Phelps Mansion
adds Christmas cheer to its tours all December long see page 8 Monday, December 3, 2018 | Vol. XCIV, Issue 25 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
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University Union renovations to begin next summer BU plans to expand study areas, create student-centered space
University Union Renovation Plans
Valerie Puma news intern
With a rising student population at Binghamton University, seating options throughout the University Union have become sparse. To address this issue, BU’s Physical Facilities and Union staff are planning renovations to the basement of the complex beginning next summer and carrying into fall 2019. The project was conceived in 2015, when a consultant was asked to examine the layout of the University Union. According to Suzanne Howell, director of Residential Life and associate dean of students, administrators wanted to gain better understand of how people were using the building space and determined the basement was not being used to its full potential. “A presentation was given after the consultant came in for next steps,” Howell wrote in an email. “This year, when it was decided we had capital funding, we began planning meetings with [Union] staff, Physical Facilities and the SA.” According to Howell, she and Randall Edouard, interim dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs, have discussed renovating the Union’s basement with several Student Association (SA) presidents over the past three years. This semester, as the project began to solidify, the SA Executive Board has served in an advisory role, meeting biweekly with Howell and Peter Nardone, general manager of the Union, to discuss project updates and provide student feedback. “The goal is to creatively enhance community and student space to meet
Imagine Craft Bike Shop Post Office Billiards
Ping Pong
Wall removal locations image provided by student association
our growing needs, understand some of the operations of the Union, compare it to other Unions and maximize the current space utilization in all areas,” Howell wrote. “Based on the feedback we received, it was determined that we’d focus on renovating the basement.” At the annual State of the SA address held on Monday, Nov. 12, the
edited by cory bremer design manager
SA E-Board announced the $2 million campus renovation, among other projects. According to Jerry Toussaint, SA president and a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, the project to renovate the Union is just one part of a larger University initiative to revamp the entire campus and ensure that all of its spaces are being utilized to their
fullest capabilities. “The basement project looks to change the dungeon-like feel of the University Union basement,” Toussaint said. “To create more of a see-and-be-seen space for students, similar to the Marketplace and University Unions at other universities.” During spring 2018 SA elections, Toussaint ran for SA president on a
platform that included reclaiming the University Union as a space for students, a promise the basement renovations may help him fulfill. “I believe this project is necessary for our campus, as it will provide more spaces for students to relax and interact with one another outside of the Marketplace,” Toussaint said. “With such limited seating in that area, it is important more spaces are created so students are not as prone to immediately return to their dorm or apartment.” The current plan includes tearing down walls to replace them with glass sliding walls, creating a more open space in the bowling area while combining the billiards room, table tennis room and hallway to accommodate players and spectators in the game areas. Despite the wall removals, the new space will include a few enclosed study areas for privacy. There will also be expanded and more relaxed seating options. In November, students were offered the opportunity to view and vote on furniture and provide responses to be taken into consideration by project managers. Additionally, the current plan will work with the Food Co-op to install a moveable wall in the space. The Food Co-op will keep its current tables and chairs, but will receive updated kitchen appliances. Kevin Darrell, SA vice president for finance and a senior double-majoring in accounting and mathematics, said he helped plan the renovations and is excited to see the finished product. “I believe the idea to transform such a central space on our campus into a location where students can meet, hang out and study, among other things, is a great idea,” Darrell said. “I’m graduating this year, so I will not be on campus
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Forum covers local NYPIRG talks tuition changes water quality, safety ‘The Fight for a Free SUNY’ promotes student activism
NYPIRG hosts panel of environmental experts Jacob Kerr news intern
In 2017, Binghamton’s water system served 1,263,688,404 gallons of water to 44,564 people, according to the city’s official website. Now, students are starting discussions on whether this water is as clean as it should be. A panel of five speakers, each experts of different aspects of local environmentalism, took part in a discussion about Broome County’s water systems on Thursday night. The panel was organized by Binghamton University students who are members of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). Natalia Romanzo, secretary of the NYPIRG BU chapter and a senior majoring in environmental studies, said the
organization’s Environmental Protection Campaign, which she co-chairs, organized the event to educate students and residents on water safety. “Water quality is an issue prevalent in the Binghamton area, and as a part of NYPIRG, we believe that access to clean drinking water is a right, not a privilege,” Romanzo said. “We’re looking to empower community members to protect their rights and their health.” Maya Ballabon, outreach coordinator for NYPIRG and a junior majoring in environmental studies, also co-chairs the Environmental Protection Campaign. According to Ballabon, the panel aimed to promote a direct conversation about local water quality and propose possible solutions to the issues in Broome County. Each speaker presented their perspective on local water quality issues before opening up the discussion to questions.
see water page 3
Max Samson
contributing writer
Advocating for free tuition for all students enrolled in SUNY schools, two members of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) taught a group of Binghamton University students how to organize and influence higher education policy on Friday evening. The teach-in, titled “The Fight for a Free SUNY,” was provided by Emily Skydel, ‘13, a NYPIRG higher education affordability campaign organizer, and Smitha Varghese, chair of NYPIRG’s board of directors and a student at Queens College. Skydel said her student loans pushed her to become more politically active and ultimately led to her involvement in NYPIRG, where she advocates for changes in tuition policies.
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mike yang contributing photographer Students gather on Friday evening to learn about organizing and advocating for change in higher education.
PULSE hosts eighth annual leadership conference Keynote speakers, panelists talk entrepreneurship Laura D’Angelo
contributing writer
From jewelry and beauty products to career building and the news cycle, female entrepreneurs of color from a variety of businesses arrived at the eighth annual Powerful United Ladies Striving to Elevate (P.U.L.S.E.) leadership conference, titled “Fearless and Flourishing Leadership.”
The conference, held on Friday and organized entirely by P.U.L.S.E.’s Executive Board, featured speeches from female entrepreneurs such as Kelcy Hercules, who runs a nonprofit organization called Blossom Be You Project, and Fabiola Jean, a broadcast journalist who runs a nonprofit organization called the Propelled Media Mentorship Program. It also hosted a number of student panelists, including Susan Obatola, an undeclared sophomore, Jada Greene, a junior majoring in graphic design and Danielle Christian, a senior majoring in business administration, all
ARTS & CULTURE
of whom run businesses at Binghamton University. P.U.L.S.E., which started in 2007, was created to promote professional and personal empowerment for women of color on campus. The leadership conference is one of its largest events of the year. According to Jennifer Tiburcio, president of P.U.L.S.E. and a junior majoring in political science, this year’s conference aimed to be more interactive and encourage networking. “Last year’s [conference] was on a Saturday morning and was a lot more
sit-down,” Tiburcio said. ”But this year, we focused more on networking and chasing your own dreams. We wanted to empower the women on campus and show the attendees that they are able to follow their own goals and pursue their own paths in life while also being able to sit down, network and have a nice, less formal dinner.” Shermila Maitland, vice president of P.U.L.S.E. and a senior majoring in human development, said centering the dinner around empowerment made it less formal and showed attendees they shouldn’t be
OPINIONS
apprehensive when it comes to striving for their goals. “I wanted our audience to know that they don’t have to necessarily wait in order to start capitalizing on their talents,” Maitland said. Hercules, who started Blossom Be You Project, a nonprofit organization in Brooklyn, New York that aims to empower young women of color in underserved communities, spoke about her experiences as a woman of color and an entrepreneur.
see conference page 3
SPORTS
“A Brief Inquiry” into the 1975’s third pop album,
The theatre department put on a jazzy rendition of the timeless ballet “The Nutcracker,”
Copy Desk Chief Sarah Molano criticizes characterizations of immigrants,
Women’s basketball pushes past Fairleigh Dickinson,
BU wrestlers have strong showing in Vegas,
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