Watters Theatre to be filled with community voices, See page 7
Thursday, September 26, 2019 | Vol. XCVI, Issue 10 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Bearcat standouts discuss season
FROZEN I N
P L A C E
Weeks before the start of fall classes, Watson Dean Krishnaswami Srihari postponed retirement because of the University’s hiring freeze Zirong Chen
Chigatayeva, Cueva-Scarpelli talk cross country on Bearcast
contributing writer
In May, Krishnaswami Srihari diligence and support, I would not be a 2 percent pay increase, and stipulated announced his plans to resign, roughly able to continue in my current role.” that they would receive two years of 10 years after he became dean of the A job search was launched to find back pay. New York state ultimately Watson School of Engineering and Srihari’s replacement in fall 2018, refused to cover the total cost of the Applied Sciences. But in the weeks headed by a team of faculty at the Watson raises, deflecting them onto BU and before classes started this semester, he school. Because Srihari’s announcement other universities in the SUNY system, reversed his decision and plunging BU into following hiring financial turmoil. “However, in November 2018, we announced a hiring struggles caused by a Because of the crisis, hold, which meant that we had to postpone the search. freeze implemented by a hiring hold was put Binghamton University. Because Dean Srihari is so devoted to Watson, he agreed in place and Srihari Srihari said he agreed to temporarily to remain as dean for another year, until the summer of changed his mind resume his role, giving 2020.” — Donald Nieman, Binghamton University’s pro- the department more about the move after discussing his time to search for vost and executive vice president for academic affairs resignation with candidates and navigate Donald Nieman, BU’s the hold. provost and executive “In November 2018, vice president for academic affairs. was early, they were given a year to look we announced a hiring hold, which “In consultation with the provost, I for applicants to fill the leadership gap. meant that we had to postpone the have rescinded my request to step down But last year, a long-overdue contract search,” Nieman wrote in an email. from my role as dean of the Watson was formalized between SUNY and “Because Dean Srihari is so devoted to School,” Srihari wrote in an email to United University Professions (UUP), Watson, he agreed to remain as dean for Watson faculty. “I would like to thank a higher education union for faculty, another year, until the summer of 2020. the [BU President Harvey Stenger] professional staff, contingent employees We are resuming the search this fall, and and the provost for the confidence and retirees of the SUNY system. It gave reposed in me. Without your dedication, faculty and staff across the SUNY system see freeze page 4
Aidan Higgins
contributing writer
The Binghamton women’s cross country team is sprinting headlong into their fall season, competing in the Meet of Champions last week. At the team’s first major event of the season, sophomore Aziza Chigatayeva excelled, taking fifth place out of 163 runners. The Bearcats’ next-best women’s finisher was senior Jessica Cueva-Scarpelli. The teammates discussed their performances in the opening meet as well as the team’s success and goals for the season on this week’s episode of Pipe Dream’s Bearcast. “One of our teammates [junior Kaylee Stone] said in a workout, ‘45 seconds left,’” Cueva-Scarpelli said. “You can do anything in 45 seconds.” Chigatayeva and Cueva-Scarpelli said although teammates are competing against each other in cross country races, a cooperative mentality is still fostered. “In a race, I look for my teammates to … push me,” Chigatayeva said. “I don’t
see cross country page 10
TEDx Senior found dead in Hillside Community Salon talks feature BU professors Brandon Peart-Wright known for ‘big heart’ Jacob Kerr news editor
Presentations focus on current environmental issues Lakhsmi Chatterjee & Noe Lebanidze pipe dream news
After climate strikes took place worldwide on Friday, two Binghamton University professors gave talks about environmental stability for TEDxBinghamtonUniversity Salon on Monday. The two presentations were part of a smaller version of the annual TEDx talks the University hosts, and carried over a theme of optimism in the rapidly changing climate. Robert Holahan, an associate professor of environmental studies and political science, was one of the speakers for the event. In his talk, “The Social Nature of Environmental Dilemmas,” Holahan discussed his research on human behavior and its effect on the environment. “Sometimes, the solutions to complex environmental problems are really simple and are really focused on behavior, not environmental conditions,” Holahan said. “There is a chance for young people to put out the policies we need.” A theme Holahan played on was dismantling the “tragedy of the commons,” a situation where overpopulation creates a depletion of resources, made popular by philosopher Garrett Hardin in 1968. While Hardin described the phenomena
see tedx page 4
linkedin Brandon Peart-Wright, a senior majoring in political science, was found dead in Hillside Community on Monday.
Binghamton University student Brandon Peart-Wright, a senior majoring in political science, was found dead on Monday, according to a B-Line statement released on Tuesday afternoon. Peart-Wright, 23, of Rockville Centre, New York, transferred to the University in 2018 after attending Nassau Community College for two years. At BU, he was involved in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program as a mentor and writing tutor
for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Peart-Wright also was a member of the BU Model UN Club and spent time volunteering at The Vineyard Church, a religious congregation in his hometown. Peart-Wright was found dead in Palisades Hall of Hillside Community, according to several residents of the building. The University declined to comment on the nature of Peart-Wright’s death. Peart-Wright is survived by his parents, Almando Wright and Denva Peart. In the B-Line statement, his family stressed that Peart-Wright was a person who often focused on helping others live a better life. “Brandon had a big heart and would always find ways to help
others and treat them with respect and compassion,” the statement read. “He had a love for skiing and a passion for music, foreign affairs, politics and history.” Peart-Wright’s death marks the third student death this year. Clive Takudzwa Chakavarika, a senior majoring in neuroscience, died in May of unknown causes, and an accidental drowning incident took the life of Calistus Anyichie, a rising sophomore majoring in political science and a forward on the Binghamton men’s basketball team, in July. Campus officials are urging students and staff struggling with Peart-Wright’s death to reach out to the Dean of Students office and the CARE Team.
Second Climate Strike to take place Friday Advocacy groups continue to fight for policy change Melanie Gulbas & Jane Mou pipe dream news
The topic of global warming is heating up, with another Climate Strike set to take place in Downtown Binghamton this week. Last Friday, Binghamton hosted a Climate Strike that aimed to call attention to government policy issues regarding climate change. A new strike is set to take place this Friday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Peacemaker’s Stage, addressing similar issues. According to Isabel Jordan, a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and a member of Generation Repairing Our World (GROW), a group helping organize the strike, the event is a product of more
ARTS & CULTURE
than a dozen community organizations working together to bring climate change issues forward. “This strike also recognizes that the climate crisis is here, and we cannot continue to rely only on politicians or famous faces to do the work for us,” Jordan said. “For a healthy future we all must sacrifice and we all must work together. We need to build resiliency now by asking: What can we do within ourselves and with our own resources?” GROW, according to Jordan, is an unofficial group of BU students and Binghamton citizens who have come together to organize advocacy events. Other groups helping organize the strike include Citizen Action of New York’s Southern Tier chapter, Vestal Residents for Safe Energy, the Binghamton Regional Sustainability
see strike page 3
jo myers pipe dream illustrator
OPINIONS
SPORTS
Gear up for fall with these albums,
Xcite brings wrestling and more to the Oakdale Mall,
BU’s new food policy draws attention to Sodexo’s monopoly on campus dining,
Volleyball swept by Siena in home opener,
Sports Editor Justin Zion chooses this week’s college football winners and losers,
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