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@bupipedream + @buprism Thursday, October 25, 2018 | Vol. XCIV, Issue 16 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Student groups talk politics, voting Rep. Hakeem Jeffries discusses engagement Laura D’Angelo
contributing writer
High-profile alumnus, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, ‘92, hosted by Binghamton University’s College Democrats, visited campus on Monday to speak about the importance of civic engagement and political involvement. Jeffries, who represents New York’s 8th congressional district, specifically highlighted his support for Anthony Brindisi, the Democratic congressional candidate for New York’s 22nd district, which encompasses the cities of Binghamton, Cortland, Rome and Utica. Brindisi is running in a highly
jacob hanna pipe dream photographer Jacob Bezner, a team leader at Generation Vote and a junior double-majoring in political science and history, speaks about his support of Democratic congressional candidate Anthony Brindisi at “22 and You: A Midterm Election Information Session.”
Students hold election information session 30 students acquired information about candidates in New York’s gubernatorial, senatorial and congressional races. The event also touched on issues of civil engagement in young Americans. Jerry Toussaint, president of the Student Association and a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, discussed the historically low voter turnout in people aged 18 to 29. He stressed the competitiveness of races in Broome County and New York’s 22nd congressional district and told students that
Lia Berger
assistant copy desk chief
Midterm elections are rapidly approaching, and with all eyes on New York’s 22nd congressional district, Binghamton University’s campus organizations are hoping to educate and engage student voters. On Monday in Lecture Hall 10, The Roosevelt Institute, BU’s chapter of the New York Public Interest Group and the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) collaborated to host “22 and You: A Midterm Election Information Session.” An audience of approximately
sidney slon pipe dream photographer Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, ‘92, spoke in Lecture Hall 3 on Tuesday night.
see session page 3
competitive race against Republican incumbent Claudia Tenney. According to Jeffries, it is vital for young voters to turn out for this year’s midterm elections. “The stakes are very high in this election, and your involvement is incredibly important because there really are two different visions for what we, as Democrats, would like to see in the United States of America and what the other side of the isle, unfortunately, would like to see,” Jeffries said. “We want to move the country forward, some want to turn back the clock. We want to bring people together, they want to tear us apart.” He also touched on the importance of diversity and the danger of anti-immigrant rhetoric. According to Jeffries, it is especially crucial for people of color to vote and make their voices heard. “I’m convinced that our diversity is a tremendous strength, not a weakness,” Jeffries said. “We are a nation of immigrants, a gorgeous mosaic of people from all across the world. This is what makes America great.” According to Jeffries, BU students will have a huge say in New York’s 22nd congressional district, and voting blue could help combat policies implemented by President Donald Trump. “The only way we’ll have the opportunity to govern is if you elect people like Anthony Brindisi, and Binghamton University, this campus and surrounding area, can make the difference,” Jeffries said. “It’s a critically important difference. Democrats have
see jeffries page 2
Professors Town-Gown Board presents proposals undergo evaluations for tenure Students pose questions on proposals, community impact Valerie Puma news intern
BU requires faculty to submit portfolio for consideration
Inspired by their sense of responsibility to the city of Binghamton and the Binghamton University campus, city officials, community members, professors and students gathered
together on Oct. 24 in the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator for the first Town-Gown Advisory Board (TGAB) meeting of the year. The board, consisting of 34 committee members representing both the University and the city, aims to utilize its active subcommittees to address issues affecting both groups. Over the summer, the board proposed seven initiatives to better the community, five of which were
assistant copy desk chief
see tenure page 3
we have so many different people — students, faculty, community members — everything we deal with is about where we intersect. We have great conversations during the subcommittee meetings. We focus on Binghamton and we focus on the city, that is our purpose.” The board’s proposals for the 2018-19 academic year vary in
see board page 3
Student builds garden beds in Binghamton
Lia Berger
Many faculty members hoping to achieve tenured positions next year are currently undergoing the indepth process of earning one of these coveted positions. According to the American Association of University Professors, tenure allows professors to hold their positions indefinitely unless terminated due to extraordinary circumstances. Its purpose is to ensure academic freedom for faculty members to pursue avenues within their work without fear of losing their positions, giving them the ability to conduct research. They will be secure from being fired without cause, even if their findings are unpopular or controversial. Because it’s so binding, universities ensure that faculty undergoes extensive evaluations. Criteria vary depending on the faculty member’s discipline and department, and on different fields of scholarship and research. Three major considerations
approved for funding and were given the green light. Randall Edouard, co-chair of TGAB, interim dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs, opened the meeting by explaining the purpose and importance of the board. “Our purpose is to meet, come up with ideas and work together with the community in terms of where does the community intersect with the University,” Edouard said. “That’s why
Georgia Kerkezis aims to combat local food insecurity Erin Kagel
pipe dream news
jacob kerr news intern Georgia Kerkezis, a junior majoring in environmental studies, was selected as one of the four 2018 Harpur Fellows and is focusing her project on constructing community garden beds on Binghamton’s East Side.
ARTS & CULTURE
The Harpur Edge office annually provides four students with funding to design and conduct a community service project of their choice, anywhere in the world. This year, Georgia Kerkezis, a junior majoring in environmental studies, was selected as one of the 2018 Harpur Fellows and is focusing her community service efforts locally. For her project, Kerkezis is working to build garden beds on Binghamton’s East Side. The community garden beds will be available for people to rent, and Kerkezis hopes to use them to help fight food insecurity and poverty in the area.
OPINIONS
Kerkezis learned of the Harpur Fellows program last spring and was immediately interested in being involved. As a member of the Public Learning Service Community for the past two years, Kerkezis said she knew she wanted to focus her efforts in the Binghamton area. “I was super interested in proposing a service project, but I wasn’t quite sure what to do,” Kerkezis said. “The last thing I wanted to do with my project was go halfway across the world to a community and wrongly assume I knew what it needed. In Binghamton, I felt like I had a better understanding of the community needs because we’ve learned about them in many of my classes.” The project is a partnership between Kerkezis and Volunteers Improving
see garden page 4
SPORTS
BUJA to spook at Ghost House this weekend,
Prepare for scares at Boo at the Zoo,
Contributing columnist Jacob Hanna discusses individualism as it relates to ecological crises,
Women’s soccer America East postseason gets underway,
Pipe Dream Sports has your weekly NFL fantasy football recommendations,
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