Fête the fall
with the BU Acres Fall Festival
See page 5 Thursday, September 27, 2018 | Vol. XCIV, Issue 9 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Kojo Senoo Staff Photographer Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger delivers his sixth annual State of the University Address on Tuesday in the Anderson Center’s Osterhout Concert Theater.
State of the University Stenger’s sixth annual address discusses progress of ‘20 by 2020’ plan, renovations and fiscal challenges in the year ahead Yuri Lee
Assistant News Editor
On Tuesday afternoon, Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger addressed the University’s progress and future at his annual State of the University Address in the Anderson Center’s Osterhout Concert Theater. Highlighting a diverse range of topics, including campus improvements, faculty recognition and various initiatives, Stenger’s speech focused on the University’s achievements and advancements
over the past year. He also discussed his goals for the upcoming semesters, which included using the University’s growth to benefit local economies. “I realized the loss of manufacturing jobs across upstate New York had really devastated our communities, so I looked at it as an opportunity to use the University’s growth — getting bigger and getting better — in order to make our communities even stronger,” Stenger said. Stenger also discussed the status of his “20 by 2020” goal, a plan to enroll 20,000 students by 2020. Currently, there are 13,975 undergraduates and
3,745 graduate students enrolled at the University, a total increase of 472 from 2017-18. To reach 20,000 students, Stenger said he aims to hold undergraduate enrollment at roughly 14,000 and increase BU’s graduate population to 6,000. According to Stenger, the University is not entirely on track to meet the goal by 2020, as graduate enrollment is slightly lower than expected. Nevertheless, BU will continue to work toward fulfilling the plan and intends to continue
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Sheriff’s race to impact local jail Broome County sheriff manages about 500 inmates Hannah Walter
Pipe Dream News
According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Broome County Jail in Dickinson, New York housed an average of 500 inmates per day in 2017, an increase of 16 percent since 2008. All of these individuals are considered to be the responsibility of the Broome County Sheriff. In the general election on Nov. 6, Republican nominee David Harder, the incumbent sheriff, will face Working
Families nominee Matt Ryan, former Binghamton mayor, in the Broome County Sheriff’s election. The winner of the election will be in charge of 55 sworn county police officers and will be tasked with managing the Broome County Jail. The election could have a significant impact on the jail, which has seen public backlash in the wake of inmate deaths and a 2017 lawsuit. Seven inmates have died at the jail since 2011, and a lawsuit filed by Legal Services of Central New York, a public defender nonprofit, alleged the sheriff and other jail officials regularly locked juvenile inmates into 8-by-10 foot cells for 23 hours a day, even after the Department of Justice banned the practice in 2016.
In September 2017, roughly 40 community members and Binghamton University students gathered outside the jail’s annual open house to protest conditions, citing the inmate deaths and the lawsuit. They also voiced concerns about medical treatment within the facility. Additionally, the jail has faced criticism from bail reform activists, who say the majority of the people in the facility are there because they cannot afford to post bail. Harder, who has been Broome County Sheriff since 1998, was a sheriff’s office detective for 25 years and initially said
Bonfire” was hosted by College Democrats, College Republicans, College Libertarians, Peace Action and the Roosevelt Institute. The bonfires, along with other collaborative events, are meant to allow students to take part in roundtable debates. Some events focus on a single topic, some cover a broad range of issues and occasionally, the events aren’t political, just social. All are intended to broaden participants’ horizons. Chris DeMarco, president of College Republicans and a senior majoring in political science, said the debates attract both students with strong opinions and those who wish to become more informed. “A lot of times, students who are
undecided come and leave with their perspective changed or with more thought about whatever the issue is,” DeMarco said. Carlotta Kane, communications director for College Democrats and a senior majoring in graphic design, said the bonfire provided an opportunity for members of political organizations to become more acquainted with one another. “This is a way to get to know each other in a way that isn’t centered so much around politics,” Kane said. “Everyone here is interested in being involved in politics on campus and passionate about change in whatever
Kojo Senoo Staff Photographer Members of Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow gather outside Endicott Village Court on Wednesday afternoon to protest the arrest of Davon Johnson, 39, whom officers with the Endicott Police Department shocked with a stun gun on Sept. 16.
Activists protest at Students unite at bipartisan bonfire Endicott court hearing Event aims to form social connections between groups Phariha Rahman Pipe Dream News
As election season heats up, political student organizations are holding events in an effort to promote civic engagement on campus. While some aim to ramp up support for specific candidates, others are bipartisan. On Monday, Binghamton University students from across the political spectrum gathered around the fire pit in Susquehanna Community to roast s’mores and discuss politics. The second annual “Bipartisan
ARTS & CULTURE
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Demonstrators say police used excessive force in arrest Christine DeRosa Contributing Writer
A group of about 20 people stood silently in protest in the courtroom of Endicott Village Court on Wednesday morning. The protest, entitled “Pack the Court,” was hosted by Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow (PLOT) in response to an incident in which an Endicott police officer subdued a black man with a stun gun last Sunday. The man later complained of chest pains and was examined by emergency medical technicians. Later, he
OPINIONS
was taken to the United Health Services Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City as a precautionary measure. The man, Davon Johnson, 39, of Endicott, had originally been shocked after police officers responded to a motor vehicle accident in the 300 block of Odell Avenue. Although Johnson was a bystander and not involved in the crash, he allegedly became irate and yelled profanities at officers while they were at the accident site, according to a press release shared by Endicott Police Chief Patrick Garey. Additionally, police say Johnson tried to take a body camera from a police officer at the scene. Johnson and his wife, Starkeema Griffin, were arrested for disorderly conduct. The
SEE PROTEST PAGE 3
SPORTS
The Roberson Museum and Science Center will be hosting this year’s sci-fi convention, RoberCon.
Nihao Cafe and Tea House brings bubble tea and treats to Downtown Binghamton,
The Editorial Board considers the proposals in President Stenger’s State of the University Address,
Swimming and diving set to begin its season,
Pipe Dream Sports’ recommendations for Week 4 fantasy football,
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PAGE II Thursday, September 27, 2018 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 3,2,5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
Address: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 Phone: 607-777-2515 FAx: 607-777-2600
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Rebecca Kiss Photography Editor The newly chartered Binghamton University Bees, a student group devoted to protecting bees, holds its first general interest meeting on Wednesday in the University Union.
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April the Giraffe named finalist for E! People’s Choice Award April is expecting a calf in spring 2019 and is now in the running as a finalist for ‘Animal Star of 2018’ at the E! People’s Choice Awards this November, according to News10 ABC. In 2017, the giraffe gained worldwide popularity during her extended pregnancy and the birth of her first calf, Tajiri.
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$2.6 million project cleans pollution from Susquehanna River business MAnAger* Maryam Soomro business@bupipedream.com business AssistAnt Samantha Agnoli distribution MAnAger Laura Staff distribution@bupipedream.com
Pipe Dream is published by the Pipe Dream Executive Board, which has sole and final discretion over the newspaper’s content and personnel. Positions seated on the executive board are denoted by an asterisk. Pipe Dream is published Mondays and Thursdays while classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters, except during finals weeks and academic breaks. The content on the Opinions page with bylines represent the views of those authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Pipe Dream Executive Board. The content of advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views of the Pipe Dream Executive Board. We reserve the right to reject ads for any reason. All letters submitted for publication must include the author's name, year and major. Please limit letters to the editor to 400 words and guest columns to 750 words. Pipe Dream reserves the right to edit submissions, and does not guarantee publication. All submissions become property of Pipe Dream. Guest column submissions may be emailed to the opinions editor at opinions@ bupipedream.com, and all letters to the editor may be sent to editor@bupipedream.com. © Pipe Dream 2018
stabilizing:toothbrush
ESK:destabilizing
$20 million in state funding will go toward 32 projects currently in progress across the three municipalities, according to WICZ. The money, which is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Greater Binghamton Fund, will be leveraged by $60 million in private investments. The projects include a rail trail in Johnson City, an Endicott hotel, housing across the region and developing the Binghamton arts and culture district.
The New York State Electric & Gas Corporation will pay to dredge pollution from the Susquehanna River, southeast of the intersection of Brandywine Avenue and Court Street near the Tompkins Street Bridge, according to Press & Sun-Bulletin. The pollution, which was initially caused by a manufacturing plant, is projected to be cleaned up within four months. Binghamton, Endicott and Johnson City receive $20 million in state funding Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced
Third sexual misconduct allegation surfaces against Kavanaugh Julie Swetnick, 55, released a statement on Wednesday stating she saw Supreme Court judicial nominee Brett Kavanaugh participate in sexual assaults at parties while he was a student at Georgetown Preparatory School in the 1980s, according to The New York Times. Swetnick said she was a victim of “gang rape” at one of the parties, but didn’t identify Kavanaugh as the assailant. She has held various security clearances within the U.S. government, including with the State Department and the Department of Justice.
This Day in History Sept. 27, 1937 The first Santa Claus training school opens in Albion, New York.
“We are now in a place where it’s not about whether or not Judge Kavanaugh is qualified. It is about whether or not a woman who has been a victim at some point in her life is to be believed.” — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), one of the key Republican swing votes in Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, during an extended interview on Monday night.
Police Watch The following accounts were provided by Investigator Robert Meddleton of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. Forgery FRIDAY, Sept. 21, 8:11 p.m. — Police responded to Digman Hall of Dickinson Community after a Residential Life employee discovered a forged Connecticut driver’s license in a resident’s room during a routine fire inspection. Officers questioned the resident, a 20-year-old female, who admitted the fake license was hers. The false driver’s license was confiscated, and the female was given a warning about the potential consequences of possessing a fake form of identification. Open door SATURDAY, Sept. 22, 8:17 p.m. — Officers responded to Delaware Hall of Newing College after receiving a complaint of marijuana use in a specific room in the building. The two suspects, both 18-year-old males, were found vaping with
Jacob Kerr News Intern
their door open. Upon questioning, one suspect handed the officers a vape pen and a cartridge containing THC oil. The suspects consented to a search of the room, and officers discovered two bottles of vodka, which the other suspect admitted were his. The suspect’s alcohol was confiscated, and he was let off with a warning. His roommate, who possessed the vape pen and THC oil, was issued an appearance ticket for Vestal Town Court. Stolen Wallet SUNDAY, Sept. 23, 2:45 p.m. — An 18-year-old male contacted UPD to report his wallet had been stolen out of his backpack. He said he was visiting a friend in Hughes Hall of Hinman College at 1:30 p.m., and went to the Hinman Dining Hall to eat. After grabbing food, the victim and his friend walked to the Nelson A. Rockefeller Collegiate Center to study. There, the victim noticed his backpack pocket was open and his wallet was missing. After retracing his steps, he found the wallet next to a tree, empty. The wallet was missing $40. Police were unable to identify a suspect.
bupipedream.com | September 27, 2018
NEWS
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Stenger talks achievements, goals for upcoming year ADDRESS FROM PAGE 1 expanding its graduate offerings in an effort to attract more students. Nine new graduate programs were introduced this year, including a master’s program in public health, two multiaward programs in sustainable communities and three advanced certificate programs in subjects such as genocide and mass atrocity prevention. A certificate program in cybersecurity, a master’s in engineering management and a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences are pending and could be introduced within the coming months. Because of the expected increase in students over the next several years, the University has hired 160 new permanent staff members since September 2017. “We have hired faculty at twice the rate that we’ve increased enrollment,” Stenger said. “For the past six years, we’ve increased enrollment by 15 percent and we’ve increased our full-time, tenure and tenure-track faculty by 33 percent — twice the rate of our student enrollment. We grow our staff at exactly the same rate as our student growth, 15 percent, because students’ needs are probably proportional to their population.” Additionally, salaries have increased for professional and classified staff after almost five
years with no raises; however, the salary increases are not funded by the SUNY system, which will force the University to find solutions to offset additional costs. Some of the money will come from the increased enrollment over the next two years, but students can also expect increases in tuition and student fees. A partnership with New York state is also expected to create several longterm solutions for the University’s fiscal challenges. According to Stenger, the financial complications yield opportunities for the University to grow and become more self-sufficient. “We think the perspective is, ‘Oh, we have this financial problem we have to solve,’” Stenger said. “It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity. It’s a chance to look at the part of the glass that’s half empty and decide how we want to fill it.” Stenger heavily discussed University renovations, including safety and communications improvements on campus that stem from the installation of roughly 160 additional security cameras and 60 panic buttons, updates to the University’s B-Alert system, improved cellphone reception and increased emergency training for staff and student advisers. Renovations are ongoing in Science IV, and Stenger highlighted the recent opening
of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ $60 million facility in Johnson City, which has generated approximately $130 million in private investments in the area. BU has also been executing the four University initiatives that were developed last year, which include increasing faculty diversity through presidential postdoctoral fellowships, supporting data science research and practice, developing the health sciences campus and establishing health sciences core facilities. According to Stenger, BU has received $332,000 from the SUNY system, matching funds for presidential postdoctoral fellowships. Additionally, 180 faculty members are participating in the newly established Transdisciplinary Area of Excellence in data science, and the health sciences core has established a location in the Center of Excellence, although it is still seeking funding for equipment purchases. Stenger concluded his address by discussing the University’s fundraising efforts, which will help continue its advancement. According to Stenger, BU is entering its third comprehensive gifts campaign, which has a working goal of $150 million. So far, the campaign has raised $32 million. Harry Bittker, student
‘20 by 2020’ Undergraduates 13,657
+ %2.3
13,975
+ %0.2
14,000
3,745
+ %60.2
6,000
Graduate students 3,591
+ %4.3
2017-18
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2020-21 Cory Bremer Design Manager
representative of the BU Council and a senior majoring in political science, said Stenger’s address helped give him a more comprehensive outlook on the University’s future. “From my perspective as a student, it really shows how far you have to zoom out to get the full picture of the University and really how big we are, how much we’re doing and all the contexts that we fit into,” Bittker said. “I think this shows how much is going on and how many moving parts there are
to this. [It also shows] how much opportunity there is for students to get involved in things that have an impact outside of [BU] and get involved in things that are beneficial to them as well.” Other attendees said the address helped them visualize BU’s impact on the surrounding communities of Broome County. According to State Senator Fred Akshar, who attended the address, the University’s new health sciences campus will have an undeniable role in revitalizing the economy of Johnson City.
“I, as often as I possibly can, remind my constituency of the importance of Binghamton University and how the University is in fact changing our economy,” Akshar said. “The fact that the University president and everyone else here has a willingness to come off of campus and go into the community and expand and grow and prosper, I think is a very good thing for the people of the Southern Tier.” Jackie Zou contributed reporting to this article.
Sheriff’s race to be held on Nov. 6 PLOT denounces police brutality SHERIFF FROM PAGE 1
he would not run for re-election after winning the position in 2014. Now, he is running on a platform advocating for more funding toward mental health and addiction services within the Broome County Jail. Opponents to the plan say funding money should go toward communitybased treatment instead. Matthew Rosen, a senior double-majoring in political science and economics and executive board member of College Republicans and College Libertarians, said he supports Harder in the election because he believes in Harder’s tougher approach to crime. “David Harder appears to be the more law and order candidate,” Rosen wrote in an email. “Law and order makes more sense to me. To make a long story short, this is similar to how Rudy Giuliani’s law and order position turned [New York City] from one of the most dangerous cities in the country, to one of the safest. A politically correct criminal justice system is usually unjust and less effective with dealing
PROTEST FROM PAGE 1
Jonathan Flores Archives Community members and students gather outside Broome County Jail in September 2017 to protest Broome County Jail conditions.
with crime.” Ryan has no experience in law enforcement, however, he worked in the Broome County Public Defender’s Office for 15 years and was mayor of Binghamton from 2006 until 2013, when term limits prevented him from running for re-election. He is advocating for criminal justice reform and hopes to fight mass incarceration, which he said he believes is a problem across the United States. William Martin, a professor of sociology at BU who
researches mass incarceration, said the sheriff’s race is an important one, as the winner can greatly affect a range of legislation. According to Martin, policing has a direct effect on the community, including on students. “It is important that students care about mass incarceration in the county, where the county separates the poor from the rich, including students and community members,” Martin said. “And, I think that most students do care about that.” Martin said he is personally
concerned about the current state of the jail, and feels reforms are desperately needed. “The jail was expanded by $6 million in 2014,” Martin said. “It has the highest incarceration rate in the state [excluding New York City], has one of the highest death rates in New York and has been accused and lost lawsuits involving of medical and physical abuse. The attorney general of New York investigated and [the jail] was put under supervision of New York, and yet we have signed another contract with the jail’s medical provider.”
driver who caused the accident was also arrested. “While officers attempted to handcuff Johnson, he physically resisted and fought with officers, refusing to be handcuffed,” a press release read. According to Garey, the incident is currently undergoing internal review, and remains under investigation. He declined to comment further. According to an event page created by PLOT on Facebook, the protest was intended to denounce EPD’s actions and support those who were arrested. “Our intention is to support the victims, observe the proceedings and see to it that all charges are immediately dropped,” the page read. PLOT, a grassroots organization founded in 2014, focuses on issues of race, class, gender and state violence while aiming to empower and liberate marginalized members of society. The protest took place during Griffin’s appearance in court. As she was called to the stand, participants stood up in the courtroom. Sarah
Wood, a member of PLOT and a senior majoring in human development, said she came to the protest because she felt it was important to support Griffin. “I came out today because I think the overt police brutality in this town has become more surface level,” Wood said. “It is important to show support against mistreatment by the state.” Griffin was released on her own recognizance and another court date was scheduled. After exiting the courtroom, she thanked the group for its support. “I really appreciate you coming today,” Griffin said. “I am thankful everyone came to support me. I had anxiety coming here, but seeing everyone here made me feel better.” According to Griffin, she and her husband plan to issue a civil suit against the parties involved in the incident. “His speech and his train of thought are worse now,” Griffin said. “We are pursuing suing because we were mistreated and it occurred in front of the whole neighborhood and, most importantly, our children.”
Students explore law options Bonfire crosses party lines More than 70 schools attend annual event Ally Scharf
Contributing Writer
Binghamton University students interested in pursuing juris doctorate degrees met with representatives and explored their post-graduation options at the University’s annual Law Day. The event, held Wednesday afternoon in the Mandela Room, is sponsored by pre-law advising and the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development and gives students the opportunity to approach more than 70 law school representatives from across the country. Recruiters came from schools across the country, including Columbia Law School, Florida State University College of Law and University of Minnesota Law School. Potential law students had the chance to ask specific questions about a variety of programs, including dualdegree options. Holly Horn, co-coordinator of the event and assistant director of the Fleishman
Center, said the event is designed to assist students with making decisions regarding the various opportunities they can pursue. “It’s a really great opportunity to demystify the law school application process and law school itself,” Horn said. “They really look at candidates more holistically, so having those conversations can be really helpful.” Joseph Schneider, director of admission and outreach at University of California, Davis, said Law Day helps students to network with the advisers who work in law school admissions. “Having an office of advisers who network with those of us who do law school admissions is really good for the students of Binghamton [University] because we are the people, in many cases, who are actually going to read the applications for admission of the student body,” Schneider said. The event can also help students get to know schools they weren’t previously considering applying to. Kennedy VanBrunt, a junior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, said the event helped expose her to programs she had
not known about. “I think it’s a great way to just show face and get to know some of the law schools that are out there,” VanBrunt said. “Personally, I found three or four that I didn’t even know existed so it’s a great way to find law schools that maybe you’re interested in.” Erik Choisy, an assistant director of admissions at University of Michigan Law School, said he’s passionate about spreading information among students considering pursuing a law degree. “I love the law school and I want other people to love the law school, so it’s a chance for me to go and educate them,” Choisy said. According to Natalie Freilich, a sophomore majoring in business administration, she became more vested in particular schools after speaking with recruiters in person. “I just extremely appreciate that all these schools came out here,” Freilich said. “I think any school that was here today showed an interest in us and once we see that these schools have an interest in us, it’s easier for us to have an interest in them.”
BONFIRE FROM PAGE 1 sphere.” According to DeMarco, the goal of these events is for students to find commonalities with those who have different political opinions. “I think it’s a good show of unity, especially in today’s climate,” DeMarco said. “Things are really crazy and people hate each other, but it’s kind of a reminder that we’re all people and we all do the same things, too. Like we’re all interns for congressional nominees, but I work for Claudia Tenney and they work for [Anthony] Brindisi, but it’s the same job so it kind of brings into perspective and we swap stories.” Brian Garcia, president of College Democrats and a senior majoring in economics, said the first “Bipartisan Bonfire” took place shortly after the 2016 presidential election. “Emotions were running raw but I think even then, people were respectful and there wasn’t any kind of name-calling or slurs, which was something I was concerned about and I was glad it didn’t happen,” Garcia said. Ever since, the bonfire has served as a way to further develop the sense of camaraderie already present among the campus political organizations. Patrick McAuliffe, president of College Libertarians and a senior double-majoring in philosophy and political science, said the bonfire is designed to facilitate casual conversations among friends. “All of these political clubs are pretty close-knit,” McAuliffe said. “We engage each other on current events, so I think this is just an opportunity for us to meet outside of meeting times and sort of talk in maybe a more casual setting.” Tommy Gagliano, a sophomore majoring in
Anastasia Figuera Contributing Photographer Students gather at the fire pit in Susquehanna Community to enjoy s’mores while socializing and discussing politics.
political science and member of College Libertarians, said he attended the event for the first time. According to Gagliano, he was pleasantly surprised by the laid-back atmosphere. “It seems really civil, no one is really yelling or attacking anyone,” Gagliano said. “We’re all just talking and having a good time.” According to Mike Lieberman, president of Peace Action and a senior majoring in English, the event is an effective way to bring people on both sides of the political spectrum together. “I think it’s a good way to show there is more that unites us than divides us,” Lieberman said. “We all care about the country, we just have different ideas about it, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have more similarities than we have differences.” Sofia Mena contributed reporting to this article.
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NEWS
Word on the Street
Ben Iven, an undeclared freshman:
Ebony Derr, a senior majoring in accounting:
“My parents were just here last week but they are coming up here [for Family Weekend]. I don’t know what kind of events are happening so I’m just going to wing it.”
“This weekend, I won’t be here for Family Weekend since I’m going to a wedding in Garden City, but I remember my freshman year my parents came and we went around Binghamton to restaurants and doing stuff around town.”
John Russo, a sophomore double-majoring in integrative neuroscience and marketing: “My family’s coming here: my mom, my half-brother, my stepdad and my little brother. I’m most excited to show my brother around, he’s 17 and he’s thinking of coming here. I’m excited to spend the day with them and show them around campus.”
bupipedream.com | September 27, 2018
“What are your plans for Family Weekend, and what are you most looking forward to?”
Maya LordDagostino, a sophomore double-majoring in Africana studies and human development: “A few of my close friends are being inducted in the National Honor Society this weekend and I’m going to support them. I’m also the treasurer of Dzidefo Africa Choir so we’ll be performing in a parade for Family Weekend.”
Sraddha Patel, a second-year graduate student studying business administration: “I actually won’t be here this weekend, because I have this cultural festival [to go to] in New Jersey. A famous singer is going to come and it’s a dance festival where people dance around the center. It’s called Navratri. I’m pretty excited because I really love this festival.”
Yelena KellerWyman, a sophomore double-majoring in economics and human development: “I have plans, but not with my family since my parents can’t make it. I’m hoping to go canoeing in Ithaca with Outdoors Club this weekend.”
FAMILY WEEKEND FALL 2018 SEPT 28-30
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If you’re a student whose parents are visiting this weekend for Binghamton University’s open house, it can be difficult to figure out which events will entertain the family and which are worth skipping. Check out our Family Weekend calendar to determine how to best introduce — or reintroduce — BU to your parents.
(10 a.m.) University Book Sale at Glenn G. Bartle Library University Libraries’ annual book sale will take place in the East Reading Room of Bartle Library. The sale hosts a wide range of fiction and nonfiction texts, and while your parents shop for the next addition to their bookshelf, students can find hidden gems in $3 required textbooks on sale every year.
(Noon) Zoomobile at the University Union Lobby If you visit the lobby of the Union, you and your family can meet the animals of the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park. While their famous giraffe, April, will likely not be present, many of the smaller animals will be there.
(8:00 a.m.) Seventh Annual Running with the Goats at the Tillman Lobby A long-standing Family Weekend tradition, the University invites families to a 2.6-mile run (or walk) for charity. While there are no goats actually present, the event raises funds to purchase goats for the Maasai people in Kenya.
(7:45 p.m.) Evening Walk in the Nature Preserve Join Nature Preserve tour guides for a twilight walk in BU’s largest environmental resource. The guides will focus their tour around nocturnal animals that reside in the Preserve.
(3 p.m.) Family Weekend Concert at the Osterhout Concert Theater Hear each of Binghamton’s musical ensembles —the University Symphony Orchestra, University Wind Symphony, Harpur Chorale, Women’s Chorus and Chamber Singers — all at once in this concert. The music will be in part a tribute to the work of Leonard Bernstein. (9:30 p.m.) Second City Improv Group at the Events Center The Chicago-based comedy group — of which famous comedians, including Tina Fey and Steven Colbert, are alumni — will be making a stop in its tour at Binghamton. Attend to see up-and-coming comedians before they make it big at the late-night shows and Netflix specials.
COMIC CLUB
A place For Everything Comics! everyone is welcome! comicclub@binghamtonsa.org
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ART SUPPLIES STORE FINE ARTS 236 Fall 2018 Hours Monday Wednesday Friday
11am - 2pm 11am - 2pm 12pm - 2pm
ARTS & CULTURE
BU Acres to offer fresh eats at Fall Festival Saturday Campus Food Co-op, IDEAS to co-host event Peter Farquharson Contributing Writer
This Saturday, Sept. 28, Binghamton University Acres will be hosting its annual Fall Festival event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at its on-campus garden and composting location. The event is being held in conjunction with other campus-based organizations such as the Food Co-op and Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions (IDEAS), and is both a celebration of the past growing season for students currently involved with BU Acres, as well as a showcase of the facility for those who are not. The acres, a garden facility maintained by approximately 100 students each semester, is a space in which individuals can devote part of their weekends to activities such as planting, mulching and harvesting; most of the food to be served at the Fall Festival is the direct result of this seasonlong work. Broadly speaking, BU Acres has two main goals: to bring students closer to the food production process by offering them an opportunity to maintain an actual garden, and to encourage them to consider the social and environmental concerns surrounding food production and consumption as well. Having students partake in the dirty work of the food production process, such as weeding and digging, introduces them to the varied and
This Saturday, students can celebrate the harvest at BU Acres with a cookout by the campus Food Co-op.
sometimes unorthodox methods by which food can be produced — visitors to the Fall Festival will notice that BU Acres doesn’t use any machines to grow or harvest its food. For Binghamton alumnus and BU Acres General Manager Sean Cummings, ‘11, this firsthand experience brings students closer to the food that they eat. “It creates a little deeper understanding about food and its relationship to health in both humans and the broader ecosystems that food systems are a part of,” Cummings said.
“And that’s something that I think people should carry with them all the time.” The Food Co-op is another organization that encourages students to think more critically about the food that they eat. In addition to being an alternative on-campus dining venue that serves vegan and gluten-free meals, the Co-op also serves as a starting point for interested students to learn about food justice issues. According to General Manager Sharon Elkouby, a senior majoring in sociology, we are confronted
with these issues on a daily basis. “I personally see every bite I take [as a] political act or an economic act,” Elkouby said. “There’s way more to [food production, distribution and consumption] than we typically think about or are taught to think about.” Although the organizations hosting this Saturday’s Fall Festival maintain this vision of mindfulness, the event itself is focused on fun. Formerly called “Garden to Grill,” this year’s BU Acres capstone event — as
Christine DeRosa Contributing Photographer
Cummings calls it — is different in more than just name. In years past, BU Dining Services helped prepare beverages and cook food, but the operations of this year’s Fall Festival place an increased emphasis on student involvement. This change, Cummings hopes, will make the Festival more laid-back and informal. The highlight of the event, which Cummings describes as “a giant potluck,” is the food. A wide variety of options will greet visitors, including a vegan shakshuka prepared a myriad of
ways from extra spicy to Italianinspired. And, of course, what potluck would be complete without dessert? The wide variety of food options, in conjunction with the emanating warmth of the rustic cinder block stove, atmospheric background music and company of both friends and friends yet made, create a rural backdrop with which to welcome the coming autumn. Buses will be leaving the University Union every 20 minutes beginning at 1 p.m. to shuttle visitors to the BU Acres site in the Nature Preserve.
Spilling the tea at Nihao The family-run shop is a hidden boba gem Katy Wong
Arts & Culture Editor
Pipe Dream Archives RoberCon will be held Sept. 29 and 30 at the Roberson Museum and Science Center on 30 Front St.
Roberson hosts RoberCon Conference connects sci-fi fans far and wide Jason Gaffney
Contributing Writer
For the past six years, the Roberson Museum and Science Center in Downtown Binghamton has been the home to a convention known as RoberCon, a comic book, sci-fi and board game convention that is often wellattended by local residents — over 1,800 people were at the event last year. The event consists of panel discussions, costume contests, board games, writing workshops and food from local vendors. The event is a fundraiser for the Roberson Museum and Science Center and all proceeds go toward maintaining the museum’s operations. In its origin, the museum’s marketing team was looking for creative ways to raise money and noted that there weren’t any sci-fi conventions in the area. “[It’s] basically just a whole bunch of people getting together and geeking out,” said Crystal Sarakas, a volunteer who has
been running RoberCon since its inception. RoberCon has room for all sorts of fandoms — there are panels on platforms from comic books and anime to movies and other areas of pop culture. Panels are 45- to 50-minute discussions on a wide range of fandom-related topics. Some notable panel topics include the social and cultural impact of Marvel’s “Black Panther,” a discussion on the new main character in the BBC television show “Doctor Who” and discussions with science fiction writers. For Sarakas, one of the highlights of the event is peoplewatching. A tradition at RoberCon is for participants to arrive dressed as their favorite characters, and Sarakas said some of the costumes get pretty complex. “Walking around and seeing the creativity that goes into some people’s costumes is really fun,” Sarakas said. While this creativity manifests itself into a variety of fan bases, Sarakas expressed that RoberCon has the ability to bring people together under the connecting thread of science fiction.
“We kind of talk about coming to RoberCon to find your tribe, and that’s really what it is for us, just coming together and finding people who have similar interests,” said Sarakas. “We’ve had people leave comments on Facebook and the website afterward saying that it’s like coming home for them.” Sarakas shared that her favorite costumes she saw were two toddlers dressed up as Princess Leia of “Star Wars” in a white dress and buns in her hair, and Han Solo, with a vest and pistol blaster at his belt, which she described as “amazingly adorable.” In terms of the overall mood of RoberCon, Sarakas said she feels that it is one of “joy and acceptance.” “It’s no longer weird to be a nerd,” Sarakas said. “And people are finding out that they have more in common with each other than they previously expected.” RoberCon will be held on Sept. 29 and 30 at the Roberson Museum, located on 30 Front St. Tickets are $18 for a single-day pass and $24 for a weekend pass.
Nestled on Main Street just past the Johnson City Square Deal Arch is Nihao Cafe and Tea House, a small family-owned shop that offers an assortment of authentic Taiwanese novelties — all in the form of tea. From the outside, the shop’s exterior seems simplistic, with only a single green sign hanging above its door. When stepping inside the space, the atmosphere is synonymous to entering a home, as the interior is filled with glimmering fairy lights, floral cushioned couches for a more intimate setting and plants lining the walls. Emily Pan, ‘18, the current manager and co-founder of Nihao, first had the idea of starting the business back in 2012, when she had a dream one night of running a tea shop with her family in Binghamton. Pan and her family are local to the area, and realized there was a lack of authentic bubble tea establishments specifically around Binghamton and Johnson City. According to Pan, the dream was also perfectly timed because her father was retiring from a career in computer repairs and wanted to head in a different direction of business. “I had a dream about opening a tea shop and funny enough, I think my mom also had a similar dream,” Pan wrote in an email. “The main reason we chose to start it in the Binghamton area is because we are locals and were already living in the area so it would be more expedient for us to be near the business for everyday commute and dedicate more of our time towards the business.” Nihao Cafe and Tea House sells authentic Asian tea including milk tea, fruit tea, hot tea, slushies and smoothies, all of which can be served with flavorful bubbles or boba, the
Brendan Tower Contributing Photographer Nihao Cafe and Tea House, located at 130 Main St., has been serving bubble tea to Binghamton since 2012.
unique Taiwanese topping that is typically made from tapioca or fruit jelly. Bubble tea, which originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, is typically served cold with sweet tapioca pearls on the bottom, resembling the shape of bubbles. According to Pan, the bubbles are what makes bubble tea such a commodity and the reason why its popularity has spread outside of Asia. ”It’s such a novelty—a mélange of flavors and textures that can outcompete the monotonous and onedimensional drinks such as an iced coffee or regular tea,” Pan wrote. “The limitless sweet flavors of the tea in conjunction with the perfectly chewy and bouncy textures of the tapioca balls or jellies is like no other, and it’s no wonder it has become so popular around the world.” During the first few months of running Nihao, Pan and her family struggled trying to adjust to the demanding hours and labors of owning a small business. Pan wrote that the initial lack of experience of working in the food and restaurant industry while trying to maintain the authenticity of bubble tea was the most difficult barrier the family had to overcome. “We brought the idea into fruition so fast … and we were also basically relying on our skills and knowledge at making the teas as authentically as possible to
teas in Taiwan,” Pan wrote. “We did and continue to do extensive research and carefully cultivate our skills as tea makers to make sure we [respect] the traditions of traditional tea making with a modernized twist with the creation of bubble tea.” The tea spot offers over 35 different flavors of milk and fruit tea on its menu, and each beverage can be customized to each customer’s preferences — whether it’s the type of base, sweetness level or topping. For lactose intolerant or vegan and vegetarian customers, there is an almond milk substitute. The most popular flavors are marked with a heart on its menu, so those who are indecisive or new to the tastes of bubble tea can play it safe. After six years of running the business with her family, Pan said the best part about working is seeing the impact something as minuscule as a drink can do to a customer. “[Nihao] has been a place of joy and happiness to our little suburban community and for me, it is seeing everyone that has left the store left with smiles on their faces,” Pan wrote. “In all honesty, it is one of the best feelings to know you had a part in making someone’s day a bit better and doing something so simple like making a cup of tea [or bubble] tea for them could have such a positive impact on someone’s life.”
OPINIONS Thursday, September 27, 2018 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 3,2,5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
ADDRESSING THE ADDRESS
Annabeth Sloan Editorial Artist
Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger’s State of the University Address discussed topics like the University’s impact on the larger Binghamton community and its goal to increase the school’s population to 20,000 students in the next couple of years. In his address, Stenger introduced the new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, which opened at the beginning of the semester in Johnson City, as an example of BU’s impact extending into the community. Though the surrounding towns are growing with the University, particularly with the recent loss of many manufacturing jobs, it can be dangerous for their economies to be so closely tied to it. Despite his discussion of BU’s impact on the local community, Stenger failed to mention the Town-Gown Advisory Board. Created almost a year ago partially as a result of student protests that
opposed the University’s bluelight initiative on Binghamton’s West Side, it was meant to be a link between the University and the community. It is unclear what progress the board has made, even with increased instances of student contact with the community. Events like the recent instances of police brutality in the area and the student protests that have come as a result demonstrate a clear need for the board. The address also mentioned the University’s goal of reaching 20,000 students by the year 2020. Stenger made it apparent that the University is no longer on track to reach that target. A large portion of the increase was meant to come
from graduate student enrollment, and though the undergraduate student population is where it was anticipated to be, the graduate student population is lower than anticipated. To increase graduate admissions, the University intends to unroll several new graduate programs, which include some certificate programs, and it has already implemented nine such tracks. The Editorial Board is concerned that with the creation of more programs, the quality of all programs, and thus the University as a whole, will suffer. It is unclear how the University will ensure that these programs are up to BU’s high academic standards. It
seems as though the University is trying to create as many programs as possible, instead of focusing on making its existing programs the best programs they can possibly be. Another strategy to increase enrollment was to give many faculty members pay raises, which makes sense, as they will likely be working harder to implement these new programs. But the funding for these pay raises will not come from the SUNY system. As such, the University will have to come up with other ways to refill its coffers. One method proposed in the address was the aforementioned increases in graduate student enrollment. More students attending BU means
more tuition being paid. However, these increases — and thus, this money — will not be seen for at least another year. Another strategy mentioned is a new partnership with New York state, but there is very little information about what this partnership is or how it might benefit BU. Unfortunately, students will also likely bear some of the burden of these pay raises. Though tuition is controlled by the SUNY system, the student fees are controlled by the University, so that is where students will see the increase. There have also been several budget cuts recently, including funding cuts to Glenn G. Bartle Library, where some student-employees’ hours
have already been cut. Though the Editorial Board supports pay raises and advancement of the University as a whole, we do not believe that this should come at the cost of other departments or students’ own wallets. It is clear that BU is moving up in the world, as its recent rise in national rankings has shown. The advancement of the University is beneficial to all students. It is important, however, that Stenger and his team remain cognizant of its ever-increasing impact on the community as well as the quality of its academic programs and financial costs of its decisions.
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.
Where are BU’s payments in lieu of taxes? The University and Town-Gown Advisory Board should remain transparent Jacob Hanna
Contributing Columnist
Provided by Rainer Lesniewski This map of New York state shows cities considered by some to be part of upstate New York.
Binghamton is not part of upstate New York
It actually falls into the central Southern tier Nicholas Walker
Guest Columnist
By now, late September, I’m sure you’ve had an argument with someone from “the city” (as if other cities don’t exist), or New York City, that any geographical point north of NYC is considered upstate New York. The same argument is made by people who live on Long Island. I am here to prove the “downstaters” wrong and to act as a voice for those north of Westchester County. If a student decides to earn their education at the “premier public Ivy of the Northeast,” they should have some idea of where their educational institution is located. To be precise, Binghamton University is at 42°05’21.30” N -75°58’11.60” W. In a broader sense, BU is in the central Southern Tier region of New York state.
That’s right, Southern. We are south of the majority of New York state, including Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, the Finger Lakes, Albany and the Adirondacks. It would be paradoxical to say you’re from “upstate Southern Tier.” Geography should be absolute, not relative. The Americas are labeled from the equator: North, South and Central America. Using the same methodology, we can label Syracuse, my homeland, as the center of New York state. High school and college teachers always warn against citing Wikipedia in papers, and here is a prime example: On the upstate New York Wikipedia page, it says, “Upstate New York is the portion of the American state of New York lying north of the New York metropolitan area.” Clearly, someone from the metropolitan area has hacked Wikipedia to display false information. Students have varying degrees of delusion. My ears bleed upon
hearing, “I’m from upstate, in Poughkeepsie,” which lies south of the New York-Pennsylvania state line. Poughkeepsie is downstate; it sits below the majority of New York’s area. According to the 2010 census, the state of New York had a population of 19,378,102 people. At the same time, NYC had a population of approximately 8,175,133 people. NYC had about 42 percent of the state’s population clustered in 302.65 square miles. In comparison, the entire state has 47,126.40 square miles. Instead of thinking that nothing exists north of Westchester County, think of that area as the entire rest of the state just waiting to be explored. So next time you hear someone say BU is in upstate New York, politely remind them of where the Bearcat calls its home. — Nicholas Walker is a junior majoring in biomedical engineering.
On Sept. 14, 2018, members of the Frances Beal Society (myself among them) and the Human Development Emancipation and Activism Taskforce staged a demonstration outside the University Downtown Center (UDC). At the time, the UDC was closed to the public early for what was ostensibly a community gala or fundraiser; the irony of such a scenario was made manifest when a student, seeking to enter the UDC to study there, was turned away at the door. We were there to demand the removal of Laura Bronstein, the dean of the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA), who has created a hostile environment for both students of color and all faculty. We also demanded knowledge of where the funds raised at the gala were going, and of where the $1 million in “payments in lieu of taxes” (PILOTs) were going toward. The latter two issues are that of basic transparency that every member of this community has the right to know. Moreover, the Binghamton community should know of, and have control over, its own resources. We must first clarify what PILOTs are, in this context. As a public university, Binghamton University does not pay local
taxes to the city of Binghamton. In lieu of those taxes, it is supposed to pay a sum of money referred to as PILOTs toward community investment. As such, it would make sense for the community at large to decide where this money — the $1 million in PILOT funds — goes. Ostensibly, this is what is happening with the Town-Gown Advisory Board, which was created after the University tried and failed to impose a $1 million “blue-light call box” initiative whose stated purpose was to make students safer (though its effect would more than likely have been the exacerbation of overpolicing in the city at large), stopped by protests by the Frances Beal Society and its allies. But that is not what is happening. For one thing, who are the board members? In my research for this column, I could find no answer to such a question. We do not know who the members are, or their associations. We do not know whether the board is composed more of community organizations or more of businesses and real estate developers. Why should the University keep this from us, if it wants this to be a transparent process? Furthermore, the TownGown Advisory Board is just — advisory. The University has no obligation to pursue and fund any proposal it agrees on, if it makes proposals at all. The board, in its most recent meeting, had only proposed $85,000 worth of the $1 million in PILOTs. To put that
in scale, that’s only 8.5 percent of the total sum. We simply do not know what the other 91.5 percent of the money is going toward. This is completely and utterly unacceptable. It is apparent that the University has both a transparency problem and a problem with the Binghamton community, problems they aren’t currently interested in solving. Thirteen days after the gala, we still do not know what specific initiatives are being funded with the money raised there. And the Town-Gown Advisory Board seems to be little more than a diversion. To solve these problems, we must involve the greater community of Binghamton proper. To that end, the University should do the following: It should hold at least three town halls and invite community organizations that make a tangible difference for the better in the lives of the people of this community, and work for the many, not the few. The first would be an open discussion of ideas regarding where the PILOTs may go. The second would narrow down those ideas. And the third would consist of a supermajority vote deciding which ideas are funded, and how to allocate those funds. These town halls would exist to make the idea of community control over community resources manifest. It would certainly be about time. — Jacob Hanna is a junior majoring in economics.
F UN
Thursday, September 27, 2018 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 3,2,5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
Booty call
Annabeth Sloan Horoscopes
Hannah Nathanson
Cancer: Bring a sweatshirt to prom. Post the pictures on Instagram, but set a reminder to delete them in a few weeks. When a bee stings you, you don’t go outside for weeks. Then you miss the sun. If I told you I loved you, would you play the triangle in my band? Would you wear white on our wedding day? Hate me every morning and then kiss me goodnight? Fluctuate with me for an eternity, babe. Leo: Everytime its Sunday afternoon, your family forgets how to pronounce your real name. You’re the most powerful when the sun leaks beneath your curtains. It makes you warm. It convinces you to treat trees like glass, somersault in and out of lecture halls. You’ll see dandelions intertwine. Try to talk to them. Learn the ground language. Ask the grass where it grew up. Don’t listen to its answer. Virgo: Umbrella likes controlled creativity. Umbrella is symbolically associated with politics. That’s because Umbrella is critical about everything. Any circumstance that confuses Umbrella is defined by privacy. That’s because Umbrella hates being alone. Umbrella acts angry when he misses you. Buy a raincoat.
A genuine Nate Walker quote
Daniel Eisenhower
Sudoku
By The Mepham Group
Level: 1 2 3 4 Solution to last issue's puzzle
Speed demon
Annabeth Sloan
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Release Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
Harvey birthday to you
Is this a meme?
Daniel Eisenhower
James Dysart
ACROSS 1 The one here 5 Group of cronies 9 Natural wound protection 13 Discard 14 Prohibited activity 15 “What a shame!” 16 Player getting paid 18 Sound from a snout 19 Counsel 20 “Am I the only one?” 22 Move stealthily 23 “Wait just a minute!” 26 “Told you” 27 Rogers Centre city 29 Oil field sight 30 Cartographer’s dot, maybe 31 Food truck snack 32 Unfulfilled campaign pledge ... and a hint to what 16-, 23-, 46and 53-Across all contain 37 James of “The Godfather” 38 Herbert Hoover, by birth 39 O’Hare’s airport code 40 Great pains 43 Bobs and waves 46 Docking aids 48 “Rashomon” director Kurosawa 50 Christmas door decoration 51 Health facility 52 Tech sch. grad 53 Closet accessory 56 “Start __”: Rolling Stones hit 57 Mandel of “America’s Got Talent” 58 Melody 59 Coffee servers 60 “If I may intrude ... ” 61 Founded, as a co. DOWN 1 QB-to-receiver six-pointer 2 Running track obstacle
3 Apple videoediting app 4 Madrid’s country 5 128 fl. oz. 6 Grandpa Simpson 7 Vague idea 8 Charges toward 9 Apt Shakespearean rhyme for “truth” 10 Fire-breathing monsters 11 “Interview With the Vampire” novelist 12 __ choy: stir-fry veggie 14 With 37-Down, what corn is on 17 “For shame!” 21 Skater Midori 23 Little songbird 24 Color of some Hello Kitty products 25 Self-esteem 28 Fútbol cheer 30 Charged particle 31 Altoids container 32 Saloonkeeper
33 Trooper’s speedchecking device 34 Versailles rulers, once 35 Have bills to pay 36 Indian spice blend 37 See 14-Down 40 Finder’s cry 41 “Fooled you!” 42 Overeager student’s cry 43 Thingamajig
44 Set in the right direction 45 Like some cows and vows 47 Maryland team, briefly 49 “Roots” role Kunta __ 51 Rebel Guevara 52 Big bird from Down Under 54 Stunned state 55 Comical Conway
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
By C.C. Burnikel ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
09/27/18 09/25/18
09/27/18 09/25/18
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Pipe Dream Bearcast FOR INTERVIEWS AND ANALYSIS
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Swimming and diving set to make a splash in 2018-19 season Pipe Dream Archives
The Binghamton men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are set to begin their regular seasons Oct. 6 with a meet at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
BU opens year with scrimmage Saturday Ryan Giglio
Contributing Writer
Ending the 2017-18 season as runners-up at the America East (AE) Championships, the Binghamton men’s swimming and diving team looks to finish the upcoming season as champions. There is good reason for the team to express optimism for the 201819 campaign, as the team will be led by many of last season’s top performers. After being named the AE Swimming & Diving ScholarAthlete for the 2017-18 season, junior swimmer Ross Bernstein looks to continue strengthening his résumé. At last season’s AE
Championship, he finished second in the 200 butterfly and 400 IM, as well as fourth in the 200 IM. The previous season, Bernstein set a freshman record in the 200 fly. Despite the departure of former diver Ryan O’Connell, the Bearcats’ returning divers have a track record of strong performances in the AE. Conference champion sophomore David Walters finished first in the one-meter dive and was later named diver of the meet, while senior Colin Coughlan also landed in the event’s top-10. Binghamton was littered all over the top-10 in the 50 free event. Of the five swimmers to place, only fly/free swimmer Amit Bachar graduated. Seniors Alex Brion and Matthew DeVito join sophomores Patrick Wilson and Shane Morris in returning to the
team for this season. Optimism for Binghamton’s swimming and diving program extends to its women’s team, which hopes to improve on last season’s performance. The 201718 regular season was one of the best in program history. The Bearcats had a fourthplace finish at last season’s AE Championship and were led by record-setting sophomore Kaitlyn Smolar. At the championship, Smolar broke four freshman records, including finishing top-five in the 1650 and the 500 prelims. Sophomore Erica Bachiller also set Binghamton freshman records at the championship with a 2:02.73 time for the 200 backstroke and a time of 55.68 for the 100 backstroke. Junior Rebecca Nelson’s
seventh-place finish in the 200 breaststroke event shows that she is more than capable of filling the void left by former swimmer Maria Trivino. Trivino came in fifth place in the 200 breast, but graduated in the spring. BU had a notable showing in the 100 fly when senior Brooke Pettis tied for first, while former fly swimmer Courtney Foley finished in sixth. Pettis, a conference champion, became the first Bearcat to capture a gold medal in these championships. Binghamton’s first test of the season will be when it welcomes New Jersey Institute of Technology and University of Vermont on Oct. 6 for its first meet of the 2018-19 season. This will be the first meet for Ron Farina as head coach of NJIT men’s swimming and diving. The
Week Four: Start ‘em or sit ‘em? Evan Cole Assistant Sports Editor
Fantasy Football Quarterback Start: Philip Rivers (LAC): Rivers has continued to be a dependable starter to begin the season, posting at least two touchdowns in each game of his season. Expect for him to explode against a 49ers defense that may be without cornerback Richard Sherman this weekend. Andy Dalton (CIN): Dalton threw for an impressive 352 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers this weekend, but had a potentially gaudy fantasy performance mired by four interceptions. This week, his turnover numbers should drop as he faces a Falcons defense that is missing three of its best defenders in Ricardo Allen, Deion Jones and Keanu Neal. Sit: Kirk Cousins (MIN): Cousins had a miserable game when the entire Vikings roster was blindsided by the Bills team, which was firing on all cylinders. The road ahead doesn’t get easier for Cousins as he faces a Super Bowl contender in the Rams on a short week. If you’re desperate: Ryan Tannehill (MIA): Owned in only 20 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues, Tannehill sneakily provides strong streamer value on a consistent basis. Leading the Dolphins against a Patriots defense that has yet to look intimidating, Tannehill possesses a high floor this Sunday. Running back Start: Chris Carson (SEA): After Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that Carson was benched because he was “gassed” from playing special teams in week two, Carson handled 32 carries
to turn in an effective performance against the Cowboys in week three. Carson’s presumed workload provides him with a great chance to produce against a bottom-tier Cardinals run defense. James White (NE): White has produced as a top-20 running back in point per reception leagues, and has room to build on these performances as Rex Burkhead was placed on injured reserve yesterday. Averaging only nine touches per game to this point, White’s presumed-to-be expanded workload should lead to a good game against the Dolphins. Sit: Royce Freeman (DEN): Freeman handled 14 touches and found the end zone against the Ravens last week, but his usage was primarily due to the ejection of Phillip Lindsay. Keep Freeman on your bench as his skill set doesn’t fit strongly against the Chiefs’ defense. If you’re desperate: Javorius Allen (BAL): Buck Allen’s adept ability to both catch the ball and be a threat on the goal line has provided him enough opportunity to score four touchdowns and record 4.3 receptions per game this season. Allen’s versatility makes him a decent play against the Steelers. Wide receiver Start: Mike Williams (LAC): Drafted seventh overall in the 2017 draft and finally healthy, Williams is now justifying why the Chargers invested such a high pick in the former Clemson standout. Showing great ability to find the end zone, Williams should keep his momentum going against the 49ers this week. Sterling Shepard (NYG): Shepard finally broke out against the Texans last week, catching six passes for 80 yards and his first touchdown of the season. He should be able to build on this performance against a Saints
defense, which has already allowed nine touchdowns this season. Sit: Chris Hogan (NE): Poised to start the season strongly with Julian Edelman suspended, Hogan has been a disappointment to fantasy owners to this point. Now with Josh Gordon joining the mix in New England, Hogan’s fantasy stock continues to trend down. If you’re desperate: Ted Ginn Jr. (NO): Ginn has been limited with a knee injury in practice this week, but if he suits up against the Giants, Ginn makes for a sneaky desperation play this week in what could be a shootout in MetLife Stadium this Sunday. Tight end Start: Tyler Eifert (CIN): With A.J. Green nursing a groin injury, Eifert could be in line for expanded usage, particularly in the red zone, against Atlanta. The Falcons’ injuries at linebacker and safety also give Eifert an enticing individual matchup. Benjamin Watson (NO): Watson’s appeal is similar to Ginn’s, as Watson is playing in what could likely be a shootout against the Giants. New York has particularly struggled to cover tight ends in recent years, so Watson should get open frequently over the middle of the field. Sit: Kyle Rudolph (MIN): Rudolph salvaged a rough outing with a touchdown against the Bills last week, but has a tough matchup against an elite Rams front seven tonight. If you’re desperate: Vance McDonald (PIT): Electrifying stiff-arm aside, McDonald put together a strong performance against the Bucs on Monday night, totaling 112 yards and a touchdown. He could find more success as Ben Roethlisberger’s safety valve against a stout Ravens defense this Sunday night.
veteran coach replaced Michael Lawson. NJIT finished last season with a 6-8 record, but concluded by winning only its last two meets. For the sixth year in a row, UVM came in third place at the AE Championships and has finished with winning records for 14 straight seasons. The team will be led by seniors Julia DeGregorio and Sara Meyer and junior Sophia Smith. All three women were named captains by head coach Gerry Cournoyer for the upcoming season. For the Bearcats, BU head coach Brad Smith did not feel that the team will lack any motivation during the season since the program’s winning mentality stems from its leadership core. “Every year we’ve had better and better leadership from the
captains, and this year’s leaders on both sides, men’s and women’s, have just set a tone right away,” Smith said. Binghamton looks to take advantage of its energetic home environment as it kicks off its season with three consecutive home meets. “There’s not a place I’ve ever been in my entire coaching career like our pool, our facility,” Smith said. “We pack the house for our home meets, and the fans give us, they give us a little extra. To my knowledge, we are the only swim team that has parents tailgate.” Binghamton’s next event is its Green vs. White intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. The meet is expected to begin at 11 a.m. at the Patricia A. Saunders Aquatic Center in Vestal, New York.
NFL failed to tackle its concussion problem League’s new helmet rule complicates gameplay for athletes Greg Maitles
Contributing Writer
After being put under a microscope by the general public, the NFL made a daring move to change the game in an attempt to limit head injuries on players by altering the tackling rules. After years of dangerous hits to players’ heads by both defenders and occasionally offensive players, the NFL buckled down to try and deflect the increased attention on the dangerous effects of concussions to players. It has approached the situation by increasing fines and penalties for hits to the head over the past three seasons. While I am very much in favor of protecting players, the league’s new rules have softened the game to the point that very clean tackles are now drawing penalty flags at an alarming rate. Look no further than Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, one of the league’s premier defenders, who has been flagged several times already in 2018 for ‘roughing the passer’ on hits that seemed clean to both fans, and in some cases, the broadcasters, too. Matthews did not strike the head of the quarterback or drive him into the ground with excessive force, which have both been penalties for a long time, regardless of the new rules. No, he simply tackled the quarterback in
each case very high up on his body, around the shoulder area. With the league under such immense public scrutiny by experts and doctors, the referees have had no choice but to call a penalty on these hits, whether they appeared clean or not. The most significant rule change in recent years is the ‘use of helmet’ rule that was implemented prior to the current season. “It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent,” the rule states via the official NFL website. “This rule pertains to all players on the field, and to all areas of the field.” Making it illegal to lower your head on an offensive player in an attempt to decrease helmet-to-helmet contact seems like a good idea, right? Wrong. From the day you put on pads for the first time as a kid and are taught to tackle, any good coach will tell you that you need to keep your head lowered and off to the side of the person you are tackling. If done correctly, there is no helmet-to-helmet contact and your head being lowered simply allows you to more effectively tackle the offensive player. No player is taught to aim for the helmet of another player, but now we have professional players — most of whom have been playing since they were old enough to begin contact sports — learning how to tackle in an entirely new way. The result has simply
been more penalties. In an age where most sports are trying to speed up gameplay in order to keep people interested longer, stopping play to call penalties that are entirely unnecessary has had the inverse result that the league was likely hoping for. Instead of players exempting from leading with their heads while tackling, there have just been more “illegal” hits. The results of this rule have been critiqued by both current and former players. “There is no ‘make adjustment’ to the way you tackle,” 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman tweeted on Aug. 19. “Even in a perfect form tackle the body is led by the head. The rule is idiotic And should be dismissed immediately. When you watch rugby players tackle they are still lead by their head. Will be flag football soon.” Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe also chimed in on the subject. “These penalties are getting ridiculous,” he tweeted on Aug. 18. “Tough to take someone to the ground without landing on them, whipping them down, grazing their head or hitting their legs. This is a tough game for tough people.” It’s clear that players are not happy with the new rules, and I don’t think many fans are either. The NFL will have to take a serious look into finding middle ground on this issue before it loses touch with its audience.