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Thursday, November 29, 2018 | Vol. XCIV, Issue 24 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
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The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Anthropology department reflects on legacy Faculty create reading group Founder Michael Horowitz dies 56 years after arriving at BU Melanie Gulbas pipe dream news
In 1961, a young professor named Michael Horowitz arrived at Binghamton University with a mission — to create an anthropology department. A year later, Horowitz managed to build a department out of nothing, and his vision was released. Almost 60 years after Horowitz jumpstarted scholarship in anthropology at the University, he died on Nov. 20 at 85. In the years since the department’s founding, it has seen many changes, including the addition of professors as permanent, tenure-track staff. Since 2011, the department has added 10 new tenure-track professors. It’s also grown rapidly since its conception, currently boasting 29 faculty members and four postdoctoral fellows. It has also seen expansion. Since 1962, BU has added a full offering of programs in anthropology, including a graduate program in biomedical anthropology. The expansion has come with an increased commitment to research and a greater focus on interdisciplinary research. According to D. Andrew Merriwether, chair of the anthropology department, the expansion of research prompted transdisciplinary work, as research questions for grants often require a joint answer from teams of people in multiple fields. “It is so inherently interdisciplinary, and I get to interact with so many different kinds of scholars all in the same department,” Merriwether said. “We have faculty study everything from borders in Europe and Brexit, to the archaeology of Easter Island, to Lyme disease here in
Human Rights Institute offers space for research discussion Valerie Puma news intern
established by the Department of Financial Services and the Department of Health Services, which include measures to prevent insurers from discriminatively denying coverage. David Contreras Turley, director of constituency affairs for New York state, helped organize the event and said the session is intended to provide support for members of the LGBTQ community across the state. Appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in September 2015, Turley was part of the coalition
Gathered at the Human Rights Institute (HRI), Binghamton University faculty members gathered for their monthly reading group meeting to discuss race in the history of international human rights and humanitarian law. The reading group, which is open to faculty members from all departments, aims to encourage interdisciplinary perspectives and generate new ideas. It is run by the HRI, which the University formed last January, bringing together members of the human development, English and sociology departments to create an interdisciplinary faculty working group. Alexandra Moore, codirector of the HRI and BU professor of English, said she organizes the reading groups to help faculty and graduate students with their research. “One of the things we wanted to do was common readings because often we’re interested in the same issues, but we come at them with different disciplines,” Moore said. “We’re usually locked into our own way of thinking, but we share interests in international race and human rights laws.” The reading group is currently taking an in-depth look at a book titled “Sovereigns, Quasi Sovereigns, and Africans: Race and Self-Determination in International Law,” which discusses the history of international law, particularly in Africa and as it applies to Namibia, spanning from European colonization and up to Namibian independence in 1990. “[The reading group] has been super great,” Moore said. “Even in just the first 45 minutes of talking, we were able to see things that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise, which is exactly what’s supposed to happen.” According to Moore, the reading group’s meetings typically have 10 to 15 faculty members in attendance, including
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sidney slon staff photographer Anthropology students participate in a lab in Science III on Wednesday. Binghamton University’s anthropology department was founded in 1962 by Michael Horowitz, who passed away on Nov. 20.
New York.” But according to Randall McGuire, a SUNY distinguished professor of anthropology, none of the progress the department has made would have been possible without Horowitz’s efforts. McGuire, who has been at BU since 1982 and co-taught a graduate course with Horowitz, said Horowitz was heavily
committed to his work and valued interdisciplinary thought. McGuire also noted that Horowitz had a particular affinity for applied anthropology, a type of anthropology that encourages the application of method and theory through researcher involvement with communities. Today, many professors and students in BU’s anthropology
department practice applied anthropology as they assist populations through their work and research. “The thing that stood out about [Horowitz] was his dedication to social justice and to making a difference in the world,” McGuire said. “He was a
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State tour on LGBTQ rights visits Binghamton Representatives discuss protective rights, laws Jeremy Rubino
contributing writer
As part of a series of workshops spanning New York state, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton hosted a New York State LGBTQ Know Your Rights session on Tuesday night to discuss protective laws for people in the LGBTQ community.
Sponsored by a number of local organizations, including Pride and Joy Families and the Binghamton Pride Coalition, the free session consisted of an informational presentation and was followed by a Q&A session. Representatives from the New York State Department of Constituency Affairs and Division of Human Rights organized the presentation, the latest on a statewide tour of informing LGBTQ residents of their protected rights, which are encoded in state law under statues such as the New York State Human Rights Law and the
Dignity for All Students Act. The Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in a number of areas, including employment, housing, credit, education institutions and public places. It is designed to protect individuals on a variety of factors including sex, gender identity and sexual orientation. The Dignity for All Students Act serves as a supplement to the law, enforcing the same rights but extending coverage to bullying and harassment in schools. LGBTQ individuals in New York state are also protected by regulations
Students present STEM research at FRI poster session Presentations highlight 10 research topics in program Kelly Coyne
pipe dream news
Presenting research on topics ranging from algae to earthquakes, approximately 500 underclassmen showcased their work on Wednesday night as part of the Freshman Research Immersion (FRI) program at Binghamton University. Freshmen and sophomores involved in the program gathered in the Innovative Technologies Complex to share their projects, which take place in a variety of disciplines and fields, or “streams,” including smart energy, biogeochemistry and neuroscience. The FRI program is three semesters long and credit-based, with the first semester focusing on reading scientific literature and analyzing data. The second and third semesters consist of hands-on research. According to Lua Lopez Perez, research educator for the ecological
genetics stream, having the ability to do research as an underclassman is rare, but beneficial. “It’s a great opportunity to figure out if it’s something appealing to you earlier than later,” Lopez said. Through its research opportunities, the program aims to give freshmen and sophomores an advantage in STEM disciplines. According to Megan Fegley, director of FRI, underclassmen who are given the chance to learn research and presentation skills have a competitive edge when applying for internships and jobs. “Early research experience through FRI can lead to more advanced research opportunities as juniors and seniors, as well as advanced summer opportunities such as industrial internships or summer research fellowships,” Fegley wrote in an email. BU initiated the program in 2014, and since then, it has grown from three research streams to 10. Each stream is headed by a research educator in an aligned discipline, along with several faculty sponsors.
At the showcase and poster session, students in multiple streams got the chance to share their work with faculty and peers. Jason Provanzano, a freshman majoring in physics, said he studied hyperspectral remote sensing in the detection and monitoring of harmful algal blooms. He was prompted to start the program after an algal bloom spread rapidly in Florida in August, quickly threatening the lives of marine animals and humans. Nicole Anichich, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience, completed research on induced seismicity in Oklahoma through fracking. By using the statistical methods, her team was able to map significant results on where earthquakes were predicted to occur. Anichich said there are a lot of benefits to entering the FRI program. “You really see how much work and effort you have to put in,” Anichich said. Natalia Romanzo, a sophomore majoring in environmental studies, said her research for this poster session had a part in determining her career path. After studying methane-emitting oil and
ARTS & CULTURE
amy sheinbaum contributing photographer Students in the Freshman Research Immersion program present their research at a poster session.
gas wells in New York, Romanzo said she wants to continue the research for her senior thesis. She hopes to work with the Environmental Defense Fund, an
OPINIONS
Find unique holiday gifts at Binghamton’s Antique Row,
Local writers featured at Playwrights and Artists Festival,
The Editorial Board discusses the University’s current budget crisis,
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Contributing columnist Evan Moravansky assesses the value of ‘slacktivism’ in the context of the California wildfires, SEE PAGE 5
organization that focuses on sustainability and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. “It’s given me tools for my future,” Romanzo said.
SPORTS Pipe Dream Sports’ Week 13 fantasy football picks, SEE PAGE 8
PAGE II Thursday, November 29, 2018 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 3,2,5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
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rose coschignano staff photographer The Percussion Ensemble performs percussion music on Tuesday evening in Chamber Hall in the Anderson Center.
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Affordable housing project begins construction on Binghamton’s North Side
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Crew broke ground on Wednesday morning on the Canal Plaza housing complex, according to WICZ. The complex will include 48 affordable housing units, 12 of which will have supportive services for the mentally ill and 15,000 square feet of commercial space. It is expected to be complete by 2020. Free program educates on substance abuse warning signs in teens “Shawna Has a Secret,” an interactive presentation on substance abuse warning signs in young adults, will be presented at Broome County schools in the upcoming weeks, according to WICZ. The free program will be held at Chenango Valley High School and at Binghamton East Middle School. STATE NEWS
Cuomo meets with Trump on funding new train tunnel Gov. Andrew Cuomo met with President Donald Trump for lunch on Wednesday to discuss federal funding for a new rail tunnel to run
below the Hudson River, according to The New York Times. Cuomo has said the project should be paid for with federal funds, arguing the existing Amtrak tunnel is a century old and in need of extensive renovations. Under a deal worked out with the Obama administration, New York state and New Jersey pledged to pay half of the estimated $13 billion needed for the project, but the Trump administration said there was never any such agreement. NATIONAL NEWS
Hawaii man who suffered heart attack during false missile alarm sues state James Sean Shields filed a lawsuit against Hawaii on Tuesday, claiming that the false ballistic missile alert sent to cellphones on Jan. 13 caused him to suffer a heart attack, according to NBC News. The botched alert claimed that a missile was headed toward Hawaii, causing mass panic. The state took 38 minutes to correct its mistake. Shields went into cardiac arrest and had to receive life-saving CPR, defibrillation and surgery, according to the complaint. While undergoing medical treatments, he was unaware of the second alert sent by the state’s Emergency Management Agency stating the first alert was incorrect.
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contacted UPD to report damage to her car, which was parked in Lot C. When she returned to her car, she noticed damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle, including scrapes and paint transfer. Officers pulled security footage from the area, which showed a black Jeep Cherokee with New York license plates attempt to pull into a parking spot next to the female’s vehicle at 9:40 a.m. In the video footage, the Jeep was seen hitting the female’s vehicle. After colliding with the female’s car, the Jeep’s driver exited his vehicle, saw the damage to both cars and drove away from the scene, ultimately parking in Lot G.
The following accounts were provided by Investigator Robert Meddleton of Binghamton’s New York State University Police.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF*
Amy Donovan Gillian Kenah Yuri Lee
Police Watch
Stolen furniture MONDAY, Nov. 19, 9:42 a.m. — Officers responded to the University Union after they received a report of stolen property from the group floor lounge of the building. The University Union manager said there was a large display in the lounge showcasing furniture options for future renovations, which included several chairs. Two of the chairs, one gray with a movable desk and the other a mustard yellow swivel chair, were both stolen. The chairs have a combined value of more than $3,500, and the case is being considered a grand larceny offense. The incident is still under investigation. Jumpin’ around SUNDAY, Nov. 25, 11:05 p.m. — Officers responded to Delaware Hall of Newing College to assist a group of students stuck in an elevator. The elevator was stuck around the third floor of the building, and a repairman from the elevator company, Kone, was called. Upon opening the elevator, officers spoke with the students inside, two 18-year-old males and one 24-year-old male. The students said they were jumping in the elevator when it suddenly stopped and wouldn’t open. A work order has been placed for the elevator.
Harassment across 140 miles MONDAY, Nov. 26, 10:50 p.m. — UPD received a call from an 18-yearold female in Albany, New York, who said a 20-year-old male BU student, her ex-boyfriend, was harassing her. According to the female, he hacked into her social media accounts and saved private photographs and videos of her sexual acts, with the intention of blackmailing her. When officers interviewed the student, he admitted to gaining access to her Snapchat account, but said she had given him her password while they were dating. He said he wanted to change her password so she could not gain access to her account, which he said she used to cheat on him. According to the student, the female wrote a letter to him titled “Seven Other Men,” in which she discussed her other sexual partners. Officers confirmed no photos or videos were saved to the male’s phone from the female’s account. No charges were made on either party.
Hit and run MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2:07 p.m. — A 40-year-old female
This Day in History Nov. 29, 1947 The United Nations adopts the Partition Plan for Palestine, voting to establish a Jewish homeland in the Middle East.
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CCPA showcases research Graduate students talk student affairs studies Zackary Chaqor
contributing writer
Graduate students from the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) gathered at the Binghamton University Downtown Center on Tuesday morning to exhibit their research in the school’s fall showcase. The showcase, designed to give students a platform to present their work during the fall semester, is held in addition to the CCPA’s annual spring showcase. It featured research that was a mixture between course work and projects for independent conferences. Natesha Smith, one of the event’s organizers and an assistant professor of student affairs administration, said the showcase creates an important opportunity for students to practice presenting their ideas, a skill that is often needed in public affairs careers. “One of the big things about being a student affairs professional is being able to talk about different ways to improve practices and enhance the student experience in the college environment,” Smith said. “This gives them a chance to practice some of that before they go on to their full-time positions.” Jessica Mitchell, a firstyear graduate student studying
student affairs administration, and Trevor McClenon, a firstyear graduate student studying student affairs administration, were among the students presenting their research, which examined whether commuter or noncommuter students found university environments more supportive. According to Mitchell and McClenon, they came up with the topic after discussing their experiences as commuter students. “We found that commuter students feel that there is a less supportive environment at their institutions than noncommuter students,” Mitchell said. “We researched previous studies, [which] indicated similar outcomes, that commuter students generally live more complicated lives outside of campus and, therefore, do not have as much time to engage with faculty, staff or their peers.” Mitchell and McClenon’s presentation included potential solutions to the disconnect between universities and commuter students, including hybrid courses, mandatory group work and special lockers to give them their own spaces on campus. Other research groups focused on different problems in collegiate education. Julianne Foster, a second-year graduate student studying student affairs administration, said her group studied eating disorders in female athletes. According to
Foster, her group’s presentation aimed to highlight the links between immense pressure for athletic performance and disordered eating. “A lot of times, performance is associated with thinness,” Foster said. “A lot of the time, athletes have personality characteristics associated with eating disorders just naturally, things like competitiveness, self-motivation and discipline.” Beth Riley, assistant dean of students and director of case management at BU, conducted research on the quality of life for international students in collaboration with Zack Wilson, a first-year graduate student studying student affairs administration. “Here at [BU], we have a lot of resources like Residential Life professionals, who work very hard to try to get international students engaged,” Riley said. “They work very hard with the introverts along with the extroverts to get them to mix and mingle.” According to Myra Sabir, associate professor and associate dean of human development, the information and insight that students collect through their research are extremely valuable. “The reason we do research is so that it can make a difference, not just for a grade,” Sabir said. “These are useful findings; we have to assume, as we are a professional institution teaching students how to do research, that this is quality data.”
sidney slon staff photographer Binghamton community members gather at an information session to learn more about LGBTQ rights and protections in New York.
Presenters talk LGBTQ rights rights from page 1 to successfully pass marriage equality in New York. “The objective of the session is to talk to LGBTQ New Yorkers and inform them that the state government is here to help,” Turley said. “We are devoted to equality and we want our constituents to know of the rights they have.” According to Ron Zacchi, one of the event’s presenters and the assistant director of intergovernmental affairs at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability
Assistance, if a person feels they have been discriminated against, they can file a complaint online or in person, which will prompt New York’s Division of Human Rights to organize an investigation into the claim. If the investigation finds discrimination occurred, involved individuals could see a number of results, including a private agreement to remedy the discrimination or a public hearing before Helen Diane Foster, New York’s commissioner of human rights. Alan NeJame, ‘76, said he learned more than expected
at the session and was pleased to see community support for the event. NeJame, a 64-yearold resident of Johnson City, said he has previously hosted LGBTQ awareness events at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, and wanted to come to Tuesday’s session to show support for the statewide tour. “I wanted to show support and be more insightful on the matter,” NeJame said. “I thought [the session] was great. I was pleasantly surprised by the attendance and I really loved how informative it was.”
rose coschignano staff photographer Alexandra Moore, co-director of the Human Rights Institute (HRI) and a professor of English, discusses the history of international law with Chandiren Valayden, an assistant professor of human development, at the HRI’s monthly reading group.
Group aims to aid students group from page 1 Chandiren Valayden, an assistant professor of human development. “I’m always learning from [Moore], and reading together is a great way to learn from each other,” Valayden said. “Instead of staying in your own little silo, you get to read a little bit outside of it and hear others’ ideas.” Last semester, the institute brought an outside scholar to come to the reading group and talk about their work. The group read the texts together and held workshops covering certain topics, followed by a discussion of
how each faculty member might teach the subject to a class. The reading group is just one of the HRI’s efforts to involve students in research. It recently launched a freshman research program, which will introduce first-year students to foundational histories and concepts, alongside research methodologies drawn from social sciences and the humanities in human rights. BU will also be offering a new graduate program next fall for a Master of Science in Human Rights, focusing on community engagement and advocacy. According to Moore, the
group’s conversations are helpful for faculty members and graduate students who may be studying something similar to the book topics, and the discussions could be useful for dissertations or research projects. “The institute came out of the interests of the faculty, and the idea is to promote and support interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research in human rights,” Moore said. “We want to look for a way to partner with community groups outside of the University, have a public face as well and to create more opportunities for students.”
Department expands focus legacy from page 1 pioneer in the field of applied anthropology.” According to anthropology professors, Horowitz’s foundation has encouraged an atmosphere of activism and transdisciplinary efforts in the department. Joshua Reno, an associate professor of anthropology, said BU’s anthropology programs attract a variety of students interested in different areas of research. “I find it exhilarating to work alongside so many engaged and passionate anthropologists working on such a diverse range of topics while utilizing diverse methodological tools,” Reno said. “For this reason, they also attract a lot of brilliant students who it has been a pleasure to work with and get to know.”
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sidney slon staff photographer Horowitz, who died at 85, was integral to shaping and growing the anthropology department, according to professors.
Despite Horowitz’s passing, the anthropology department will continue on, and Merriwether said he is excited for the future of anthropological research and scholarship at the University, especially when he sees students engage in new and unique fields of research.
“It makes me excited for the future of our field, with students working on everything from epigenetics and health, to music and identity in Africa, to how archaeology interacts with histories of the indigenous and Gullah peoples of Hilton Head Island,” Merriwether said.
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ARTS & CULTURE
Take a stroll down Binghamton’s memory lane Antique Row is home to all things kitschy
like “Pokemon” and “Casper.”
Gabby Iacovano arts & culture
The shops at Antique Row have long been a fixture of the Binghamton area, drawing in generations of visitors and community members. For students north of Main Street, the shops are just a short walk away from home, making them a viable stop for home decor, furniture and unique holiday gifts. Each shop fills its own niche within the strip, and it’s easy to spend a whole afternoon chatting with proprietors and enjoying the unique personality of every collection. To get a feel for the shops before you visit, check out Pipe Dream’s guide to the people, places and treasures of Antique Row. Yesteryear With its curtained storefront, carefully arranged displays and homey wooden furniture, a trip to Yesteryear is like stepping into a parlor from the past. Binghamton native Joan Bullock has been in the antique business for 45 years, opening this storefront 16 years ago. The shop sells furniture, housewares, buttons, dolls and more, mainly classic pieces with touches of whimsy sprinkled throughout the collection.
jacob hanna pipe dream photographer Some interesting finds from Binghamton’s Antique Row include a Symphion music box from 1890 and a homemade instrument made from a vintage cigar box.
Notable highlights include a Minnie Mouse table built locally in 1935, a Symphion music box from 1890 and a homemade instrument made from a vintage cigar box, built by Bullock’s sonin-law. While some of the larger pieces might seem out of reach for a college student, a thorough search yields some affordable finds — one box, tucked away near a table, is filled with quirky
old postcards for prices as low as $3. 99 Clinton Street Antiques This family-owned business, established on Clinton Street 12 years ago, is home to a furniture repair shop as well as an antique shop. Binghamton native Julie Sauger, an independent collector for many years before she opened the storefront with her brother-
in-law, curates the shop’s antique selection. The shop features two antique showrooms. One resembles a garage stocked with jackets, holiday decor and furniture; the other could pass for a quirky aunt’s living room: the homey, furnished space is filled with board games, housewares, records, children’s books and toys. A huge glass case at the front desk displays
a glittering array of classic and eccentric jewelry. Sauger said the shop carries an especially large number of midcentury modern pieces, items from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s that she describes as “vintage” as opposed to “antique.” Binghamton University students might recognize some items from their own childhood — some of the glasses, for example, feature television characters from shows
Old, Odd and Unique Old, Odd and Unique grew from the personal collection of Cleveland native Laddie Vana, who moved to Binghamton for a job at IBM in the late 1970s and opened the shop shortly after his retirement in 1993. Eager to spend his money on something more interesting than a “hangover from the bar,” Vana began collecting small pieces to share with friends and pass along. What started as a hobby grew into an ever-growing stock of oddities, curated from antiques shows, flea markets and other collectors. The store interior is an organized chaos: Vintage tools, lamps, instruments, housewares, cookbooks and trinkets fill glass cabinets and share cramped space on tables. The overflowing room next door is home to a similarly strange fare: mannequins, playground toys, hanging birdcages and a giant crayon. Frequented by BU students and faculty, the space is aesthetically interesting enough to have been featured in a few student films during Vana’s tenure at the storefront. Vana said he appreciates the flow of BU students through his doors, many of them looking for secondhand instruments, decorations and fodder for art projects. “A lot of young folks seem to like it here, they have such an appreciation,” Vana said. “They’re very optimistic and inquisitive, I love it.”
Local writers debut plays Drinks to sleigh Santacon Six original works were produced this November
Nikkolette Sather
assistant arts & culture editor
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and one of many Binghamton University students’ favorite days of fall semester, Santacon. There will be parties for hosting, drinks held up for toasting and ugly Christmas sweaters for roasting.
Kyle Reina
contributing writer
The 15th annual Playwright and Artists Festival recently concluded at the KNOW Theatre in Downtown Binghamton. The festival asks its playwrights to compose their submissions based on a different work of art each year, ultimately choosing six submissions to produce. For the weekends of Nov. 16 and Nov. 23, KNOW Theatre produced a total of six 20-minute plays written by local playwrights. Friday night’s plays, “Out of the Rubble” by John Shea and “A’Driftin’” by Jim Haswell, were inspired by Karl Schadlich’s painting, “Rockport, Mass.” Haswell’s play follows a middleaged woman’s contemplation on her childhood home, while Shea’s play centers on a young girl and her older guardian who saved her from the shipwreck that killed her parents. The music scoring the plays also has a local spin, being composed by Broome County resident James Wright Glasgow to suit both works. “The music could be the soundtrack to both of those plays,” Shea said. “There is a bit of gloom in that painting, a feeling of melancholy, and I think that showed through in the music.” “A’Driftin’” was directed by Tim Gleason, artistic director of KNOW Theatre, and centers around Angie Ronan, the young girl, and her guardian Garth Meredith, in their
Santa Hat Jell-O Shots
Grinch Jell-O shots
Everyone is used to having punch or mixed drinks at their party, but spice it up this time with some uniquely flavored Jell-O shots.
If you’re feeling a bit “grinchy” and your schedule is packed with wallowing in selfpity, solving world hunger and telling no one, jazzercise or having dinner with yourself, these grinch-themed Jell-O shots will be the talk of the party.
Ingredients:
anastasia figuera contributing photographer The 15th annual Playwrights and Artists Festival, which concluded last weekend, featured six original plays from local writers.
house on the shore as a school official fights to remove her from his custody. As Angie’s school is closing, Garth must decide how the girl will continue her education amid the custody battle. Within 20 minutes, the company produced a heartfelt and sincere production with few props or cast members, letting the actors’ portrayals really shine through; Garth’s character was particularly sincere in creating a down-to-earth and realistic struggle. “Out of the Rubble” was directed by Zachary Chastain and featured only two characters: Gloria, a brooding, reflective woman, and Peter, Gloria’s partner who maintains a more optimistic outlook. The play focuses on Gloria’s relationship with the house she grew up in and her memories of her drunken father that are inseparable from her ideas of her home. She recalls her childhood experiences in the house, and although she is gloomy for the majority of the play, at the end, the audience sees her
reconcile with her past and seems to be able to appreciate the home as well as the memories she has there. Throughout the play, Peter plays off the leading lady as he looks to the bright side of every memory. The directors and actors had freedom to make revisions to the play as they saw fit, which Jean Graham, who played Gloria, did in “Out of the Rubble,” adding scenes in which Gloria uncovers her grandmother’s old chair and reminisces upon it, cherishing the memories the antique furniture brings back. “That was a beautiful touch,” Shea said. “When I saw that, I thought, ‘Oh, I never envisioned that.’” Each year, Gleason has maintained an atmosphere of encouraged feedback and transparency, as the audience has a discussion with the creative team and actors. This interaction fosters a connection between those involved in the plays and the local community, enforcing a tone of cordiality and a freedom of discussion.
— 1 ¼ cup water — ¾ cup vodka — 1 package strawberry Jell-O — 1 container Cool Whip, thawed — 1 pint strawberries, hulled — Condiment cups
Ingredients:
1. Pour water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. 2. Turn off the burner, and add in the Jell-O package while stirring until it is dissolved. 3. Add vodka to mixture. 4. Pour mixture into condiment cups and refrigerate for one hour. Before removing, make sure they are firm to the touch. 5. Top with a dollop of Cool Whip, then place a strawberry on top with the pointed end up. 6. Top with a small dot of whipped cream, to resemble Santa’s hat. Cranberry Mule This cranberry mule is a festive twist on the classic Moscow Mule, but perfect for Christmastime. Take it to go on your day of party hopping or make it into a punch bowl big enough for the whole party to enjoy. Ingredients: — Tito’s vodka — Cranberry juice — Ginger beer — Cranberries, for garnish — One lime 1. With a shaker, mix together a cup of cranberry juice and a shot of vodka. Pour in desired cup. 2. Add half a cup of ginger beer to the drink. 3. Garnish the top with three cranberries. 4. Cut the lime into slices and squeeze a slice into your drink. Then place it in the drink as well.
— 2 tablespoons lime juice — Sugar — Red and green food coloring For the lime Jell-O layer: — 1 cup water — 1 packet lime Jell-O mix — 4 ounces vodka (or tequila), chilled For the strawberry Jell-O layer: — 2 cups water, divided (place 1 cup in fridge to chill) — 1 packet strawberry Jell-O mix For the sugar rim, combine sugar and red food coloring together. Dip rim of cup in water, then place in plate of colored sugar. For the lime Jell-O layer: 1. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. 2. Once brought to a boil, stir in packet of lime Jell-O mix and stir until dissolved completely. 3. Pour in vodka and mix. 4. Pour into pitcher and then pour into individual shot glasses halfway. 5. Let shot glasses set in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or until the mixture is pretty firm. 6. Repeat steps to make the Jell-O, but with the strawberry package this time. 7. Pour strawberry Jell-O into the top half of the Jell-O shot glass. 8. Place in refrigerator until firm to the touch. 9. Serve cold.
Adapted from Delish.
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OPINIONS Thursday, November 29, 2018
DISSECTING BU’S BUDGET CRISIS Contract negotiations between SUNY and United University Professions (UUP) have left Binghamton University in a budgetary crisis.
taylor hayes editorial artist
A new, six-year contract was signed over the summer by New York state and UUP, a higher education union for faculty, professional staff, contingent employees and retirees of the SUNY system. It gives faculty and staff across the SUNY system a 2 percent pay increase for the next four years, and stipulates they will receive two years of back pay. Because the contract was negotiated between SUNY and UUP, BU did not get a say in the raise. The state has now refused to pay for the raises, deflecting the costs onto BU and other universities in the SUNY system, meaning BU will have to find $8 million to reimburse faculty for back pay, as well as $4 million to cover raises for this year and each subsequent year under the contract. UUP and SUNY negotiated in good faith, and UUP was just as blindsided as SUNY campuses were by the last-minute decision that the state would not be supplying the money to cover the raises. While the state sometimes chooses to cover raises resulting from
contract negotiations with UUP, it is not obligated to do so. In the case of the previous UUP contract, which was in place from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2016, the state declined to cover the pay increases. Although SUNY campuses aren’t guaranteed certain funds from the state, it isn’t fair to just spring the bill on SUNY universities, especially when the universities themselves had no negotiation power. The bottom line
is that the state should care enough about the students it purports to educate to pay their professors. Nevertheless, the decision has been made, and now, the University faces the challenge of finding ways to cover the back pay and gaining additional revenue to cover each year of the contract in the future.
BU knew that negotiations were taking place, but it did not know for sure that the state would decline to cover its contract again. Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations, indicated that University administrators knew it would be a possibility given the precedent of the previous contract, but they did not know for sure until June. The $12 million due this year, which includes the back pay, is the hardest blow, and BU’s reserves will cover it. Going forward, however, the University will have to find $4 million each year. One of the ways it will do this is by implementing a hiring freeze. Another strategy will be to increase graduate program enrollment. These two strategies seem to clash — how can BU attract more graduate students and expand its graduate programs with the same number of professors? Class sizes will grow and professors will be stretched thin. A recent Dateline statement indicated that BU’s administration was implementing a process to apply for exemptions to the hiring freeze, but it raises
a question of priority — which departments will be granted exemptions, and which will be left out to dry? Though this is a step in the right direction, if there are only a few exemptions then it will be virtually the same as if there hadn’t been any at all, and ultimately, the University should not attempt to raise enrollments while freezing hiring. Some departments are already feeling the effects of the budget cuts and hiring freezes. Recently, the graphic design minor was temporarily suspended. Additionally, the library budget was slashed by 4 percent, forcing University Libraries to cut several titles and subscriptions. This crisis will have far-reaching impacts, and will continue to directly impact the students who pay to come to BU. If the University is not upholding the high status of the academic programs it is touting as the “premier public ivy,” then what does it have to offer as an academic institution? BU will also be pausing certain initiatives, such as those outlined
in University President Harvey Stenger’s Roadmap plans. Other constructions projects, however, whose funding has already been allocated or comes from the state rather than BU, will continue. Though some of the funds toward these projects have already been earmarked by SUNY, these extra initiatives should be second to the basic academic necessities of the University.
Students will also have to foot some of these costs. Student tuition costs are predicted to rise by around $200 next year. The University wants to put much of these increases on our out-of-state and international students, which not only isn’t fair, but will also repel them.
The Editorial Board also has concerns about the University’s transparency in regard to its finances. Although the University released a “Frequently Asked Questions” page, which was somewhat helpful, it is too little, too late. Administrators should have announced this news, which affects everyone in the campus community, much sooner, not when it couldn’t be kept secret any longer. The State of the University address would have been an opportune moment to announce such a change, but instead, Stenger glossed over the faculty raises and said nothing about the other budgetary issues. Though no one person or institution can be blamed for the financial crisis BU must now deal with, both the state and the University had a part in it. Students and faculty will be feeling the effects of these changes for years to come. We can only hope that BU will work to protect students from the bulk of the costs and prioritize vital resources to maintain its high level of academic achievement.
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.
We must continue to oppose Social media activisim can the Keystone XL pipeline be effective It represents a system of environmental degradation Georgia Kerkezis Columnist
Ever since 2008, when a gas and oil corporation called TransCanada first proposed the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, a battle has been waging among environmentalists, indigenous peoples, government officials and fossil fuel proponents. To this day, the saga continues. On Nov. 8, Federal Judge Brian Morris blocked President Donald Trump’s decision to allow the construction of the project’s final phase. This move is a powerful victory for those like myself in opposition to the pipeline. However, I must point out that the larger battle is not yet won. The Keystone pipeline is a system of pipelines that ships oil from Alberta, Canada to the U.S. states of Illinois and Oklahoma. The final phase, known as Keystone XL, was proposed as both a more efficient shortcut as well as an extension of the pre-existing pipeline into Texas. The portion connecting to Texas has already been constructed, but the 1,179-mile shortcut through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska is currently being debated. In 2015, former President Barack Obama rejected Keystone XL on the grounds that building it would contradict America’s leadership
in the battle against climate change. The extended pipeline would carry tar sands, which are 17 percent more polluting than conventional oil. Because they are thicker, tar sands are also three times more likely to leak per mile of pipeline, and spills are more difficult to detect and clean up. The pipeline is planned to cross over 1,000 bodies of water including Nebraska’s Ogallala Aquifer, which is the source of 30 percent of America’s irrigation water and provides drinking water for millions of people. Given the fact that the original Keystone pipeline has already leaked 12 times, building Keystone XL would be a near guarantee of additional environmental degradation. Indigenous peoples also oppose Keystone XL because it poses a threat to culturally and historically significant land. In 1851, the Treaty of Fort Laramie was signed to give millions of acres of the Great Plains over to Lakota leaders. Though this land still rightfully belongs to them, Keystone XL is planned to cut straight through it in a sly act that mimics the injustices our nation has inflicted upon indigenous peoples since the first settlers arrived on the continent. Unlike Obama, Trump is clearly not concerned with the many logistic and moral reasons against building Keystone XL. He confirmed his plans to resuscitate the project just two days into his term, and his support hasn’t waned.
He’s championed the pipeline’s ability to create jobs and decrease our dependence on foreign fuels, yet in actuality, it will only create 35 permanent jobs, and the majority of the fuel will be exported. Morris’ recent decision to block Trump’s efforts is a major blow to the Keystone XL pipeline, and for that we ought to celebrate. But, as Mark Squillace, expert on environmental law at the University of Colorado, says, “It’s feasible, if [the Trump administration and TransCanada] do the work, and show their work, and they explain, with serious, factbased analysis… that the courts would uphold it.” Keystone XL represents more than a physical pipeline; it is a symbol of the dangerous status quo of environmental degradation, pollution and injustice that is perpetuated by large fossil fuel corporations and the Trump administration. Especially now, divesting from fossil fuels is imperative in order to curb the worst effects of climate change. Through protests and rallies, we successfully opposed Keystone XL during Obama’s presidency, and we must continue to oppose it until the project is completely shut down. We must continue to oppose a system that threatens our lives and our futures, a system represented by Keystone XL. — Georgia Kerkezis a junior majoring environmental studies.
is in
If done carefully it can raise money and awareness Evan Moravansky Contributing Columnist
The world is on fire. Images of destruction fill your phone screen. What do you, the observer, do? As a young 20-somethingyear-old, you may say, “That’s awful!” As a student, you might try to understand how the flame started. And as a social media butterfly, you might be eager to share the post that brought the fire to your attention. But what is accomplished in all that fanfare? The fire still burns, and you still gawk. The digital voyeurism we experience on the daily has made us agents of the catastrophes we see, and doing nothing about it seems to be the new norm. For those who cannot directly help, how can you ensure you aren’t doing harm? What brought this ethical dilemma to my attention was the devastation of the Camp Fire in Northern California that has headlined the news every day for the last two weeks. The proliferation of articles and the voices behind them grew into disparagingly different parties: cold and calculating pieces depicting only the damages versus those writing about the humanity that rose from the substantial losses. While reading these, it dawned on me that what I shared mattered; an article or picture illustrating the fire’s effacement would invoke pity, but not empathy. Did I really
want to share information with others about a tragedy, only to have them say, “Damn, that sucks,” and move onto something less sad? The debate of the journalist’s role in projecting the imagery of suffering also plays a critical part in the conversation about ethical depictions of disasters. Teju Cole of The New York Times examines the photographer’s complicity in enabling ignorance and inaction when their subject matter is destruction. The photographer must frame their work, and in doing so, much like the observer, they become part of the larger story. Do we then consider the people in the images as “them,” and not “us?” These questions are important because they determine how we react, if at all. Cole doesn’t have all the answers, but he does say that “taking photographs is sometimes a terrible thing to do, but often, not taking the necessary photo, not bearing witness or not being allowed to do so, can be worse.” Suffice it to say, the be-all and end-all is not dystopian. While the percentage of participants in “non-doing” may suggest that little good comes from the dissemination of news, we cannot discount the valuable networking it accomplishes. I must invoke the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Ice Bucket Challenge, where ‘slacktivism,’ activism without time or involvement, earned its coinage. Countless participants in the 2014 media campaign, where a bucket of ice water is dumped on one’s head, failed to
mention in any detail what the challenge aimed to accomplish. But money speaks — celebrities and the oh-so-wealthy (and even some internet plebeians) hopped on the viral train and donated substantially to The ALS Association, raising over $100 million in just a month, successfully funding research for better treatment of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Even if the majority did not engage in discourse about ALS, it yielded a positive effect, and so slacktivism, while not ideal, may be much closer to meaningful impact than no activism at all. It remains difficult to evaluate the extent to which this is true, but as Cole suggests, the hope in spreading awareness of suffering is that it will bring relief. Fumoto Engineering, a company affected by last year’s wildfires, proves that slacktivism can generate meaningful results, pledging to donate a dollar to Butte County Fire Relief for every like received on its Facebook and Instagram pages. As for the question of ethics, spreading awareness alone is not sufficient reason to claim you did something positive. A responsible social media presence means creating an opportunity for others to do good in ways you yourself cannot. If you know you can donate or volunteer, I encourage you to do so, but if you can’t, definitely retweet that post about how others can help. — Evan Moravansky is a junior majoring in English.
F UN
Thursday, November 29, 2018 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 3,2,5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
List
Annabeth Sloan
Horoscopes
Hannah Nathanson
Aries: The world is dancing around you. Lit. You’re lying still. Coffin. Also lit. I wonder if Spencer is the only one who reads these. Still kinda lit. Your second house is made of money. Most lit. Sports are somewhat lit, I guess. It depends. Empty mind. Free-association. Less lit, more pretentious. Pathetic tongue. Dance with me? Taurus: Synthetic fabric garden. What I mean to say is clothes. What I mean to say is wear something that’s not your style. Try it on for some weeks. You’ll hate it. It complicates things, indicates some sort of permanent change, a checkpoint. You’ll feel insecure. You might cry. Do it anyways. Be stubborn. Gemini: Multitask formality and not formality. Right? Shut up, I’m being serious. We can’t keep on like this. Look, I think you’re doing better than you think you are. Give yourself credit. Biology sucks. You don’t. I don’t take naps in high school. Yep? Yeah. They all appreciate the rides home.
I’m Mr. Lonely
Daniel Eisenhower
Sudoku
By The Mepham Group
Level: 1 2 3 4 Solution to last issue's puzzle
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Release Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
Baxter the beardcat
Rest in peace
Daniel Eisenhower
The Fun Page Staff
ACROSS 1 Transvaal treks 8 Quarters 15 Big building 16 Political power structure 17 Asian setting of a 2017 PBS documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick 18 Not belowdecks 19 Snakelike fish 20 Golf club part 22 Mend one’s sinful ways 23 Paul of “Ant-Man” 25 GI entertainers 26 Many soap opera meetings 27 Scottish caps 29 Ray of fast food 31 Nuclear pioneer Enrico 33 Kickoff aid 34 Physical therapy, briefly 39 French __ soup 40 Appt. book blocks 41 Mountains between Europe and Asia 42 Channel for school sports 43 Frequently, in verse 44 December temp 45 Skater Lipinski 47 Combat vet’s affliction, briefly 48 Bombard with noise 52 Tax whiz 54 Spanish “this” 57 Nonresident hospital employee 58 Gutter locale 60 Party bowlful 61 Brutish 63 Dilapidated digs 65 Contrived sentimentality 66 Funded 67 Like the oldest bread 68 Emails anew DOWN 1 Break, as ties 2 French parting 3 *Educational outing 4 Toward the stern
5 Mark on a table from a wet glass 6 Wax-winged flier of myth 7 Their winners go to the finals 8 The 1% in 1% milk 9 Portuguese wine city 10 *Social elite 11 Sounding like Popeye 12 Tastes 13 “Wish I __ said that” 14 Decides to leave in the manuscript 21 *Gambler’s stoic expression 24 Bourne portrayer 28 *Quick-cook side dish 30 Enjoy a recliner 31 Enemy 32 Nav. rank 33 Norse god with a hammer 35 Dry-__ board 36 Without a doubt ... or what the starts of the answers to starred clues are?
37 PC key near Ctrl 38 Org. with merit badges 46 Chronological records 47 Stately 16th-century dance 48 Financial obligations 49 Wield, as influence
50 Perplexed 51 __ monitor: OB/GYN device 53 Peeling device 55 Like many shower stalls 56 Opinion columns 59 JFK postings 62 Tennis do-over 64 Furrow maker
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
By Jeff Stillman ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
11/29/18 11/27/18
11/29/18 11/27/18
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Thursday, November 29, 2018
Week 13: Start ‘em or sit ‘em? Evan Cole Assistant Sports Editor
Fantasy Football Quarterback — Start: Russell Wilson (SEA): Wilson had his most prolific passing performance of the season last week, throwing for 339 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. Heading into a matchup with a pitiful 49ers defense, Wilson should be able to eclipse 300 passing yards again this week. Kirk Cousins (MIN): Cousins looked very comfortable in the pocket against the Packers last Sunday night, throwing for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns for the first time since week four. In the midst of an up-and-down season, Cousins has still been able to exploit matchups against worse defenses. He faces another favorable opponent this week in the Patriots. — Sit: Tom Brady (NE): At 41 years old, Brady has surprisingly showed signs of his age in recent weeks. The veteran has thrown for multiple touchdowns only twice in his past six games; he has also failed to throw a touchdown in two games during that span. Things won’t get any easier for Brady as he goes up against a daunting Vikings defense this week. — If you’re desperate: Dak Prescott (DAL): The acquisition of Amari Cooper has continued to help Prescott return to fantasy relevance. Prescott torched Washington on Thanksgiving for a season-high 289 passing yards and added three total touchdowns. He could put up similar numbers against a Saints defense, which has frequently gotten involved in shootouts. Running back — Start: Austin Ekeler (LAC): With Melvin Gordon out with an MCL injury, Ekeler is slated to dominate touches out of the backfield for the Chargers this week. Ekeler has seen success as a lead back in the past, and his capability to play on both running and passing downs gives him high upside in all scoring formats. Josh Adams (PHI): Now penciled in as the Eagles’ workhorse, Adams is in line to get over 20 carries against Washington this week. Washington has struggled mightily containing running backs of late, so Adams is in line to gain plenty of yards on Monday. — Sit: Marlon Mack (IND): Mack faces an uphill battle to play this week, as he is currently in the concussion protocol. If he is cleared to play, he has to face a top-tier Jaguars
run defense, making Mack an extremely risky play this week. — If you’re desperate: Carlos Hyde (JAX): With Leonard Fournette suspended this week, Hyde is in line to split carries with T.J. Yeldon for the Jaguars. Hyde possesses some upside as he is likely to be used on the goal line. Wide receiver — Start: D.J. Moore (CAR): Moore has been on fire in the past two weeks, totaling 248 receiving yards and a touchdown in his last two games. Now facing one of the league’s worst defenses in the Buccaneers, Moore should have another explosive performance this Sunday. Tyler Lockett (SEA): Lockett has quietly scored double-digit points in all but one week this season, making him Seattle’s most consistent receiving option. He has plenty of upside this week as he takes on the 49ers. — Sit: Larry Fitzgerald (ARI): Fitzgerald has found the end zone in four of his past five games, but his usage continues to trend downward. With just four catches in his past two games combined, Fitzgerald makes for an extremely risky play against the Packers. — If you’re desperate: Josh Reynolds (LAR): Now starting for one of the league’s most explosive offenses, Reynolds carries weekly upside as high as any receiver. Reynolds should be able to burn the Lions this week for a few big plays. Tight end — Start: Eric Ebron (IND): With Jack Doyle placed on injured reserve, Ebron returns to his role as the Colts’ unquestioned top tight end. One of Andrew Luck’s favorite targets, Ebron has a great chance of finding the end zone this week. Cameron Brate (TB): Brate has a strong rapport with Jameis Winston, but has been limited due to the production of O.J. Howard. With Howard now out for the season, Brate returns as the Bucs’ best red-zone target. — Sit: Trey Burton (CHI): Burton has struggled mightily of late, catching only five passes for 37 yards in his past two games combined. With Mitchell Trubisky looking questionable at best this week, Burton will have a hard time succeeding. — If you’re desperate: Kyle Rudolph (MIN): Rudolph had his best performance in a while last week, totaling 63 yards against the Packers. Still yet to score since week three, expectations for Rudolph should be tempered this week. However, given the lack of depth at tight end, Rudolph makes sense as a gutsy start against the Patriots.
Binghamton falls to Black Knights
Freshman guard Sam Sessoms garnered 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting in a road loss to the Army Black Knights.
Second-half push propels Army over men’s basketball Samuel Ditchek sports editor
Coming off its second win of the season on Saturday, the Binghamton men’s basketball team fell to Army Wednesday night on the road, 67-56. The Black Knights (3-5) took advantage of a 15-3 stretch in the second half to keep the Bearcats (2-5) from earning their first victory away from home. Despite the eventual defeat, BU remained in the game for at least the first 20 minutes of the contest. In front of 500 fans, the Bearcats and Black Knights battled primarily on the defensive end with both teams struggling offensively. Both teams cashed in
on just 20 percent of their triples, converted only one free throw each (six combined attempts) and failed to eclipse 40 percent from the field. Even with the shortage of offense, freshman guard Sam Sessoms paced the Bearcats by accounting for seven of their 24 first-period points. While it appeared to be a game characterized by defense early on, Army quickly turned the tide in the second half. With the game locked at 29, Black Knights junior guard Tommy Funk helped build a 12-point lead off a long ball and a layup. Undeterred by the lead, graduate student guard J.C. Show went on to knock in two 3-pointers while senior forward Caleb Stewart recorded a layup to trim the deficit to five with seven minutes remaining. Even though the Bearcats
managed to counter, their luck was short-lived as an Army trio of junior forward Matt Wilson, sophomore guard Tucker Blackwell and freshman guard Josh Caldwell poured in treys, free throws and jumpers to ice the game. Wilson finished the game with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Funk flirted with a triple-double by posting 13 points, eight dimes and six boards in 39 minutes of action. “They made some daggers in the second half,” said BU head coach Tommy Dempsey per bubearcats. com. “Army played like a veteran team that needed a win on its home floor. I thought our defense was there all night … but it just wasn’t a great offensive performance. The difference between winning and losing at this level is very small and we have to keep growing and getting better.”
sidney slon staff photographer
While Sessoms’ game-high performance of 19 points, along with Show’s 13 points, highlighted solid individual performances for the Bearcats, the team collectively did not have its best showing when compared to Army. The Black Knights registered 16 points off of 10 Binghamton turnovers, outscored BU’s bench by 10 points in the second period and logged 10 more second-chance points in the second half. Additionally, Binghamton’s inability to get to the charity stripe and its inefficiency in making free throws (1-6) denotes a desperate need for improvement. The Bearcats will look to get back on track with another matchup with a Division III school on Saturday. Tipoff against Hartwick College is scheduled for 2 p.m. from the Events Center in Vestal, New York.
BU sports must improve to justify fee Grace Palumbo Assistant Sports Editor
Students pay about $600 in athletic fees per year Last year, you, your roommate and every other student on campus paid around $590 (if they were full-time students) toward an “Intercollegiate Athletic Fee.” It was stated on the bill, but, if you’re anything like me, you quickly skimmed it, ignored any further inspection, paid the bill, cried a little and then moved on with your life. So where did our money go? According to Binghamton University’s mandatory fees explanation chart, the fee, which is charged solely to undergraduate students, “supports Binghamton University’s Division I intercollegiate athletics program and campus athletics facilities.” This includes expenses such as traveling to away
games, paying for new uniforms and equipment and preparing facilities for use. Remember when the men’s basketball team went to Cancún last Thanksgiving while you were at home arguing with your siblings about who was going to wash the dishes after your turkey dinner? No? Well, it’s quite possible that a portion of the fees you paid went toward its travel expenses and resort stay anyway. For the 2016-17 season, USA Today compiled data on the finances of every team in the NCAA. At many of the schools that dominate men’s basketball and football — where the bulk of NCAA revenue comes from — students do not pay any fees to support athletic programs. These schools include Texas A&M, Michigan and Georgia. Students at the University of Florida are still mandated to provide funding to their teams, but only contributed about $1.90 per credit hour over the 2018-19 school year toward an athletics fee. BU isn’t alone in forcing students to pay considerable fees, not by a long
shot, but almost $600 a year is a lot of money to fork over to programs such as men’s basketball, which went 11-20 overall last season, and only 2-14 in the America East Conference (which are the games that count toward qualifying for the postseason). So is it worth it? At a school like Binghamton, which averaged only 2,501 people in attendance at 2017 men’s basketball home games in the Events Center, which can hold up to 5,142 people, I don’t think it is. I can also, sadly, assume that of those average 2,501 people, even fewer of them were students, which makes the problem even worse. It’s nice that the University allows students to attend athletic events for free (just bring your BU ID!), but how many of us can actually say we’ve taken up this offer? And if non-athlete students aren’t going to games, then what benefits do paying for Division I teams offer us? Certainly not good press (regarding the 2009 men’s basketball scandal), and statistically overall, not a ton of wins this season, either.
Just because these are of some of Binghamton’s failures, though, doesn’t mean the fee doesn’t benefit the athletes. In the past two years, we’ve had a handful of baseball and basketball players go on to professional careers. Our sports programs also allow athletes an opportunity to earn a scholarship while playing a sport they love. It’s not all bad, but it’s not quite fair that other students’ money is, partially, financing the endeavor. Five hundred and ninety dollars is the same amount of money my dad gave me to buy food this semester. It’s the same amount of money as, maybe, six textbooks (depending on your major). It’s also the same amount of money as, maybe, per chance, your own trip to Cancún (if you’re thrifty, which most of us are). In conclusion, I don’t want to say that $590 is too much to spend on student-athletes, because I know they work hard and, hopefully, benefit from this contribution. But guess what? The rest of us would benefit from an extra $590 in our bank accounts, too.