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Wednesday, August 23, 2017 | Vol. XCII, Issue 1 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
Professor develops protective DNA film Amy Donovan
Assistant News Editor
like this one, are important in providing a sense of comfort to new students of color within the predominantly white University. The more students are able to build their community, the more likely they are to stay. The idea for the networking event first came up in March, according to Jazell Johnson, divisional diversity officer of student affairs at BU and a member of the Intercultural
Reapplying sunscreen over and over at the beach could be a thing of the past, thanks to the development of a new DNA film by Binghamton University researchers. The film, developed by Guy German, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at BU, becomes increasingly protective against UV light the longer the film is exposed to it. German and his team of researchers have been working on the relationship between UV light and DNA since 2013 and published a paper about it in Scientific Reports, an online scientific journal, last month. “UV light goes into skin and can damage DNA molecules, which is called lesion-forming,” German said. “We want to stop this, so why not do the simplest thing possible — let’s put more DNA on it.” To test the effects of UV light on DNA, German placed a thin layer of the film on glass squares and shined a UV light on it. His team concluded that the DNA absorbed more UV as its exposure time lengthened. “So if you translate that into an application, it’s a sunscreen that gets better the longer you stay in the sun,” German said. While German and his co-researchers have concluded that the DNA absorbs more UV light the longer it’s exposed, they have not yet determined the exact reason why. Amber Doiron, co-author of the paper and assistant professor of biomedical engineering at BU, said that one cause of this could be chemical changes in DNA molecules. German also said that the reason could
SEE NETWORK PAGE 2
SEE DNA PAGE 2
Nearly 100 students and faculty gathered at the New Student of Color Networking Event on Tuesday night to continue building cultural communities on campus.
Lida Tozzi/Pipe Dream Photographer
Intercultural Welcome Series kicks off Students and faculty of color network to strengthen community, increase presence
Jillian Forstadt Assistant News Editor
On the eve of the first day of classes, students, faculty and professors shuffled from table to table in a room on the first floor of the New University Union. Stick-on name tags were scanned and friendly greetings were exchanged for two hours at the first-ever New Student of Color Networking Event on Tuesday night. Nearly 100 students and faculty of
color gathered to continue building the multicultural community on campus and discuss specific challenges students of color may face. Both new and returning students attended the networking session, the first event in the Intercultural Welcome Kick-Off Series. The series is a result of collaboration between 11 organizations across campus, including the Multicultural Resource Center, Student Association (SA), Faculty and Staff of Color Association and Intercultural
Welcome Committee. The networking event followed a “speed-dating” framework, allowing students to ask questions to a variety of people and start building support systems that can help them navigate their college careers. According to Tanyah Barnes, interim assistant director of the Multicultural Resource Center, the first six weeks of freshman year are critically important to students’ retention and success. Barnes said that Welcome Week events,
STEM Student denied visa, unable to finish degree receives PhD candidate barred from US after applying for change of legal status $4M in funding Hannah Walter
Pipe Dream News
Sasha Hupka Assistant News Editor
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) transfer students to Binghamton University may now have access to funding and resources designed to facilitate undergraduate degree completion. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York state Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced this month that the University will receive more than $4 million in federal funding to promote the completion of bachelor of science degrees in STEM fields. The award is intended to support students transferring from two-year colleges, and the grant will link BU with Broome Community College and Queensborough Community College. According to M. Stanley Whittingham, distinguished professor of chemistry and materials science at BU and coprincipal investigator on the grant, the collaboration will help students get involved with research and form links with local businesses. “We’re excited to strengthen our ties with these schools,” Whittingham said in a statement. “This effort pairs well with the recent SUNY 2020 award to Binghamton for equipment and resources to increase
SEE STEM PAGE 2
For former Binghamton University Ph.D. candidate Abdourahim Kebe, 56, this summer’s trip to his native country, Senegal, was to serve one purpose: to receive approval of his new visa status so he could return to campus in the fall and complete his degree in translation studies. Unfortunately, that never happened. Following an interview at the U.S. Embassy in the Senegalese capital of Dakar last month, the candidate’s request for an F-1 visa, reserved for students, was denied, and he was stripped of his A-1 visa, which would have been valid until October 2018. Kebe was a student in associate English professor Joseph Keith’s ENG 593T: Transnational American Studies class during the spring 2017 semester. Keith remembers him as a student who brought a worldly perspective to the classroom. “He was a very gracious student, in terms of his thinking and how he interacted with other people in the course and I think everybody in the course felt that way,” he said. Kebe, known as Abdou to friends and classmates, had been granted an A-1 visa when he was posted at the Senegalese Embassy in Washington, D.C., from January 2013 to October 2016. At the recommendation of BU’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) this year he applied to switch to an F-1, with the goal of transitioning his status from that of a diplomat to one of a student.
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According to Kebe, the interviewer at the consulate told him he did not have legal status in the United States because he began taking classes at BU months before his F-1 was officially approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. “She did not even give me a chance to defend myself,” Kebe wrote in an email. “The only answer was ‘I am sorry, there is nothing I can do. But if you want, you can apply again.’” So he did, securing a second interview for early this month. This time, he was
armed with a letter from Valarie Lane, a designated University official for ISSS, asking for Kebe to be allowed to finish his education at BU. At this interview, Kebe’s ability to pay for his education was put into question. He said that when he provided the interviewer with the proper documents proving his legality and financial capabilities, she barely glanced at them before handing him his second rejection. The ISSS office declined to comment on the specifics of Kebe’s case, but Patricia Bello, assistant provost for international
and global affairs, issued the following statement in an email: “Please rest assured that the Office of International Student and Scholar Services continues to collaborate with offices across campus to provide the best customer service and advising possible to our new and continuing students, which also includes those who need to navigate the complex system surrounding the non-immigrant student visa application process.” Kebe has since obtained a Canadian
SEE PHD PAGE 2
Provided by Abdourahim Kebe Former Binghamton University Ph.D. candidate Abdourahim Kebe, fifth from right, with classmates in BU’s English 593T: Transnational American Studies course during the spring of 2017. Kebe’s student visa application was denied by the U.S. Embassy in Senegal this summer, making him ineligible to continue his studies in the United States.
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Diverse community fostered NETWORK FROM PAGE 1 to show that there is a presence.� Division of Diversity, Equity and Welcome Committee. After she had successfully planned a networking event for female students and faculty at the University, she saw the need for a similar event aimed toward students and faculty of color. “You’re always going to be more productive when you have support,� Johnson said. Jeannie Alonzo, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience and an intern at the Multicultural Resource Center, said that by getting involved, he found his community of students of color at BU. “As a freshman, when I came in, I didn’t see a lot of students of color and I think it’s important that a lot of students see that there are students of color on campus,� Alonzo said. “I wanted
SA President Jermel McClure, Jr., a senior majoring in political science, helped plan the event last semester while serving as the SA vice president for multicultural affairs. He said that the event is one step toward ensuring that the University is a space of safety and inclusion for students of color. “This sort of forces interaction, allows us to build community and build strong relationships so that it’s harder for racial tension to really be a problem for us,� McClure said. Faculty members and returning students also spoke to the crowd as a whole, providing insight on the importance of students of color having an active, present community at BU. Valerie Hampton, chief diversity officer at the BU
Inclusion, said that change will only happen when the entire campus community not just students and faculty of color are interested and engaged in making the University a safe place for all people. “It’s not just us,� Hampton said. “It is all of us, and it is all of the larger campus. It takes effort. This is one of those efforts.� The series will continue with This is ME: Binghamton’s Multicultural Extravaganza, which will showcase the many multicultural organization and feature journalist Kimberly Foster, on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Anderson Center’s Osterhout Concert Theater. It will conclude with the Multicultural Family Reunion during Family Weekend in September.
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BU receives NSF funding STEM FROM PAGE 1 the number of graduating students in STEM in the area of smart energy.� The $2.8 million NYSUNY 2020 award, granted last year to the University by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, funds the development of facilities for renewable energy research and provides student research opportunities. The new grant will help make transfer students part of SUNY 2020’s effort to enhance and expand renewable energy research. The funding for the award will be allocated through the National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent federal agency that funds scientific research and education. The foundation grants money to over 2,000 colleges and
universities across the nation and distributes approximately 12,000 new awards each year. According to Schumer, the award is an opportunity for the federal government to invest in students and education. “Binghamton University is a world-class institution that excels in education and innovation,� Schumer said in a statement. “This federal investment will allow Binghamton to connect directly with community colleges and support academically gifted students through the transition to four-year STEM degree programs.� Participating students, who will be selected by their community colleges, will be able to learn and conduct research in University laboratories and will receive
training and stipends. Additionally, students will work with the American Chemical Society’s education division to learn about career planning and college success. BU President Harvey Stenger said these opportunities benefit both the students and the University. “The students selected for this new program will benefit from a hands-on research experience centered on one of the leading trends in science today: smart energy,� Stenger said. “This NSF award will enable us to help many talented, yet underserved, students earn a bachelor of science degree — critical to a career in the STEM fields — as well as further the University’s standing as a leader in STEM education.�
Ph.D. student's visa revoked PHD FROM PAGE 1 visa and is enrolled at the University of Ottawa, where he is in the process of having his credits transferred from BU. Because of the unanticipated travel and application expenses, he expects his children won’t be able to join him until December at the earliest. “The education of my children is also going to be jeopardized because they are stranded in Senegal,� Kebe said. The decision took Kebe by surprise and put the future of his education in jeopardy.
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DNA FROM PAGE 1
be greater hyperchromicity, or the increased absorbency of a material, when lesions are formed in the DNA. He is also looking into using the film as a wound healer that would be beneficial because of its transparency. “Say you’re in a nonantiseptic environment and you have wound covering and don’t want to take it off and look at it,� he said. “So if you had a wound cover that was completely transparent, you would see how the wound was progressing.� According to German, another
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“This unexpected visa denial raises a lot of question marks in me,� Kebe wrote. “Is my name that sounds Arabic/Muslim [the reason for the denial]? Don’t the consulate realize that they are pushing people to stay illegally in the States when they see that those who are striving to keep legal status are treated like I am?� Kebe said he believes that the Trump administration’s stricter attitude regarding immigration contributed to his denial. “I think that what happened to me as a Black, African Muslim is the Trumpism effect in more
discriminating U.S. immigration laws,� he wrote. One memory of Kebe sticks out for his former professor. “On the last day of class, he wanted to take a picture of everybody, so he would have it as a memento,� Keith said. “That’s the kind of student and person he was.� Keith said Kebe’s absence will be a loss for the BU community. “It’s really unconscionable that his visa was denied,� he said. “Abdou is precisely the type of student and person that Binghamton and this country needs.�
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Provided by Johnathan Cohen New York state senator Chuck Schumer’s, pictured here in a February 2017 visit to the University Downtown Center, helped secure $4 million this month to fund degrees of STEM transfer students to Binghamton University.
beneficial aspect of the film is its potential to absorb water. “These films are hygroscopic, which means they absorb water in the atmosphere just like a moisturizer does, so they stay wet,� German said. “It’s wellknown that moist wound-healing conditions are better than dry, so we think that they can promote the rate at which wounds will heal.� German and his coresearchers are considering commercializing the DNA films into sunscreen or a wound healer, but he emphasized that they are still in the beginning stages
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of research. He also mentioned that he finds this work important not only in terms of the DNA film’s possible uses but also because of the science behind it. “I think it’s important for probably different reasons to how it’s been reported,� German said. “I think the application side of it was really highlighted, but to me I’m blown away that you’ve got this structure that interacts with light and absorbs it or reflects it and does a number of things with it and you’ve also got the reverse, the light actually influences the structure.�
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PAGE III Wednesday, August 23, 2017
aDDress: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 phone: 607-777-2515 fax: 607-777-2600 web: bupipedream.com
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Fall 2017 eDitor-in-Chief* Gabriella A. Weick editor@bupipedream.com Managing eDitor* Noah Bressner manager@bupipedream.com
news eDitor* Orla McCaffrey news@bupipedream.com asst. news eDitors Amy Donovan Jillian Forstadt Sasha Hupka opinions eDitor* Emily Kaufman opinions@bupipedream.com asst. opinions eDitor Savanna I. Vidal arts & Culture eDitor* Georgia Westbrook arts@bupipedream.com asst. arts & Culture eDitors Kara J. Brown Rachel Greenspan sports eDitor* Samuel Ditchek sports@bupipedream.com asst. sports eDitors Evan Cole Grace Palumbo photography eDitor* Kevin E. Paredes photo@bupipedream.com
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Pipe Line LOCAL NEWS Artist creates mosaic at Columbus Park Emily Jablon, a local artist, has collaborated with the Binghamton Housing Authority since July to create a public mosaic in Columbus Park in the city of Binghamton, according to the Press & SunBulletin. Working with her four assistants, Jablon assembled the mosaic in her studio and began installing it at the park, which is located on Carroll Street, on Aug. 14. When completed, the mosaic will cover the park’s front wall and replace a faded mosaic created by local children in 2003. Alligators caught in Whitney Point Two alligators were apprehended
near Whitney Point by Department of Environmental Conservation officers, according to the Press & Sun Bulletin. The first alligator was captured on July 29 behind the Whitney Point fairgrounds, and the second gator was caught in the Tioughnioga River on Aug. 7. The alligators have been named Whitney and Lisle, and have both found new homes at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York. Clinton Street bridge to close temporarily Starting Aug. 23, the East Clinton Street Bridge will be closed to traffic while under construction, according to WBNG. In June, Mayor Rich David allocated $1.9 million to fund the rehabilitation of the bridge, including the replacement of all expansion joints and concrete deck overlay. Sidewalk repairs
will also be made. Approximately 20,000 vehicles per day cross the East Clinton Street Bridge, and the last major construction on the bridge was in 1992. The bridge will reopen on Sept. 1; until then, traffic will be detoured to the Court Street Bridge. Scott McCarron wins Dick’s Sporting Goods Open Scott McCarron took the top spot at the 2017 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, an annual golf tournament held in Endicott. McCarron shot a -20 over the weekend, earning a $300,000 prize. The tournament lasted three days and wrapped up on Aug. 20. STATE NEWS Kangaroo escapes onto highway A kangaroo ended up in the middle
asst. photography eDitor Rebecca Kiss
of Route 96 in Trumansburg, New York on Aug. 21 after escaping from its handler at Eudora Farms, according to Binghamton Homepage. The red kangaroo, named Rocky, was being walked on a leash at the Trumansburg Fair when he got loose and took off down Route 96. Mark Nisbet, owner of Eudora Farms, said that the leash was not correctly fastened. The handler regained control of the kangaroo without the help of law enforcement, and Rocky was unharmed. Cuomo creates council Gov. Andrew Cuomo has launched the first-ever New York State Council on Women and Girls in honor of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the state. The new committee’s creation comes after the White House
disbanded its own women’s rights council. The state’s initiative will aim to consider the experiences of girls and women and advance equality through policy-making. It will be composed of members of several state agencies as well as leaders in fields including academia, business and media. NATIONAL NEWS Total eclipse of the country People across the United States gathered to view the eclipse on Monday. The total eclipse could be seen in 14 states, along a 70mile wide path from Oregon to South Carolina and lasted over an hour and a half, according to The New York Times. Spectators used special glasses in order to safely look at the eclipse and watched as the afternoon sky darkened around them.
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“Experiencing an eclipse changes the way we feel about space and how we are connected. I hope this moment reminds us all that we share a common origin among the stars, and that we are all citizens of the same planet,” — Bill Nye, in a statement from the Homestead National Monument of America in Beatrice, Neb.
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This Day in History August 23, 2005
Hurricane Katrina formed over the Bahamas, later becoming a Category 5 hurricane.
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 Gabriella Weick at editor@bupipedream.com.
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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 Mondays and Thursdays 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 departmental 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 emailed to the Opinions Editor at opinions@bupipedream.com.
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F UN OPINIONS Wednesday, Monday, August April 3, 23, 2017 2017
Striving to tell everyone's stories A welcome-back message from your editor-in-chief to remaining the main and most interesting source of news at BU well into the future. This journey of change, as well, requires Pipe Dream to acknowledge its faults. As much as we want to tell the stories of the 17,000 voices on our campus, we must take into consideration that due to our shortcomings, not everyone feels comfortable coming to us. Because of this, stories that deserve to be heard might go untold, which puts our entire campus at a disadvantage. However, just because our newspaper isn’t the place for these stories doesn’t mean they should remain untold; this year, Pipe Dream is teaming up with the Student Association vice president for multicultural affairs to bring back Prism, a multicultural magazine where contributors will have the freedom to write and tell the stories that are important to their communities. In times like these, more than ever, the press has the responsibility to tell the truth — to hold those in power accountable for their actions, as well as seek out the voices of those who feel unheard and tell their stories. Pipe Dream is continuously trying to be a better newspaper, and we won’t stop striving toward becoming the best possible representation of the countless important stories those on our campus have to tell. I’m excited for the changes this year has to bring, and I look forward to hearing your stories.
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Editor-in-Chief
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BEARCAT OUT OF WATER The first few weeks of college can be stressful for everyone, but especially for freshmen who are stepping out of their comfort zones for the first time.
The first few weeks of college can be stressful for everyone, but especially for freshmen who are stepping out of their comfort zones for the first time. Entering college constitutes a considerable lifestyle change — adjusting to greater freedom, taking difficult classes and learning to get along with your roommate. It can be hard to deal with stepping out of your comfort zone, and it’s easy to fall into a comfortable routine of going to class, getting food and going back to your dorm to watch Netflix. But now that you’re here, you should embrace change and explore the new city you call home. Become a citizen of Binghamton. Exploring a new city can be overwhelming, but learning the Off
Campus College Transport (OCCT) schedule is a great place to start. The OCCT blue buses can take you almost anywhere in Downtown Binghamton, giving you access to the whole city. Whether you choose to explore Washington Street or the West Side, there’s a lot to see besides the insides of the bars on State Street. Additionally, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have just arrived in the Binghamton University. This is the first time ever that BU students can explore the city with the tap of a finger. Downtown Binghamton offers a wealth of activities, traditions and special events to help introduce you to the city. Check out First Friday, an art walk that takes place on the first Friday of each month, go for a swim in Recreation Park,
test out your painting skills at Mural Fest or sample the city of Binghamton’s restaurant scene during Restaurant Week. You can also register to vote in local elections and allow your voice to be heard in the community. Now that you’re away from home and you may have more freedom to exercise your own beliefs, this is the perfect opportunity to incite change in your new community. Participating in your new community will also expose you to people and ideas you may have never encountered before college. Take advantage of this opportunity to understand how the people in this community think and live. College is not only about majoring in one subject area — take the time to learn about the world and people around you.
The city of Binghamton mayoral race is well underway, so learn about the candidates by attending rallies and community meetings. You’re considered a part of this community now, so you should exercise your right to have your voice heard. Becoming a citizen of Binghamton means becoming your own person. Stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy, but once you’ve overcome the hard part, it’s easy to continue. Although it’s never too late, starting early in your college career will ensure that you have the most fulfilling four years possible. You’re now not only a part of BU, but of the surrounding area. Learn to take advantage of all that these communities have to offer.
To start off: Thank you. Whether you picked up Pipe Dream because you saw an interesting story on the front page, or you wanted to do a sudoku puzzle on the first day of classes, or you just needed a makeshift umbrella to brace the Binghamton rain, thank you for picking up our newspaper, and welcome to a new year of Pipe Dream. Pipe Dream strives to tell an accurate story of Binghamton University and the experiences of all those who take part in making our campus as diverse and interesting as it is. Pipe Dream is not our newspaper — it’s yours. We want you to find yourself in Pipe Dream, and if you don’t, we want you to create it. Pipe Dream is not a perfect publication, and we might never attain perfection. But we certainly won’t stop trying — and we need your help. That pursuit requires Pipe Dream to continuously adapt not only to a changing student body, but to a change in how the student body attains their news. This year, expect more website exclusives, more event and sports coverage to be posted online only and more visual elements accompanying articles across sections. The transition to a larger online presence will not be easy, and college newspapers are adjusting. But just as Pipe Dream — previously named the Colonial — Gabriella Weick is a senior News — has been with this campus double-majoring in political science since 1946, we stay committed and philosophy, politics and law.
BU should rethink housing policies
Move-in horror stories seem to be a result of early deadlines Savanna Vidal Assistant Opinions Editor
By the time August comes around, the anticipation for the upcoming school year reaches its peak. The anxiety sets in as you wonder whether you picked the best classes, if you actually need $478 worth of textbooks and consider that you won’t have your mom’s home-cooked meals for a few months. After you say your final goodbyes and head up to Binghamton University, the last thing you need is to walk into
your new place and realize it’s totally not what you signed up for, or what you should’ve signed up for. However, this has been the case for countless people as they make the trip to their home away from home. Last November, in your scramble to sign up for housing in order to meet the school’s deadline, this possibility was probably the last thing on your mind. Although classes have just begun today, I’ve already heard a handful of housing horror stories. With a house full of bedbugs, a power company neglecting to turn on the electricity and a
fridge filled with maggots at the top of the list of the terrors of Binghamton living, bedrooms without doors and an entirely unfinished bathroom are close behind. Beyond those living nightmares, I’ve listened to many people express their sheer regret for choosing to live where they did. Whether it’s roommate troubles, an inconvenient location or wishing they had chosen somewhere else, it seems to me like this move-in season has been hell for everyone. While certain situations are entirely unavoidable, the school’s early deadline is an added pressure that
nobody needs. While it’s easiest to attribute a lot of these issues to a shady landlord, they may be in part due to the school’s rush in making students sign up for housing in November. If you’re undecided, there is little time to weigh out your options as the sign-up deadlines (which start on Nov. 7 this year, by the way) loom like a dark cloud over your head. Are you ready to move off campus? Should you move into a house to avoid a higher rent, or is 20 Hawley Street really worth the money? As a freshman, you haven’t even gone here for three months; why
are you expected to have already met someone you want to live with? It’s almost impossible to find the true answers to these questions in such a rush. If more time was granted to make such a significant decision, this would not present such an issue. The University should prioritize the well-being of students rather than try to guarantee full dorms for the following year. The University should reconsider its policies and focus on students’ safety and happiness, but unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the deadlines will change anytime soon. So, even
though the 2017-18 school year is just kicking off, it wouldn’t hurt to start scoping out housing for next year just to be safe. If the University won’t change this policy, it’s still imperative to take care of yourself. Like anything, housing is unpredictable and sometimes you have to make the best of a bad situation. Just try not to forget about it despite the chaos that accompanies the beginning of the year. After all, November is right around the corner. — Savanna Vidal is a junior majoring in biology.
Expressing outrage in various forms
Whether you march or post on Facebook, it is always possible to condemn bigotry Kara Bilello
Columnist
“If you are not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” This is the caption below a photo of Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old paralegal and activist, who was killed when a car bulldozed into a group of civilians protesting the white supremacist and neo-
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Nazi “Unite the Right” march in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12. When we say that outrage is necessary, then we ignore entire groups of people, such as those who are not in a state where they can mentally support extreme emotions, or those whose family or surrounding belief systems do not allow for this type of response. I do not argue at all in favor of extremist groups, but I question the methods that we use to bring attention to the destruction that
they create. While it is important to realize that outrage certainly is necessary to make a statement — that this is not tolerable — not every person can express that indignation in the same way. Facebook activism skyrocketed following the acts of violence in Charlottesville, and those in Barcelona that followed shortly behind. The posts that I have seen most frequently are those condemning “alt-right” and other extremist groups
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associated with them. Of course, the actual definition of activism is up for debate — is sharing a post condemning “alt-right” and white supremacy affiliations as equally declarative as participating in a peace march in Boston? There is a distinct difference here, but it is not only in volition: a direct effort such as a march for peace is more of a statement than simply posting something on social media, just as the Women’s March in Washington,
D.C., was. Although marches and protests are more effective than simply posting on social media, sometimes posting is all somebody can do. It is more important to condemn the issue in some way than in no way at all. I argue that there is not a black-and-white zone between what qualifies as indignation and what is not enough. However, this lack of clarity should not ostracize people who don’t have the type of outward expression that is deemed
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appropriate or that is expected. If, for example, an individual does not feel as if they have the freedom to freely express their anger, sorrow or whatever response they naturally would have, then this does not signify that they condone the actions of the opposing party. We must continue to fight to condemn bigotry and violence in whichever capacities we can. — Kara Bilello is a junior majoring in English.
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ARTS & CULTURE Soak up sun on the Spine and turn up this playlist
Gabby Gabby Iaocovano/Staff Iaocovano/Staff Writer Writer As you walk around during the first few days of class, you’ll probably see countless students lounging in the sun on the grass along the Spine—the path that passes between the clock tower and the fountain. Late summer and early fall usually provide ample opportunity to play frisbee, listen to music and relax with friends before schoolwork begins in earnest, so be sure to take advantage while you can. The infamous Binghamton chill can start as early as October, so these warm, picturesque days truly are precious. Check out our playlist of 40 hidden gem songs to get you into the mindset depicted on those ubiquitous college and student-life brochures. A few highlights are listed below, and the full playlist can be found on our Spotify account, bupipedream. “Flipside” Bleached
“Drew Barrymore” SZA
“August” Love
Los Angeles band Bleached blends elements of the pop, punk, grunge and college-rock genres. This sunny track off of their latest EP, which nods to female-fronted ’90s rock groups like Throwing Muses or Helium, wouldn’t seem out of place on an episode of “Daria” or “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Beautifully produced and deeply personal, SZA’s “Ctrl” was one of the most wellreceived albums of the summer. With its timely lyrics and slow, ’90s-inspired guitar track, “Drew Barrymore” is especially appropriate for a college playlist. Within the first few lines, SZA references mom jeans, Vans shoes and Netflix binges — trends that 20-somethings are all too familiar with.
A great classic rock band that goes woefully unnoticed by most classic rock DJs, Love spent the 1960s recording psychedelic rock that was heavily influenced by the traditions of folk, blues, orchestral pop, country and more. “August,” with its intense percussion and gripping guitar riff, is an impressive and apropos addition to any end-ofsummer playlist.
“Hang Ten!” The Soup Dragons
Pipe Dream
This Scottish group’s 1987 debut album channels the energy of classic pop-punk bands like the Jam, Buzzcocks and The Rezillos. The title track is an upbeat jam perhaps better suited for a dance party than a day of Spine sitting, but it’s so irresistibly fun that it’s surprisingly perfect for a lazy college afternoon.
“Honey Bones” DOPE LEMON Australian outfit DOPE LEMON’s 2016 debut album was recorded on a farm, and this atmosphere is certainly reflected in its relaxed coastalrock sound. “Honey Bones” is perhaps the most jarring track, evoking the psychedelic feel of The Doors, Jimi Hendrix or Cream with the jumbled whimsy of Todd Rundgren or Robyn Hitchcock.
“Different Now” Chastity Belt Seattle-based noise rock/ pop/punk band Chastity Belt released their latest album in early June. The opening track veers from their usual tonguein-cheek social commentary to offer some profound insight. Over calming, beachy instrumentation, vocalist Julia Shapiro sings, “Take away your pride and take away your grief / And you’ll finally be right where you need to be” — sounds like good advice to keep in mind as classes start.
Stay in the loop with popular Bearcat slang
Patty Nieberg Staff Writer
Nathaniel Cole Park, this beach (or, at least warm enough). in Harpursville is a 25-minute car ride away from campus and Fishbowl Friday — Cheap Urban Dictionary may know is a great place to cherish the drinks in large quantities at most of our Millennial slang, but warm weather before it’s gone. JT’s Tavern. Every Friday, JT’s it doesn’t always have phrases that on State Street has cheap deals are most important to Bearcats. The Brain — The inner part on obscenely large fish bowls From confusing acronyms on of the BU campus where most filled with red or blue Gatorade campus to nicknames heard in classes are; seen from above, the and some sort of alcohol. To Downtown Binghamton, Pipe campus is in the shape of a brain. be honest, we’re not really Dream’s Binghamton University sure what it is, but we trust it. Dictionary has you covered with C4 — Chenango Champlain all the vocabulary necessary to Collegiate Center. This is the Nowl — “Nite Owl,” lateget through your first semester. dining hall for Dickinson night dining hall hours. Nowl will Community and Newing College, be the answer to your problems App — Appalachian Collegiate but anyone can go there. Here when you’re coming back to Center. This is the dining hall for you can also find computer campus after a night Downtown Mountainview College, featuring and study lounges for a quiet or just looking for a latea salad bar and beautiful view space to do work or take a nap. night snack. Quesadillas, fries, of campus that make the milkshakes and probably a few long walk up worth the trip. Dage — Day + rage. This friends embarrassing themselves. is shorthand for day drinking Nowl is open in App and C4. The Blake — Beach and at mixers or open parties at lake. Otherwise known as frats when the weather is warm Parade Day — The city
of Binghamton’s St. Patrick’s Day extravaganza. It takes place in March, but you’ll hear upperclassmen talking about it for the whole year. The mimosas, green beers and parties last all day. There are also special mugs and deals at the bars.
attire. Grab your Santa Claus front of the UDC. hat and get your drink on. The Undergrounds — Cafe in the basement of the Old The Spine — The walkway University Union. Here you that stretches alongside the can find billiards, video games, Fine Arts Building. This goes bowling and more. Binghamton from Einstein Bros. Bagels to Underground Music Presents the second-floor entrance of (BUMP) hosts intimate concerts New University Union. Before in the event space here as well. Quiet study — Finals week in chilly weather sets in (and then the library. This means no talking, again when it finally warms up), Trivia — Trivia night every cell phones or loud sneezes. this is the most populated spot Wednesday at Tom and Marty’s on on campus. Picture students State Street. Teams play against The Rat — The Rathskeller with guitars, hammocks, one another in this Family Feudon State Street. Visiting this hula hoops, sunbathers style game to win food, drink bar is almost a rite of passage and the occasional dog. towers and other surprises. at BU, so don’t worry — you’ll make it there sooner or later. UDC — University Downtown Good luck with your first few Center. The UDC is mostly for weeks here at BU. If you learn SantaCon — Christmas graduate classes and the College new slang that we didn’t include extravaganza. Usually the first of Community and Public Affairs, in our dictionary, email us at weekend in December, this is but it is also a great place to arts@bupipedream.com. This a full day of drinking when study. The Off Campus College article will be edited online as everyone wears holiday-themed Transport buses also stop in new suggestions are emailed.
Be the freshest freshman How to make the most of your first week Katy Wong Staff Writer
film about college, you have probably witnessed a scene in which a lost and confused student ends up in the wrong classroom — and to make things worse, the room is dead silent. Although this scene might actually occur during the first week of school, venturing out and finding your classrooms before classes start makes it more unlikely that this will happen to you. If you’re lucky, you might also run into another student looking for the same class and have someone to sit with on the first day.
there will be a ton of Facebook events and flyers advertising huge, back-to-school ragers. If you are planning on attending, make sure you go with a group of people that you trust and are comfortable with, especially if this is your first time going out. The first college party can be a memorable experience and having a solid group will make the night more fun and ensure that people will have your back in case anything happens. A great rule of thumb when going out is to make sure you leave the party with with everyone you came with.
With the abundance of films based on an idealized, and often exaggerated, college student lifestyle, it’s pretty normal for any actual freshman to feel scared, lost or confused during their first week at school. Whether you’re eager to conquer the next four years or more nervous than you’d like to admit, the initial week at Binghamton University serves as a great opportunity to discover yourself and your niche. Here are a few tips to help you avoid some 3. Set guidelines rookie mistakes and kickstart your roommate an enjoyable first year at BU. Living with another human being for an entire year can have 1. Participate in your its perks, like having someone residence hall’s activities to vent to or not having to sleep The dreaded icebreaker activity alone at night after watching can either be your worst enemy or a horror movie, but it is easy your best friend, though the latter for this relationship to become is what you should be aiming for. strained if you don’t set up rules You might think that these bonding early. Creating a set of guidelines activities are extremely awkward or with your roommate the first just plain cheesy, but getting to know week will help you avoid future people in your building is a great way arguments and will also let your to find friends. Some typical events roommate know you’re open include roasting s’mores outside to discussion and compromise. on a bonfire, ice cream socials and For instance, if you like your board game nights, all of which room neat but your roommate often include the perk of free food. is on the messier side, making Next time your resident assistant a cleaning schedule together is sticks an event flyer on your door, an effective way to make sure don’t be afraid to go down to the you are both obligated to keep lounge and put yourself out there. the room to your standards. 2. Find your classrooms before class starts If you have ever seen a typical
5. Sign up for any club that seems interesting One of the great things about college is the huge list of clubs and organizations that you can join, and all you have to do to sign up is simply go to a general interest meeting (GIM). Even if you have no prior experience with the club’s activities, make an effort to attend — who knows, you might actually find your passion or new friends. If Greek Life is up your alley, there are also GIMs for that, and like any other GIM, they’re nonbinding, which means you can show up to as many meetings as you like. Taking the initiative to go to GIMs during the first weeks at school will allow you to meet new people with similar interests and make 4. Find a group to sure that you will stay occupied party with when you start to get homesick During the first week at BU, and need a distraction.
Pipe Dream Archives Jess Armand, as a freshman in 2015, decorates her dorm room.
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Wednesday, August 23, 2017
The Eclipse
Sudoku
Annabeth Sloan
The Sweet Release of Death
Nate Walker
Welcome Back
Nate Walker
By The Mepham Group
Level: 1 2 3 4 Solution to the previous puzzle
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
6/26/17
FOR RELEASE AUGUST 23, 2017
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Unexceptional 5 __ par; substandard 10 Reach across 14 Flabbergasted 15 Courageous 16 Encourage 17 Taught again 19 Constricting snakes 20 Donkeys 21 Good judgment 23 Peach stone 24 Oxford, for one 26 Removes the lid from 28 Katarina Witt or Scott Hamilton 31 __ No. 5; classic perfume 34 Chemist’s workshop 35 Danger for a dog bite victim 37 Forest animals 40 Too 42 Short letters 43 Bona fide 44 Lowly laborer 45 Celtic language 47 “The Catcher in the __” 48 Crowbars 50 Was impudent 52 Make laugh 54 Hair solution 55 Household pet 56 Take a bite of 60 Sofa 64 Willow or dogwood 66 Flapjack 68 Sprays with WD-40 69 Get up 70 Make sweaters 71 Sunbeams 72 Extend one’s subscription 73 Strong desires 1 2 3 4
DOWN Actress Gilbert Is in the red Beholds Most bizarre
5 UK television network 6 Clear the slate 7 Overdue 8 Kitchen appliance 9 Says “I do” 10 U-boat 11 Rotating blades 12 Once more 13 Tree houses? 18 One who helps you find a seat 22 Geologic period 25 Citrus fruit 27 Look through a keyhole 28 __ in the face; insult 29 Leaf cabbage 30 “Certainly!” 31 Refers to 32 Where plantar fasciitis strikes 33 St. Francis’ home 36 Wild hog 38 Actress Ballard 39 Toboggan 41 Change for a five
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
The Previous Puzzle Solved
©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
46 Sweet treat 49 Doggy doc 51 Like Post-it notes 52 Role player 53 “Ave __” 54 Uptight 57 Not quite closed 58 As __ as a boil
59 61 62 63
Skinny Weathercock Related Badminton court dividers 65 Feminine suffix 67 __ Haven, Connecticut
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FALL 2017
WARRIORS
After countless fights with your parents the moment you left your driveway, and three trips back and forth to Target because you kept buying the wrong sized mattress topper, you’ve finally made it: your college dorm. Say goodbye to Mom and Dad, because now that you’re all moved in with your Bob Marley poster hanging proudly above your bed, you’re going to host the sickest pre-games in there and hang out with the coolest suitemates. Or, you know, you’ll never talk to your roommate and you won’t change your sheets for three months. Only time will tell.
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Women's soccer opens 2017 season with two close wins Evan Cole Assistant Sports Editor
The Binghamton women’s soccer team started its season on the right foot, defeating both St. Bonaventure and Manhattan 2-1. Looking to improve on last year’s 6-10-2 record, the Bearcats (2-0) could not have opened the season with a better result. The emergence of a younger core and the presence of withstanding leadership have contributed mightily to this result. “We want to get after every opponent,” said BU head coach Neel Bhattacharjee. “We’re treating every game [like] we’re never the underdog; we expect to come out [and] get a W.” Both of the opening matches featured the Bearcats rallying from mistakes made early in halves. Against St. Bonaventure (0-2) on Friday, Binghamton ceded a goal less than two minutes into the first half. The team responded aggressively, outshooting the Bonnies 16-3 in the half, highlighted by a goal from freshman forward Essie Bonney. In the second half, BU continued its dominant play, taking the lead off of a strike from sophomore forward Ryan Reilly in the 61st minute and never
looked back. On Sunday, Binghamton succeeded in not allowing a goal near the beginning or end of the first half, carrying a 1-0 lead into halftime. However, just 41 seconds into the second half, Manhattan (1-1) tied the game. The Bearcats did well to respond again in the face of adversity, as a goal from sophomore defender Sam O’Malley gave them a 2-1 lead which would hold for the rest of the game. “We talked about having pride in the first and last five minutes of a half,” Bhattacharjee said on Sunday. “We haven’t done that through the first two games. That’s something we have to rectify, and I know we’ll be able to fix [this issue] so that we don’t put ourselves [down early in a half].” A standout performer for Binghamton in the opening weekend was senior goalkeeper Katie Hatziyianis. Her presence in net was integral to BU earning its 2-0 record. Her communication kept BU’s back line in position for through balls and crosses, exemplifying her value in ways other than making crucial saves. “You hope that you can go through 90 minutes without having any [defensive] breakdowns,” Bhattacharjee said.
“But in reality … sometimes those hopes open up toward the end. Katie was able to do her job — make the saves that she’s called on.” Another exceptional player this past weekend was redshirt junior forward Kayla Saager. The first Binghamton women’s soccer player to receive the America East (AE) Player of the Week award since 2014, Saager was extremely impactful in her first two games as a Bearcat, recording three assists and one goal in BU’s fourgoal weekend. Leading the AE in both points (5) and assists (3), Saager is in a position to become one of the Bearcats’ top offensive weapons. In order for the Bearcats to maintain their hot start, the team is simply looking to stick to their routine. “For us to [continue winning], we gotta follow the blue-collar stuff,” Bhattacharjee said. “Follow the game plan, have good training sessions, all of that. We’ve been doing that up to this point, and I think the 2-0 start is deserved.” Binghamton will next travel to Cleveland, Ohio, where they will take on Cleveland State University. Kickoff from Krenzler Field is expected at 4 p.m on Friday.
Pipe Dream Archives Senior goalkeeper Katie Hatziyianis logged seven saves in the team’s opening games this past weekend.
Volleyball to play in Las Vegas BU's preseason begins with UNLV Invitational
Samuel Ditchek Sports Editor
Katherine Scott/Staff Photographer Redshirt senior midfielder Charlie Novoth enters his second year as captain of the Binghamton men’s soccer team after anchoring the team’s defense last year.
BU starts 'The Journey' Men's soccer has eyes set on AE title game Grace Palumbo Assistant Sports Editor
Summer may be over, but the soccer field is about to heat up for the Binghamton men’s soccer team. After weeks of hard work and preparation, the Bearcats are set to return to play this Friday night in a home game against George Washington University. The team returned to campus to begin preseason training on Aug. 10 under the guidance of returning BU head coach Paul Marco. Among those returning to the field are redshirt senior midfielder Charlie Novoth and junior back Kevin Flesch, who will serve as captains for the 2017 season. “They set great examples,” Marco said. “They’re both very humble, they’re both very connected, very grateful for the things that they have.” Last season, Novoth served as a starter, finishing the season with two goals and leading the team with four assists alongside junior midfielder Harrison Weilbacher. This will
be his second year serving as captain and his last season as a Bearcat. “Charlie’s fitness came back outstanding, so he’s led by example from the moment the guys walked in,” Marco said. Novoth, who missed the 2015 season due to injury, seemed enthusiastic about embarking on the last leg of his journey at Binghamton. “I’m very excited,” Novoth said. “It’s my fifth year here now, so there’s a lot of pressure to get something and win something with this team. We have the ability this year, and I’m pretty excited to get on with it.” Indeed, the team has adopted T-shirts adorned with the phrase “The Journey,” a reference to its plan to journey back to the America East (AE) Championship game, where they last appeared in 2015. “We definitely want to accomplish that again,” Flesch said. “It’s just an amazing experience to play in the final. That’s every athlete’s goal, is to make it to the final, and that’s what ‘the journey’ is about.
Eventually, we want to get the trophy.” Flesch also had an impressive 2016 season, securing a spot on the AE AllTournament Team at the end of the regular season and earning a goal and assist for Binghamton during regular-season play. Marco appeared optimistic about the 2017 season and the balance between the returners and the incoming players. However, Marco was reluctant to distinguish any freshman stars before further study of their play. “The team, experiencewise, looks pretty good, and then we add a very good freshman class to that group,” Marco said. “We’ve had a few [freshmen] stand out. I think that the time that they have between now and the first exhibition game will really tell us how good this freshman class will be.” BU is slotted to take the field this Friday against George Washington University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, New York.
Nine months following its early exit from the America East (AE) Championship, the Binghamton volleyball team is slotted to begin its preseason this upcoming Friday. The Bearcats will face off against UNLV, Eastern Washington University and the University of California, Davis in the UNLV Invitational to open the 2017 campaign. In the AE Semifinals last postseason, BU was unable to dethrone the regular-season champion, and now four-time defending champion, University of New Hampshire. The Bearcats finished play posting a 13-14 record, with seven wins earned in conference. With their eyes set on Las Vegas and the upcoming stretch of matches, the Bearcats hope a rigorous preseason schedule will prepare them for AE opponents. BU will have 13 games to test different player combinations, develop chemistry and work on substitution patterns. “Starting out at UNLV will be a very tough tournament for us … but it’s a good time to get the team together and create a good atmosphere for our team,” said BU head coach Glenn Kiriyama. “We got our work cut out for us and we’re hoping just to get better every week.” Even though BU is undeniably lacking height, Kiriyama will look to senior setter Sarah Ngo, senior middle hitter Kristella Morina and junior outside hitter Gaby Alicea to lead the Bearcats. Last year, Ngo posted 881 assists, Alicea logged 227 kills and Morina collected 87 blocks. “We’re going to have to be good at ball control because we don’t have a really tall team,” Kiriyama said. “We got a lot of good returners back so we’re hoping to build on that. Hopefully
they can take charge on the court and we can get our offense going a little bit better this year.” Binghamton will return eight letter winners from last season, including three all-conference selections from 2016. Fortunately for Kiriyama’s squad, senior middle hitter Lexi LaGoy will be back after missing a third of the previous season due to injury. In 2014, LaGoy was named the AE Rookie of the Year after posting 240 kills, 70 blocks and 289.5 points. “[LaGoy] is coming off the injury but she’s ready to go this year,” Kiriyama said. “She’s looking strong in the preseason. We’re looking forward to her being a really forceful middle for us this year.” In addition to several players earning conference honors, Kiriyama was named AE Coaching Staff of the Year in 2016. Kiriyama is entering his 19th season as
the head coach after guiding the Bearcats to 11 postseason appearances in the past 13 years. Binghamton was picked to finish third in the 2017 AE preseason coaches’ poll largely due to its success in the previous season. UNH took first place in the poll with 34 points and five first-place votes, Albany was picked second with 31 points and two first-place votes and BU was elected third with 27 total points. “One thing that is going to be really important this season is accountability for us,” Ngo said. “We talked about how everyone needs to push each other but also be able to push themselves so that we can reach our peak potential.” Hoping to capitalize on several invitationals and tournaments, BU will open its 2017 campaign against UNLV on Friday. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m. from the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.
Pipe Dream Archives Senior setter Sarah Ngo recorded 881 assists, 86.5 points and 46 kills last season.