Fall 2018 Issue 9

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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

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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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