (607) 778-5001

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YEAR IN

The thing with years is that they mean something different for everyone. Sometimes they’re the culmination of waiting 12 years for “Boyhood” to be finished and beloved, and sometimes they’re the ending of “How I Met Your Mother.” Here’s what we thought were the cultural highlights of 2014.

Corey Futterman

John Linitz

The fast food breakfast game was flipped on its head with the release of Taco Bell’s breakfast menu. On March 27, 2014, Taco Bell unveiled its revolutionary Waffle Taco and A.M. Crunchwrap. As an avid Taco Bell enthusiast, I saw this as the most groundbreaking event of 2014 … Hopefully in 2015 they serve breakfast 24 hours.

Ed Sheeran’s sophomore album “X” was released June 20, 2014 and is currently nominated for album of the year. Sheeran is able to expand his sound on singles such as “Sing” and “Don’t” while sticking to his acoustic roots on tracks like “One” and “Tenerife Sea.” If you have only heard the singles, it’s a great cohesive album to listen to front to back.

James Sereno

Emma Siegel

The album “Nikki Nack” by tUnE-yArDs has been my musical highlight of 2014. The album is an upbeat, crazy mix of beauty and nonsense. Merrill Garbus can throw such ironic lyrics into upbeat songs like “I come from the land of slaves. Let’s go Redskins, let’s go Braves,” in the song “Real Thing.” And in the same song I feel an emotional connection to “Don’t have a penny, I look good in debt.”

Same Merrill, same.

The return of “24: Live Another Day” really shaped pop culture in 2014. We had gone far too many years without Jack Bauer’s “Damn it, Chloe!” but in 2014, we were blessed enough to see Jack slaying terrorists once again. Too bad he surrendered himself to the Russians at the end…

Katie Dowd The paramount pop culture moment of 2014 for me was “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” You know that song “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes? That’s how I feel about “Cap 2;” before this movie I was nothing. I do not remember what I was doing or who I was before “Who the hell is Bucky?” but I know who I am now, and that is a person who cries about Steve Rogers dropping his shield.

His weapon is a shield. A shield! If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance I’m clutching the DVD to my chest as we speak. I’m with this movie ‘til the end of the line.

Jami Ganz The second season premiere of “Orange is the New Black” was a big highlight for this year. I’ve never seen so many people, guys and girls alike, of different ages, backgrounds, preferences, all coming together to binge on a show centered around the on-goings of a women’s prison. It’s like a modern day female-centric Shawshank, and it’s great. I even got my mom to watch. And you can’t believe how many professors get into the discussions.

Chloe Rehfield I never like to waste my money on going to see movie sequels; they usually suck. But I took a chance with “22 Jump Street,” and it was worth every penny. The movie was just as hilarious, action-packed and full of surprises as the first one was, and Channing Tatum was just as attractive. Even in the midst of a dreary summer, this film did not at all fail to provide a rollicking escape from reality.

Jacob Shamsian

My family doesn’t go on many vacations, but we went away to a pretty nice beach in Maryland for Independence Day weekend. I spent much of that time immersing myself in Miranda July’s novel, “The First Bad Man.” Better known for her movies, July’s never written a novel before, but no one else could have written it. It’s compelling, bizarre, funny and every combination of the preceding three words. There’s also a strain of something only hinted before in her work: feminism.

Erin Rosenblum Even though I’m no Ken Herman, I think I can safely say that Hozier was one of the most important newcomers on the music scene this year. While “Take Me to Church” is beautiful and brooding, it would be a shame if he is doomed to a one-hit wonder fate. “Jackie and Wilson,” “Work Song” and “From Eden” stand out on the album as testaments to this guy’s lyrical prowess. Hozier is the kind of album that hurts to listen to — in the best way. I laughed, I cried, I envied his man-bun.

Sam Titus This year I really enjoyed Piñata, a collaborative hip-hop album featuring ’70s soul-based beats by producer Madlib and lyricism by rapper Freddie Gibbs. Promisingly, Piñata finds the womanizing, drug-dealing rapper mostly unchanged but flowing over decidedly more expressive and mature beats than his prior trap-based releases, showcasing a cast of relevant features. As a whole, it speaks to the relatable struggle of surviving in a world full of challenges; everything a gangster rap album should be but in a more refined format and a smoother, more soulful sound that distinguishes it as a memorable album.

Finish up your finals strong with a cheery holiday drink Gingerbread, peppermint and alcohol are all you need to finish up your fall semester Kayla Harris | Contributing Writer

Photo Provided

It’s the home stretch. The semester might be winding down, but finals are in full swing. And while it’s super stressful now, take comfort in knowing that winter break is just days away. Going home means better quality meals, but also better quality alcohol. Take the time to try some of the classy chocolate liqueurs and whip up some festive holiday drinks. Perfect for sipping while sitting next to a warm fire, these holiday drinks (some of which are modified versions of recipes from The Food Network) taste like your favorite desserts and should always be had amongst friends and family during the holiday season.

Candy Cane Cocktail Feeling minty? Just shake

some vanilla rum, white chocolate liqueur and a shot of peppermint schnapps into a martini glass and you’ve got what we call the “Candy Cane Cocktail.” It’s delicious and nutritious! Did you know peppermint could ease an upset stomach, improve concentration, relieve headache pain and clear a stuffy nose? Sounds like this drink is super appropriate for the winter season.

Sugar and spice and everything nice!

Looks like cookies aren’t the only treat made from brown sugar, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg. This buttered rum holiday special proves just that. If you combine these ingredients, throw in some butter

and add a touch of rum, you’ll have the perfect replacement for traditional hot chocolate. Also, don’t be scared to add some cinnamon sticks for an even richer flavor.

Gingerbread Goodness When combining Irish cream, butterscotch schnapps and some vodka, you really can’t go wrong.

Don’t be fooled by its tasty flavor; this gingerbread goodness can be dangerous. Be sure to drink plenty of water in between drinks and consider chasing with some chocolate to really get your taste buds going. And if you’re feeling up for it, crumble some of your favorite ginger snap cookies around the edge of a martini glass for a nice finishing touch.

Butterscotch Bliss This creamy cocktail will no doubt get you in the holiday spirit.

Pairing Irish cream liqueur with some butterscotch and cinnamon schnapps, this scrumptious concoction will have you wanting more in no time. And, if you’re feeling fancy, cover the rim of a martini glass with raw sugar. It will look great for presentation purposes and will help really bring out the delicious flavors in the drink.

Spiked Hot Chocolate Hot chocolate is a staple when it comes to snow days and cozy pajamas. But on the off chance that you’re bored of the traditional stuff, why not switch it up and try “grown-up” hot cocoa this season?

It’s easy! Just add some tequila and a pinch of chili powder for a spicy sensation that’ll keep you warm all winter long.

S’Mores Special A personal favorite, this decadent drink will make you feel as if you’re sitting next to a campfire after a pitching a tent.

Mixing creamy peanut butter with chocolate syrup never tasted so good, when combined with coffee liqueur and some dark rum. If you throw in a dash of almond milk and some toasted marshmallows for a finishing touch, you’ll be totally hooked and left wondering how you ever got through the holiday season without a “S’mores Special.”

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REVIEW

Lindsey Klein

Ben Moosher

I wanted to pull my hair out when Miley Cyrus handed the mic over to that homeless kid. That “Wrecking Ball” video deserved its moment in the light, and after patiently waiting all night for Cyrus to say something, she sends this disheveled kid who doesn’t speak well up to read off a piece of paper, as if he hadn’t had enough time to memorize it. I felt robbed.

Taylor Swift has put her country days behind her with her new album “1989.” For almost a decade, Swift has been pleasing guys and girls alike with her seemingly flawless love songs and mediocre dance moves. The album released in October shares an array of new forms of music for Swift. With country in her rearview, she is celebrating her newfound freedom with upbeat pop. On this new stage, Swift is thriving, likely to sell the most copies of any album this year.

Odeya Pinkus

Rachel Greenspan

“Broad City” was Comedy Central’s show that had the hardest hit on pop culture this year, and will no doubt continue to be gifified throughout its second season. However, the best pop culture moment for me comes from “Broad City’s” nerdy older brother, “Review.” In an episode where Forrest eats 15 pancakes, gets divorced and eats 30 more pancakes, I saw not only the funniest episode of my life, but a subtle moment of humanity from a guy who has been anything but human up till this point. The episode is hysterical, yet there’s an aching moment where Forrest stares dead after eating 30 pancakes and begins “Review’s” quest to grab empathy while continuing to be the funniest show on television.

“S.O.S.” because the second coming of Nick Jonas has happened, and we should all rejoice in song (that song being “Jealous,” of course). If you haven’t seen his photo shoot for Flaunt magazine yet, then I’m so, so sorry for you. Sure, many have forgotten about 2008’s favorite boy band, what with Kevin leaving to be a family man and all. Nick, however, is back and ready to make me swoon. Plus, his gospel rendition of “Jealous,” is enough to make me reconsider my Jewish roots.

The release of Taylor Swift’s new album made me wish I had been born seven years earlier. “1989” is my favorite album of the last year, and the “Blank Space” music video changed my life a little bit.

Well, honestly, not that much. But it made me feel better to know that I’m not the only crazy girlfriend out there. Because, let me tell you, darling; I can be a nightmare dressed like a daydream.

Zachary Feldman

Tiffany Moustakas Robin Williams’ death was a huge shock to me this year as it was for the rest of us. It was reassuring to learn that he was just as charismatic in real life as he was on screen.

Hearing about all of the amazing things he did out of the goodness of his heart and not for PR purposes gives me hope that there are still genuine human beings in Hollywood.

Jaclyn Columbia Both “The Maze Runner” and Kim Kardashian’s and Kanye West’s marriage taught me the important lesson of defying odds, persevering, and doing what you feel is right despite the opinions of many others. In college, where criticism is high, and the statistics of defying the odds of failure are at times low, there’s no lesson more important.

Ariel Taub Kim and Kanye’s Vogue wedding shoot surfacing marked a new era in pop culture. Despite the criticism of Kim’s past relationships, her ability to turn situations into career advantages is admirable.

Kanye’s self-esteem is ridiculed, but he can keep up with the Kardashians while drawing the line at his own appearance on the show. Though protective, pictures of North stylin’ are already circulating. Despite the haters, this marriage has resulted in some significant fashion moments we can continue to anticipate.

Keeping up appearances is hard, relationships take work … Good luck Kim and Kanye. We’re rooting for you.

John Linitz/Design Assistant, Photos provided by Associated Press

Take a shot at these holiday movie drinking games

The article to the left compliments this article pretty well, if we do say so ourselves Jami Ganz | Staff Writer December’s greatest present isn’t your family’s love; it’s the excuse to binge “A Christmas Story,” “The Santa Clause,” “Home Alone” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (according to ABC Family, it’s an every-holiday movie) for 25 days. What better way is there to combine the essence of college celebrations and nostalgia but to drink along?

We're here to help you in your journey down Santa Claus Lane with your Bailey’s Hot Chocolate in tow. Disclaimer: Adjust amounts per your own weight,

alcohol tolerance and knowledge of these films.

“A Christmas Story” — 1983’s classic gave new meaning to nagging families and funky lamps. Saying anything more would just spoil the magic that will occur for 24 straight hours, as it does annually, on TBS beginning Christmas Eve. Drink Once: —Every time the Red Ryder BB gun is mentioned.

Drink Twice: —Every time Ralphie whines.

“The Santa Clause” — For the purposes of this game, we are acknowledging only the original 1994 “Santa Clause.” This movie’s

as old as all of the sophomores who still can’t legally participate in this.

Drink Once: —Every time someone insists Scott isn’t really Santa.

—Every time Charlie insists that he is.

Drink Twice: —Every time Scott incorrectly addresses Bernard’s name.

—Every time Scott makes fun of Neal’s sweaters.

—Every time Neal spouts some psychoanalyst babble.

“Home Alone” — Again, this is only for the original “Home Alone,” not the one where Kevin gets around New York easier than

any of us legal adults can, and certainly not the one where they decided that hey, the McCallisters don’t exist and Black Widow is the new villainous older sibling.

The lack of continuity just makes you want to take a shot of Svedka, doesn’t it?

Drink Once: —Every time Kevin says something wise beyond his years.

—Every time the “Wet Bandits” get injured.

—Every time Joe Pesci (aka the smart bandit) picks on Marty.

—Every time a Christmas song comes on.

Drink Twice: —Every time Kevin’s mom

flips out.

—Every time there’s a close-up of someone screaming (i.e. Kevin putting on aftershave).

—Every time Uncle Frank is a jerk.

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” — Does this need any introduction? If you watch Harry Potter movies only once a year, you are a Muggle.

Drink Once: —Every time Hermione shows off.

—Every time Ron says or does something stupid.

—Every time Harry is called “The Boy Who Lived.”

—Every mention of Voldemort,

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or any other variation of Tom Riddle’s name (just joking, the name Tom Riddle isn’t mentioned until Chamber of Secrets).

—Every time Snape is creeping.

—Every time Malfoy is being Malfoy.

—Every time the Dursleys are jerks.

—Every time a spell is cast.

Drink Twice: —Every time Harry smiles — it doesn’t happen that often.

—Every time a Hogwarts faculty member is introduced.

OPINION Monday, December 15, 2014

Fall 2014 Report Card I

t’s the most wonderful time of the year: sleeping in Bartle, pretending to study and slipping on ice. Also, you get to read Pipe Dream’s fall report card, in which the Editorial Board evaluates the performance of some people and institutions on campus. Our gift to you.

Expansion: CBinghamton University’s efforts to increase enrollment by 5,000 over the course of six years have been bumpy, to say the least. The plan to increase enrollment may be well intentioned, but the administration’s failure to enact temporary adjustments causes us to question if such a goal is even feasible. Overcrowded facilities and programs hurt current students and their prospects.

Available Pods space and parking remain stagnant, while pressure on these services increases. The advising debacle and changes to class scheduling demonstrate the failure of the administration to make necessary adjustments. Stop telling us that growth brings challenges and provide some real solutions for the problems of current students.

Dining: B+ On-campus food options improved slightly this semester. The opening of Moghul’s Marketplace location serves as a model for future integration between local businesses and Sodexo. Though a bit pricey, Moghul is by far the most delicious food on campus. Sodexo also improved the quality of dining hall pizza, a cause for celebration amongst New

Yorkers tired of freezer-burned bricks passing for actual pizza.

There is still room for improvement. Student groups recently brought attention to the upcoming negotiation of Sodexo’s contract. Sodexo should acknowledge and address their demands to include more locally grown, healthy options produced through ethically sound practices. The implementation of these changes will improve Binghamton dining for students and workers alike.

Also, a vegan vendor in the Marketplace would be great.

ResLife: D+ ResLife screwed up this semester. Though the system worked and students received housing for next year, the decision to reschedule housing signups with zero student input or advance notice is unacceptable. The decision was not in the best interests of students. The claim that ResLife leaders overheard support for the change “in the halls” is suspicious. We aren’t buying it. It seems the change is part of a larger effort by ResLife to secure its financial interests and compete with popular off-campus housing options. The willingness of

ResLife to act so carelessly with little explanation makes us uneasy about its future policy decisions.

The fact that it minimally worked, and students at least have a place to live next year is not a sign of success. The bar should be set higher. Any freshman on campus will tell you how incredibly stressful the housing process was this fall. It was unnecessary and insensitive.

OCCT: A Buses are late as usual, but generally no more late than usual, so that’s okay. On the up side, the inbound/outbound system took some getting used to, but it makes a lot of sense. City bus routes aren’t being duplicated, leaving space for the extant buses to go to places that needed it. We also like the improvements that were made earlier this semester, adding more buses to the popular routes during peak hours. It’s good to know that OCCT can adapt to our needs.

SAPB: AThe Student Association Programming Board has been pretty solid. Frost Fest was appropriately scaled, instead of reaching for a large-scale festival few would attend. Nick Offerman was a big-name

choice that few other schools got, and Trey Songz was fun. We only wish you got Iggy, guys. Come on.

If we were grading the Student Association as a whole, we’d ask them to see us after class. It feels like the SA has been sticking up for our interests by saving B-Line as we know it and speaking out against the new housing policy. However, we haven’t seen much else come out of the office but voucher rejections, and there has been some general griping about B-Engaged. We’re expecting you guys to really step it up next semester.

Sports: B It’s hard to look past the W-L records of our basketball programs right now, but the recent success of Binghamton’s other athletic programs redeems the department. The men’s soccer team made it to the semifinals and landed a keeper on the NSCAA’s First-Team All-East Region. The women’s soccer team landed three players on the AE AllConference Team after falling in penalty kicks in the conference quarterfinals. The wrestling team boasts a No. 17 ranked heavyweight. Point being, the basketball teams may be dismal, but there’s more to Binghamton than its bball.

Views expressed in the opinion pages represent the opinions of the columnists.

The only piece which represents the views of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the Staff Editorial, above. The Editorial Board is composed of the Editor-in-Chief, News Editor, Opinion Editor, Sports Editor, and Release Editor.

Pipe Dream gave me the education BU never could The friendships formed here taught me valuable and unforgettable life lessons Zachary Feldman

Managing Editor

It’s difficult to sum up exactly what I’ve gotten out of Pipe Dream. It’s even more difficult to put into words the emotion that I’ve attached to the people and places that Pipe Dream has taken me. The realization that half the things I say on a daily basis won’t make sense to anybody outside the office is not an easy one to make. Pipe Dream has been a part of my life in a way that is completely and utterly irreplaceable.

The senior columns at Pipe Dream have taken on the shape of many different stories. Jules used hers to point out the many different paths she could have taken, and Ari explained his infatuation with sports journalism. Kendall shared with us his journey joining the family

that is Pipe Dream, and Christina brought us to the day she decided to be a Bearcat, and not a Terp.

These completely unforgettable people, you must understand, have ingrained themselves in my life in such special ways, and have become some of my best friends. They came and went, and here I get to reflect on all of the wonderful personalities this campus newspaper danced into my life. Well here it goes: I did not join Pipe Dream to fill my design portfolio, or to see my name in print above the fold.

I did not join to gain experience in a field I wanted to go into post graduation, and I did not join it to fill space on my resume. All I can say about my journey to the position I’m in now is that perhaps I was drawn to the type of student you see in the Pipe Dream office. The type of student who reads, who thinks independently, and who enjoys learning; who does everything from club soccer on the weekends, to running

Challah for Hunger in their extra time, to improv comedy.

The types of students who make time to do what they love, who have aspirations bigger than themselves and who are actively trying to achieve them. I joined Pipe Dream to meet them.

These characters, you might say, gave me something much more than an experience in a newsroom. They taught me how and when to make hard decisions when I did not want to, and they taught me to follow through with my actions. They taught me to see other people in more lights than I thought possible, and they encouraged me to think differently. They taught me the value of accountability, and they gave me something to be proud of.

They allowed me to try and fail, to be successful, to be disappointed and more importantly to learn.

They taught me a tremendous amount about friendship, and allowed me to explore it in more ways than one. They encouraged

my contagious enthusiasm and offered me endless support. Pipe Dream, and everyone that it includes, gave me everything I came to college for. That, I have to say, was generous.

My time in this basement office has added something I can’t quite describe to my experience at Binghamton University, and I’m grateful for every bit of it. Pipe Dream has a history of drawing a unique set of people through its doors, and I promise every single one is worth meeting.

A special thanks to the woman who helped me raise the child that is Pipe Dream this semester.

Rachel, serving as your partner has been a roller coaster and a half and I wouldn’t have changed a thing (except maybe that Trey Songz article). There are so many things ahead of you and I cannot wait to see them unfold.

Nick, what I said to you in the car that night while we waited for Jeremy, our savior, to jump my car holds true. I see you in

my life for a very long time, and don’t let anyone, especially Rachel, tell you to change. You’re hilarious and intelligent and one of a kind, and I’ll never forget your generosity that Wednesday morning with the Go-Gurt.

Emma, you couldn’t make me prouder if you tried. You are truly a gem and I am just the luckiest to have met you. If you ever have any problems (that aren’t personal, of course) you’ll know where to find me. If there is anything I did right for Pipe Dream, it was bringing you on board, and if there is anything I did right in college, it was becoming your friend. Go out with me?

To Pipe Dreamers past, wherever in the world you might be, I’ll forever be grateful that our paths have crossed.

To all of you I am leaving behind, you all mean the world to me, and I thank you for not only being my staff, but also being my friends. Take care of Odeya.

Odeya, take care of everyone else.

In the words of a man who I admire for many reasons, “How wonderful life is while you’re [all] in the world.”

— Zachary Feldman is a senior double majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Law and Classical Civilizations, Classical and Near Eastern Studies.

They encouraged my contagious enthusiasm and offered me endless support

www.bupipedream.com | December 15, 2014

Single-payer system benefits all Healthcare reform reduces costs for businesses and taxpayers alike Tyler Sparks

Contributing Columnist

The New York State Assembly Health Committee is in the midst of a series of public hearings, which provide New Yorkers with a unique ability to present testimony on the creation of a single payer healthcare system for New York.

The impetus for the hearings comes from a coalition of over 100 state-wide organizations called the Campaign for New York Health that are launching a grassroots effort to support the New York Health act.

Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) introduced the New York Health act to the legislature in February 2013. This bill would replace insurance company premiums, deductibles, co-pays and network restrictions, with comprehensive, universal health coverage for all New Yorkers. The program would be funded through broad-based progressive payroll taxes on employees and employers, as well as individual income taxes based on ability to pay.

Although the initial tax increases seem burdensome, the creation of a single-payer system would actually provide substantial savings for the state, local governments, healthcare providers, healthcare consumers and businesses.

According to a 2009 study conducted by the Urban Institute and funded by the New York state legislature, by 2019 New York state could save approximately $28 billion with a single-payer healthcare system. Additionally, this program would take the costs of employee healthcare coverage off of local governments, which would allow for a reduction in local property taxes.

Healthcare providers would also benefit from a more streamlined healthcare system. Currently, doctors’ offices, pharmacies and other care providers spend valuable time and resources processing the different paperwork and meeting the different requirements of an array of private insurance companies.

Reducing these administrative costs would save money and also allow more time for care provision.

Healthcare consumers would see a number of benefits under New York Health. All medically necessary services, including primary, preventative, specialists, hospital, mental health, dental, vision, prescription drug and medical supply costs would be covered by the program. This would provide significantly more comprehensive coverage than most New Yorkers can afford. Despite the tax increases that would be used to fund the program, it would be a substantial reduction in the amount people currently spend on healthcare needs. Most importantly, people

would no longer need to avoid treatment out of fear that it will bankrupt them and their families. Consumer healthcare costs, especially prescription drug prices, have skyrocketed in recent years, placing huge burdens on individuals, families and especially on seniors who already struggle to maintain a decent standard of living.

Under the exchanges set up by the state in compliance with the Affordable Care Act, private insurance companies have sought rate increases of up to 28 percent, significantly increasing the cost of plans for consumers. A state program could control these costs and would be more accountable to New York citizens than private companies.

A public system would also end network restrictions, the issue when a healthcare provider does not work with a certain insurance company. This practice is a cause of inconvenience and distress to those who have few healthcare providers close to them and those who must change doctors in order to work with a new insurance plan. New York Health would also provide coverage for the nearly two million workers still left uncovered by the Affordable Care Act. Perhaps surprisingly to many people, many private businesses are expressing support for this plan. Under the current healthcare system, employers often contribute to purchasing healthcare for their employees. New York Health would

Guest Columnist

Finals are upon us, which means we’re all in for a week of all-nighters, poor food choices and constant stress. Take a step back and look at the hilarity that is finals week on a college campus: students running around in pajamas, papers hanging out of their heavy backpacks, not bothering to shower but finding time to sleep in corners of the library. It’s a complete free-for-all.

As the end of the semester creeps closer, students are expected to feel stressed. Even though I’ve had busy weeks with multiple exams and papers due throughout the semester, I still

HIV prevention med is far from a cure-all

Contributing Columnist

remove this cost from businesses, making them more competitive and hopefully stimulate job growth.

Although the Affordable Care Act contains a provision that allows young adults to remain under their parents’ health insurance through age 25, all current students, faculty and staff, have or will have to purchase health insurance within the next few years. Current efforts are failing to adequately address the healthcare crisis in the U.S. Single-payer systems throughout the developed world attest to the effectiveness, affordability and sustainability of such a system.

Within the United States, Vermont has already passed legislation to create such a system, and plans to launch its program in 2017. While there have been many failed efforts to institute public healthcare at the national and state level, a grassroots movement is developing around New York Health, and with broad public support, this vision could finally be realized.

— Tyler Sparks is a senior majoring in English

Finals performance is helped most by a positive state of mind Rebecca Schoenberg

Sex in the Triple Cities

People would no longer need At-risk individuals must to avoid continue to take precautions treatment out HIV and AIDS started to spread, millions died due to the deadliness Michael Rulli of fear of the virus and lack of knowledge.

Take the time to de-stress this finals week feel obligated to be stressed for finals week. Everyone else is doing it, and I find it fun to play along: “I’m not gonna sleep for the next 72 hours!!!” The fact of the matter is that each of us has more than enough time to do everything we need to prepare for finals week.

If you sit down for six hours to write a paper and spend three of those hours browsing Facebook, Instagramming your coffee cup with your study space in the background and tweeting about the kid who’s watching anime in the Pods, then maybe you will end up needing to stay up into the wee hours of the morning to complete your assignments. But if you sit down and focus for a bit, you’ll get your work down bit by bit and you won’t have to stress about it.

Stress is immensely detrimental to your health and doesn’t help you

9

OPINION

don’t have enough time to do my work.” We psych ourselves out by being intimidated by the idea of finals week — it sounds daunting.

There are so many stress-relief events and advertisements around campus that I feel like I should feel stressed so that I can de-stress.

Already, I’ve heard several times that finals week is “why I look like shit today.” I’m writing to tell you that you don’t need to look like shit and get three hours of sleep in a five-day period. You have to write that paper anyway, so work ‘til you start to lose focus, take lots of healthy study breaks and get some in any way. All stress is imaginary sleep! You’ll perform much better within your mind — you’re on your finals if you’re in a good psyching yourself out, and that state of mind and well rested. makes you less productive. This is a vicious cycle: “I don’t want to — Rebecca Schoenberg is start my work because it’s stressful, a senior double majoring in but now I’m stressed because I psychology and philosophy

All stress is imaginary

within your

mind — you're psyching

yourself out

Have you heard of PrEP? Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is a revolutionary drug helping to prevent HIV infections across the country. PrEP is a daily ingested pill that works through the combination of two medicines that together prevent HIV from establishing permanent infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the medication to at-risk populations: anyone in an ongoing relationship with an HIV-positive partner, gay or bisexual men who engage in anal sex without the use of condoms, heterosexual women who do not use condoms during sex with partners of unknown HIV status and illicit drug users who share needles.

While PrEP is revolutionary and life-saving, it certainly isn’t a vaccine and much is still unknown about its effects. Known side effects are slight nausea and upset stomach. The Food and Drug Administration fast-tracked approval for massive release, leading many to question its safety. The seemingly “magical” pill seems too good to be true. The short-term gains of mass release may lead to negative long-term effects. Physicians should take caution when prescribing the drug, taking care that only people at the highest risk consume it regularly.

The widespread prescription of PrEP is problematic in that it adds to the illusion that unprotected recreational sex is now safe. Rampant prescription of such a poorly researched drug is dangerous. This pill is not meant to be used as a substitution for other preventative measures, but as a complement to condoms and other tools.

Unfortunately, the problems that plagued the gay community in the late ’70s and early ’80s that led to the massive infection of millions with the HIV virus are starting to rear their ugly heads once again. HIV and AIDS became the “gay disease” in part because gay men ignored the need to use protection due to the obvious lack of possibility for pregnancy. Once

Now over 30 years later, for the first time a prescription drug has been approved in an effort to prevent the infection altogether.

With the introduction of the drug and increasingly relaxed attitudes toward casual sex, many people are forgetting that the possibility of infection remains high.

This expensive prescription often ends up only helping the people who can afford it and use it for the wrong reasons.

Porn production companies are handing out the drug like candy to allow for creation of films featuring “bareback” scenes, portrayals of anal sex without the use of condoms. These portrayals set an example that unsafe sex is permissible. The porn industry must acknowledge the dangerous effects of such examples on impressionable young gay viewers with no memory of the deadliness of the AIDS epidemic.

The creation of PrEP is a step in the right direction to fight the devastating AIDS virus. However, it must be remembered that this pill is not a vaccine and not a cure-all.

Ensuring that people still follow safe sex practices when partaking in recreational sex is crucial and cannot be forgotten. The pill is not a substitute. If you feel you are a high risk for contraction of HIV, do your research on the pill yourself before you decide to take this preventative measure.

— Michael Rulli is a junior majoring in English

This expensive prescription often ends up only helping people who can afford it and use it for the wrong reasons

Letters to the Editor To the editor: Dear Tyler Sparks, In regard to your December 5, 2014 column titled “Tuitionfree SUNY is possible,” allow this reader, a former resident of Queens, to compliment you on a professionally written, extremely informative, and well-researched op-ed piece.

You never lost my interest!

I thoroughly appreciated the inclusion of information regarding the overall inequalities of school districts across the state, and wealthier districts that collect revenue from higher school/ property taxes.

The only important fact missing in your piece was that our CUNY campuses used to be tuition-free as those of us who grew up in the city in the 50s and 60s so vividly remember.

Yes, it may have been a needbased system for most attendees until 1970 (i.e. low, basic course fees); but it was completely tuition-free from 1970 through 1976.

Thank you, PipeDream, for a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind oped column from a professional writer!

Fran Ferentinos City of Binghamton resident

To the editor: Pipe Dream’s November 30th article “Faculty give Rate My Professors mixed reviews” perpetuated the myth of Rate My Professors being useless.

RateMyProfessors.com, however, gives students an unparalleled ability to control their education. Instead crossing their fingers for a good professor, they can find one even if a trusted friend has never taken the professor’s class. I challenge any student who doubts the site’s usefulness to search it for a past professor. It is aggravatingly accurate.

You will learn of all of the pain you could have avoided. In the 21st century world of big data, it is increasingly clear that preferences are not unique.

There are other students who share the same values using Rate My Professors. Learn from their mistakes, so you do not have to make them yourself.

The most common criticism of Rate My Professors is students just use it for professor bashing. While there are students who professorbash on the site, it does a good job at censoring many of those remarks.

There are still offensive or inaccurate remarks, but Binghamton students are not stupid. We can tell the poorly written “I have bad grade and this why” comments from the genuine advice the site’s users offer. Additionally, the

haters are mostly outnumbered by people offering solid advice. While, ideally, the haters would stop hating, it is impossible to silence them without also potentially censoring the valuable advice other students have.

The article’s method of silencing the haters is the University administered Student Opinion of Teaching surveys (SOOTs). SOOTs are like Rate My Professors as they elicit student opinion and are valuable for the professors. Unfortunately, for students, they have an unmentioned catch: they are primarily only seen by the professor they review and are not made public. Without this data, students are forced to pretend naively that all professors help their students equally. While most of the outstanding faculty here at Binghamton deserve nothing but praise, there are some that are incapable of teaching students in a fair and effective manner. Until these professors are removed, students must use every means available to avoid them in order to contrive the full value of their education.

Rate My Professors not only helps find the best professors; it also helps find the right professor for each student. Comments on the site reveal preferences of the professor that, while not necessarily bad, may not be shared by some students. Maybe a student who needs to work on his

math wants to pick the professor who uses the most math. The site is also used for schedule balancing. If a student knows his or her professor is going to be tough in advance then he or she can postpone that timeconsuming internship for another semester, a win-win for the student and the professor.

In no other walk of life will students ever have as little control over their occupation as they do now. Most jobs can be quit easily, but in college, students receive a “W.” Professors can punish students with a bad grade and they have absolutely no recourse. In the hands of a good professor this power can be constructive, but when used by a bad professor it can be crushing.

Do not risk that train wreck. Many of the poorly rated professors are very nice people, brilliant researchers or just need a little help on their public speaking. I implore them to prove their respectable critics wrong. Their ratings will rise and word will spread. It just takes the passion their best students exhibit every day to improve their own marks. Until then, though, students deserve more for their tuition. It is sad to see the students who fail to use Rate My Professors pull their hair out every semester, but for the rest of us, we know better.

Nicholas Ferrara Binghamton Class of 2017

Have an

opinion?

email opinion@pipedream for more information on how you can contribute to Pipe Dream

10

FUN

www.bupipedream.com | December 15, 2014

It's not Delivery, it's DiPenis

Fun.

Miriam Geiger

RELEASE DATE– Saturday, March 21, 2009

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

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ACROSS 1 Creator of the Lost Boys 9 Go ashore 15 Cowboys and Indians 16 Cuthbert of “24” 17 Cultivated 18 Engine component 19 Retaliated 20 Typesetter’s concern 21 Isolated 22 Thrift store buys 24 “The Bridges at Toko-Ri” setting 25 Disaster relief org.

26 Milquetoast 28 Small cells 29 Record, nowadays 30 Ancient Anáhuac residents 34 Fought vigorously to abolish 37 Blood bank workers 38 There may be one on your car 39 Windy City transportation org.

40 Leather workers 42 Sandwich order 43 Family entrée 46 Planner’s fig.

47 Gorilla 48 Brought about 50 Swell area 53 “Golf for Enlightenment” author Chopra 54 Carpentry gadgets 55 Aplenty 56 Cameos 57 Fixes 58 Least refined DOWN 1 Photo file image 2 Noted 19th century scapegoat 3 “Here’s mud in your eye!”

4 Aegis wielder 5 Chaucerian estate manager 6 Clip 7 Passionate confession 8 Mtge.-related payment 9 He received a Best Actor nomination for playing 1-Across in 2004 10 “A Face in the Crowd” director 11 Italian bakery items 12 Up 13 Geneva’s river 14 Hundred Acre Wood dweller 20 Old map letters 23 Some toys 25 Checker’s determination 26 Playground retort 27 World of Warcraft spellcasters 29 The Sun or The Moon

31 Ring or rink 32 They’re about average 33 Crack 35 Violently attacks 36 Like a dogfight missile 41 Played first 42 Party lines?

43 First secretary of Homeland Security

44 Wee hr.

45 “The Story of __ H”: 1975 Truffaut film 47 Is useful 49 Gets by, with “out” 51 Popular flatbread 52 __ mgr.

54 Letters after C or MS

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

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11

SPORTS

December 15, 2014 | www.bupipedream.com

With two more road losses, Bearcats' skid hits nine McFadden scores 18 points in defeat at BC Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

Michael Contegni/Pipe Dream Staff Photographer

Freshman guard Justin McFadden exploded for 18 points and nine rebounds in BU’s 63-49 loss to Boston College on Sunday.

Shouldering a pair of losses on the road this past week and with just three weeks remaining until its first America East matchup, the Binghamton men’s basketball team is in crunch time to find its rhythm.

Though BU (1-11) fell, 63-49, to ACC-member Boston College on Sunday afternoon, the team fought back after a first half plagued by turnovers to prevent the Eagles (63) from pulling away. The Bearcats scored 31 second-half points — as many as their hosts — but couldn’t find a consistent offensive rhythm to let them come any closer than 12 after entering the second half down, 32-18.

“We battled for sure,” BU head coach Tommy Dempsey said. “And we had some offensive spurts in the second half … but we just couldn’t string enough passes together to get it close enough.”

While the Bearcats’ offensive struggles persisted into this game — they shot 25 percent from the field in the first half, entering the locker rooms converting just 3 of their last 17 shot attempts — Justin McFadden took his turn at a breakout rookie performance on Sunday.

The 6-foot-5 guard out of Philadelphia has been a defensive staple for Binghamton all season.

McFadden is averaging 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.6 minutes per contest in his first year with BU, and recorded a second-best 10 steals and eight blocks for BU through 12 games. But against BC, he led the offensive effort as well. He scored a team-high 18 points, which tied for the game high, and pulled down a game-high nine boards, four of them offensive. He shot 5 for 8 from the field and finished a perfect 8 for 8 from the line.

But for all that, McFadden was the only Bearcat to score in doubledigits. BC did its homework — the Eagles knew to contain freshman forward Dusan Perovic, the team’s leading point-scorer this season.

Perovic was swarmed every time he got the ball, and was held to just five points as a result.

On the defensive end of things, however, Binghamton was more effective. The team ran a zone defense rather than a press, which helped the Bearcats contain BC’s 7-foot, 250-pound junior center Dennis Clifford.

“I thought we played really good defense and gave ourselves a chance to win,” Dempsey said. “We just couldn’t find enough offense to get the game as close as we needed it to be to get a chance to win. But we didn’t let them run away from us and I thought that was because we were really competitive.”

The Eagles drained 7 of 10 shots

to open the game, getting out to an early 18-7 lead in the first eight minutes. Binghamton committed 12 turnovers in the half, leading to 16 Boston points, which didn’t make closing the gap any easier.

In the second half, Binghamton buckled down. Small offensive spurts from freshman guard Romello Walker, freshman forward Willie Rodriguez and McFadden brought the Bearcats to within 12 points multiple times through the half, but the Eagles prevailed.

The loss to BC comes on the heels of a 65-44 loss to Colgate University on Thursday. In that game, Perovic led BU with 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 2-of4 from behind the arc.

After the Bearcats had pulled to within three, 14-11, with 5:38 remaining in the half, they shot just 1 for 7 to enter halftime down, 26-16. Despite playing a more productive second half, BU couldn’t bounce back. Colgate (3-8) shot 60.7 percent from the floor in the second half, embarking on 15-0 run and draining 39 points to pull away to a nearly 20-point victory.

Sophomore forward Nick Madray followed Perovic in scoring, adding nine points and seven rebounds.

Next up for BU is a home match against St. Bonaventure University on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at the Events Center.

Defensive woes lead BU to eighth straight loss Offensive proclivity not enough as Binghamton drops three games in four-day stretch E.Jay Zarett

Assistant Sports Editor Scoring wasn’t a problem for the Binghamton women’s basketball team on its three-game road trip this week, as the Bearcats (1-9) averaged 63 points per game.

Stopping their opponents, however, was a problem. BU allowed each of its opponents to score over 70 points as three consecutive losses to Colgate University, Canisius College and Princeton University pushed the Bearcats’ losing streak to eight.

After falling to Colgate (1-8), 7455, on Wednesday, Binghamton’s defense allowed over 90 points to its next two opponents.

Facing Canisius (4-4) the next day, the Bearcats saw their defense shredded. The Golden Griffins shot 50.8 percent from the field and knocked down seven 3-point field goals at a 53.8 percent clip. Four Canisius players, led by junior guard Tiahana Mills’ 16 points, finished in double-figure scoring on the way to a 91-75 victory.

Binghamton suffered a similar fate on Saturday against undefeated Princeton (10-0). The Tigers — the

first Ivy League team in history to open a season with 10 consecutive wins — dominated inside, knocking down 55.2 percent of their shots while also scoring from the outside, draining 10 3-pointers on a 66.7 percent clip. Junior guard Michelle Miller and senior guard Blake Dietrick each scored 19 points as Princeton cruised past BU, 96-58. “[Against] Princeton I thought we did a good job contending and we played them even for 10 minutes and they kind of wore us down a little bit,” BU head coach Linda Cimino said. “I thought we played hard and I am proud of the way the girls competed.”

After the three-game skid, Binghamton currently ranks last in the conference in points allowed per game, averaging a 76.8 mark.

Part of the issue is a lack of depth on defense, as the Bearcats have only 10 active players on the roster.

On top of that, junior center Jessa Molina has missed all but one game this season due to injury, leaving only nine healthy players for Cimino to work with. Without Molina, Binghamton has only two active front court players on its

entire roster.

“We have been giving up a lot of points in the paint and in transition, which is one of our focus points, to improve the transition defense,” Cimino said. “I think that is indicative of the talent we are playing. We are playing teams which have scored a lot of points on average.”

Despite struggles on the defensive end, the Bearcats have improved offensively this season.

While Binghamton has only captured one win in 2014-15, the team eclipsed its point-per-game clip from last year, with almost 11 points more per game. The freshman backcourt of Jasmine Sina and Imani Watkins has contributed over 24 points in all three games this week, as both lead the Bearcats with season scoring averages of 14.4 and 16.1 points per game, respectively. Furthermore, senior forward Sherae Swinson is averaging 12 points per contest while junior guard Kim Albrecht adds 9.4.

Last season, only one Bearcat on the entire roster, Swinson, averaged over nine points per game.

“We have good threats from the outside in Jasmine [Sina] and Imani [Watkins] and Kim [Albrecht] and on the inside Sherae [Swinson] can score,” Cimino said. “I think we can shoot a higher percent from the outside if our guards weren’t playing so many minutes, so many games, so close to each other …

Playing three games in four days is hard.”

Binghamton is scheduled to return to action Friday against Siena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Events Center.

I thought we played hard and I am proud of the way the girls competed — Linda Cimino BU head coach

Emily Earl/Contributing Photographer

Freshman guard Jasmine Sina is currently averaging 14.4 points per game, which ranks second on the team behind only classmate Imani Watkins.

Moewes named first-team all-east Sophomore keeper reaps additional awards after standout season Ashley Purdy Sports Editor

Highlighting the success sophomore keeper Robert Moewes has had in his first season playing for the Binghamton men’s soccer team, the Dortmund, Germany native was named First-Team All-East Region, the NSCAA announced on Wednesday.

“This is an outstanding honor for Robert,” head coach Paul Marco said according to bubearcats.com. “He was terrific for us all season and he still is capable of playing even better in the future.”

Moewes was also named the 2014 America East Goalkeeper of the Year last month, earning firstteam all-conference honors in the process. He received America

East All-Tournament Team honors through his play against Stony Brook in Binghamton’s quarterfinals match of the conference tournament as well as against Hartford in the semifinals round. Over the Seawolves, Moewes pulled the Bearcats to victory, getting three stops in a penalty kick shootout over Stony Brook’s two to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2008.

Moewes was ranked nationally in two categories through the season. He stood at No. 36 in saves per game, with 4.65, and No. 46 in save percentage, with .802.

Joining Moewes on the region’s first team are three other AE players, all from UMBC. Three seniors, midfielder Mamadou

Kansaye, defender Oumar Ballo and forward Kay Banjo, represent the Retrievers in their historic season that saw them go all the

way to the College Cup, where they fell to the six-time national champion Virginia Cavaliers in the semifinals.

Tycho McManus/Pipe Dream Photographer

Sophomore standout keeper Robert Moewes was named First-Team All-East Region, the NSCAA announced Wednesday.

SPORTS

MEN'S SOCCER

MOEWES NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-EAST REGION see page 11

Monday, December 15, 2014

TWIN TAKEDOWN

Franz Lino/Photo Editor

Freshman twins Vincent and Anthony DePrez have high hopes for their careers as Bearcats after stellar scholastic campaigns.

With wrestling running in DePrez family, twins' journey on mat leads duo to Binghamton Jeff Twitty

Assistant Sports Editor Most siblings wrestle each other growing up to decide who gets the remote or the last slice of pizza.

But for the Binghamton wrestling team’s freshman twins, Vincent and Anthony DePrez, rolling around got them sent to podiums more often than it got them sent to their rooms.

In person, the identical twins are nearly indiscernible from each other, excepting the placement of a few bruises and an eight-pound difference that puts Vincent in the 157-pound class and Anthony at 165. But with both coming from a household in which wrestling is a family affair, the twins reflect more than just each other in the circle.

“When I was younger, it looked like a cool sport to do,” Anthony said. “My dad always did it, so I just

thought, ‘Why not?’”

That question would lead Anthony and his twin to six combined All-City selections, four state-finalist finishes and a combined .881 winning percentage during their scholastic campaign at Hilton High School just outside of Rochester.

“I think the last two years of high school really made us want to get better at [wrestling] and push harder each year to do the best we can,” Vincent said.

Both would end their scholastic careers with 46 victories in 201314, with only one blemish between the two, when Anthony fell in the 152-class State Final. But the duo didn’t always plan to continue their wrestling careers together after the last mats were rolled at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York.

Initially, Vincent sought to join the ranks at Army as a Black Knight,

while Anthony looked at another Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association foe in Bucknell. But in the summer of their senior year, they both elected to embark on their collegiate journey donning green and white.

“I think it [was because Binghamton] was pretty close to home,” Vincent said. “It’s a great school and the coaches were awesome. I just thought it was a good fit.”

Anthony echoed his brother’s reasoning.

“We liked the coaches and the guys on the team,” Anthony said.

So it had nothing to do with sticking together?

“Maybe a little bit since we’ve always been together,” Anthony conceded.

Currently, the transition to the collegiate level has been smooth for both. Anthony is redshirting at 165

behind starting redshirt freshman Zack Zupan. Vincent has taken the starting spot at 157, most recently tallying a 5-1 decision win in BU’s 20-16 team victory over Princeton on Friday.

One might think that the lone 157-pound freshman on a Binghamton team that features five wrestlers in that weight class would be intimidated. But for the DePrez twins, youth has proven to be an advantage. Back in Hilton, the third DePrez brother — Louie — is already turning heads with an All-Rochester selection as a high school freshman in 2014. And Sammy, the fourth of the DePrez brothers, earned his first varsity win two weeks ago, as an eighthgrader.

Binghamton head coach Matt Dernlan, the third son in a fourbrother wrestling family, initially heard of the DePrez family during

his first year as head coach at BU in 2012.

“I knew they had the tools,” Dernlan said. “We all knew they had the fight and they had the attitude to compete at this level.”

But something familiar rang with the head coach about the twins from Hilton. Dernlan’s two older brothers, Jeff and Steve, combined for four Ohio high school state championships between 1985 and 1988. Between 1989 and 1993, Matt and his younger brother, Tim, brought home six more state titles to their hometown of West Liberty, Ohio as Matt later joined Steve at Liberty University. So when it came time to recruit the DePrez brothers, Dernlan saw potential.

“I think we saw the same familiar atmosphere that I grew up with,” Dernlan said. “A really tightknit family, the boys are all best friends and fight for each other

and they also push each other … they’re great character kids.

They’re committed to doing all the right things.”

In the class of 2014’s introductory press release this May, Dernlan wrote that he saw the twins being potential “mainstays” in their respective weight classes for years to come. While both brothers agreed with the coach’s projection, Anthony expressed hopes of progressing the Bearcats by being named an All-American.

Vincent’s path, on the other hand, was a bit heftier: “[Wrestling] hard each year, hopefully going to the national tournament and placing there, and being a national champ,” Anthony said.

And finding the success Vincent has in his first year at the collegiate level, that may not be too lofty a goal.

Behind Deuel's pin, Bearcats earn first dual win Splitting matches down the middle, Binghamton ousts EIWA-rival Princeton, 20-16 Kyle McDonald

Contributing Writer The Binghamton wrestling team earned its first Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) dual victory of the season on Friday night, defeating Princeton, 20-16.

“We’ve been fighting hard all season,” Binghamton head coach Matt Dernlan said. “I challenged our guys this weekend to match our execution with our fight. I think we out-fought them and out-executed them.”

While the teams split the 10 matches, Binghamton (2-4, 1-0 EIWA) earned a pin in its final matchup to seal its victory.

Opening for the Bearcats was redshirt freshman Thierno Diallo, who notched a technical fall, 16-1, to put BU on top in the 125-weight class.

“Thierno’s win was huge,”

Dernlan said. “We knew we had an opportunity for bonus points … and Thierno came out with that attitude and got a huge statement win.”

After splitting the next two matches, No. 18 ranked Princeton (3-2 0-1 EIWA) senior Adam Krop earned a 12-4 decision victory over BU sophomore Nick Tighe at the 149 spot, cutting BU’s lead to 8-7. The Bearcats and Tigers split the next four, giving Binghamton a 14-13 lead headed into the last two matches.

In the 197 match, No. 11 ranked Princeton junior Abram Ayala defeated Binghamton redshirt senior Caleb Wallace, 7-4. The victory put Princeton on top, 16-14, for the first time all match. Heading into its final match behind senior leader and No. 17 ranked Tyler Deuel, BU only needed three points from a decision victory to take the

match. But Deuel wanted more: He pinned his opponent 50 seconds into the second period to lift Binghamton to a 20-16 victory.

“It was a big statement win,” Dernlan said. “Not only did he get his hand raised, which would’ve secured the dual meet as well, but he wants to lead by example. He knew he could get a pin and he went out with that intention and secured a big win for us.”

Deuel now sports a 5-1 record in dual matches this season, going 9-1 overall.

“Being a senior leader on the team, being our highest-ranked wrestler, he’s got to lead by responsibility and by his actions,” Dernlan said. “And he did.”

The Bearcats are next set to travel to Chicago for the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships hosted by Northwestern. The twoday event is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Dec. 29.

Klara Rusinko/Assistant Photo Editor

The Binghamton wrestling team captured its first EIWA dual victory of the season on Friday against Princeton, 20-16.