Students shine
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Thursday, August 30, 2018 | Vol. XCIV, Issue 3 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Late-night GIMs gain student popularity Club sports plan later meetings to avoid scheduling conflicts Lia Berger
Assistant Copy Desk Chief
For many new and returning students, attending general interest meetings (GIMs) is an important first step to getting involved with campus groups. But this year, some of the meetings are getting a late start. Several groups will be holding GIMs after 10 p.m. in the coming weeks, including multiple club sports. GIMs, held at various locations across campus, are designed to allow student leaders to give prospective members a taste of what’s to come within their organizations. For most student groups, GIMs are held early in the evening after classes have ceased for the day, but before students living off campus begin to travel home. On the B-Engaged calendar, most GIMs are scheduled around 6 or 7 p.m. Club sports, however, have been scheduling GIMs for 8:30 p.m. at the earliest, with some starting as late as 10:30 p.m. Many have two GIMs scheduled, with the second also at a late time. Nicole Song, president of the Outdoors Club and a senior majoring in biology, said mandatory leadership training, which is required for e-board members to lead offcampus trips such as tournaments and competitions, impacts when club sports can hold their GIMs. “A big reason why club sports have scheduled late GIMs is because of the conflicting leadership training all club sports presidents must attend for the first few days of school,” Song wrote in an email. “This year,
SEE GIMS PAGE 3
Sidney Slon Pipe Dream Photographer
Rollin’ for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
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Students watch Cuomo, Nixon face off Debate comes two weeks b efore primar y Amy Donovan
Assistant News Editor
Roughly 20 students gathered in Lecture Hall 8 Wednesday night to watch incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo face off with Cynthia Nixon in the only New York Democratic gubernatorial debate of 2018. Afterward, attendees also viewed a livestreamed response from Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for governor. The debate touched on issues like corruption in Albany, the state of the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the legalization of marijuana and health care in the state. The debate-viewing event, organized by Students Organized Against Reynolds (SOAR), College Progressives and Democracy Matters, was intended to encourage political engagement from students on campus. In May 2018, SOAR and other local activist groups wrote and sent a letter to all gubernatorial candidates about their stances against the use of the sweatshop practices that take place at Reynolds Corp. factories. In the letter they criticized Cuomo, stating that he has endorsed sweatshop practices within the state. The letter also criticized Binghamton
University President Harvey Stenger, claiming that he has consistently supported sweatshop labor practices by allowing the University to use Reynolds products. The demands in the letter included asking the next New York governor to support BU students’ boycott against Reynolds Corp. While the candidates did not discuss the letter in the debate, some students, like George Elliot, found the debate helpful in confirming who they were voting for in the primary. Elliot, an undeclared freshman, said that he plans on voting for Nixon and the debate helped confirm his beliefs about both candidates.
“It’s a good thing Cuomo is being challenged from the left, but we have to remember Nixon is only having success because of grassroots organizing to resist the onslaught of climate change, displacement and violence against the poor and disenfranchised,” Elliot said. Anthony Georgiou, an undeclared freshman, heard about the viewing from a College Progressives meeting and said this type of forum helps mobilize people to get involved. “I wouldn’t have found out about this whole debate if it weren’t for this public avenue, so I feel like for people who maybe want to be into politics but miss certain memos, it’s good to just get the word out there,” Georgiou said.
TEP suspended after Marketplace welcomes vegan option BU investigation Fresh Impressions serves juices, zucchini noodles
National fraternity, University revoke charter for three years Valerie Puma News Intern
Last spring, the Tau Epsilon Phi (TEP) fraternity was issued an interim suspension pending an investigation after Binghamton University’s Office of Student Conduct received reports that the fraternity was hazing prospective members, including excessive alcohol consumption and the endangerment of a student. Now, the fraternity has been kicked off campus for violating the terms of its suspension. During the investigation, the Office of Student Conduct found that the fraternity violated the University Code of Student Conduct, which prohibits the distribution of alcohol to minors, hazing, endangering persons, unauthorized access to University premises and providing false information or identification to the University. According to L.C. Coghill, director of fraternity and sorority life, BU suspended the fraternity for one year as a result of the investigation’s findings. “While on suspension, TEP violated the terms of their sanction by continuing to conduct activities,” Coghill wrote in an email. “As a result, Binghamton
University has revoked the recognition of TEP, and the Tau Epsilon Phi National fraternity has suspended the chapter.” BU’s actions are consistent with the University’s ongoing efforts to hold affiliated fraternities and sororities to the highest standards and to hold organizations accountable for violating established policies. The University is not the only institution struggling to manage Greek life groups; at Syracuse University, Theta Tau fraternity was suspended in April after a video emerged showing brothers using racial slurs, and last week, Cornell University revoked recognition of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity following hazing allegations. “Binghamton University will continue to educate our members, parents and the general student body about the dangers of hazing and to respond swiftly and firmly to hazing by any organization,” Coghill wrote. At BU, every Greek life organization and member is required to abide by their national organization’s policies and rules, in addition to the Student Code of Conduct. According to Yitzhak Maurer, president of the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and a senior double-majoring in classical and Near Eastern studies and anthropology, fraternity members must also follow the rules established by the
SEE TEP PAGE 3
ARTS & CULTURE
Michael Levinstein Pipe Dream News
The Marketplace is now offering options for vegans and vegetarians with a new station, Fresh Impressions. Housed in the space formerly operating as Sweets and Eats, Fresh Impressions is located by Cakes and Eggs and serves fruit and vegetable juices and zoodle bowls, a dish that consists of zucchini noodles and vegetables. Tom LaSarso, director of retail operations at Binghamton University, wrote in an email that push from student groups like the Student Culinary Council (SCC) helped drive the decision to open a vegetarian dining option. “We have heard from members of the SCC and other student groups that the Marketplace does not offer enough vegan [and] vegetarian options,” LaSarso wrote. “And while all outlets in the Marketplace have these options in some fashion, they are often not noticeable, not prominent, not dedicated.” When the Bearcat Cafe closed in the Marketplace in fall 2017, the space was originally going to be used for tabling for student groups. According to LaSarso, Sweets and Eats was added as a temporary placeholder, but when the plans for student programming were stopped, the need for a new dining area emerged. The success of a special zoodle event at Cakes and Eggs in spring 2018 prompted
Sidney Slon Pipe Dream Photographer Fresh Impressions, a new station replacing Sweets and Eats, serves vegetarian and vegan food in the Marketplace.
University Dining Services to pursue a new option that would become Fresh Impressions. According to LaSarso, Cakes and Eggs sold out of zoodles in one night. “Our Marketplace management team worked all summer testing recipes and formulating a plan for a dedicated vegan [and] vegetarian station,” LaSarso wrote. YuHan Bae, vice president of the SCC and a sophomore majoring in systems science and industrial engineering, wrote in an email that he’s excited about having a dining option that offers various vegetarian dishes.
OPINIONS
“There are so many delicious vegetarian [and] vegan dishes in general besides basic salads and we were excited to introduce them onto our campus,” Bae wrote. “As a council and a school, we want to be ahead of the game when it comes to healthy food options because the right food improves the immune system, increases brain activity, and overall mood and health.” Zachary Pinto, financial officer of the SCC and a sophomore majoring in
SEE VEGAN PAGE 3
SPORTS
Faculty members explore new talents in adult dance classes on campus,
Bands showcase their craft at local venue,
The Editorial Board comments on the University’s printing problems,
Select America East content to move to ESPN+,
Men’s soccer shut out by Iona in overtime,
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