Fall 2015 Issue 10 by Pipe Dream

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Tuesday, October 6, 2015 | Vol. LXXXVIII, Issue 10 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com

Prof. studies evolution of human ears

App keeps bus riders on track

BU anthropologist Rolf Quam analyzes 2 million year old fossils

ETA Spot uses GPS in OCCT vehicles to provide arrival times

Alexandra Mackof and Kanchi Chandwani

Alana Epstein Staff Writer

Pipe Dream News

them and speak in areas that they have some authority and experience. “Authenticity is so important,” Brouillet said. “It’s obvious if you are not genuine about what you’re talking about. We want someone who is crazy passionate about what they do and is eager to share it with the TEDx community.” Last year’s student speaker was Jack Fischer, a junior double-majoring

Rushing to catch a bus in the morning only to be met by a grumbling crowd of students and 10 minutes of extra wait time is not the best way to start the day. A new mobile application is looking to make mornings a little bit easier. Binghamton University’s Off Campus College Transport (OCCT) has released an app that allows riders to track the location and estimated time of arrival at any stop of their entire fleet of blue buses. Titled “ETA Spot,” the app was created by a third-party company out of Boca Raton, Florida, and is available for students to download on both the App Store and Google Play. Once students download ETA Spot, they can select the buses they want to track. ETA Spot works with the GPS systems in OCCT buses to follow vehicle movements in real time. These buses will then show up on the user’s phone screen as a small bus icon. According to Dillon Schade, Student Association (SA) president and CEO of OCCT, the idea for an app that could track the buses had been circulating for some time, but OCCT only got the ball rolling this year. “Credit for the app should be given to the presidents before me,” said Schade, a senior majoring in industrial systems engineering. “Not much headway was able to be made until OCCT and the University decided to outsource the platform to ETA Transit instead of making the app in-house.” GPS systems are also being installed in the new green campus shuttles, which will make them compatible with the app. According to Schade, as the app starts to gain popularity, OCCT will be able to inform its riders of changes or delays in its routes. “Once a majority of Binghamton students begin using the app, ETA Spot will help OCCT provide

See TED Page 2

See APP Page 2

One Binghamton University professor is looking to uncover the mystery of how the earliest humans first developed their unique hearing structure. Rolf Quam, an assistant professor of anthropology at BU, worked with researchers from Spain, Italy and South Africa to examine two-millionyear-old fossils of human skulls. Quam and his team utilized Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) scans and virtual computer reconstructions to

See EARS Page 2

Yee Man Chan/Contributing Photographer Rolf Quam, an assistant professor of anthropology at BU, works with researchers to examine two-million-year-old fossils of human skulls. Quam and his team utilized CAT scans and virtual computer reconstructions to study internal ear anatomy.

2014 October 26-30

October 12

Application goes live

October 25

Applications are reviewed

Application deadline

Finalist interviews

Finalists notified

66 Applicants

6 Finalists

November 2-6

October 30

Application Statistics

November 8

Chosen speaker notified

Binghamton University

1 Speaker 4 Freshmen 16 Sophomores 8 12 20 Juniors 26 Seniors 46

Watson SOM Harpur

Teri Lam/Design Intern

Student speaker to take TEDx stage for second year

Application to go live on October 12 for undergraduate presenter at TEDxBinghamtonUniversity 2016 Alexandra Mackof News Editor

For the second consecutive year, a student will take the stage alongside activists, entrepreneurs and other speakers at TEDxBinghamtonUniversity. The application period begins on October 12 and will close at midnight on October 25. Interested students will be asked to submit enough content to fill a five-minute time period with their idea

for the talk. A link to the application will be available through B-Engaged, B-Line emails and the TEDxBinghamtonUniversity Facebook page. From October 26 until October 30, the TEDxBinghamtonUniversity student organizers will evaluate the submissions and select several finalists. Those chosen will then be interviewed and will present a live pitch and shortened version of their proposed talk. Sofia Degtyar, a TEDx at Binghamton

University organizer and a junior majoring in art and design, said that students should prioritize originality in their applications and take advantage of what sets them apart. “Keep it fresh, surprise us, make it engaging,” Degtyar said. “Propose ideas or views that have never been considered before.” TEDxBinghamtonUniversity organizer Kaitlyn Brouillet, a junior majoring in business administration, added that students should choose a topic that excites

Study finds binge drinking hinders cell growth Brandon Lew, '15, spearheaded studies on brain damage caused by alcohol Jeffrey Bagg

Contributing Writer The effects of binge drinking on the developing brain is a prevalent topic for those in their college years. Researchers on campus are exploring what exactly those effects are and when they occur. Before graduating in 2015 with a degree in integrative neuroscience, Brandon Lew worked in psychology professor Lisa Savage’s lab to determine the behavioral and neurochemical effects of chronic binge drinking on

adolescents and how it compares to that of adults. Lew is currently a first-year MD/Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with an interest in neuroimaging. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in one sitting, and Lew’s research found that chronic binge drinking, regardless of age, causes a deficiency in reversal learning. Reversal learning is the ability to stop responding to a stimulus that was previously normally responded to, such as eating sugar for several years and then cutting sugar out of the diet

completely. Since he left, the lab is continuing to explore the factors and whether or not there is a specific age range in which these effects are most prevalent. “We were not able to determine a definitive age effect in my research,” Lew said. “However, the Savage Lab is continuing work to understand adolescent sensitivity to alcoholrelated impairments.” Lew used adolescent and adult rats to study binge drinking by giving the rats

See DRINK Page 3

Neil Seejoor/Pipe Dream Photographer Per Stromhaug, assistant vice president for innovation and economic development, speaks at Binghamton University Entrepreneurial Department’s first Idea Pitch Competition.

CDCI offers students chance to give back

Entrepreneurs vie for $1,000 startup funding in idea faceoff

Stacey Schimmel

Panel of community professionals hear students present business pitches to help build economy

Local volunteering, internship opportunities available for credit or experience Staff Writer

From working at the Ross Park Zoo to the Broome County Health Department, the Career Development Centralized Internship Program (CDCI) and Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) are getting students involved in the Broome County community. The CDCI partners students with over 100 pre-approved organizations to find internships that earn them two to four credits and fulfill the W or O general education requirement. The CDCI also takes student suggestions of

organizations, and will approve them on a case-by-case basis if the internships have an academic aspect. According to Dara Riegel, internship and career consultant at the CDCI, students gain hands-on work experience by interning for 120 hours a semester and attending hour-long weekly seminars. Students receive a letter grade and professional guidance, such as resume advice. Riegel said that even if students do not participate in strictly communityservice based programs, they are still helping the community and stimulating the economy. “Regardless of whether a student

gets credit for an internship or not, it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to gain experience,” Riegel said. “If they’re doing it at a community organization, then even better because they’re utilizing their talents to help propel a small organization to success.” The CDCI has opportunities for all majors and works with employers to post offerings online on hireBING. Students can begin applying for spring internships on November 11, and can apply to as many as they like. Riegel said 995 students participated

See CDCI Page 2

Michelle Kraidman Staff Writer

Hoping to win $1,000, five Binghamton University students put their ideas to the test in the entrepreneurial department’s inaugural “Idea Pitch” competition. On Monday evening in the Innovative Technologies Complex, five students presented their ideas to a panel of local professionals and entrepreneurs. The winner of the competition was Scott Benson, an undeclared sophomore, for his app Study Clash. He received a $1,000

grant from the department’s budget along with the chance to pitch his idea for a larger prize in the annual “Shark Tank” business-proposal event in the spring. Fifteen students submitted an application for the grant, and five finalists were chosen to pitch their plans in front of the judges. Members of judging panel included Suzanne McLeod, the superintendent of Union-Endicott Central Schools; Darren MacDonald, the executive director of Southern Tier Capital Fund;

See IDEA Page 4

NEWS

bupipedream.com | October 6, 2015

Professor explores history of hearing TEDx speaker app. to go live Oct. 12 EARS continued from Page 1 study internal-ear anatomy. Through this research, Quam said he is trying to determine when humans and chimpanzees began to evolve differently in regards to hearing. “The human hearing pattern is something that evolved after we separated from chimpanzees evolutionarily,” Quam said. “After our common ancestor, human hearing changed to the way we hear today. We were interested in finding out when this human-like hearing pattern emerged in our evolutionary history.” Quam said that he and his team have been examining fossils since 2005 and they are currently working on identifying a timeline for when evolutionary hearing

It forges new directions...and complicates what it means to be human — Siobhan Hart BU Professor

differences began to occur. In his 2006 dissertation, Quam detailed his study of 433,000-year-old ear ossicles, which are the three smallest bones in the human ear. He found fossils of these in Atapuerca, Spain. By examining these skulls, Quam concluded that chimpanzees and humans can hear a similar range of sounds. Overall, he said, humans have better hearing than chimpanzees do, but also experience sensitivities to pitches that do not affect chimpanzees. Quam and his team then studied two-million-year-old fossils found in South Africa. These skulls were more apelike in anatomy and features, with projecting mouth features and large teeth. The fossils still resemble chimpanzees, but have auditory features similar to that of modern humans. According to Quam, this shows that early humans may have favored short-range verbal communication in the Savannah. He also said he plans to spearhead a new study inspired by this discovery, focusing on the style and purpose of early language. “Human language today is different from chimpanzee communication in a number of ways,” Quam said. “Human language has a very strong

symbolic component to it and chimpanzee communication in the wild does not. [Chimpanzee] communication is mainly restricted to things like communicating emotions, emotional states and perhaps communicating danger.” As Quam continues to move forward with his research, BU anthropology and biology professor David Merriwether said he is interested to see how it affects the field of anthropology overall. “Rolf Quam’s research gives us exciting new insights into the capabilities of some earlier members of the tree that leads to modern humans,” Merriweather said. “There were many more species in our genus over the last million years than are alive now, and this research reveals fascinating attributes some of these species possessed.” According to Siobhan Hart, an assistant anthropology professor at BU, Quam’s research is vital to the discovery of humanity’s shared history with other species. “Dr. Quam’s research expands our understanding of the senses of our hominid ancestors,” Hart said. “It forges new directions in the study of human evolution and further complicates what it means to be human.”

OCCT app helps riders stay on time APP continued from Page 1 quick updates to students on route changes and delays,” Schade said. “This will help fix transparency issues with spontaneous road maintenance in Downtown Binghamton.” This will also help during the cold winter months. According to Robercy Tapia, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, real-time updates

will be useful for off-campus students who have to wait outside for their buses to arrive. “I’m always trying to catch a bus and it’s frustrating having [it] come super late,” Tapia said. “At least with the new app I can see how much longer I have to wait and decide which bus is faster or more convenient for me to take.” According to Lauren Schulman, a sophomore

majoring in philosophy, politics and law, the app will reduce the stress of off-campus students who have to plan their daily commutes. “Knowing whether the buses are running on time or late is so helpful for students who take the bus regularly,” Schulman said. “It gives people the opportunity to stay warm inside and not have to rush to get ready if their bus is running late.”

TED continued from Page 1 in computer science and mathematics. Fischer’s talk, “Porn: The New Tobacco,” focused on the dark side of pornography and a related Reddit forum called “No Fap.” On No Fap, contributors decide to abstain from masturbating and/or watching pornography for an extended period of time. Degtyar said that Fischer’s originality made him a standout to the committee throughout the application process. “His talk was ballsy,” Degtyar said. “It was a new idea and a subject that a lot of people had never come in contact with.” Fischer said that he was grateful to be the student

speaker, and he was very happy to know a member of the campus community would be returning to the TEDxBinghamtonUniversity stage. “I think the medium is perfect for highlighting what people are doing in an unusual way,” Fischer said. “And for getting some of the things happening at [BU], maybe off the beaten track a little bit, out to the world.” The chosen speaker will be notified by November 8 at midnight after all finalists have had the opportunity to present. The speaker will then spend the months leading up to the TEDxBinghamtonUniversity conference writing their speech and preparing for the event with the help of the organizers.

“If you are chosen, the organizers will support you every step of the way,” Brouillet said. “The preparation process is a huge time commitment, and giving a TED talk can be really nerve-wracking. We want you to be the best you can be and will do everything to make you TEDx ready.” The student speaker will also be encouraged to utilize the public speaking skills lab on campus, as well as any other faculty and student resources needed. Brouillet added that above all, applicants should embrace their idiosyncrasies and utilize them in their talk pitch. “We look for people who are intriguing and a little weird,” Brouillet said. “Don’t be afraid to be different.”

Local orgs. offer for-credit internships CDCI continued from Page 1 in the CDCI program in the 2014-2015 academic year at organizations like Johnson City Mentors, Liberty Partnerships, Promise Zone and the Community Schools project. There are also 45 departments offering internships on campus, from the Multicultural Resource Center to the Athletics Department. The JC Mentorship Program allows students to get communication and leadership skills by creating goals for JC middle school students. The twocredit internship is five hours a week, along with a seminar class. Zach Pehel, a JC mentor and senior double-majoring in political science and environmental studies, said that it was a positive experience to engage with the local community first-hand. “Two years later I still see them and go to their football games and chat with them weekly,” Pehel said. “They are great kids in tough situations and it was a pleasure

to be able to become part of their lives.” Laura Bowen, the executive director of CDCI-approved organization Mom’s House, said that she has had a great experience with BU volunteers who have worked at the childcare facility. “They are wonderful with the children and provide a fresh and enthusiastic element that enhances the learning environment,” Bowen said. “They also enable us to give more oneon-one attention which positively impacts the children in our care and the quality of education we are able to deliver.” The CDCI can provide students with internships, but students can also find volunteering opportunities through the CCE database. The CCE connects students with community organizations, nonprofits or volunteering opportunities through their online service listings database, which features more than 300 organizations. Community Schools

Coordinator Pam Misener said that the Binghamton area has much to offer students and volunteers, and it is easy to get involved. “Not only does this get BU students off-campus to learn about Broome County, but it also allows students to bring their own passion and areas of expertise to local school children,” Misener said. “It’s a winning scenario that supports success for all who participate.”

It's a winning scenario that supports success for all who participate

Think Syracuse University! Graduate Program Info Session

Friday, November 6 Visit SU’s Falk College and learn about graduate programs in: Addiction Studies

Nutrition Science

Athletic Advising

Social Work

Child and Family Studies

Sport Venue and Event Management

Food Studies Global Health Marriage and Family Therapy

Trauma Studies

4 p.m. November 6 Syracuse University Falk College Details and registration at falk.syr.edu, 315-443-5555 or e-mail falk@syr.edu.

— Pam Miserer Community Schools Coordinator

PAGE III Tuesday, October 6, 2015

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

Beers and Beats

Corrections Pipe Dream strives for accuracy in all we publish. We recognize that mistakes will sometimes occur, but we treat errors very seriously. If you see a mistake in the paper, please contact Editor-in-Chief Nicolas Vega at editor@bupipedream.com.

alcohol consistently for a limited period of time. The rats were then given a recovery period of three weeks without any alcohol, and then went through behavioral learning and memory tests to evaluate the effects. An ELISA test, which is a a biochemical assessment method, was then run to determine the level of neurotrophins in the brain. Neurotrophins are chemicals that help neurons, or brain cells, grow and multiply. The research hypothesized that lower neurotrophin levels could be linked to alcohol-induced brain damage. However, there was no indication that there was a significantly smaller amount of neurotrophins between groups. Continuing the research conducted by Lew in her lab is important in understanding and possibly finding ways to treat the effects of alcoholism, Savage said. “The age one starts drinking and the pattern in which one drinks sets the pattern for how frequently and how much someone will drink across his/ her lifetime,” Savage wrote in an email. “Our lab focuses on

the brain damage and cognitive consequences of long-term alcoholism. When alcoholics become abstinent there is some recovery of brain loss and cognitive loss. We want to understand how the brain recovers, so we can make the process as effective as possible.” As a graduate student, Lew is looking to expand his areas of research, but said he was grateful for the opportunities in research he was able to participate in during his time at BU. “I have always enjoyed science,” Lew said. “I find research exciting and was very privileged to be able to perform research as an undergraduate.”

Our lab focuses on...cognitive consequences of long-term alcoholism — Lisa Savage BU psychology professor

Fall 2015 editor-in-ChieF* Nicolas Vega editor@bupipedream.com

MAnAging editor* Emma C Siegel manager@bupipedream.com

Alumnus studies effects of binge drinking on memory TK continued from Page 1

FAx: 607-777-2600 Web: bupipedream.com

neWs editor* Alexandra K. Mackof news@bupipedream.com

Asst. neWs editors Carla B. Sinclair Pelle Waldron Gabriella Weick

Neil Seejoor/Pipe Dream Photographer DJ Alpski performs on State Street in front of Social on State on Saturday afternoon. The outdoor festival celebrated German beer and food, which had German and fall-style beers, outdoor grilling, contests and commemorative German steins, all hosted by Great Lakes Brewing Co. and Social on State.

Police Watch Better Late Than Never FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. — University maintenance workers contacted UPD because of criminal mischief in Mountainview College’s Cascade Hall, said Investigator Patrick Reilly of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. Someone allegedly punched a hole through the sheetrock in room G13. A work order was already placed for the damage since it was initially discovered on September 18. The case is pending investigation. Stained Reputation FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 10:30 a.m. — Cleaning staff in Digman Hall in Dickinson Community contacted UPD because an unknown suspect allegedly scribbled the word “whore” onto the door of one of the hall’s elevators, Reilly said. The suspect also allegedly smeared food onto the elevator doors. The cleaning staff was able to clean out the food but they were unable to clean off the scribbled word. The cleaning staff is looking into finding a way to remove the word. The case is still under investigation.

A lighter take on campus crime

interiM oPinion editor* Katherine H. Dowd opinion@bupipedream.com

releAse editor* Odeya Pinkus release@bupipedream.com

Asst. releAse editor Kathryn Shafsky

Aaron Berkowitz | Police Correspondent

Fool Me Once … FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 2:30 p.m. — A 21-year-old female contacted UPD because she was reportedly the victim of fraud, Reilly said. The victim received an email from what she believed to be the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development about a job. She sent her resume to the employer via email. A person claiming to be a sociology professor at St. John’s University responded, saying that he needed someone to cash three checks for him. She was instructed to use part of the money to buy supplies for an orphanage overseas and to keep the rest as payment. The victim cashed the checks, but felt wary of the suspect’s intentions and contacted UPD. The case is still under investigation. Use A Goddamn Locker SATURDAY, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. — Officers responded to the East Gym for a report of theft, Reilly said. The victims, a 19-year-old male and a 20-year-old male, left their phones against a wall as they played basketball. Later in the game, the victims looked over to where they placed their phones and saw that they were missing. Officers canvassed the area looking for results, but found none. The case is still under investigation.

sPorts editor* E.Jay Zarett sports@bupipedream.com

Asst. sPorts editors Jeffrey Twitty Orla McCaffrey

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design MAnAger* Samantha Webb design@bupipedream.com

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neWsrooM teChnology MAnAger Rohit Kapur tech@bupipedream.com

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LOCAL NEWS

Woman charged in door-kicking incident

Binghamton shooting leaves man in critical condition

Ashley M. Wescott, 31, was charged after kicking and damaging a door in Endwell, according to the Press and Sun-Bulletin. Wescott was charged with a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree criminal mischief after she was locked outside of someone’s apartment on North Street in the Town of Union with one of her shoes still inside. State troopers found that Wescott was locked outside of the apartment after she was told to leave, and caused about $100 worth of damage. She is scheduled to appear in Union Town Court. STATE NEWS

A 20-year-old man was shot in the chest on the corner of Gerard Avenue and Murray Street in Binghamton, according to the Press and SunBulletin. The Binghamton Police Department responded at 2:17 a.m. on Saturday to reports of a shooting on Murray Street between Clinton and Gerard Avenue. The man is currently in critical condition after being transported to a local hospital by EMS. Police returned to the crime scene at around 7 a.m. Saturday and were going door-todoor asking for information. The investigation is ongoing. Cortland man jailed in sex assault William Miles, 33, of Cortland, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman, according to the Press and Sun-Bulletin. Miles had sexual contact with a woman against her will after he visited her home, but he was already violating an order of protection that prohibited him from contacting her. He called the woman after and apologized, but a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was charged with felony counts of rape, aggravated family offense, burglary and criminal contempt, and misdemeanors of criminal mischief and criminal contempt. He is held in the Cortland County jail with bail set at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.

Heroin: $30M worth seized in Bronx, Yonkers bust State and city law enforcement seized $30 million worth of heroin in a drug bust split between the northwest Bronx and Yonkers, according to the Press and Sun-Bulletin. Ramon Rivas and Jose Rodriguez are being charged with first-degree and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance charges after finding 141 pounds of heroin in three separate locations across the Bronx and Yonkers. Rivas and Rodriguez were sitting in their car when they were questioned by New York State Police working in conjunction with the DEA when the officers found 48 pounds of heroin in a compartment in the trunk. The two were arrested and remain at Manhattan Criminal Court. Both pleaded not guilty.

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Pipe Dream is published by the Pipe Dream Executive Board, which has sole and final discretion over the newspaper’s content and personnel. *Positions seated on the Executive Board are denoted by an asterisk. Pipe Dream is published Tuesdays and Fridays while classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters, except during finals weeks and vacations. Pipe Dream accepts stimulating, original guest columns from undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty. Submissions should be 400 to 500 words in length and be thus far unpublished. Submissions must include the writer’s name and phone number, and year of graduation or expected year of graduation. Graduate students and faculty members should indicate their standing as such, as well as departmmental affiliation. Organizational (i.e. student group) affiliations are to be disclosed and may be noted at Pipe Dream’s discretion. Anonymous submissions are not accepted. Any facts referenced must be properly cited from credible news sources. Pipe Dream reserves the right to edit submissions, and does not guarantee publication. All submissions become property of Pipe Dream. Submissions may be e-mailed to the Opinion Editor at opinion@ bupipedream.com.

stabilizing: jacob

photo :destabilizing

NEWS

bupipedream.com | October 6, 2015

Student groups compete to win $1K in entrepreneurship idea competition IDEA continued from Page 1

Neil Seejoor/Pipe Dream Photographer Pictured: Idea Pitch judges

and Rajib Akhter, a Binghamton businessman. The ventures pitched included a website offering a list of activities to do outside of campus, a modified Segway to better serve disabled people and a series of scripting websites that simplify complicated tasks such as filing for bankruptcy. Benson and his team have begun work on Study Clash, which allows students to take their notes and turn them into a quiz game. He said the idea struck him while he procrastinated studying for psychology by playing on the app Trivia Crack. The team is comprised of his brother, marketing specialists and two BU engineers. “I realized that instead of useless trivia, it could test me on what

I was studying,” Benson said. “You take that addictive nature of a trivia game and you bring in the educational benefit so I can really picture kids not dreading studying.” Benson said that he plans on using the money he won to advance the servers of the app as well as pay for legal fees for copywriting the app. He said he wants to debut the app by November, in time for students to study for finals. Katie Garrison, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, pitched an idea for a website highlighting community events titled “Katie’s List.” Although she didn’t win, Garrison said that in pitching she learned a valuable skill that prepared her for future business pitches. “I’m glad I could experience

what it’s like to pitch an idea to people who have money at stake,” Garrison said. “It’s cool to see if they’d believe in my idea or not.” Panelist Darren MacDonald said he judged ideas based on their sustainability. “I wanted to see ideas that I could envision being completed on the time frame that was being presented and I also wanted to see what had growth potential,” MacDonald said. “I felt like the winner was already well on his way to progressing with actually developing it so I felt like they could actually meet their timeline.” Ken McLeod, the entrepreneurin-residence at BU and a professor of biomedical engineering and entrepreneurship, said that the overall goal of the event was to inspire students who are not aware

Entrepreneurial thinking...can prepare students for the real world — Ken McLeod BU Professor

of the entrepreneurial funding available to them. “They might look at this and think, ‘I have a better idea than that,’” McLeod said. “Now almost everybody gets a college degree so it’s not a unique thing anymore so entrepreneurial thinking is an important skill and being a leader can prepare students for the real world.”

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F UN PAGE Tuesday, October 6, 2015

DISCLAIMER: Because of recent events on Fun Page it has become quite alarming how angsty the Editor, Ben, has been on Fun Page. We apologize for the grief that Fun Page might have cost the readers this week and wish to assure you that this angst does not stand. Ben has been temporarily removed from his post and in his stead, we have run through all of Ben's old comics and censored them for angst, fatalism, nihilsm, etc. We sincerely hope you enjoy. - The Man

Alcoholics Anonymous for Cartoons

Lil Manning

EVERYTHING IS OK

Look how sunny this day is! Everything is perfect today.

It's a Car-Tune, Get It?

American Offline Editor's Note

Howdy y'all!! Ain't life great? I sure am as peachy as a Georgia peach today. You know what I was really thinking about that just made my day? The government. Isn't it just something else how closely the government listens to us, the little guys? I also love shopping at Wal-Mart and eating at Burger King, two great American institutions. Did I tell you guys that there is a God and he actually answered my prayers? I got World Peace! It was that easy. Anyway, I best be going. The great staff at Pipe Dream threw me a surprise party! How about that? These guys really care about their staff and also you, the reader. They want to do nothing but let you know that everything is OK. Go back to watching your television and eating Lays potato chips. Keep eating. I heard "The Voice" is on. Watch it. Let yourself be entertained. Did you know a two liter Coca-Cola only costs a little more than a one liter bottle? You better get that deal ... go ... Welp got to sink my teeth into this Whopper from Burger King. Love y'all!!

TFP And hark! A rose grows! How pleasent and lovely life is! I treasure this existence.

"Ben"

Happy...

RELEASE DATE– Friday, July 13, 2007

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis ACROSS 1 Sea lion attacker 5 Classic fragrance also called Mon Péché 10 Little devils 14 Makeup artist? 15 In wonder 16 __ Lee Schupf, eponymous daughter of a baking entrepreneur 17 Holy recess 18 Status symbol with a band 19 Eager plus 20 Mrs. Sprat’s problem? 23 Milk source 24 Bread machine? 25 Continental high spot 28 Appomattox initials 31 Chicago news group? 35 “Gimme a Break” star Carter 37 Bob Marley genre 38 Dry white wine 39 Like a soft melody 41 Letter on a blue skintight suit 43 Earth 44 Grant player 45 Estuary 47 Cancel a dele 48 Danger for a shark under a boat? 52 Jerk 53 Env. insertion 54 Org. with an online DoctorFinder 55 Haze reduces it: Abbr. 57 Coming up with a clever retort the next day? 64 Flub 66 Timber wolves 67 Magnitogorsk’s river 68 Space explorer 69 Tickle pink 70 A whole one has no stem 71 Manipulative sort 72 To the point 73 Prayer joint?

59 Resort feature 36 Cobb of DOWN that can give you Hollywood 1 Minnesota’s St. a lift 40 Medicate, e.g. __ College 60 Red __: candy 42 Polite title 2 Gifford’s 61 Press 46 President, often replacement 62 Hoopster 49 Western, for 3 Raise, as doubt Archibald one 4 Fields of study 63 “Piping songs of 50 Release 5 Self-sacrificing pleasant __”: requiring regular ones Blake reporting 6 Bela’s “Son of 64 Safari sight 51 Dark principle Frankenstein” 65 Org. that evolved 56 Shut out role from the Pan 58 Off in the 7 Casa room American Union distance 8 Common emetic 9 Abutting ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE: 10 Golfer Aoki 11 Agreement denounced by Innocent III 12 Lesson giver 13 Buckle 21 Little shaver 22 Urgent words 26 École supplies 27 Folds 28 Violating a code, perhaps 29 Attaches with a needle 30 “The Big Chill” Oscar nominee 32 Well-liked leader 33 Port on the Shatt al-Arab 34 Refusals 7/13/07 xwordeditor@aol.com

7/13/07

Bienvenido Rodriguez/Contributing Photographer

Well, Weekend Warrior, we meet again. So maybe you protested outside of Dillinger’s because of their recently announced cover charge. And maybe you hooked up with that guy from your floor in the Rat bathroom. And so what if you fell asleep for a few seconds after lying down in the middle of State Street? You got right back up again to chase after that last bus home. We’re glad you made it, and we’ll see you next week.

Arts & Culture

BU professors astound with vocals at First Friday Rebecca Kiss/Contributing Photographer

On October 2, the United Presbyterian Church on Chenango Street hosted a faculty recital as a part of Downtown Binghamton’s First Friday. Thomas Goodheart, Stephen Zank, Jean Goodheart, Mary Burgess and Joel Harder, five members of the Binghamton University music department, performed selections from Robert Schumann, Henri Duparc, Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms.

Faculty Recital showcases five Binghamton University voices at United Presbyterian Church Enthusiastically giving their all to each song, you could see the passion that they had for their craft

Georgia Westbrook | Contributing Writer On October 2, the United Presbyterian Church on Chenango Street hosted a faculty recital as a part of Downtown Binghamton’s First Friday. Five members of the Binghamton University music department — Thomas Goodheart, baritone; Stephen Zank, piano; Jean Goodheart, soprano; Mary Burgess, soprano and Joel Harder, piano — performed German and French selections from artists Henri Duparc, Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms, as well as the featured piece: Robert Schumann’s Liederkreis, Op. 39.

The church was vast and carpeted, with excellent acoustics, and the event itself drew in a substantial crowd with people of all ages. Impressively, the performers engaged with the audience using much more than just their voices. Enthusiastically giving their all to each song, you could see the passion that they had for their craft. Burgess, a soprano, seemed to steal the show. She sang with a soft voice that somehow projected at impressively high pitches. Burgess has a background in operatic performance, and it showed. Additionally, she used the show as an opportunity to show off a newer

member of the department. “I chose songs by Franz Liszt because they are very pianistic and I wanted to introduce to our community our new faculty member, Joel Harder, assistant professor of collaborative piano, an absolutely outstanding player,” Burgess said. “The Liszt songs I chose tell interesting, dramatic stories which intrigue me, so that’s another reason I chose them. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to learn and perform this repertoire and to share it with others. No one could love their work more than I do.” Harder accompanied parts of the program for Ms. Goodheart, Burgess, and Mr. Goodheart.

Although each of the pieces were different in style and language, he handled them all with deft emotion that could connect with the audience. Harder joined the music department faculty just this fall, and found it easy to acclimate to the department. “Tom [Goodheart] approached me at the beginning of the term about joining him in this concert, and I feel it has provided me a warm welcome from the faculty as well as a way to introduce myself as a collaborative pianist through collaboration on stage,” Harder said. “Working directly and creatively with my colleagues, as I have the privilege of doing here, is

a truly unique way of establishing connections and building relationships, and it has certainly been an important part of my transition to the Binghamton community.” I was struck throughout the performance by the enthusiasm each performer conveyed, despite how long the songs were and the fact that it was the Friday evening of what seemed like a very long week. This concert was part of a fall series sponsored by the music department. The next production, called “Roomful of Teeth: Music Now!” will be on October 11 at 3 p.m. in the Anderson Center.

Merlin's last show is anything but a drag

Downtown bar closes, says farewell to a community it has fostered since 2005 Rich Kersting | Release

Kaely Hankison/Contributing Photographer

Local resident Katie Sharp, 24, looks on at the exhibit in the Anthony Brunelli Gallery on State Street. As a part of last week’s First Friday events, Binghamton University professor Alexandra Davis opened her exhibit, “Separation of Space,” at the Anthony Brunelli Gallery.

BU professor illustrates 'Separation of Space'

Alexandra Davis takes over Anthony Brunelli Gallery with new exhibition Shauna Bahssin | Contributing Writer

As a part of last week’s First Friday events, Binghamton University professor Alexandra Davis opened her exhibit “Separation of Space” at the Anthony Brunelli Gallery. The lithography-based showing is the adjunct professor of art and printmaking’s most recent installation. The show featured scenes that appeared to come directly from idyllic, natural settings. Upon entering the gallery, the viewer is faced with a few smaller pieces, which, as one makes his or her way farther into the exhibit, grow in size. Perhaps the most striking work in the show was a large-

scale piece titled “Expanse,” which was allotted the entire back wall of the gallery. The focus of the piece is a deep lake set in between mountains, though a harsh cutaway to negative space, clearly intended to be the sky, which calls into question what the true expanse is. Similarly, each work in the gallery utilizes deep outlines to form clearly defined “separations of space.” Davis grew up in an artsoriented family and felt that her transition into teaching, after obtaining an MFA from SUNY New Paltz, was very organic. “Some things just come naturally,” she said. For her, teaching is one of them.

Like her decision to study art, Davis says that her connection to the subject matter of her work is something she considers to be inherent. “Some people like nature,” she explained. “I’ve always been someone who enjoys hiking and the outdoors. I grew up that way. I did organic gardening before it was fashionable.” The medium that Davis uses to create her work came about in a similar manner; her uncle studied lithography as well, which gave her some background in the art form. She describes the subject matter to be innately sculptural, similar to the process of creating etchings and collographs. “Texture and nature is very

tactile,” she said. “The textures of mountains and the flow of water — those things are very important to me.” Possibly the most interesting aspect of the work in Davis’s exhibit is the movement of the pieces. One particularly striking piece titled “Decay” is a good example of this. Though the piece is rendered in deep greens and yellows, the colors twist and flow together in motion in a way that contradicts its name and suggests that there is something to be continued. A lot of her work revolves around the concept of the cyclical nature of life. In terms of creating her work, Davis has one statement that truly encompasses the exhibit as a whole: “it’s magical.”

Once considered the prominent gay bar in Downtown Binghamton, Merlin’s retired from the local scene and closed its doors with a final drag show. With three separate acts during Friday night’s event, “The Last Drag” was not as much a formalized performance as it was one fluid social gathering. Packed with people, the bar welcomed everyone from drag queens to a couple dressed up as skeletons wielding skull scepters. The Merlin’s experience has always been a melting pot of diversity and self-expression. With an even mixture of young and old, “The Last Drag” catered to a varied group with a range of backgrounds, identities and experiences. Drag shows are always eccentric, and their unpredictable nature is part of the appeal. But when the audience comes together as a cohesive body, an air of acceptance and support is prevalent. The performers’ passion was

Where can this level of creativity find a new stage to share its talent?

clear and exposed during the performances, and their talent was celebrated. Since performers volunteered for spots, they were there truly because they wanted to be, and it showed. As the audience took a mosh pit format full of enthusiasm, “The Last Drag” show continued on while countless performers shared their eccentricities. The cheering crowd climbed onto chairs, tables, boxes and even other audience members to get a better look at the performers. Despite the struggle to get a good view, it was definitely a worthwhile experience. The packed bar was a testament to the adoration so many felt for the unique venue. Merlin’s was a fixture in Binghamton for years, where drag was more than just leggy men in pantyhose and pop soundtracks. People knew that it was a place they were always welcome, where social restrictions did not apply. As Merlin’s closes its doors and “The Last Drag” comes to an end, the question is posed: Where can this level of creativity find a new stage to share its talent? When one finds a bar they’re comfortable with, it can be hard to suddenly change. The silver lining is that according to Merlin’s owner Laura Hering, the LGBTQ community has become more mainstream. Local bars are becoming more “gay friendly.” But regardless, the loss of a concentrated location of unique and diverse culture cannot be replaced. Bars come and go, and with “The Last Drag,” Merlin’s says farewell to the community it helped foster; a community that won’t soon forget about it.

RELEASE

October 6, 2015 | bupipedream.com

Atomic Tom's displays 'Rude and Bold Women' 15th annual First Friday show redefines heroism and gender roles with 'sheroes' Therese Ferrara | Contributing Writer The term â&#x20AC;&#x153;heroâ&#x20AC;? derives from an ancient Greek word meaning to defend or protect. Over time, this term has taken on gender connotations, in which a hero is defined as having predominately agreed-upon male characteristics. Located in Atomic Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gallery, an exhibition titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rude and Bold Womenâ&#x20AC;? debunked this concept by making â&#x20AC;&#x153;sheroesâ&#x20AC;? the theme of the show. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;sheroâ&#x20AC;? is a woman regarded as a hero. The existence of this word alone reiterates patriarchal ideals that are prevalent in society. The show explored the need for gender equality through moving pieces that exemplify the beauty of female empowerment. This past Friday, the exhibition celebrated its 15th year. This milestone is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm that the founders have for its mission: to identify, encourage and promote female creators to raise social consciousness about women in the arts. The show features both local and national artists who construct new meaning of what a hero is. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This show gives women a platform and an opportunity to express what it is like to live as a women in a patriarchal society,â&#x20AC;? said Yvonne Lucia, a principle organizer of the show. Each artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique interpretation of the prompt, sheroes, delves deeper into the issue of gender inequality. The resulting artwork can be presented through any medium, whether that be sculpture, painting or even performance art. These lax regulations allow for creations like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Margaret Sanger,â&#x20AC;? by Joyce Shehi. Acrylic on canvas, this

painting pays homage to the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights activist for which the piece is named. The portrait of Sanger depicts her as an authoritative figure. Depicted with an expression of determination, Sanger is shrouded in a halo-esque light, created by a stylized version of the birth control pills that she helped to promote. Sanger stands strong and proud while ripping the Comstock Law in half, figuratively ripping down sexual and gender boundaries. While Sanger might be an obvious choice of â&#x20AC;&#x153;shero,â&#x20AC;? other artists took more liberal, impressionistic approaches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Kingdom in Ruin,â&#x20AC;? by Megan Smey, for example, features rich, sumptuous colors that highlight the tumultuous relationship between women and the world they inhabit. The image seeks to communicate womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plight in their struggle to find purpose and inspiration while destroying the boundaries that limit womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worldview. The workâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abstract nature possesses a transformative quality in which one can connect and supplement oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issues into the piece, creating solidarity among womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 2015 things seem to be getting worse for women,â&#x20AC;? said Lucia. From unequal pay in the workplace to the possible defunding of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health services, issues of gender inequality saturate everyday life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rude and Bold Womenâ&#x20AC;? attempts to deconstruct these inequalities through the raw, communicative power of art. The exhibit presents cohesive, unified images that incorporate both beauty and poignant messages to create a show, which, as Lucia says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;[E]mpowers women to break the mold and take control of their own creativity.â&#x20AC;?

Photo Provided by 20th Century Fox

Matt Damon shows humanity in 'The Martian'

Movie based on 2011 novel features stunning visuals, incredible soundtrack Deanna Shiverick | Contributing Writer Ridley Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Martianâ&#x20AC;? premiered Friday, much to the delight of science fiction nerds and space enthusiasts. Based on the 2011 novel by Andy Weir, the film stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney, an astronaut, botanist and member of the fictional Ares 3 manned mission to Mars. As the crew abandons the planet because of a severe dust storm, Watney is hit by flying debris and presumed dead. The crew leaves without him, not knowing that Watney is very much alive. After regaining consciousness, Watney is faced with figuring out how to survive on Mars for four years until NASA can rescue him. Though the movie differed from

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the book in parts, the underlying themes carry throughout. The immense amounts of human perseverance and the innate desire to live remained ingrained in nearly every scene. The actors do a good job of relaying this feeling to the audience. Though Jessica Chastain and Chiwetel Ejiofor deliver praiseworthy performances, Matt Damon was the standout. He brings humility and humor to the only human on the planet. The consistent jokes and lightheartedness in what couldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been a darker story allows the audience to relate and sympathize with Watney, and to thus become more invested in his journey toward survival. With a tagline like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Help is only 140 million miles away,â&#x20AC;? you know that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll provide you with all of the cosmic,

survivalist excitement of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gravity,â&#x20AC;? with a little less gut-wrenching terror. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t to say that there arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t darker moments in the movie. Some moments had my heart racing with anticipation, while others had me tearing up, both for heartrending and heartwarming reasons. Part of the interest of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Martianâ&#x20AC;? is just watching in amazement at how Damonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character manages the unthinkable, and truly makes something out of nothing. While you sit there in the theater, you can look on as he grows plants on Mars â&#x20AC;&#x201D; using his own feces as a fertilizer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in addition to providing water for himself and powering through his solitude. While the dialogue worked well toward the movement of the plot, the movie could have been a

bit shorter. And while on the topic of time, the seven-month time jump in the latter half of the film was a bit jarring, breaking up the otherwise-steady pacing. Talented actors such as Donald Glover and Kristen Wiig were underused, and seemed wasted in the paltry roles that they took on. Though not necessarily simple, the plot wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t nearly as trippy and complex as recent space science fiction movies like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Interstellar.â&#x20AC;? The science was even accurate â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Neil deGrasse Tyson approved â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the visuals, as well as the soundtrack, were stunning. This is a movie to sit down, watch and let inspire you. You may be watching â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Martian,â&#x20AC;? but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll leave the theater feeling a little more human.

OPINIONS Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Home, Sweet Home

t’s that time of year again. Just as Binghamton University students are starting to feel settled into the new semester, they must make a decision of where they will be living next year.

In the midst of the familiar rush, the Editorial Board would like to offer students moving offcampus a piece of advice: weigh your choices. Don’t be too quick to buy into the “luxury” student living complexes popping up all over Downtown Binghamton. Consider all your options. There are advantages to living in an off-campus house,

rather than a student apartment building. For one, you get to live in an actual neighborhood, with schools and parks and Binghamton residents. Rent in these houses is unbelievably cheap — individual rooms often go for under $400 a month — and some landlords even include utilities in the price of rent. It’s important to learn how to

pay your own bills and fix your own toilets. Now is the time, while you’re still in the relative safety of college, to learn how to be a real life adult. Now is the time to live in a house with your friends and figure out how to pay your rent on time, how to keep fruit flies out of your kitchen and how to not spend $100 at Wegmans every week. It’s also an opportunity to

engage with the local community by becoming an actual resident. Don’t be afraid to venture into your neighborhood, to meet the people who live here. We urge you to understand Binghamton from a new perspective that doesn’t involve peering at the city from an un-openable, albeit large, glass window. The Editorial Board does not

have a problem with housing complexes like Twin River Commons and 20 Hawley on their own. Rather, it is what they stand for. These buildings promote gentrification in Downtown Binghamton by exclusively serving students. They are glossy, resident assistant-free extensions of on-campus living, and keep the divide between students and locals

prominent. When students decide to move off-campus, it should not be to only be closer to State Street, but instead to be a part of the larger community. Downtown Binghamton is at a crossroads right now, as luxury complexes continue to pop up. Students will have to decide whether they want to live in a college town, or a college in a town.

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.

World travel should be recognized Gov. Cuomo must fufill his promise

Reach out to friends who are returning from study abroad Katie Kravat

Guest Columnist

After traveling non-stop for five months and getting my first real taste of freedom on my semester abroad, my connection with myself and the world around me was at its peak; I never before felt so at peace with the person I am, and more so, the person that I am becoming. Like most students who’ve taken the plunge into international waters, I had an incredible, eyeopening journey and was eager to take my newfound spirit back with me to Binghamton University. I was ready to start my senior year with a positive mindset, and was beyond excited to reunite with all of my friends and to celebrate my last year of undergrad with them. However, I soon ran into some problems while trying to reconnect with old friends. The first nights back in Binghamton were a whirlwind of foggy interactions on the Dillinger’s patio and 4 a.m. food binges at friends’ apartments. My excitement was still high as the first week of classes began, and I seemed to be getting along just fine. But then it hit me — that weird and unsettling feeling in my gut. In quiet moments alone, I began to realize that my trials of transition weren’t over. Now, I had to re-adjust to life at BU. All at once I felt an overwhelming pressure to do well in classes and to begin constructing a “successful” future for myself.

Further, I felt I had to fill in the gaps of the pieces I missed while I was away. I couldn’t deny that there was a massive disconnect between my closest friends and I. This, I learned, is a common sentiment among students who have studied abroad. “When I first came back to school after spending my summer in Italy, I just wanted people to ask me about my experience, but no one cared as much as I did,” said Kayla Fennelly, a junior double-majoring in anthropology and linguistics. “It was so frustrating.” While us “returnees” want so badly to talk about our time away, there is also the distinct feeling that nothing we tell people can possibly begin to cover what we experienced and what it meant to us. As the gap between us and our friends widens, we come to the sad realization that for a little while we were out of everyone’s picture, and stepping back into their frame isn’t quite so easy as you may have hoped. But that’s because your picture has changed as well. “For me, it was hard coming back from my semester in New Zealand because while I was there I was surrounded by people who had the same interests as me, interested in hiking and being outdoors,” said Elyse Belarge, a senior majoring in environmental studies. “While it’s great that everyone here has different interests, it’s hard because no one wants to do those things with me.” Dylan Miller, a senior majoring in political science, agrees. “People just don’t really get it,”

he said. “Going to Barcelona last spring is the best experience I’ve ever had and I would recommend it to anyone. I was always out doing things, going away on weekends. But it’s hard to do that here and to make people understand why it was so unique.” Not only is it difficult for students here to embrace this adventurous mentality, but they also don’t seem to realize both how physically and mentally exhausting studying abroad can be. While largely a positive experience, the constant challenge of putting ourselves out there and interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds takes its toll. Suddenly, just as this was becoming normality, it was time to come home. For friends of those who went abroad, I know we were gone, but now we’re back. Try to understand and do your best to reach out. Make us feel welcome, because we have a lot we want to share with you. And for those of us who went abroad, yes, it is different. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The truth is that you’re not in the same place you were before. You’re in a new one, and arguably a better one. Embrace the new you and take the time to do the things you want to do without fear of excluding yourself. Don’t try to fit into everyone else’s picture; it’s not worth it. Go out there and take the picture yourself. — Katie Kravat is a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law

To save Southern Tier, Barabara Fiala needs support Lawrence Ciulla

Columnist

Over the summer, state Sen. Tom Libous was indicted on charges of lying to the FBI and was forced to resign his seat in the state senate after rising in the ranks as the second-highest Republican in its chambers. As a result, the 52nd state Senate seat, comprising of Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties, was vacated. Democrats, after spending nearly 30 years watching the Southern Tier sink economically because of Libous’ inaction, were in a position to finally take back the seat in the state Senate. Before Barbara Fiala, the Democratic Party nominee and former DMV commissioner, announced her candidacy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he would “do whatever [he] could do to elect” her. It’s been two months since Fiala and Fred Ashkar, the Republican candidate, announced their intentions to run, and Fiala is getting outspent. I can’t help but ask: Where’s Cuomo? This race is important. Democrats are one seat away from having the majority in the state Senate, should the Independent Democratic Caucus be convinced to return to the party. And this could be that seat. It deserves all

the help it could get to win it back. Yet, in a Time Warner Cable News interview last week, Fiala played down the governor’s involvement and said, “Certainly, I have not had a conversation with the governor.” Gov. Cuomo, a man whom she served and who is a fellow Democrat, had not made any attempt to truly support Fiala in her campaign outside of that first statement. The governor has said multiple times that the Southern Tier is in dire need of help. Yet, throughout his time in office, he has done little to assist the area, which the New York Times dubbed last week the “Forgotten Tier.” While some disagree, I believe “forgotten” is an accurate description of the status of the Southern Tier. While Gov. Cuomo has pledged time and time again to help rebuild this region, he has done anything but. He has forgotten it. This area deserves better. The Republican Party has done anything but forget about the Southern Tier. Ashkar has amassed a war chest from the re-election efforts of Sen. Libous and the local party — his resources are limitless as he outspends Fiala five-toone. Ashkar has been swinging through the district, racking up supporters, from Republicans and Democrats alike in a region that disapproves of Gov. Cuomo by 60 percent.

As a proud Democrat, I am biased. Yet, I believe that the Democratic Party has the best ideas to help rebuild the Southern Tier and tackle many of the issues needed to help bring the region back. I have argued in previous op-eds that local leaders need to take initiatives in enacting reform, yet they need a strong advocate in the state Senate. If Cuomo were serious about helping out this area, he would be touring, headlining fundraisers and giving speeches in the Southern Tier. We need a presence, not a quiet endorsement — and we needed it yesterday. — Lawrence Ciulla is a senior double-majoring in political science and philosophy, politics and law

[Cuomo] has forgotten [the Southern Tier]. This area deserves better

October 6, 2015 | bupipedream.com

SPORTS

Binghamton's losing streak hits 10

BU returns home for first time in seven games, but falls, 1-0 Noah Bressner

Pipe Dream Sports The Binghamton women’s soccer team’s struggles continued as the Bearcats suffered their 10th consecutive loss on Sunday. BU (110-1, 0-3 America East) was shut out by Hartford (8-2-2, 2-0-1 AE), 1-0. Heading into the match, the Bearcats had hoped their first game at the Bearcats Sports Complex in seven matches would produce a spark. “The team did really well,” Binghamton head coach Sarah McClellan said. “Holding a really high-level team that had won a bunch of games earlier this season to one goal.” The Bearcats allowed Hartford

to keep possession in the back field for much of the game, contesting only when the Hawks looked to pass upfield. “We said ‘go ahead and have that possession,’” McClellan explained. Despite being outshot, 7-2, in the first half, the strategy succeeded in keeping Hartford’s potent offense from finding the back of the net. “We went out there to be organized defensively, and we really gave Hartford some trouble figuring out how to break down all of our numbers, especially in the first half,” McClellan said. “You could see Hartford getting frustrated.” But Hartford had little trouble figuring out the Bearcat defense in the second half, outshooting BU, 12-5. Despite the shot discrepancy,

Emily Earl/Assistant Photography Editor

Sophomore midfielder Valerie McNamara led BU with three shots in its loss against Hartford.

it took the Hawks until the 80th minute to find the net. On a rebound, Hartford freshman midfielder Ashley Claud tapped the ball into a wide-open net for what would become the game-winning goal. “Due to fatigue, maybe, we had a couple of letdowns in a row that led to more of a scrapped type of goal,” McClellan said. “There was a lot of traffic, and we lost a couple of players in the run of that play that unfortunately, they were able to put it in.” After falling behind, the Bearcats played with a newfound sense of urgency–controlling possession in the Hartford zone and looking for scoring chances, but ultimately, Binghamton failed to net the equalizer before time expired. Outshot, 19-7, BU only produced three shots on goal. Through their last five games, the Bearcats have conceded 11 goals, while scoring just one. But a bright spot in the game came from the solid play of sophomore goalkeeper Katie Hatziyianis, who stopped 10 of Hartford’s 11 shots on goal. Despite 10 straight losses, Binghamton will look to continue improving in practice and recuperate during the week-long gap prior to its next match against UMass Lowell. “The team is disappointed with the loss, so I don’t think they’re thinking about it in the sense that they kept a very high-quality team to fewer scoring chances than expected,” McClellan said. “But we’re getting better, and we’re not conceding the types of goals we were early on in the season.” The Bearcats are set to take on UMass Lowell on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Cushing Field Complex in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Jersson Torres/Contributing Photographer

Sophomore middle hitter Kristella Morina recorded six blocks in BU’s victory over Hartford on Friday.

Bearcats split weekend matches Binghamton sweeps Hartford but drops contest to UNH

Anthony Toccafondi Contributing Writer

The Bearcats, who entered this weekend on a six-game losing streak, snapped the skid by sweeping Hartford (0-16, 0-1 America East) on Friday night to secure their first AE victory. But BU (4-13, 1-2 AE) failed to keep the momentum going, falling to New Hampshire (11-7, 3-0 AE) in three games on Sunday afternoon. “That first win is always important,” BU head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. “We need to defend our home turf here so it was important that we get this one tonight.” In its second conference match of the season, Binghamton swept Hartford. The Bearcats’ dominance showed early as BU scored eight straight points in the first game to build an 8-1 advantage. The lead would never be in doubt as sophomore setter Sarah Ngo had nine assists in the period en route

to a 25-9 first game win. As hot as the Bearcats started the first game, the script was flipped in the second when Hartford scored six of the first seven points. After trailing for most of the game, Binghamton jockeyed for position after tying the score at 20. BU didn’t look back after that, scoring five of the final six points. Sophomore middle hitter Kristella Morina delivered the final kill to secure the game for BU. Binghamton easily took the final game, 25-16, from the Hawks. Ngo led the team with a total of 26 assists, while Morina led in blocks, with six, and kills, recording nine. Despite their success against Hartford, the Bearcats’ next matchup against 2014 America East champions New Hampshire truly tested their play. Early on, the score went back and forth, with Binghamton squandering a four-point lead. But unlike on Friday, the Bearcats failed to turn the scoreboard back in their favor. After the teams were

tied at 15, New Hampshire pulled away before Binghamton’s fate was sealed by two attack errors on the 24th and 25th points as UNH secured a 25-18 victory. Games two and three were closer, with scores of 25-23 and 2522, respectively, but the outcome was the same as that of game one. “New Hampshire’s a solid team all around, and it was promising in that we played them pretty tight all three games,” Kiriyama said. “They didn’t just steamroll through us at all … I thought we fought well for a lot of points, we hustled well, we just didn’t give up.” Binghamton’s performance was highlighted by Ngo, who again led the team in assists with 32. Freshman outside hitter Erin Shultz led with 11 kills, while junior libero Bailey Walker recorded 22 digs. BU is scheduled to return to action on Friday against Stony Brook. First serve is set for 7 p.m. from Pritchard Gymnasium in Stony Brook, New York.

Swimming and Diving opens season with intrasquad scrimmage Bearcats prepare for regular season with Green and White meet; freshman Brion, senior captain Duszynski impress Noah Bressner

Pipe Dream Sports After a series of strenuous practice sessions this past week, the Binghamton swimming and diving team opened its season with an intrasquad Green versus White scrimmage on Saturday. With a packed slate of 31 events, the Green squad bested the White squad, 284.5-237.5. “We saw some great swims today,” Binghamton head coach Brad Smith said. “They swam more events than they usually

would in a dual meet. We really pushed some of the harder events and really tested them out.” The meet was decided in the final event, the mixed 400yard free relay. Freshman Alex Brion and senior captain Andrew Duszynski, as well as sophomore Courtney Foley and senior Taryn McLaughlin, led the Green side to victory, winning with a foursecond advantage. “Everyone was in very high spirits; there was a lot cheering going on, and that’s what we really want the team to be going

forward,” Duszynski said. Senior captain Claudia Coccaro agreed that the positive atmosphere contributed to the team’s good performance. “Everyone swam really fast,” she said. “That’s good going into our first meet.” With the graduation of a talented senior class, which included standout freestyle swimmer Caitlin Kelly who broke the America East championship record in the 50 freestyle last season, Smith viewed the depth of the squad as a major uncertainty. The

responsibility of plugging the holes from last year’s departures has fallen to the large and highly praised incoming class of 17 freshmen. “There’s a ton of freshmen standouts,” Duszynski said. “Our freshman class is insane. Max Willard is amazing, Alex Brion came up with a big win in the 50 free … it was spectacular.” A key returner for the Bearcats is sophomore Maria Trivino, who already looks in midseason form after winning the 100 yard I.M. and the 100-yard breaststroke. Last year, Trivino broke the

freshman record in the 200 I.M., with a time of 2:07:26. “Maria [Trivino] just killed it today,” Smith said. “The times that she put up in this meet aren’t far [from] what she put up at the conference championships last year, so I expect great things from her this season.” Smith viewed last season — his first year at the helm of the Bearcats — as a success, but also as a building block toward building a stronger program in the future. On the women’s side, Binghamton defeated Maine for fourth place in the America

East championships. This year, however, Smith has his sights set on Vermont, which finished 8-2 in dual meets last season. “Our goal is to improve in the conference,” Smith said. “We want to beat Maine again, but this time, we want to beat UVM too. Everyday we talk about it and what our goals are.” The Binghamton swimming and diving teams are set to begin their regular seasons against Vermont, NJIT and Army on Saturday. The meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m, from the West Gym in Vestal, New York.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

BU's losing streak continues See page 11 Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Bearcats impress at Lehigh/Paul Short Run BU men seventh in top event, women take third in 6,000-meter Brown Race Derek Schuster

Contributing Writer

Franz Lino/Photography Editor

BU junior forward Logan Roberts scored his first goal of the season in Saturday’s match against Vermont.

Roberts, Trappe each net first-half goals as BU defeats Catamounts, 2-1 William Schwartz Contributing Writer

While the entire soccer season requires a tremendous level of intensity, games seem to gain extra fervor when America East play commences. Entering its conference opener against a surging Vermont team, Binghamton was hoping to snap its three-match winless streak and start off its conference campaign on a positive note. The Bearcats (6-4-1, 1-0 AE) didn’t disappoint, registering a 2-1 win behind a fantastic all-around team performance. “I always take the approach that I want to win the next match,” BU head coach Paul Marco said. “That that’s the most important one. But obviously the conference is just that — it’s conference play. It’s the way to the postseason — it’s the only way to be guaranteed that you can get into the NCAA

tournament — by winning the conference tournament.” The Bearcats and Catamounts (5-4-1, 0-1 AE) spent much of the first half attempting to pass the ball into the middle of the field, with neither team finding much success. This in part was due to the windy conditions, which knocked most crosses off their intended paths. It was BU who drew first blood, with junior forward Logan Roberts tallying his first goal of the season in the 17th minute. Senior midfielder Tucker Sandercock received the ball on the right flank before dispatching a low cross to Roberts. The striker’s touch took him beyond a Vermont defender, allowing him to chip the ball over onrushing junior goalkeeper Greg Walton. “I think [Roberts has] been doing a great job, and the caveat to that is that I think he can do even better,” Marco said. “I’m thrilled for him, and I can’t wait to try and bring out more

in him.” Vermont created an opportunity to level the affair in the 26th minute, and likely would have if not for the heroic efforts of junior goalkeeper Robert Moewes. Vermont junior forward Bernard Yeboah received the ball with space directly in front of the goal, but Moewes’ diving save prevented what seemed like a surefire equalizer. In the 32nd minute, Binghamton doubled its advantage. Following freshman midfielder Harrison Weilbacher’s corner, a Bearcat shot careened off the post and into the path of graduate student midfielder Pascal Trappe who tapped the ball into the back of the net for his third goal of the season. The second half opened with a two-goal cushion in Binghamton’s favor, allowing the team to sit back and focus on defending its lead. While the Catamounts threw everything they had at the BU defense, the

back line held its own, allowing Vermont few scoring chances. Binghamton absorbed the mounting pressure for most of the final period, but they received a scare when Vermont cut the lead in half in the 86th minute. Vermont junior back Skyler Davis headed the ball across BU’s goal, allowing junior forward Brian Wright to bury the ball past Moewes. Unfortunately for Vermont, it was too little too late. The Bearcats held on for the remaining three minutes, ending the match with a 2-1 victory. “Three points to start conference play is terrific, especially against Vermont on the road,” Marco said. “I felt like we really earned the three points, and now we have a week to prepare for our next opponent.” Binghamton is set to resume play against UMass Lowell on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, New York.

The Binghamton men’s and women’s cross country teams had a performance to remember at the Lehigh/Paul Short Run on Friday. In the men’s Gold Race, the Bearcats finished seventh of 27 teams with 231 points. Georgetown took the race after tallying 37 points and putting four runners into the top 10. Villanova followed close behind with 56 points, while the University of Guelph scored 160 points, finishing in third place. Patrick Tiernan, a senior from Villanova and five-time All-American, won the course with a time of 23:55. BU was led by senior Collin Frost, who finished with a time of 24:29 over the 8,000-meter course — good enough for 17th place out of 278 runners. This time puts him second on the all-time list for the Bearcats. “For him personally, that was his best ever performance,” said cross country coach Annette Acuff. “He had his best race ever.” Following close behind, as they were at the Seawolf Invitational two weeks ago, were senior Ethan Hausamann and junior Eric Holt, who crossed the line at 24:45 and 24:59, respectively. Hausamann finished in 32nd place overall while Holt placed in 52nd. Acuff intended to have as many runners as possible finish under the 25-minute mark, and the next pack of Bearcats finished just off that mark. Seniors Jon Vallecorsa (25:12), Nate Kozyra (25:13), graduate student Andrew Roache (25:13) and sophomore Tom Moshier (25:38) rounded out the Bearcat participants. “Overall, we had a really good day,” Acuff said. “It went really well; we had probably 9095 percent run really well.” The women competed in the

women’s Brown Race, scoring 252 points, placing third out of 45 teams. BU was only bested by Saint Joseph’s and Bloomsburg who scored 166 and 227 points, respectively. The race was won by Swarthmore senior Katie McMenamin, who completed the course in a time of 21:23. The Bearcats were led by senior Alexis Hatcher, who finished 20th out of 387 runners, covering the 6,000-meter course in 22:05. Seconds behind her was sophomore Allison Davis, who crossed the finish line with a time of 22:11. “All of the girls ran really well,” Acuff said. “[But] Davis was the performer of the day.” Last year at the same meet, Davis ran almost a full minute slower, finishing at 23:09. As for the team, Acuff was aiming to have five runners finish under 23 minutes, and they did just that. Junior Eileen O’Hara finished with a time of 22:33 and was followed closely by freshman Jessica Thatcher (22:37). Junior Alana MacDonald finished fifth for the Bearcats with a time of 22:48. Senior Lizzie Greiner almost made it six runners, just missing that time and crossing the line at 23:05. “I think we’re in a great place for the season,” Acuff said. “I have to keep everyone healthy … and [focus on] getting in some good training.” Acuff expressed excitement for both the men’s and women’s teams. “It sets the tone for the rest of the season,” she said. “We have a lot of positive momentum going into the conference championship in another month.” The men’s and women’s cross country teams are set to compete at Albany for the Albany Invitational on Saturday, October 17. The women’s race is set to begin at 11:45 a.m., with the men to follow at 12:30 p.m.

Emily Earl/Assistant Photography Editor

Senior Collin Frost finished 17th overall in the Gold Race of the Lehigh/Paul Short Invitational.

New York Mets' 2015 playoff appearance refreshing after years of poor results Nine seasons after Carlos Beltrán struck out looking to end NLCS, team's suprise return to the postseason is ‘amazin' COMMENTARY Matt Pilotti

Contributing Writer

The agonizing silence that swept through the crowd and city of New York on that night late in October 2006 — when Carlos Beltrán struck out looking to send the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series — dragged on for nine long years. Perhaps you were fortunate enough to sleep through that despair, hoping to awaken in the morning with as much excitement as Christmas morning, learning that the Mets had won. Unfortunately, waking up that morning felt more like the heartbreak of a tough breakup.

Pessimistic Mets fans helplessly wondered when the next chance at a World Series run would return, while optimists believed this was only the beginning. Indeed, it was the start — the start of the demise of a franchise that looked promising, only to become the laughingstock of baseball within a few years. The following season provided Mets fans a feeling of confidence that September would end with another postseason berth. Apparently, the team forgot that a season consists of 162 games, and painted yet again a gloomy image in the minds of fans to replay countless times after blowing a seven-game lead with 17 to play. Then came 2008. Fast forward halfway into the season and a firstplace team fires its manager. As the calendar turned from August

to September, a collapse was foreshadowed. Shea Stadium gave way to Citi Field not with jubilation, but with a sour stomach. Happy memories of those in attendance were erased and replaced with a loss to eliminate the team from playoff contention. Six straight losing seasons ensued; meaningless September baseball in which the team on the field looked more like the Binghamton Mets than the New York Metropolitans. Remember the “superstars” management acquired to restore the excitement to the field? Jason Bay, Johan Santana, Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz — all given the big bills to come to New York and deliver a postseason opportunity to the fans. Aside from the franchise’s first no-hitter (courtesy of Johan Santana), many of us view their

time in Queens as a failure — a laughable disappointment. Following the 2009 season, Mets management stopped spending to acquire superstars, contributing to the lost years and providing no glimmer of hope for the fans. Then came 2015. At the season’s beginning, this team was not supposed to be here. Journalists, analysts and baseball lifers all predicted the Washington Nationals to run away with the division. Alas, it wasn’t to be. The front office finally made the necessary moves to become a playoff team. They rejuvenated the morale of fans who had long doubted the capability of their decision-making. Fans will be forever grateful of the trade that did not happen, for it brought us a reborn Wilmer Flores and a superstar in Yoenis Cespedes.

The young players — Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Michael Conforto and others, drafted or brought into the organization to help rebuild and create a playoff team a few years down the road — cannot be forgotten. They exceeded expectations and proved that winning now could become reality. For the fans who never gave up and continued to buy tickets, the division title represents satisfaction — a token of appreciation to their investment in the club. The pain that the die-hard fans endured during these dumpster years finally paid its dividends. With great risk comes great reward, and that reward enlightened fans over a week ago, when Jeurys Familia collapsed that magic number to zero. As a fan, you knew the Mets wouldn’t blow

their lead, but you stared at the television, biting your nails with your heart pounding, knowing that until the final out occurred, trust in the Mets simply could not exist. David Wright, the only player remaining from that 2006 team, rounded the bases after his home run overcome with emotions of relief and triumph. Then, after the final out was recorded, Gary Cohen famously proclaimed: “He struck him out! Tears of joy for the Mets, National League Eastern Division champions!” His words marked the end of nine years of misery for Mets fans and rewarded their patience. A celebration followed that most likely disturbed peaceful family dinners around New York, but for one night, it was acceptable. This year, Mets fans, ya’ just gotta believe!