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Thursday, September 28, 2017 | Vol. XCII, Issue 10 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
BU EOP boasts 89 percent grad rate
Mayoral candidates face off
Jillian Forstadt Assistant News Editor
The Educational Opportunity Program’s (EOP) town hall, held at the beginning of each semester, looked more like a family reunion than a gathering of 700 students in the Mandela Room in the University Union. According to EOP Director Calvin Gantt, that’s the exact impression he hopes students get. “We’re letting students know that it’s okay to be vulnerable,” Gantt said. “It’s okay to come in and talk about how things are going — good, bad and indifferent.” First founded in 1968, EOP works to fulfill New York state’s commitment to providing economically disadvantaged students with higher education. The program is run by SUNY and similar programs can be found at private and CUNY schools throughout the state. The BU program’s graduation rate of 89 percent is the highest among all SUNY institutions and is higher than that of many institutions across the nation. In the spring of 2017, 605 students were enrolled in the program, with 94 percent of students in good academic standing with GPAs of at least 2.0. This month’s town hall was a community builder and allowed students to become more familiar with the statistics associated with the program, both at BU and statewide. According to Gantt, the program is often an integral part of students’ lives while at BU. “Many of the students just feel a sense of comfort, knowing that they have a home base in which to go, kind of just to rejuvenate themselves,” Gantt said. “I think it’s important for them to see that others are celebrated and we recognize
SEE EOP PAGE 2
The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Katherine Scott/Pipe Dream Photographer At the first mayoral debate Tuesday evening, Republican incumbent Rich David and Democratic opponent Tarik Abdelazim discussed various issues facing the city of Binghamton. The debate grew heated at times, as each candidate attacked the other’s record in office.
Debate spans business, infastructure; candidates question opponents' records Orla McCaffrey & Erin Kagel Pipe Dream News
Binghamton Mayor Rich David, the Republican incumbent, and Tarik Abdelazim, his Democratic challenger, faced off in their first debate Tuesday night, sparring on topics including infrastructure, crime, tax rates and affordable housing. The event, hosted by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, had a stated focus of business and economic development, but covered a range of issues affecting the Binghamton area. Near the start of the debate, David, who was first elected in 2013, and Abdelazim, disagreed on the most pressing issues facing the city of Binghamton. Abdelazim, who served as director of planning, housing and community development under former Mayor Matthew Ryan, said jobs are lacking in the city, while David
pointed to infrastructure improvements he said are vital. “The lack of jobs and crippling levels of poverty,” Abdelazim said. When the topic of job creation was brought up, David said his administration had taken numerous steps to spur local economic development. “You don’t create jobs, you create an environment that is attractive for business owners, investors, developers and residents,” David said. More than 100 community members, but few students, attended the debate on the 18th floor of the New York State Office Building in Downtown Binghamton. Supporters of both candidates listened intently, occasionally breaking debate rules by breaking into applause. Affordable housing was an issue of contention, with Abdelazim saying
SEE DEBATE PAGE 3
David campaign alters headline of debate coverage on Facebook page Orla McCaffrey News Editor
Shortly after Tuesday night’s mayoral debate, the Press & SunBulletin posted a summary of the event with the headline “Face Off in Mayor Race: Housing, crime hot topics.” Later that night, the article was shared on Mayor Rich David’s official Facebook page with an altered headline: “Tarik Abdelazim backpedals on record in first mayoral debate.” Sean Massey, associate professor of women, gender and sexuality studies at Binghamton University, shared sideby-side screenshots of the differing headlines on Facebook. “Interesting that Rich felt the need to edit this article to include a fake headline before posting it,” Massey wrote. “From what I read in the article, Tarik offered smart responses to every
claim Rich made.” In an email to Pipe Dream Wednesday regarding last night’s post, Deputy Mayor Jared Kraham said he is responsible for David’s campaign Facebook page. “In an effort to share an objective report by the Press & Sun-Bulletin of last night’s debate, a Facebook ad was created with a link and some short text,” Kraham wrote. “Being a paid post, the format of that link was optimized for multiple social media platforms, including Instagram. The post has been removed as to not become a distraction.” The post was taken down on Wednesday morning. When Pipe Dream counted on Wednesday afternoon, 24 of 43 headlines of reposted local media coverage since Jan.1 had been changed on David’s
SEE DAVID PAGE 3
Student business flourishes NSF funds software to Infiniti Greens provides microgreens to community, restaurants Yuri Lee & Victoria Cappo
preserve data credibility
Contributing Writers
Ari Bateman & Rachel Lackow Joe Rigoroso said he was tired of his spinach going bad. He was tired of constantly having to go to Wegmans for fresh greens, tired of the quality of produce given, tired of not knowing the origin of his greens or what types of pesticides were used on them. What originally started as a hobby with his suitemate to produce solutions to these problems has become a business catering to students, community members and local restaurants. Rigoroso, a senior majoring in business administration, is the creator and co-founder of the startup Infiniti Greens, alongside suitemate Ray Gochuico, a senior majoring in biology. With a company motto to “never stop growing,” Infiniti Greens aims to provide the Binghamton community with fresh, locally grown microgreens all year long. “We wanted to always have a source of fresh greens, even throughout the winter and when the growing season is done,” Rigoroso said. “We never stop growing and we always have them.” Microgreens, according to Rigoroso,
Contributing Writers
Rebecca Kiss/Assistant Photography Editor Joe Rigoroso, a senior majoring in business administration, tends to his microgreens at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator. Rigoroso is the co-founder of Infiniti Greens, a startup that provides fresh produce to the community and various restaurants.
are essentially baby versions of plants with just one or two sets of leaves. Despite their size, they’re nutritionally dense, making them ideal additions to people’s food. “[Microgreens] add that extra flair and color and flavor,” Rigoroso said. “They are great as a stand-alone salad,
but you can also add them to your existing salad or sandwich. Their use is only limited to your imagination.” The feedback to this variety in use and the promotion of healthy living, sustainability and local food, Rigoroso
SEE GREENS PAGE 2
According to a recent Nature.com study, more than 70 percent of scientists surveyed were unable to reproduce the results of other researchers’ scientific studies, and more than 50 percent were unable to reproduce the results of their own. Ping Yang, professor of computer science at Binghamton University, has been working to combat this “crisis of credibility” for over a decade. Yang, along with Guanhua Yan, an assistant professor of computer science, and two co-researchers at Wayne State University, Shiyong Lu and Fengwei Zhang, was recently awarded $999,999 through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The funds will be used to develop a computer program that helps boost the credibility of scientific research by preventing scientists from falsifying their findings. Grants awarded by the NSF, a government agency that allocates funding to researchers whose work it deems important, are highly competitive,
with fewer than 20 percent of applicants receiving the funds that they request. Anita Nikolich, cybersecurity program director at the NSF, said she believes this research is uniquely deserving of funding because it can influence scientific research without disrupting it. “Dr. Yang and Yan have introduced cutting-edge research concepts into well-known software without impacting the work of scientists and have, in fact, improved the trustworthiness of their results,” Nikolich said. “If research results are questionable because the underlying data has been corrupted or altered, faith in all scientific results can be lost, something we definitely don’t want to happen.” The well-known software Nikolich refers to is called a workflow, which automates the process of data analysis, lending accuracy and efficiency to the process of scientific research and discovery. Yang said that current workflow systems are not perfect and lack necessary functions. “The problem is that although there
SEE NSF PAGE 2
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bupipedream.com | September 28, 2017
PETA deconstructs speciesism Startup grows in
Koffman Incubator
Gillian Kenah Contributing Writer
On Monday evening, an activist from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) came to campus to discuss overlapping themes between animal exploitation and other types of oppression. Hanh Nguyen’s lecture, “The Machinery of Oppression,” was held in Lecture Hall 10 in conjunction with peta2, the youth movement associated with PETA. The Binghamton University Animal Alliance sponsored the presentation, which focused on the concept of speciesism. Speciesism attributes the exploitation of animals under the pretense of human egocentrism, or the idea that humans are intrinsically better than or superior to animals. According to Nguyen, this egocentrism is how humans justify the exploitation of animals’ products and services. Human egocentrism causes people to treat animals as inferiors, a concept that is noticeable in the use of the word “it” as a pronoun to describe animals, rather than the use of “he” or “she.” Nguyen also touched on the historical derogatory use of animal names, such as the use of the word “pig” to denote a person who is greedy or dirty. She said this language creates a culture of mistreatment toward animals. “Even though these historical examples are telling, we don’t need to go back in time to see that comparison to animals still incites and perpetuates hate,” Nguyen said. In her speech, Nguyen advocated for equal consideration of human and animal interests. As an organization, PETA encourages lifestyles that minimize harm inflicted upon animals, such as veganism. The organization discourages the
GREENS FROM PAGE 1
Lidia Tozzi/Contributing Photographer Hanh Nguyen, a PETA representative, advocated for equal consideration of human and animal interests during a lecture Monday evening. The event was held in Lecture Hall 10 in conjunction with peta2, the youth movement associated with PETA.
use of products that make a profit through the exploitation of animals. After becoming vegan, Nguyen said she felt alone in her new lifestyle until a speaker from Direct Action Everywhere, an animal liberation organization, came to her university to speak about the animal-rights movement. Nguyen slowly became more involved in animal activism and started to participate in other events where she met other people who were passionate about animal rights. She now tours colleges as a representative of PETA to raise awareness. Amanda Resnick, an administrator at peta2 who is
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accompanying Nguyen on her tour, said Nguyen’s expertise allowed her passion to shine through when speaking to students, helping her connect with attendees. “Hanh is very eloquent in her words,” Resnick said. “She also has years of activism experience, and also graduated from Yale, so she’s a smart cookie.” Attendee Priyanka Chanbrasegaran, a senior majoring in biology, said she agreed with Resnick, and that Nguyen’s presentation redefined her understanding of animal-rights issues, despite not following the lifestyle the lecturer encouraged.
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“The way she presented it made me think a different way,” Chanbrasegaran said. “I’m not vegan, but the way she said you shouldn’t think of animals as lower beings … not referring to them as ‘it’ but instead as ‘he’ or ‘she.’” Alexis Poveromo, a sophomore majoring in nursing, is already vegan but said she felt she gained perspective on the exploitation of animals after attending the lecture. “I never really connected the oppression of humans with the oppression of animals before,” Poveromo said. “It was a big awakening that was very necessary.”
said, has been supportive. “[The reaction] has been overwhelmingly positive,” Rigoroso said. “People are pretty happy that there are more local greens being produced and that a student is staying in Binghamton with their business.” With clientele ranging from health-conscious students buying the greens from the fridge at the Food Co-op to locals adding greens to their meals to restaurants like The Colonial, Citrea Restaurant and Bar and Remlik’s Grille & Oyster Bar, Infiniti Greens is working to make its presence known in the local food scene. Infiniti Greens was started last January, obtained an LLC in April and was accepted into the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator this past summer. Tony Frontera, an e n t r e p r e n e u r- i n - r e s i d e n c e with the Southern Tier Startup Alliance and a lecturer of entrepreneurship, business and marketing in the School of Management, said he believes Infiniti Greens’ quick takeoff is due, in part, to the entrepreneurship class Rigoroso took last semester. According to Frontera, the entrepreneurship class helps students identify how to develop their ideas into business models and plans. Frontera said this class allowed Rigoroso to develop his Infiniti Greens idea. “You don’t have to be a business major to start a company,” Frontera said. According to Rigoroso, the entrepreneurship class was crucial to his startup’s development.
“The class would take us through the process of forming a team and developing a business plan,” Rigoroso said. “The students with the best ideas led teams to develop their business plans, and the top five teams competed at the end of the class for a $5,000 prize funding their business venture. We won the business plan competition and obtained our prize money over the summer.” But even after the class ended, Frontera continued to help Rigoroso and Gochuico further develop Infiniti Greens. “Mentor services are free for Incubator members,” Frontera said. “[Entrepreneursin-residence] are a resource for mentoring and advising startups; we guide them through the process of searching for a business model and connect them with our network of resources.” Rigoroso and Gochuico said they are trying to keep their prices low by selling their 2.5-ounce clamshell boxes of microgreens for just $3. “Our goal wasn’t ever to make a whole bunch of money off it,” Rigoroso said. “Our main goal is to make microgreens as affordable as possible so that everyone can enjoy them.” In the future, Rigoroso and Gochuico said they want to expand their business even further. “Long-term, we’re looking to either build or find a used greenhouse in Binghamton and kind of just keep growing our microgreens in there,” Rigoroso said. “Who knows, one day maybe we’ll franchise and create Infiniti Greens all over the country.”
EOP welcomes freshmen EOP FROM PAGE 1
them for working hard and doing the things that they need to do to be successful.” Many staff and faculty at the University choose to make themselves available to EOP students as a resource, despite not working directly for the program. Wesley Dyer, the case management graduate assistant in Mountainview College and a first-year graduate student studying social work, said he wants to make himself visible to students who may not see many other faculty of color around campus. “I think the EOP program does a really good job of helping underrepresented groups come to higher education,” Dyer said. “I’m really the only black male in my program, so I just want to let all the undergraduate students know, from the EOP, that they have someone to speak to whether it’s minor or major.” This past summer, the EOP welcomed its largest freshman class in history with 179 students. Before attending BU this fall, students spent a month at the University participating in the Binghamton Enrichment Program (BEP), a mandatory program for students admitted to EOP. There,
Sean Lastig/Contributing Photographer Students in the EOP Tutorial Center, located in UU-263, work with peer and staff tutors in subjects such as writing, biology and study strategies. The center, open seven days a week, is one of the many resources available to ensure success for EOP students.
they enrolled in eight credits of preliminary courses meant to bridge the transition from home life to the experience on campus, both academically and socially. Many students who graduated from BEP identify closely with their class, often referring to their summer program. This is not coincidental, as Gantt said he wants students to feel closely tied to the program. Ashley Ceballo, an undeclared freshman and member of BEP ‘17, said surrounding herself with others involved in EOP cast aside any worries she had before coming to BU. “It’s different imagining
yourself somewhere and actually being there,” Ceballo said. “The people around me — the counselors, the mentors and even the students, they made me feel more comfortable, like I actually belong here.” With nearly 700 students now enrolled in the program this fall, Gantt said in addition to growth, he hopes to see an increase in the number of students going on to graduate schools after leaving the University. “EOP is all about getting students ready for getting a job right out of college; higher secondary education is another goal all to its own,” Gantt said.
Software preserves research NSF FROM PAGE 1 are many advances in scientific workflows, modern scientific workflow systems lack security infrastructure for securing scientific workflows and the associated data,” Yang said. To prevent this ability to alter results, Yang and Yan intend to develop software that keeps a secure log of any activity in the workflow. This includes changes to the software and parameters, the input of data and the results of data analysis. For additional security, the software will keep track of who is responsible for any alterations.
The software will also allow scientists to pinpoint honest mistakes that are inhibiting a study’s reproducibility by providing a comprehensive log of all recorded data. “This problem is more challenging than most people would think,” Yan said. “I think that we are proposing this project at the right time.” Beyond the creation of a cyberinfrastructure, Yang and Yan hope to have a broader impact on the scientific community by supporting students on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dinuni Fernando, a third-
year graduate student studying computer science, is working on the project as a graduate research assistant. Fernando said she feels the project is an important stepping stone in her career. She said she finds the research interesting because she is drawn to the study’s capacity to effect change. “I have always been fascinated about making a positive impact on society,” Fernando said. “I believe that this project gives me the opportunity to serve the scientific community by accelerating and securing future scientific discoveries.”
PAGE III Thursday, September 28, 2017
aDDress: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 phone: 607-777-2515 fax: 607-777-2600
Harvey’s Growing Up, Up and Away
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Jonathan Flores/Design Assistant Binghamton University celebrated President Harvey Stenger’s 60th birthday Wednesday with free ice cream and hot air balloon rides for students, staff and faculty. The hot air balloon was provided by Southern Tier Balloon Tours, a local business started by BU alumnus Dar Farzad, ‘07.
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“It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but New York is going to walk that road with you every step of the way.”
Police Watch The following accounts were provided by Investigator Patrick Reilly of Binghamton’s New York State University Police.
— Gov. Andrew Cuomo during a speech announcing The Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort Samsung stolen in Bartle for Puerto Rico on Sunday. WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 1:11 p.m. — A 19-year-old male
This Day in History Sept. 28, 1781
The Battle of Yorktown, a decisive Continental Army victory during the American Revolution, begins.
Mayor modified online headlines DAVID FROM PAGE 1 Facebook page. Beginning Wednesday night, however, the Facebook page’s headlines began to return to their original wording. The alterations ranged from a few words to rewrites. In April, Spectrum News posted an article with the headline, “Is your property up to standards? Binghamton code enforcement sweep begins.” The post later appeared on the mayor’s Facebook page with the headline: “Mayor David targets blighted properties with code enforcement sweeps.” Two weeks later, the Press & Sun-Bulletin ran the headline “POLICE AWARDS: Drug busts
and CPR”; however, the headline “ABOVE AND BEYOND: Police awards showcase community’s finest” was used on David’s page. In late May, the Press & SunBulletin sat down with David for a Q&A session, later posting the headline “Conversation with: Mayor Rich David.” On David’s Facebook page, the headline “Conversation: Mayor Rich David’s bipartisan record” was used. None of the altered posts appeared as sponsored content and, according to a Facebook post from July 2017, as of Sept. 12, users are no longer able to edit how a link appears on Facebook from websites the user doesn’t own.
LAW OFFICE OF PATRICK J. KILKER “Protecting you and our constitution”
PATRICK J. KILKER, ESQ.
Stephens Square Building 81 State Street, 5th Floor Binghamton, NY 13901 Phone: (607) 238-1176 | Fax: (607) 238-1489 Email: kilkerlaw@stny.rr.com Website: patrickkilkerlaw.com
contacted police after his Samsung Galaxy S7 cellphone was stolen from the library. The male told police he thought he left it in the Information Commons area, near the printers, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 19. He said he tracked the phone via its GPS signal until 6:30 p.m., when the feature was turned off. UPD checked lost and found, but the phone wasn’t located. The library staff has been notified, but nobody has turned in the phone. The phone is estimated to cost $780.
Tickets cause rant FRIDAY, Sept. 22, 11:02 a.m. — Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) staff contacted UPD to report a harassment incident. The suspect, a 21-yearold male, came to the office complaining about two tickets. The male received the tickets for not having an inspection sticker or valid registration for his car. He said both the inspection sticker and registration were valid, but he didn’t have them properly displayed. A TAPS employee told the male that the ticket for the car registration would be waived if he could provide proof that the car was registered. The male said he lost his registration, and became enraged when the employee told him the ticket would not be waived. He screamed expletives at the employee and said TAPS was “ripping off students.” The male was asked to
Sasha Hupka Police Correspondant
leave and the employee contacted police to request that he be referred to Student Conduct. He has yet to pay his tickets. Sedan hits student outside C4 MONDAY, Sept. 25, 3:41 p.m. — UPD was contacted by a 17-year-old female who said she’d been struck by a vehicle while walking across a crosswalk on East Drive. The female said she’d been walking across the raised crosswalk by the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4) when a black four-door sedan hit her on her right side. She was walking behind a group of students who had finished crossing at the time of the incident and were not hit. After being hit, she landed on the hood of the vehicle. She started yelling at the driver, but the car drove away. She said she was not injured, and declined medical attention, but said she was starting to feel slightly stiff. She didn’t know the make or model of the car. She stated it had been occupied by three white males. The case is still under investigation, and anybody with any information regarding the hit-and-run should contact UPD. Radio taken from break room TUESDAY, Sept. 26, 1:09 a.m. — A 63-year-old female University employee reported her portable radio was stolen from the Admissions Center. The radio, which was charging in the building’s unlocked break room, was last seen on Sept. 23. The employee said she left it there, and when she returned Sept. 25, the radio and charging block were gone. Police were unable to find any witnesses, and the case is still under investigation.
First debate gets heated DEBATE FROM PAGE 1
that the city’s housing stock is on the decline and projects that prioritize diverse housing must be supported. David said the administration prior to his focused solely on student housing and is responsible for the lack of affordable housing in the city of Binghamton. The candidates also traded barbs on the issue of public safety and crime, as state records show 2016 was the most violent year since the late 1990s. David criticized Abdelazim’s action under the former mayor, including cutting 20 officers from the Binghamton Police Department, but Abdelazim said the department’s high turnover rate proves that increased policing is not the answer.
While the candidates were instructed to keep their discourse civil, both called each others’ statements false and launched character attacks. David accused Abdelazim of selectively using facts to further his campaign. “You can manipulate my record all you want, but you can’t run away from your lack of accomplishment,” David said. Inhisclosingremarks,Abdelazim said David’s administration is not prepared to move the city of Binghamton forward. “Rich is a perfect candidate for the politics of today,” Abdelazim said. “But I’m running today to bring Binghamton into the politics of tomorrow.” Bobby Black, a 24-yearold Binghamton area resident,
said he expected the debated to become heated. “They’re such different people, so it wasn’t hard to guess,” Black said. “Tarik did a phenomenal job because he actually provided solutions.” Nick Libous, 36, who owns a business in the Binghamton area said he is concerned about the state of the city if David isn’t re-elected. “Mayor David has great ideas for businesses and since becoming mayor, he’s lowered taxes and gotten rid of blighted properties,” Libous said. The candidates will meet again at the University Downtown Center on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. for “An Evening with the Binghamton Mayoral Candidates,” hosted by the Center for Civic Engagement.
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stabilizing: odeya
hot air :destabilizing
ARTS & CULTURE Noah Bressner/Managing Editor The E.W. Heier Teaching & Research Greenhouses on campus is home to a large and diverse collection of plants. The facility, open to students and community members during the week, serves faculty teaching courses related to botany and provides a quiet space for relaxation.
University Greenhouse offers education, relaxation
The campus hideout, tucked away in Science III, contains over 1,200 plant species Melanie Gulbas Staff Writer If you’re looking for a new place to study on campus, or just somewhere to clear your head, then Binghamton University’s E.W. Heier Teaching & Research Greenhouses are the perfect spot. The current greenhouse complex opened in 1981 and has continued to impress the community since then with its diverse collection of more than 6,000 exotic plants, representing over 1,200 distinct species. The greenhouse offers students, staff, faculty and community members a chance
to explore four different botanical biomes — all for free. The different biomes — tropical, desert, cool temperate and warm temperate — allow plants from around the globe to flourish right here in Vestal. Each biome room in the facility is home to different plant species that fit the environment. When you enter the warm temperate room, you can hear running water and as you walk around, you’ll discover a pond filled with fish. The warm temperate room has a number of cycads — stout plants with large, stiff evergreen leaves — and BU’s greenhouse has a larger collection of cycads
than Kew Gardens, the worldrenowned botanical gardens in England. As you walk through the various spaces, the temperature difference is apparent, especially as you enter the tropical room and experience its humidity and overgrown plants. The primary function of the greenhouse is to educate students and the community, and many of BU’s classes utilize the greenhouse for teaching purposes, including courses in biology, botany, ecology and art. Lisette Rodriguez, a junior majoring in biology, has visited the greenhouse for the course Biology 117: Intro to Organisms
and Populations Biology. “I think [the facility] is an underrated feature that BU has to offer and many students don’t know about it or don’t appreciate it enough,” Rodriguez said. “I think my favorite biome is the tropical environment just because it reminds me of being away on vacation.” The greenhouse also provides an escape from everyday stressors, and Scott Hickerson, a senior majoring in biology, says he visits the greenhouse to unwind. “The greenhouse is one of the few places on campus that I can get away from the crowds of people,” Hickerson said. “It’s a
great place to get in some lastminute studying, call home or just relax while looking at some plants that I had no idea even existed.” Many of the employees who care for the plants are workstudy students and volunteers, according to Greenhouse Assistant Josh DeMarree. DeMarree said he has been interested in plants since he was a child and had his first garden space at his grandparents’ home. Once he realized he wanted to be botanist, he earned an associate degree in horticulture and went on to get his bachelor of science in botany. His passion for plants
is contagious. “My current job allows for me to work with and engage people in plants and how they are important and valuable,” DeMarree said. “In my opinion, there is a huge problem. People through the internet are given access to the entire world, but they know so little about what’s out in their front yard. Our collection allows visitors to travel around the globe and back in time.” The greenhouse is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a small plant sale during the week of Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Celebrating banned books
ALA dedicates week to protested literature Gabby Iacovano Arts & Culture
Photo Illustration by: Rebecca Kiss/Assistant Photography Editor From creamy sauces to twists on classics, pasta offers a cheap base for a variety of easy-to-prepare dishes.
Spicing up dinnertime Pasta recipes that will rock your palate
Georgia Westbrook Arts & Culture Editor Cajun Chicken Rigatoni — 1 box rigatoni or similar pasta — 2 tablespoons olive oil — 2 minced cloves of garlic — 1 cup diced onions — 1 tablespoon Cajun spice mix (see below) — 1 tablespoon paprika — Black pepper — 1/2 cup white wine — 1 cup chicken stock — 1/2 cup heavy cream — 1 cup steam-in-thebag peas, prepared — 2 cup shredded chicken — 1 tablespoon butter — 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Cajun Spice Mix — 2 tablespoons garlic powder — 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning — 2 tablespoons paprika — 2 tablespoons salt — 1 tablespoon black pepper — 1 tablespoon cayenne
1. Prepare pasta according to instructions, reserving one cup of pasta water. Set both aside, separately. 2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook onions and garlic until soft. Season with Cajun spice mix. Add wine and stock, bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for four minutes. Add cream, peas and chicken, and simmer for two more minutes. 3. Turn off the heat and stir in pasta, butter and cheddar. Add reserved pasta water until the sauce is the desired consistency. Serve. Adapted from Delish pepper — 1 tablespoon dried thyme — 1 tablespoon onion powder Whisk all ingredients together and store in a jar with a tightfitting lid. Adapted from Culinary Hill
Avocado Pasta — 1 box pasta, any shape — 2 avocados, sliced — 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves — 2 cloves garlic — 2 tablespoons lemon juice — 1/3 cup olive oil — 1 1/2 cups vegetables, like tomatoes or corn, prepared to taste — Salt and pepper Peanut Noodle Salad with Cucumber
1. Prepare pasta according to instructions and set aside. 2. Combine avocados, basil, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor. Then, with the motor running, add olive oil in a slow stream until smooth. 3. Mix together pasta, sauce and vegetables in a bowl and serve. Adapted from Damn Delicious
and reserve three tablespoons of the pasta water. Drain the pasta, — 1/2 cup smooth cool under a stream of peanut butter water and pat dry with a — 1/4 cup apple cider towel. Set aside. vinegar 2. In a separate bowl, — 2 tablespoons whisk together the Worcestershire sauce peanut butter, vinegar, — 1 tablespoon honey Worcestershire sauce, — Cayenne pepper honey and a pinch of — Long skinny pasta, cayenne pepper. Season like spaghetti or linguini with salt to taste. — 1/2 cup peeled, seeded 3. Stir the reserved pasta and cubed cucumber water into the peanut — 1/2 cup fresh basil butter sauce and pour — 2 cups bean sprouts over the noodles. Stir in or shredded butter the cucumber, basil and lettuce sprouts and serve. 1. Prepare pasta Adapted from according to instructions Food & Wine
Banned Books Week, which began this year on Sept. 25 and is typically held during the last week of September, is a call to action for readers to speak out against literary censorship. The annual observance is led by a coalition of organizations that includes the Freedom to Read Foundation, the American Library Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and more. Book lovers can participate in this weeklong, nationwide celebration with Pipe Dream’s list of fun Banned Books Week activities. 1. Read a banned book. The American Library Association website has cataloged a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in the United States every year since 2001. According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, there were 323 attempts to ban books in 2016. The year’s most challenged book was the awardwinning graphic novel “This One Summer,” written and illustrated by cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki. Centered on the summer friendship of two preteen girls, the book has been challenged for its inclusion of LGBTQ characters, depictions of sex and drugs and use of profanity. Other books on the 2016 list include picture book “I Am Jazz,” written by Jessica Herthel and transgender teen Jazz Jennings; John Green’s best-selling young-adult romance “Looking for Alaska”; and Chuck Palahniuk’s raunchy anthology “Make Something Up: Stories You Can’t Unread.” If you have spare time for pleasure reading this week, you might want to venture to the Broome County Public Library or Barnes and Noble’s Vestal location in search of these titles. 2. Write a review of your favorite banned book. Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to argue in favor of the books that have shaped your life. Goodreads, a site that allows users to rate and review books, is a great platform for speaking out against the censorship of stories that matter to you.
Thousands of millennials grew up reading classics like “Bridge to Terabithia,” “The Kite Runner,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and the wildly popular Harry Potter series, all of which have made the Top Ten Most Challenged Books lists in the last decade. Add your voice to others supporting the beloved books. 3. Compete in the Rebel Reader Twitter Tournament. This American Library Association-sponsored raffle encourages readers to tweet photos, videos, quotes and stories relating to the subject of banned books. Users who post this week with the hashtag #RebelReader will be entered to win a tote full of books, mugs, pencils and other swag. The official rules are posted on the organization’s website, and one winner will be selected every day of the week. 4. Participate in the Stand for the Banned Read-Out. The American Library Association also encourages readers to post short YouTube videos with the phrase “Stand for the Banned” in the title. Videos should be less than three minutes long and can be on any topic relevant to book censorship. Participants might read aloud from a banned book, review their favorite banned book, talk about how a particular book has changed
their life or discuss censorship in general. Once you post your video and submit a link to the American Library Association website, your content could be selected to go on the official Banned Books Week YouTube channel. 5. Seek out cool new places to read. The BU campus is home to plenty of cozy spots to curl up with a challenged book. The Nature Preserve is full of comfortable logs and hidden benches to use while the weather is still warm. If you want to feel close to nature without feeling the sun, the gazebo by Hillside Community that faces the preserve is another great choice. Other relaxing spots include the Fine Arts Building Memorial Garden, the Fireside Lending library in the Marketplace and the patio outside of Appalachian Collegiate Center. 6. Join the Freedom to Read Foundation. Students can join the foundation online for just $10. If you become a member, you can receive regular email updates from the organization. Other perks of joining Freedom to Read include directly supporting their efforts to fight censorship in the courts, as well as the chance to vote and run in the organization’s annual board elections.
Kevin Paredes/Photography Editor “Howl” by Allen Ginsberg and other controversial literature is being celebrated this week as part of the national Banned Books Week. Readers can participate in the event by uploading videos about their favorite books or posting a review to online book community pages.
5
ARTS & CULTURE
September 28, 2017 | bupipedream.com
Culture Shock to highlight the diversity of student talent
Saturday's competition will feature groups, individuals from BU and other universities Kara Brown and Hannah Ettestad Pipe Dream Arts & Culture
SUNY Oswego’s African Student Organization, University at Albany’s Maddshott Dancerz and Syracuse University’s Otto’s Empire Belly Dance Troupe will also perform. Jaedyn Lalonde, the treasurer of Hoop Troop and a junior double-majoring in biology and environmental studies, said she is looking forward to competing. “We work so hard on creating choreography and practicing it over and over until we get it just right,� Lalonde said. “I also love watching all the other performances and seeing how talented the BU studentgroup population is. [Culture Shock] is always a fun event with lots of energy.� Maryam Durosinmi, treasurer of ASO and a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, explained that the process for selecting performers considers the community feel of the event.
This Saturday, the Appalachian Collegiate Center is getting cultured. The African Student Organization (ASO) is hosting Culture Shock, their annual multicultural talent show. The event will feature seven acts, from Binghamton University as well as from other universities, all competing for a $500 prize. “The purpose of Culture Shock is to show that we are united through talent and different cultures,� said Fatoumata Kane, ASO president and a senior majoring in political science. This year, BU a cappella group Rhythm Method will open for the seven competing acts. BU will be represented by dance groups Hoop Troop and Uyai Nnua, plus a cappella group The Binghamtonics and solo singer Precious Johnson, a junior majoring in theatre. Dancers from
“As a team, we brainstormed which teams haven’t performed for us before to diversify the performances,� Durosinmi said. “We’ve never had belly dancers before, and it’s something different, which we hope will bring a different crowd outside of the African community.� The groups will be judged on not only raw talent but also on audience engagement. The winner will be chosen by three judges: Patricia Lespinasse, an assistant professor of Africana studies; Samantha Ng, the president of the Asian Student Union and a junior double-majoring in human development and Asian and Asian American studies; and Lexie Avery, career consultant in residence at the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. Avery said she’s excited to see how talented BU students are and that she’s “prepared to be amazed.� “There are so many students on
URY LUX NT DE STU ING! S HOU
this campus that excel academically but are also so incredibly engaged in their passion areas so I’m happy to be a part of a passion project,� Avery wrote in an email. “It’s also a unique opportunity to engage with students outside of academics or careers so I’m excited to see students that I recognized having critiqued their resume or having done a mock interview with them.� Although the acts are competing against each other for the prize, Kane said that Culture Shock aims to be more than your average talent show. “We really try to emphasize unity through different cultures and talents [and] you will see a mixture of a lot of different cultures and talents,� Kane said. “It’s almost like you’re exploring the whole globe.� The event will be at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 in Appalachian Collegiate Center. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
Provided by African Student Organization Members of Quimbamba pose during a performance. The group will be dancing onstage as part of the upcoming Culture Shock event hosted by the African Student Organization.
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OPINIONS Thursday, September 28, 2017
Jorden James / Editorial Artist
CRITICAL CONSUMPTION
Today's consumption of news and information can consist of logging onto social media, reading a few short headlines and then considering yourself to be informed. Today’s consumption of news and information can involve logging onto social media, reading a few short headlines and then considering yourself informed. However, these snippets of information don’t paint a complete, objective picture of a story or event. Until recently, Facebook gave users the ability to modify headlines and body text in shared links. This often created a skewed point of view, subjecting casual readers to a potentially biased outlook on news. In the wake of this policy and, in turn, the fake news frenzy of the 2016 presidential election, it can be
difficult to discern subjectivity. This issue doesn’t only affect large-scale, national news — it has occurred locally as well. On Tuesday night, the Press & SunBulletin ran the headline “Face Off in Mayor Race: Housing, crime hot topics,” but on the David’s campaign’s official Facebook page, the headline “Tarik Abdelazim backpedals on record in first mayoral debate” was used. The new headline painted his opponent, Abdelazim, in a decidedly negative light, while the original article was an objective account of what occurred at
the debate. Regardless of which capacity this occurs in, whether on political news or in arts articles, we denounce the practice, and advocate for reading news on secondary sources, like social media, with a close eye. Whether it causes constituents to think differently about a candidate or a student to think differently about an event at the University, this practice creates a negative impact. We encourage everyone to be a critical consumer — to take a closer look at all news and media in order to form your own opinions and thoughts.
Many people were unaware of this practice on Facebook and other social media; use it and other subjective media practices as an incentive to dig deeper and search for the truth when staying informed. It’s important to know how to search for the truth and be critical of the widespread news and information that seems to permeate every aspect of our world. For starters, although Facebook has recently changed its policy to ban changing headlines in shared links, it is useful to click on the full article and read it to draw your own conclusions and form your
own thoughts. So-called clickbait articles also frequently use misleading headlines in order to entice readers into clicking on the link, but one can more accurately discern a click-bait article from a true news article by reading the full version instead of just the headline. It’s also important to determine the source of data and facts in articles. Are they coming from information that is public or easily accessible? Will a quick Google search confirm or refute the information? If the answer is no, then the data is likely false. John Roby, a former
investigative reporter for the Press & Sun-Bulletin, spoke at an event called “How to be a Truth Seeker” at the University Downtown Center last semester, encouraging attendees to develop a “data state of mind” when trying to determine the credibility of a story. It’s unfortunate that we function in this kind of media climate, but our consumption of information will never stop. There is no way to guarantee that the media, politicians or people will always play fair. In order to separate the facts from the fiction, always practice critical consumption.
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, Opinions Editor, Sports Editor and Arts & Culture Editor. The expressed views do not reflect those of the Arts & Culture Editor.
Considering the ethics of veganism Everyone should acknowledge the moral implications of their dietary choices Hannah Rosenfield Contributing Columnist
The topic of eating meat or choosing to go vegan is one that often causes conflict; as a selfproclaimed omnivore, I have thus far chosen to live my life in the parameters of taste — if it tastes good, I will eat it, no matter what animal products the food may contain. I’ve never shied away from sushi or thought twice before ordering a burger. With this in mind, I do wholly support veganism. It is undeniably a choice that is better for the earth, as well as one’s
own body. According to National Geographic, a single hamburger takes more than 600 gallons of water to produce, in addition to the obvious health risks that come along with following a diet that includes processed meat. Although these truths are indisputable, many, including myself, still choose to stick with a diet that we know causes more harm to both the world we live in and ourselves because we do not want to give up a food that we enjoy. While not everyone chooses to cease their consumption of animal products, it’s important to note and respect these truths that inspire many to adopt veganism. Curious to learn more about this debate, I attended a lecture
by Hanh Nguyen, a speaker sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, at an event hosted on campus by the Binghamton University Animal Alliance. I sat in on a conversation that considered “going vegan” as not only a health and environmental decision, but as a decision that encompasses morality and ethics. Nguyen presented the point that we think of humans as a species who are afforded fundamental rights, such as safety from being used as clothing, food sources and cruel entertainment, but we do not grant nonhuman animal species these same rights. In the same way that we institutionalize oppression against
minority groups in society, we institutionalize violence against nonhuman animals. Further, we select species that we feel we owe a moral obligation to and choose to view others as a food source. Why do we choose to fiercely protect our family pets, but feel no moral dilemma when eating a cheeseburger? We grant moral consideration and feel emotional bonds to our pets, but turn a blind eye and dismiss these feelings when it comes to an animal we are eating for dinner. Humans justify this behavior by upholding the belief that the human species is in a category that is distinct from our animal counterparts — we believe that animals do not deserve the
same treatment that we afford to mankind. The moral dilemma is one that is uncomfortable, and therefore, not commonly examined. Most are not okay with admitting that our actions make the statement that humans view themselves as superior to all other species. We think of certain species, like the great apes, elephants, dolphins and ourselves, as intelligent and therefore worthy of compassion, but deny that animals such as chickens, pigs and cows deserve empathy. Admittedly, listening to Nguyen’s lecture did not turn me into a vegan. I will still continue the same eating patterns and unfortunately, as I learned
through her talk, these actions classify me as somewhat morally ignorant. However, Nguyen’s talk did leave me with a deeper understanding and appreciation for those who are able to commit to a vegan or vegetarian diet — reducing our meat consumption does our planet a great service, and this should be commended. Veganism isn’t for everyone, and at this point in my life, it isn’t for me. However, it is important for everyone to consider the ethical implications of their actions before making decisions about what they consume. Food for thought. – Hannah Rosenfield is a senior majoring in English.
Missed connections
Mountainview College pilot program puts residents at a disadvantage Emily Houston Columnist
Binghamton University is known for its nontraditional dormitory style. While most universities have dorms that stand alone, BU living communities instead foster a closer environment within the greater campus community. But one of these living communities is currently standing at a disadvantage from the rest: Mountainview College. The Mountainview College pilot program is testing the role that resident assistants (RAs) play in the lives of students who live on campus. It strays from the usual system of having one RA on each side of a dormitory floor and instead only has one senior
resident (SR) per floor, essentially doubling the number of students that an RA is responsible for. I lived in Mountainview College for my freshman and sophomore years at BU. Freshman year, I happened to be blessed with the best RA in the entirety of BU — at least in the minds of my floormates and me. He pointed us in the right direction for our first day of classes when we were just learning how to navigate the campus, he let us know we needed to hide our tapestries when the fire marshal was coming for inspections. He was more than just our RA — he was our friend. So I was excited to meet my new SR when my overpacked car pulled into the Marcy Hall parking lot for the fall 2016 semester of my sophomore year. Though I knew I wasn’t going to have nearly as many questions about campus
mail or local liquor stores as my freshman self did, I still wanted to get to know the main support system in my dorm. Little did I know that a new pilot program had been put into place that would cause my SR to not even learn my name throughout the entirety of my sophomore year. The problem with having one SR per floor rather than an RA on each side is the sheer number of students that the SR is responsible for. Since Mountainview College is comprised of suites and triples, there are approximately 35 people on each side of a floor, meaning there are about 70 residents per floor. Putting one SR on a floor means that this single person is solely responsible for all 70 kids — and their questions, concerns and problems. That’s just too many. This also means that the relationship between the student
and the SR suffers. Students are meant to interact with their RA for more than just disciplinary reasons; RAs are leaders throughout the BU community and are an extra source of support for students, especially since the majority of their residents have never been to college before. But with twice as many residents to care for, these relationships never even have a chance to form. An RA is also the leading force in encouraging floor friendships. By calling meetings, coordinating dinners and hosting floor events, an RA has the ability to create a close environment between floormates that is particularly essential for freshmen who start completely alone when they walk into the school. But when your floor was designed to be 35 people and it suddenly explodes to 70, these friendships never develop.
BU claims the purpose of this pilot program is to better help us students. As quoted in Pipe Dream’s 9/5 news article, “Mountainview pilot program redefines RA role, residential experience,” Dean of Students April Thompson says, “For the dollars that you’re putting in, we want students to get the most from their residence hall experience. We’re really reinvesting in them with infrastructure and support and direct attention to them on the things that matter to students.” Speaking as one of these students, I can tell you that paying thousands of dollars to live on this campus and having overworked SRs with so many residents that they don’t even know all their residents’ names is not something we asked for. Having less of a relationship with the leader and
primary source of support on our resident floors is not what “matters to students.” RAs are supposed to promote an inclusive, supportive, fun atmosphere for their residents. Students need to know that they can approach their RA with any questions or concerns they may have, but making RAs responsible for twice the usual number of students only encumbers the essential relationship between an RA and their residents. Having to reintroduce myself in the middle of the semester just so my SR could remember I lived on his floor certainly does not show me that the Mountainview College pilot program is even close to a success. – Emily Houston is a junior double-majoring in English and political science.
FFUN UN
Thursday, Monday, September April 3, 2017 28, 2017
Gotta Go Fast
Nate Walker Jazz Hans
Sudoku
Annabeth Sloan
By The Mepham Group
Level: 1 2 3 4 Solution to Monday's puzzle
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
9/28/17
FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 28, 2017
Happy Birthday to a Timeless Meme
Nate Walker
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Journals 5 “Downtown” and “Yesterday” 10 Discontinue 14 Pennsylvania and Fifth: abbr. 15 Criminal 16 Window piece 17 Pathway 18 Teetotaler’s practice 20 Drink in a stein 21 Soft cheese 22 Enthusiastic 23 Headed bolt 25 Furniture wood 26 Palm tree leaves 28 Protestant clergyman 31 Naps 32 Shoelace woes 34 Energy 36 Midwest state 37 Mountaintops 38 Long sandwich 39 Pistol, slangily 40 Too loose 41 Gerald & Betty 42 Club rules 44 Polite person’s word 45 Feminine suffix 46 In a __; instantly 47 Actor Eastwood 50 __ up; absorb 51 Night __; one who’s up late 54 Folk singers’ gathering 57 Attract; tempt 58 Prefix for body or freeze 59 Part of a sword 60 As wise __ owl 61 Wheel and __; negotiate slyly 62 Stogie 63 Current calendar pg. DOWN 1 Refrain syllables 2 Kiwi’s shape
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Monday’s Puzzle Solved
3 Spirit of giving 4 180 degrees from NNW 5 Frightens 6 Planet’s path 7 Sniffer 8 Acquired 9 Enjoy a winter sport 10 Says something 11 Orangey drink 12 Formerly 13 Look through a keyhole 19 Approaches 21 Underwear, for many 24 Come __ view; appear 25 Cereal grains 26 Kermit, for one 27 Phys. therapy 28 Irritatingly slow 29 La Scala, e.g. 30 Bookish fellows 32 Beer barrels 33 Carp 35 Prepare to be photographed
©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
37 Spaniel’s feet 38 Soil-turning implements 40 Sew loosely 41 Harsh criticism 43 __ soup 44 Athlete 46 Henry or Peter 47 African nation
48 “The __ Star State”; Texas 49 Greek letter 50 Obstacle 52 Envelop 53 Gave for a time 55 CBS rival 56 Ring king 57 __ Cruces, NM
@PipeDreamSports FOR LIVE COVERAGE Thursday, September 28, 2017
Week Four Start or Sit 'em? Evan Cole Assistant Sports Editor
Fantasy Football Quarterback Start: Tyrod Taylor (BUF): Following a solid performance against a tough Broncos defense, Taylor has a much easier opponent in the Falcons. The game is expected to be high scoring, providing Taylor with a high floor. Carson Palmer (ARI): Following a stellar performance against the Cowboys, Palmer has an extremely easy matchup against the 49ers. With David Johnson sidelined, expect Palmer to continue airing it out. Sit: Cam Newton (CAR): Newton played horribly against a shoddy Saints defense, tossing three interceptions and failing to record 200 passing yards. While he has another encouraging matchup in the Patriots, Newton simply hasn’t performed like a fantasy starter to this point. If you’re desperate: Trevor Siemian (DEN): Siemian faces a Raiders secondary that was just torched by Kirk Cousins. The Broncos’ talented receivers should find plenty of openings this Sunday. Running back Start: Jacquizz Rodgers (TB): Rodgers had an extremely poor game against the Vikings, but he returns home this week to face a Giants run defense that has been uncharacteristically unorganized. In his final week as the Buccaneers’ workhorse, Rodgers should find plenty of running room. Joe Mixon (CIN): Following a change in offensive coordinators, the Bengals have finally decided to unleash the talented rookie. Mixon is dripping with upside in a matchup against the lowly Browns. Sit: Isaiah Crowell (CLE): Crowell has received the volume to provide a decent floor, but the emergence of Duke Johnson has significantly lowered his ceiling. If you’re desperate: Chris Carson (SEA): Carson has emerged as the Seahawks’ primary back and faces a Colts defensive front that has allowed big performances to opposing
running backs so far. Wide receiver Start: Stefon Diggs (MIN): Following a knee injury to Sam Bradford, Diggs’ viability as a starter was in question. However, Case Keenum has looked surprisingly good since filling in for Bradford, so Diggs remains a starter in a matchup against the Lions. Sterling Shepard (NYG): Shepard turned in a huge performance against the Eagles last week, and should keep his momentum against an injured Buccaneers secondary. Even with the Giants’ offensive deficiencies, Shepard should see enough targets to warrant starting him. Sit: Terrelle Pryor (WAS): To this point, Pryor’s signing with the Redskins has looked overhyped, surpassing 35 yards receiving in only one game this season. Things don’t get any easier for Pryor as he faces allpro cornerback Marcus Peters this Sunday. If you’re desperate: Mohamed Sanu (ATL): Sanu has performed well in the first few weeks, seeing at least six targets in each of those performances. Sanu’s volume gives him big upside against a rebuilding Bills secondary. Tight end Start: Charles Clay (BUF): Clay has surprisingly been one of Taylor’s top targets in the passing game, posting a touchdown in two of his three games this season. Facing a below average Falcons defense, Clay should continue his hot start. Jared Cook (OAK): A new signing, Cook has emerged as one of Derek Carr’s favorite receivers. He should continue to do well against a Broncos linebacker group that is more adept at pass rushing than pass covering. Sit: Eric Ebron (DET): Against an elite Vikings defense on the road, Ebron will be covered tightly all game. He does not possess the upside to be started despite this matchup. If you’re desperate: Evan Engram (NYG): Like Shepard, Engram has a very favorable matchup in the Buccaneers. He has proven to have a solid floor, posting over 40 yards in each contest. With tight ends generally underperforming this year, Engram possesses a relatively high upside this week.
Rachel Tomei/Staff Photographer Sophomore forward Haris Brkovic’s two goals marked the first time since 2007 that a Bearcat has had consecutive multiple-goal games.
Men's soccer falls to Cornell Brkovic continues stellar run, defensive struggles plague BU Grace Palumbo Assistant Sports Editor
The Binghamton men’s soccer team struggled to keep up in a match against Cornell on Tuesday night. The Bearcats (3-5-1) fell to the Big Red (43-1), 3-2, in a close game at the Charles F. Berman Field in Ithaca, New York. “I thought we played very well in the game last night,” said BU head coach Paul Marco. “In between the two boxes, I thought we were very, very good. In the boxes, we weren’t very good. In buildup play, we were terrific; we kept the ball for very long spells in the game.” Even though both teams played competitively for the first 20 minutes, Cornell netted a goal to take a 1-0 advantage at the 20:30 mark. Binghamton made offensive strides to tie the
score, recording four shots on goal, but they were not enough to get on the scoreboard before first period was over. The time spent in the locker room during half-time seemed to regroup the team, however, as sophomore forward Haris Brkovic scored a goal just under three minutes into the second half. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, the Big Red responded with a goal of its own a mere 40 seconds later, giving Cornell the lead once again, 2-1. Binghamton made attempts to tie the match, but its efforts were thwarted further when Cornell posted another goal at the 62nd minute mark, pulling further away from the Bearcats with the score at 3-1. Undeterred, the Bearcats maintained their aggressive play, exemplified by redshirt senior midfielder Charlie Novoth’s yellow card midway
through the second half. Their hard work paid off when Brkovic recorded an additional goal just four minutes before the end of the period. As Binghamton was unable to find the back of the net again, the score remained in favor of Cornell, 3-2, and it ultimately claimed victory. Despite the loss, BU played competitively against a squad that took down No. 11 Syracuse two weeks prior. Perhaps most notably, this was Brkovic’s second game in a row in which he scored two consecutive goals. Neither of Brkovic’s goals in this match were assisted. “He’s been in the right place at the right time, and his energy and work rate has increased recently, which has allowed him to perhaps perform at the level he has been performing at,” Marco said. “He has the qualities but perhaps earlier in the year he didn’t understand
the demands of the game and now that he’s seen what he can do physically and technically, I think that he’s showing that in match play.” With conference play set to begin this Saturday, the Bearcats are preparing to face off against Stony Brook. Binghamton enters the match averaging 2.00 goals scored per game, which ranks No. 20 among all NCAA Division I schools as of last Monday. “The next couple of days will be us trying to get a little better in areas where we need to improve no matter who we’re playing,” Marco said. “Then, obviously, we’ll do a few things to get ready for Stony Brook.” Binghamton is slotted to take on Stony Brook this Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook, New York.
Football heightens risk of CTE in former players Safety standards need to be more protective of mental health to prevent long-term issues Julian Guevara Pipe Dream Sports
Once again, a tough question and a sensitive subject has been brought into the spotlight by way of brain research. The NFL has produced the most instances of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in the world of professional sports, discounting boxing and MMA. Recently, it was discovered that Aaron Hernandez, the infamous 27-year-old ex-New England Patriot convicted of murder, was in CTE stage 3 out of 4. Traditionally, the degenerative brain disease appears in retired
NFL players when they reach their early 60s, and according to researchers at Boston University, over 100 former NFL players’ brains have been found to contain consistencies akin to accelerated aging of the brain. Hernandez’s bizarre case raises important questions not only for the NFL, but for football as a whole. As time progresses, researchers are able to collect more data on the type of brain damage that a life full of football can inflict. The fact that Hernandez was only 27 when he took his own life has left the public somewhat shocked. Hernandez’s suicide comes years after NFL stars Dave Duerson and Junior Seau shot themselves in the chests, taking their lives before reaching 55. Duerson, however,
left his family a note urging them to donate his brain to Boston University’s School of Medicine. Even though head injuries don’t make people murderous, Hernandez’s brain damage could be related to his jail-cell suicide. To reiterate, the head injuries don’t make Hernandez any less accountable for his actions, but preventing head injuries in games could reduce the amount of tragic endings such as his. There is a lot to be said about the alarming rate at which Hernandez’s brain deteriorated. The conversation should begin at the high school level. One year after I graduated high school, I was stunned and deeply saddened to learn that one of my former classmates, Tom Cutinella, had
passed away due to a head injury sustained in a football game. It is impossible for someone like myself, who has never played football at a high school level or higher, to fathom what it is like on the field, but at a certain point the fundamental practices of the sport need to be edited. The simplest solution is to implement penalties in football for hard hits to another player’s helmet. Players have been penalized and fined for hits to the helmet since 2010 and this was a step in the right direction for player safety and longevity of players’ lives after football. Fans certainly enjoy hardhitting plays, as it is a large part of the game, but players are getting used to being penalized for these hits and are changing the way they
play accordingly. If they don’t, they won’t see the field. Initially, the decision to penalize and fine was met with backlash, and the fans called for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s job. However, the past seven years have shown that the game can still be an exciting experience for both players and fans, even without brutal hits. As recently as this past Tuesday, researchers at Boston University made a breakthrough in testing brains of living patients for traces of CTE. The study published in the journal PLOS ONE tested the brains of 91 people. Twentythree of the subjects were former college and professional football players, 50 were nonathletes with Alzheimer’s disease and 18 were
nonathletes with healthy brains. In the brains of the former football players, researchers found a high level of a protein linked with age-associated cognitive decline, CCL11. The level of CCL11 in the former football athletes was greater than the level present in the patients with Alzheimer’s brains. The hardest thing for a fan to fathom is how many concussions the average NFL athlete has had throughout his life. In the worst cases, you are presented with Hernandez, Seau and Duerson. Their tragic endings should live as an example for all fans demonstrating the extreme reality that NFL stars are still humans, who must deal with the effects that football can have on their lives after they retire.