Spring 2023 Issue 41

Student Association E-Board candidate platforms, See

pages 2 and 3

Mock Shaadi refers to “a fake wedding” that occurred between two students from the PSA.

Binghamton University’s Pakistani Student Association (PSA) held their own version of a Shaadi right here in the Mandela Room on Wednesday, March 1. The event was called “Mock Shaadi,” or “A Fake Wedding.”

The Mock Shaadi celebrated the “marriage” between Sejal Luthra, a

A meeting was held last week to get faculty feedback on the lecture hall, set to open in 2026.

Geonha Lim news contributor

Details of BU’s new lecture hall and classroom building were discussed in the first of two planning sessions.

After receiving $60 million in

funds from the SUNY Construction Fund (SUCF) last December, BU plans to build its new lecture hall by fall 2026. An information session was hosted on Thursday by James Pitarresi, vice provost for online and innovation education and Michelle Ponczek, director for course building and academic space management.

Around 15 faculty members from a variety of departments — including math, biology,

senior double-majoring in psychology and business administration, and Adel Hamdi, a junior majoring in computer science — successfully giving insight into how a Shaadi would normally look in many South Asian countries.

A Shaadi refers to the traditional wedding celebration that occurs

between a bride and groom in many South Asian countries. It encompasses cultural aspects of both the individuals involved, ultimately creating an event that expresses the beauty of South Asian culture. Unlike traditional American wedding celebrations, a Shaadi can last from approximately

PSA’s Mock Shaadi celebrates South Asian culture Planning moves forward for new lecture hall

fine arts, political science and English — gathered to discuss their ideas on technology, seating arrangements, writing surfaces, room configuration, lighting and other building amenities.

Ponczek explained the importance of the new lecture hall, with the project currently in the planning and programming stage.

“A new lecture hall and classroom building has been a priority for several years,” Ponczek wrote in an

email. “Our largest classrooms are in very high demand. Having this new building will help alleviate that and allow us to take classrooms offline for technology and other upgrades and advance other renovation projects where classrooms will be converted to other uses.”

The meeting began with an attendee asking what would happen with existing classrooms if classes are moved to the new building. Ponczek replied that some of the

three to five days, with each day having its own unique meaning. The purpose of the lengthy celebration is to unify the families of the bride and groom, and to give them opportunities to understand and appreciate each other’s cultures and traditions.

existing buildings, including the Fine Arts building, would go into renovations.

Attendees were also curious about how the planning committee plans to differentiate the classrooms, with some asking if different classrooms would have unique setups and teaching conditions. Pitarresi replied that it would depend on faculty demands and expectations, such as flexible furniture.

Men’s basketball overcomes UMBC in AE quarterfinals

Bearcats move past Retrievers 67-65, will face Vermont in semifinals on Tuesday.

The Binghamton men’s basketball team traveled to UMBC for its quarterfinal matchup in the America East (AE) playoffs on Saturday night. The start time was delayed due to a power outage, but after six hours the two sides finally squared off for their third meeting this season. Despite being swept in the first two meetings, BU secured its second-straight semifinals appearance after downing the Retrievers 67-65.

“I’m just proud of the team the

way we came out ready to play,” said Binghamton head coach Levell Sanders. “There was a crazy delay, not having any power in the gym, and I love the way we were able to stay focused, come out, compete and get a win.”

The Bearcats (13-17, 8-8 AE) started off the game hot on offense, opening the scoring with a 6-0 lead and expanding their advantage to 16-7 just over four minutes into the matchup. UMBC (18-14, 8-8 AE), however, remained on BU’s tail and staged its own 10-4 run to bring its deficit down to just three points. A bucket from senior guard Dan Petcash gave the visitors a 2217 lead at the midpoint of the first half.

The spring season shows lots of promise for new movie releases,

Tyler Oakley came to BU to discuss his career and work philosophy,

Contributing columnist Kimberly Mourao calls for increased support for low income students, Baseball wins first series of the season against Norfolk State, Women’s basketball ends season with 64-54 loss at Maine,

The Pakistani Student Association hosted a Mock Shaadi, or fake wedding, to express South Asian culture.

Thiyasha Kodituwakku arts & culture contributor

Michael Carbone assistant sports editor

SA ELECTION ISSUE

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

President

What is your platform?

“My platform is laserfocused on putting pressure on the administration to stop ignoring student needs. I will veto any increases on the Student Activity Fee, create a permanent Dining Committee within the SA, demand the removal of the Parking Appeals Fee and advocate for a “meal swipes” system in our dining halls. Additionally, I intend on

What is your platform?

“My platform is simple — you can’t have student success without student happiness, you can’t have student life without student organizations and you can’t have a premier institution without diversity. Every year the trust [the University Counseling Center] has with the student body diminishes, and it’s up to us to make our counseling needs

What is your platform?

“My platform is designed to ensure more social and financial equity throughout the University. I’m focusing on implementing sexual harassment training for undergraduate TAs and student workers, who currently don’t receive any — which contributes to unsafe working and learning environments — overhauling university policies that inhibit

What is your platform?

“My platform aims to better support our students. A few goals I aim to accomplish are implementing bimonthly town hall meetings with [Professional] Staff, [administration] and directors to foster open dialogue between students and administrators, offering two credits for OCCT training to combat the shortage of OCCT bus drivers and implementing driver’s

What is your platform?

“My platform is to improve student access to SA organizations and to create a more communicative and accountable SA. My platform has three pillars. The first — inclusivity and accessibility — plans to establish a spring club fair and strengthen SA connections to University equity offices to help marginalized students connect and find opportunities within SA

collaborating with graduate students to show my support for better working conditions.

Lastly, I believe in improving relations with Greek Life organizations by attending Governing Council meetings regularly. Now is the time to bring every part of this community together to achieve something great.”

[the administration’s] focus. We must support our student [organizations] through grants that provide needed funds. Most importantly, we need to uphold a diverse and inclusive student community by embedding it into every policy decision and change. If we don’t speak up for our needs, no one will.”

Why should students vote for you?

“I am the only candidate in this race who is ready and willing to deal with Parking Services and Sodexo. Students who vote for me aren’t voting for platitudes and empty phrases. They’re voting for action. They’re voting for fair treatment. I have the experience necessary to

unite the student body for a good cause, and that means finally putting students over profits. I will protest the SUNY tuition increase and ensure that we are included in decisions that impact our cost of living. I will not be a traditional SA President, but I hope to be your best.”

Why should students vote for you?

“I have a proven track record in working with the administration to accomplish policy initiatives otherwise thought to be impossible by the SA. Through my creation of the BU Brainiacs program, students can now be trained by Harpur Advising to assist students navigating BU Brain, Degreeworks, and other University resources.

I’ve worked with the Muslim Student Association and University leadership to provide dietary support for students celebrating Ramadan, as well as successfully advocated for the rehaul of our Religious Accommodation Policy. I’ve continuously made the needs of the overlooked a priority and will continue to do so as President.”

Why should students vote for you?

student workers, such as having no commuter parking from 12-5 a.m. and how tutors aren’t paid when students fail to show up for appointments, [and] altering the current funding system in collaboration with the VPF so that students need not personally pay for group needs and then request reimbursement.”

education to help students develop the skills they need to be safe and responsible drivers — benefiting them in both their personal and professional lives — and lastly implementing Culture Thursday, pursuing diverse dining options to better represent our student population while including cultural performances, art exhibits and educational workshops.”

organizations and strengthen the campus community. Second — communication — establishes bi-monthly conferences to update student leaders about SA changes and create a space where leaders can voice concerns. Lastly, accountability promises to hold the administration accountable and strengthen the Judiciary Board to ensure organizations can hold the SA accountable for violations against them.”

“A valuable president is someone who can put forth impactful policies and be a spokesperson for students. However, BU is not monolithic and speaking for so many different students requires someone who can listen, understand and utilize their voice to reflect diversified needs.

I am a great candidate because I have the ability to successfully do that. Last year I gave a TEDx talk on how the strong auditory and verbal skills I developed due to my disability later helped me be a better activist, and I want to use those abilities and my platform to make the University better.”

Why should students vote for you?

“Through my roles, such as the University’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) student ambassador, member of the Student Conduct Hearing Board and Board Member of SUNY’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, I’ve learned to be a great leader and advocate. [BU] needs a leader committed to making

our college experience truly exceptional, and I am that leader. I have the skills, experience and dedication necessary to be an effective president. If elected, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our students are heard, represented and supported to make sure we, as students, get everything we deserve.”

Why should students vote for you?

“I am an experienced leader who has experienced both sides of the SA. Although all the candidates are great, I believe my experiences as a community leader before involving myself in the SA have given me a grassroots perspective that looks to improve SA interactions with its

subsidiary organizations by addressing the issues organizations have voiced for years. Inversely, as a member of the Student Association Congress, I understand the internal issues that prevent the SA from meeting its full potential as a change agent on campus.”

Vice President for Finance

Why should students vote for you?

What is your platform?

“My platform centers on the notion of promises made, promises kept. During my tenure, I have delivered on my promises and I will continue to deliver. I have expanded my original campaign pillars to further my initiatives next year. I will work to expand workshops to expand training to the study

body. More specifically, I aim to accompany my overhaul of the treasurer training with more direct training for budget season through budget workshops. As we enter the next academic year, I will be unveiling the first-ever trial of an audit-safe use of Venmo for student organizations!”

“I have never lost sight of the most important element of being VPF — to serve the entire student body. I have put in hours of hard work every week to ensure that all organizations have access to the resources they need. Within the VPF role as the chairman of Off Campus

College Transport (OCCT), I have developed the first comprehensive solution to the Late Nite problems that have existed for years. The success of the new Late Nite program, combined with my direct hands-on work within OCCT, has strengthened an essential service for the students.”

Excecutive Vice President

What is your platform?

“My platform centers around fixing the largely outdated and unstable chartering process within SA. Creating clubs should not be as painstakingly long and tedious as it is currently. I want to develop a new process within SA to cut the time to charter a club by as

much as possible. I also want to raise awareness for LGBTQ+ clubs on campus, promoting their events and hyping them up as much as I can. I feel as if [BU’S] LGBTQ+ representation varies, but as a member of the community, I want to see them be appreciated more openly.”

Why should students vote for you?

“I hope to earn the votes of the students because I have proven to be an effective leader, responsible for stepping up and taking charge of the internal affairs committee to charter clubs on campus during one of the worst backlogs in SA. I am a

compassionate activist, who will drive the fight when needed and, finally, I love this campus and the people who make it shine. I will have my office door open to you and fight on your behalf. I will be your voice.”

Logan Blakeslee

Elisheva Ezor

Galileo Savage

Ben So

Daniel Croce

Anindya Debnath

SA ELECTION ISSUE

Monday, April 3, 2017 Monday, October 2, 2017 Thursday, October 5, 2017

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

BU Council Representative

What is your platform?

“My platforms focus on three areas. The first is mental health. I want mental health resources to be more accessible to students and to ensure students have access to resources that recognize their differing struggles and identities. Second, increasing education on sexual assault and mitigating the occurrence of it. Our campus will be safer with

What is your platform?

“My first emphasis is on advocacy, where I aim to forge a clearer line of connection between the students and the administration with decisions, issues and policies. As the founder of the Road Map Internship, I have the privilege to work with President Stenger in his office, and as BU Council [Representative], the relationship as a bridge-builder for students will only strengthen from here. My second emphasis is on an established committee, where students will preview some projects and grasp the crucial work done at BU. This will ultimately prepare for the longevity

What is your platform?

“As BU Council Representative, I plan to amplify the student’s voice, increase student administration communication, expand collaboration with [the BU] Student Association and provide new insights. Through my experience as both a student and a member of the Student

education that goes beyond the black and white definitions of sexual assault if resources are more accessible to students. My third focus is to ensure my platform is advocacy centered — I’ll make myself accessible to the student body and prioritize their concerns, if elected.”

of the role — serving to continue the representative’s ideas in succeeding years, and ultimately making sure the right leaders are in place. For my third pillar of inclusivity, I aim to address this by advocating for mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion guidelines in all syllabi for professors and in all policies held by the University. This will cultivate an environment where students not only feel supported intellectually and academically but also extend a sense of belonging in the classroom beyond any means.”

Association Congress, I have been able to see gaps in communication between the student body and [BU] administration, and I know we can achieve so much more when all of these groups work closely together on topics such as mental health, accessibility, University policies and more.”

Why should students vote for you?

“I come into this election with extensive knowledge of our campus. This knowledge extends into the student body, campus organizations and offices and faculty throughout our campus. In my time at BU, I’ve committed myself to supporting the campus. My platforms focus on areas that I have already dedicated

Why should students vote for you?

“I don’t just promise, I pursue. I have the knowledge, experience and sincere care for every student at [BU], both [undergraduate] and graduate, to be your next BU Council [Representative]. Being the president of the Iranian Association, a cross-listed undergrad and grad club, helped me obtain a niche understanding of different needs across the board for our students.

Why should students vote for you?

“In my time at [BU], I have been involved in several student organizations, campus offices, the Student Association and club sports, and have worked to contribute to the campus and [the] University through legislation and advocacy. I have already begun to make changes within

myself to, prior to this election, given my work with DOVE, SEEK and CVAC. Finally, as a senior who is also in a 4+1 program focused on public service, I come into this election with knowledge on our graduate population as well, whom I’d also be advocating for, if elected.”

I believe I developed a proven track record as a capable student leader. As ‘Nora the Explorer,’ I will explore all points on the map to ensure that students’ voices are thoroughly heard and represented. I am devoted to fighting for advocacy, an established committee and inclusivity and look forward to the opportunity to do so if elected!”

the University, and I plan to continue this dedication as BU Council Representative. I can bring new ideas to the table as someone who has not been at the University long enough to get accustomed to the status quo, and I will speak up for students who are not heard by the University.”

Vice President for Student Success

What is your platform?

“My general platform involves my three A’s— Accessibility, Active Learning and A Fun Time. I want to increase access to the SA through events, make our campus more accessible to students with disabilities and increase access to sexual health products. Half of education

is what happens outside the classroom, so I want more students in clubs, classes that happen outside the classroom and more students in the community. Lastly, I want students to enjoy college with more events, better food and fantastic mental health resources.”

Why should students vote for you?

“I have experience, which is important, but my passion is why students should vote for me. I love working in SA. It is disturbingly stressful, but nothing gets me more excited than when a student asks me for help and I get to brainstorm solutions. For example, a student once noted that the accessible blue

buttons are notoriously broken and so I reached out to [Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)] and now we, in collaboration with Physical Facilities, are about to pilot a solution. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life — help people and improve their lives.”

Vice President for Multicultural Affairs

What is your platform?

“My platform is based around creating unity among the organizations on campus. I want to improve communication between organizations by giving them more ways to know what is going on internally and more

What is your platform?

“I want to push a general sense of togetherness amongst cultural communities on campus through promotion, communication, and multicultural collaboration. I aim to increase club exposure via monthly graphics of signature events and film overview videos of each organization, along with updating information for B-Engaged. I also hope to streamline

channels to communicate in an informal, relaxed setting. I also want to increase the knowledge students have of organizations through promotion and large cultural events.”

Why should students vote for you?

“Students should vote for me because everything I do is for them and I am open to their criticisms and suggestions. I want to create a campus that everyone can have an enjoyable experience on no matter where they

Why should students vote for you?

come from. I am someone that is seen and not afraid of the limelight and everything that comes with it. I will be an active member on campus, as a SA representative and as a student.”

communication amongst organizations and [their] general body members through an open discord server. Additionally, I plan to incentivize general body attendance for cultural events while encouraging executive boards to bond and host collaborative events. However, these are just a few of my plans, the rest will be up on my instagram page @kriziaforvpma!”

Khalimah Choi Owens did not respond to Pipe Dream’s request for comment.

“Being one of the most demanding chairs for my organization, I possess professional and interpersonal skills that make me well-equipped for this position. In choreographing, performing and executing our largest event that showcases over 100 performers, I understand how to organize, lead and be part of a team.

I have the passion, drive, and vision to enhance campus inclusivity. Being cultural chair for the PhilippineAmerican League led me to my second family. I want to encourage others to find this kind of rare connection. We should run towards discomfort, break out of our bubbles, and explore what’s out there.”

Vice President for Programming

What is your platform?

“I will focus on fostering inclusivity, accessibility and collaboration to ensure all Binghamton University students are offered equal experiences of the highest quality. I will make sure the Student Association Programming Board (SAPB) operates inclusively throughout the entire course of planning and executing events by tending to the specific and

unique interests of students at large. A safe, comfortable and accommodating environment will be created at SAPB events. Collaboration with other student groups will spotlight students’ diverse skillsets and integrate the BU community so all students feel a sense of belonging at events.”

Why should students vote for you?

“Students’ support will help me work tirelessly to meet their interests. My intention is to provide every student with positive and impactful college memories that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Because of the people I have met so far in the SA and the experiences SAPB’s events have provided me, my life has changed for the better. I hope for other students to feel the same way I do and will make sure to do so!”

Sydney Ferreira

Luca James Cassidy

Adjeo Ibrahim

Nora Monasheri

Sophia Yazdi

Victoria Barics

Krizia Yao

Exploratory discussions held for new lecture hall

The meeting then went on to deliberate on the different tables, chairs and desks that should be implemented.

Faculty members also expressed concern with current classrooms. One professor said some classrooms need more room for instructors to walk around and interact with students. Another professor said the primary concern of his department was the high demand for classrooms that can accommodate 100 or more students — and the low supply of classrooms capable of fitting such numbers. The professor suggested the planning committee look at each department’s demand for the size of the new classrooms.

Ponczek said the planning committee will organize a list of details on room types and building features after the sessions.

“At this time, we are planning for a 300-seat and a 180-seat lecture hall, a 100-seat active learning classroom, three computer pod classrooms, 20 or more classrooms ranging in size

from 20 to 75 seats, group studying rooms, printing stations and open student study areas,” Ponczek wrote.

Technological issues were also discussed in the meeting. Each faculty member shared a request, some preferring conventional chalkboards while others were favoring new Smart Boards. Varying thoughts about the size, number and quality of classroom screens were shared during the meeting, as well as ideas about floor outlets, maintenance staffing, room selection and classroom renovations.

Pitarresi reflected on the demands raised and explained that he was trying to find optimal solutions.

“I think what I am hearing is that there will be no perfect classrooms,” Pitarresi said. “There are going to be trade-offs. [Some features] will be functional and work well for the disciplines, and [others] will not be so great. What we are trying to do is notso-great to be better.”

The information sessions ended with final comments on the new lecture hall’s features. Planning

committee members said they hoped faculty would come to the new lecture hall before its official opening and provide final feedback.

Brian Kim, a sophomore majoring in computer science, described his reservations about the construction of the new

lecture hall.

“I think having a new building will be very motivating for people, and it will create a healthy, promotional environment,” Kim said. “Still, I hope that the University spends more [money] on improving students’ food quality and

living situation.”

Tim Ahn, a sophomore majoring in graphic design, said students should also be heard and be involved in the new lecture hall planning.

“Students, first of all, are the most important people who pay tuition here,” Ahn said. “I would like

to hear more about what this campus is planning to entail, input our thoughts into it and get our opinions heard about the campus.”

Harriet Tubman statue planned for BU’s UDC

The statue is part of $400,000 slated for BU’s Freedom Trail Project.

The University Downtown Center (UDC) may soon be home to a statue of Harriet Tubman.

Nearly two weeks ago, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul stopped by Johnson City, pledging $400,000 toward Binghamton

University’s Freedom Trail Project. The project’s aims are twofold — to erect a statue of the famous abolitionist at the UDC and to place 12 historical markers denoting underground railroad stops around Binghamton.

BU’s Harriet Tubman Center for the Study of Freedom and Equity was founded in 2021, with the goal of advancing equity on campus. That same year, the center held a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, seeking solutions to

problems of racism and diversity.

The Freedom Trail Project resulted from conversations within the commission, according to Anne Bailey, director of the Tubman Center and a professor of history at BU.

“Some who testified say they wanted to see more representation on our campus and in the greater community of the ideals we aspire to — freedom and equity,” Bailey wrote in an email. “So one answer was

to erect a statue to Harriet Tubman, because who better than Tubman could remind us and inspire us each day to complete her unfinished work?”

As of currently, five artists are in consideration for designing the statue — all of which are expected to present their models in the UDC on April 20.

The Tubman Center will begin placing the historical markers earlier — on March 10, or Harriet Tubman Day. According to

Bailey, these will include “Underground Railroad stops, anti-slavery sites and other sites representing the advancement of civil rights.”

Bailey said the Tubman Center hopes for the project to be engaging, particularly through incorporating programming for local K-12 students that will be among those touring.

“At the same time, we did not want to just erect a statue and historical markers that were static,” Bailey wrote. “We wanted from the start to have a very interactive component which we are working on now. That is where our students and the students in our public schools come in.”

The tour will begin with the statue of Harriet Tubman and end at the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Susquehanna River.

According to Bailey, this represents the project’s theme of “passing the baton” from Tubman to King to others.

Javonne Thomas, a junior majoring in biology, said he was excited to hear of the project, describing it as a welcome change from statues that depict problematic historical figures.

“To have a statue of someone that represents something more positive is very beneficial,” Thomas

said. “For a community that’s usually underrepresented — like Black people — I feel like it’s very important for them. And also it is history — history isn’t just white history.”

Christian Bouie, a freshman with an individualized major in journalism, shared Thomas’ sentiment.

“I think it’s good to bring exposure to the Black community,” Bouie said. “We already go to a predominantly white institution, and we don’t as itself get a lot of recognition. So I think it’s good for the town and to just bring more acknowledgment to just us as a whole, in general.”

During Hochul’s Feb. 22 visit, she also promised $10 million to the Village of Johnson City as a part of her Downtown Revitalization Initiative. As staff at the Tubman Center prepare for the project ahead, Bailey said she is glad to have the governor’s support.

“We were still, however, in the throes of seeking more support so this announcement was a great boost,” Bailey wrote. “It was also great to meet the governor and to hear more about the great initiatives coming to our area, including further revitalization of Johnson City.”

pipedream archiVes

The statue is planned to be built near Binghamton University’s Downtown Center.

michael golann photo editor

The new lecture hall is expected to be completed by the fall 2026 semester.

Hamza Khan editor-in-chief

VPMA’s international student initative begins

The program aims to increase communication with international students

Jacob Knipes news editor

International students will soon have new pathways for engagement in the Binghamton University community.

The Student Association’s vice president of multicultural affairs (VPMA) recently announced an initiative that will seek to grow the participation and engagement of international students. New programming and stronger outreach initiatives will be a core part of the plan, according to Erica Juarez, the VPMA and a junior majoring in human development.

Based on admissions statistics, Juarez named the BU Japanese Association (BUJA), Korean American Student Association, Chinese American Student Association and Indian International Student Association (IISU) as organizations the initiative will focus on.

This latest initiative was first planned out from Juarez’s interactions with international students in her classes, after she noticed how they often didn’t engage in the University.

“So basically with that I realized I would engage with

them, and I would just talk to them about how campus life is for them,” Juarez said. “A recurring theme was that they basically just don’t feel as involved in the community because, one, they are kind of shy — two, they just don’t know what is going on around campus and three, they feel like they should just go back to home and that deters them from actually seeking out programming events in like the after school hours.”

A primary focus of the initiative is reaching out to international students at the places where they live to encourage them to become comfortable with engagement, as detailed by Juarez. Partnerships with Hillside Community alongside the Off Campus College Council would be a part of this, as the VPMA’s office would plan tabling and events to introduce international members of these communities to opportunities at the University.

As a member of BUJA, Juarez also described how she saw less international student involvement in multicultural groups post-COVID-19.

“We want to bring back that engagement that there was before in terms of their involvement in e-boards, and [general body] events and stuff like that,” Juarez said. “So one thing that I want to do is

speak with some multicultural groups first, and then bring up this idea of an International Student Outreach Chair on the Executive Board position.

I believe that this would then allow for them to be a leader within these groups, because what happens most of the time is that international students are juniors and seniors — they’re a little bit older, like in their upper years — and their English proficiency might not be 100 percent which is completely fine.”

Juarez expressed hope that this new position would then produce an outlet and space for international students to feel more included, as most multicultural groups often look to recruit underclassmen compared to older international students.

Eugenia Woo, president of BUJA and a senior majoring in English, described how, despite interacting with international students, longterm involvement has been tough to foster.

“Unfortunately, these interactions usually fail to yield any follow-ups or conversations,” Woo wrote in an email. “However, this initiative has the ability to take the connections with international students a step further. By hosting tablings, social mixers, mentor matchings and more, I believe that this initiative will

be able to facilitate friendships and relationships between students from different cultural backgrounds.”

Other plans Juarez described include tabling and posters at international student orientation to give international students an early introduction to engagement in the University community. Plans to create

new positions for international students within the SA itself have also been discussed.

Neha Patel, public relations chair for IISU and a junior majoring in biology, said she supported the initiative’s plans to encourage international students.

“It encourages more engagement from international

students as well as letting them know that we want them to attend these occasions,” Patel wrote. “Opening up the new position of International Student Outreach chair will aid in this initiative because you will have someone who can solely focus [on] increasing international student awareness and engagement.”

Mental health programs at BU continue growth

The initatives include the hiring of new staff members for UCC.

Jasmine Volz news contributor

Over the past year, Binghamton University has been pursuing initiatives for student mental health advocacy.

In 2021, the University implemented the Binghamton Support Network, a database that allows students to type in a concern and generate a list of on- and off-campus resources. Data shows that over the last 14 months, there has been increased traffic on the page, indicating that students are making use of the new mental health resources on campus. New positions, certifications and resources concerning mental health have also been instated in multiple on-campus organizations, spanning from the University Counseling Center (UCC) to the University Residential Life Office.

Johann Fiore-Conte, BU’s associate vice president for student affairs and chief health and wellness officer, elaborated on some of the newly implemented mental health initiatives.

“The University is continuously monitoring national and campus trends to student well-being and demand for services adapting and reevaluating.” Fiore-Conte wrote in an e-mail. “Our approach

consists of strategies that are proactive and in response to assessed student needs.”

The UCC has hired two new treatment coordination specialists to provide assistance to students who need to seek off-campus services. According to Fiore-Conte, identifying resources and navigating health care systems and insurance can be challenging.

The new hires have allowed the University’s treatment coordination to be the highest it has in three years, and FioreConte said the University is pleased to be able to provide this assistance for students.

In the Sept. 23, 2022 BU Council meeting, the University announced its new contract with vendor BetterMynd, which provides colleges and universities with a wider scope of mental health resources through tele-counseling.

Fiore-Conte explained that the agreement will increase student access to care during the more demanding times of the academic year, open access to weekend and evening hours and provide an expanded pool of diverse therapists.

“As a healthy campus, we believe that everybody has a role in student mental health, and that knowledge skills and tools help us help each other.” Fiore-Conte said at the BU Council meeting. “The more tools and knowledge we can introduce to the campus community, the healthier our campus community will be.”

The campus has invested

in the certification of four staff members as trainers in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a national initiative that provides skill-building in recognizing emotional distress, responding to the distressed individual and referring them to the appropriate resource. Since the start of the fall 2022 semester, 113 individuals on campus have been trained and subsequently certified.

The University Residential Life Office has also created a new position that will focus on the residential wellness initiatives being implemented.

The position will allow for further development of the Masters of Social Work (MSW) program within Residential Life, according to Fiore-Conte, in which MSW interns can provide residents in their living communities with support.

“At the SUNY System level, we understand that there are conversations regarding the potential additional resources to campuses for supportive programs and services,” FioreConte wrote. “There is a robust network of supports available to students in support of emotional well-being.”

brianna

Students can seek assistance from any of the campus resources, such as the BSN, the UCC or the Violence, Abuse and Rape Crisis Center (VARCC).

Rebecca Piccigallo, a junior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, shared her experience with the UCC.

“Scheduling an appointment with the UCC was quick and easy.” Piccigallo said. “I just called them and they were able to get me in within a few days. There was no insurance necessary to book an appointment with them, which

is very beneficial for people who do not have access to it.”

Codie Fiske, a senior majoring in linguistics, said he was glad to see the University’s new mental health initiatives.

“It’s great to hear that the school is taking initiatives toward student mental health advocacy,” Fiske said. “Mental health is such an important topic in our society and especially as college students we need to prioritize our wellbeing. Having resources like this available on campus is great for students in need.”

crowther design assistant

One initiative that has seen growth over the last year is the Binghamton Support Network.

aleXa ValadeZ design assistant

The BU Art Museum was one stop on Harpur Edge’s second-annual Art Gallery Walk on Nov. 17.

PSA successfully hosts mock student wedding

Upon arriving at the event, almost everyone was dressed in traditional South Asian attire, which was composed of saris, kurtas, shalwars and more. The room was full of vibrance and life. Appetizers were given out at the beginning, and guests eventually took to their seats, eagerly waiting for the bride and groom. The tables were decorated with a flower bouquet, as well as a traditional Indian candle lantern, adding to the wedding ambiance.

After the entrance of the PSA E-Board, the groom was the first of the pair to arrive. He rode in on the shoulders of

his friends and was surrounded by around a dozen others. They gallantly carried him to the front of the room, where he sat waiting for the bride.

Just moments after Hamdi’s arrival, Luthra elegantly walked through a tunnel that made her bridal party made from a sari pallu — a shawl worn either around the head or shoulder.

The lovely couple then proceeded to sit at the “altar” for pictures, and the show began. From traditional bhangra dances to reenactments of popular Bollywood wedding scenes, the Mock Shaadi included all aspects of a real South Asian

wedding. As the night went on, various dance groups performed, some of which included the bride and groom.

Traditional food was also served for dinner and included rice, naan, chicken curry, chana masala and paneer.

After dinner, there was a game portion where the bride and groom participated in games that helped them both get to know each other better. This was similar to a traditional American wedding, where during the reception the bride and groom are asked personal questions about each other, with the expectation that they will successfully answer the questions.

At the end, the cake-cutting ceremony was beautifully performed — a pivotal part of a traditional shaadi — and everyone eventually took to the dance floor for the “Afterparty.”

Teja Sundar, a member of the Indian International Student Union (IISU) and a senior majoring in biology, discussed the event.

“Mock Shaadi was an incredible event where we were able to experience and celebrate South Asian culture, food, dance and festivities,” Sundar said. “I loved being a part of this event and witnessing such a strong appreciation toward our

beautiful cultural traditions.”

Having been one of the biggest events for the PSA, this event took months in planning. From the interview process of the bride and the groom to the itinerary and food choices, everything had to be perfect. Maha Nayyer, president of PSA and a senior majoring in political science, described the meaning behind Mock Shaadi.

“We hold this event to bring together the South Asian community and the Pakistani community, as well as those people who are interested in learning more about the culture,” Nayyer said. “The Mock Shaadi event yesterday

was absolutely beautiful and it helped me really represent my Pakistani culture and allow people to participate in it and feel welcomed.”

Hans Jequinto, a master’s student studying public health, said events like Mock Shaadi offer a sense of community.

“Being a part of such a diverse and supportive community shows me the true meaning of friendship,” Jequinto said. “I love being a part of these events because even though I have a Filipino background, everyone in PSA — as well as the other South Asian organizations — welcomes me with open arms.”

Twitch streamer Tyler Oakley speaks at BU

majoring in political science, to talk about internet fame, queer identity and the evolving digital landscape. The event was planned by the Student Association Programming Board (SAPB).

race industrial complex,” creating a jovial and comical tone that he maintained for the entire event.

Binghamton University

had the pleasure of welcoming internet superstar Tyler Oakley to campus this past Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Oakley, a twitch streamer and YouTuber with over 23 million subscribers, sat down with Mansha Rahman, a freshman majoring in chemistry who serves as Q Center Student Manager and Chance Fiorisi, a sophomore

BU students and fans of Oakley gathered in the Anderson Center’s Chamber Hall at 8 p.m. to hear the summation of his Oakley’s internet history and the realities of being a queer icon during the formative teenage era of YouTube. First, however, he diffused the room with some lighthearted jokes about his dogs and his daily “consumption of the drag

The moderators asked a plethora of fascinating questions that examined Oakley’s position as a role model with a large and far-reaching platform. He described the opportunities presented to him via his YouTube connections, including his 2015 book “Binge” and his stint on the reality TV show “The Amazing Race,” but also brought to light some of the hardest challenges he faced in his career.

“Creating boundaries for myself as far as, like, making sure I have a deep desire and drive to throw myself into what I love,” Oakley said. “Making sure [I] live as much as create.”

Across the board, the event was a hit among students. This included Emma Connolly, a junior majoring in history, who expressed how funny yet informative the whole experience was, and how seeing Oakley in person was a surreal experience.

“I had a great time,” Connolly said. “I grew up watching him and the people

in his YouTube circle, so for him to visit [BU] was such a cool thing. He was so funny and relaxed while also having so much insight on what it’s like not only to be a YouTuber and Twitch streamer, but also a queer person on the internet.”

Oakley expanded on this idea when asked about his experience dealing with trolls, haters and homophobia online.

“It’s the easiest thing to do on the internet — to be a troll — and the hardest thing to do is to have complex nuanced perspectives and conversations,” Oakley said.

He explained how it can be difficult to remain true to one’s identity, especially when faced with hate from anonymous audiences, but how the best communities are built around those who are honest, unique and loving. When asked what advice he would give to questioning queer people, he insisted on the importance of not feeling pressured by anyone to come out before being ready.

“Be patient with yourself,” Oakley said. “That is the gift beyond all gifts. There is no rush to label yourself.”

Oakley praised the way queer rights have expanded since he was in college, but urged for vigilance and a continuation of the fight even as we see changes being made.

“I wouldn’t take it for granted how safe we all feel to be queer today, right here right now,” Oakley said. “But I would say that is more a challenge to anybody in this room that claims to be an

ally than it is to the queer people here. Being an ally is not just something you get to like, wear as a — I don’t know — girl scout badge or whatever, you earn it every day when you are actively being an ally.”

Oakley ended his discussion by levying some advice to those looking to make their own way on the social media landscape. Nowadays, with sites like TikTok rising in popularity, “all social media platforms have easier accessibility” when it comes to the average person wanting to reach a large audience, so it’s easier than ever to become a creator.

“Start today,” Oakley said, to a roomful of laughter. “Start tomorrow — start tomorrow, go to bed. You find your voice by communicating … but you can’t get to that wonderful version of how you execute your social media presence unless you start somewhere. A year from now you’ll wish you started a year ago.”

The SAPB hosts important speakers every semester, and Oakley was a refreshing change of pace for multiple reasons, according to Katie Dullaghan, insights chair for SAPB and a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience.

“Last semester we had a more serious speaker, which is great in a different way, but it was nice to have such a fun, light-hearted event this semester,” Dullaghan wrote in an email. “I also enjoyed how much [Oakley] spoke on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community since it probably struck home for so many of our students.”

Former YouTuber Oakley discussed his digital creation career.

Emily Vega arts & culture contributor

joanna fishman & kate mcdermott contributing photographers

YouTube star Tyler Oakley spoke to Binghamton University students on Feb. 28.

caspar carson assistant photo editor

The Pakistani Student Association hosted a Mock Shaadi, or fake wedding, to express South Asian culture.

Bud into spring with a blossom of new films

Here are some of the most hyped films of March and April.

Eli Engler assistant arts & culture editor

Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted a long winter lasting well into this March, but nonetheless, the weather is getting warmer and the spring film season is upcoming. Here are some of the biggest Hollywood releases coming out this March and April.

“Creed III” — March 3

The third entry in the “Rocky” spin-off franchise marks the first time that Sylvester Stallone will not be portraying Rocky Balboa in either a “Rocky” or “Creed” film. Michael B. Jordan stars as the titular Adonis Creed and is also making his directorial debut with “Creed III.” Tessa Thompson is reprising her role as Creed’s love interest, Bianca, and Jonathan Majors is a new addition to the cast as Creed’s childhood friend turned enemy in the ring.

“Champions” — March 10

“Champions” tells the story of a disgraced basketball coach who is ordered by a court to coach a team of players with intellectual disabilities, learning about life and basketball along the way. The film stars Woody Harrelson as Marcus, a former minor league basketball coach, and the film was directed by Bobby Farrelly, director of “Dumb and Dumber.” “Champions” hopes to be a heartwarming tale that celebrates those with disabilities.

“Scream VI” — March 10

The sixth entry in the “Scream” franchise is releasing to theaters on March 10 and was directed by the duo of Matt BettinelliOlpin and Tyler Gillett, who directed 2022’s “Scream.”

A big draw of “Scream VI” is the cast as it boasts an all-star roster including Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega and Samara Weaving.

“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” — March 17

The sequel to 2019’s

“Shazam” promises to be an exciting follow-up to one of the few bright spots in DC’s film release slate of the last five years. Zachary Levi is reprising his role as the titular hero, and the film is adding Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu and Rachel Zegler to its cast. David F. Sandberg is also returning to direct the film.

“John Wick: Chapter 4” — March 24

“John Wick: Chapter 4” is releasing this March, nine years after the original “John Wick” came out in 2014. Star Keanu Reeves and Director Chad Stahelski are teaming up for the fourth time in a row as they hope to continue the success of their action franchise. One interesting thing about “John Wick: Chapter 4” is that it boasts a runtime of almost three hours, promising lots of enticing action.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”

— March 31

The hit tabletop roleplaying game “Dungeons & Dragons” is finally getting a film adaptation this March after being in development since 2013. The film is directed by John

Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, known for writing

“Spider-Man: Homecoming.”

The film stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Hugh Grant.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” — April 5

Exactly 30 years after the disastrous live-action “Super Mario Bros.” film starring Bob Hoskins came out in 1993, Nintendo looks to redeem themselves with an animated take on the

hit video game series. The film has a star-studded yet controversial cast headlined by Chris Pratt voicing Mario. Although Pratt has some voice acting experience with “The Lego Movie,” he is not Italian and Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario in the video game series, is famously still alive. Only time will tell how well this adaptation fares.

“Renfield” — April 14 Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult star as Dracula and his

henchman, Renfield, in this horror comedy take on the vampire classic from director Chris McKay. The film is in the vein of “What We Do in the Shadows,” a parody of the vampire genre. Cage has been in a few sneaky-good films recently, including “Pig” and “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” as he hopes to continue his hot streak with “Renfield.”

“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” — April 28

After its initial release of Sept. 16, 2022, got pushed back, “Are You There? It’s Me, Margaret,” is finally going to be released this April. The film is based on the hit Judy Blume novel from 1970, and hopes to be the next classic comingof-age tale that pleases audiences of all ages. The film stars Academy Award Nominee Rachel McAdams and Academy Award Winner Kathy Bates.

Gorillaz’s ‘Cracker Island’ misses the mark

The band’s new album lacks ingenuity in its lyrics and sound

Andrew Ashinoff arts & culture contributor

When Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett created the virtual band known as Gorillaz in 1998, Albarn took a dangerous risk in escaping the world of British rock with his successful band Blur — and embraced a new sound with a littleestablished audience. With four uniquely identifiable cartoon characters, Albarn

welcomed his fans into a universe of alternative pop, old-school rap and gluttony for addicting melodies.

Unfortunately, in Gorillaz’s latest LP “Cracker Island,” the ingenuity of past projects stretches thinly across this bite-sized window into the band’s latest adventure. With a handful of iconic names and powerful production value, “Cracker Island” provides a glitzy look into the newest entry in the Gorillaz saga. This time, the four encounter a story of a cult-ridden island

with a history of greed and dark secrecy. Ambitious for sure, but the execution is overwhelmingly shallow. The charm and cleverness of classic Gorillaz tunes like “Clint Eastwood” and “Feel Good Inc.” is lost in a sea of short and forgettable tracks that melt into each other with no sense of identity or differentiability.

It would be wrong to discuss “Cracker Island” without first mentioning what this project gets right. For one, Albarn has a clear and consistent vision throughout, with a coherent

flow from track to track. The sequence was made with deliberation and each song paired nicely with one another, giving this album more of a cohesive feel than some less thoughtful LPs.

Second, the album certainly had a couple of standout pieces that lent themselves to the inventiveness of the old Gorillaz sound. “Tormenta” with Bad Bunny was the first time the band had tried their hand at a Latinpop song, and “Skinny Ape” sounded like vintage Albarn all over again, but

the album really struggled to find a spot in between the old and a neo-pop wave that invaded songs like “The Tired Influencer” and the titular “Cracker Island.”

And herein lies the issue with this entire project. The work and craftsmanship are there — it’s just more absent of inspiration and innovation than most other Gorillaz albums to date. The feature list is starstudded, with names from Thundercat to Stevie Nicks, but only a few of these powerhouses are even given the chance to stand out in

a pretty unaccommodating instrumental backing. Adeleye Omotayo puts on a vocal clinic and Tame Impala melds perfectly into the “Cracker Island” sound, but most other featured artists feel forced or straight-up ignored.

In straddling the line between a fresh new sound and those old Gorillaz ways, Albarn drains the personality from the genre, which makes it incredibly frustrating to imagine what could have been had he used the same knack for an invention he demonstrated earlier in his career with the band. The greatest sin this album commits is just being downright forgettable. The originality that the neo-pop genre offers is ignored, and Albarn defaults to his tried and tested artistic tropes to bog down any interesting aspects of this project.

And that is the crux of all Gorillaz issues.

Throughout the album, they are so unbelievably close to something new and exciting but miss the mark nearly every time. They inject tacky lyricism and monotonous choruses into what could have been an electric and psychedelic experience.

“Cracker Island” is a well-made, ambitious yet insufferably boring album.

It is missing the heart of Albarn’s past works and suffers immeasurably from it. The four cartoon characters will have to step it up next time in order to actually reinvent themselves — if that’s even what they really want to do.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

bella daidone design manager

This spring has a lot of big blockbusters releasing, from “Creed III” to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”

“Cracker Island” is the newest album from the Gorillaz, a virtual band.

OPINIONS

Low-income students need more support

BU’s mental health and financial support systems are inadequate.

Kimberly Mourao Opinions Columnist

Recently, I was in class and found myself feeling a profound sadness that is hard to describe. We had a guest speaker from pre-law advising and two Binghamton University alumni currently in law school participating over Zoom. The whole 90 minutes was focused on the process of applying to law school and used the kind of jargon that I encountered while applying to undergraduate school — letters of recommendation, LSATS, interviews, extracurricular activities, work experience, etc. While I couldn’t help but be engaged in this lecture, it suddenly occurred to me that this presentation was not meant for me. I have no plans of attending law school, medical school or graduate school. While I did at one time entertain these notions, I no longer do. Quite simply, such paths to higher education are not in the cards for me at this point in time as a result of my circumstantial constraints, and I have made my peace with it. But it was strange to realize that the professor and guest lecturers were operating under the idea that all their students have such plans for themselves. It is as if, after becoming so immersed in the world of

academia, they forget that this world is often unattainable to students struggling just to get through their undergraduate degrees.

The mentality that has been adopted by many in academia is often blind to lower-income students. I understand the stereotype of a typical student that many people have. It’s usually someone with enough familial support to be able to partake in everything BU has to offer. If the student needs a subscription to iClicker, they can simply call their parents and ask for the money. I very much doubt that when professors list their readings in the syllabus, they can imagine a student like myself scouring LibGen in order to avoid paying the $100 my bank account doesn’t have to spare. I have stopped emailing professors and asking for ways to afford their texts or software because I am tired of feeling ashamed for doing so. I don’t want to tell my professors a sob story every time I need to explain my situation and its effect on my academic performance. If the University could allocate more resources to fee waivers for the programs and textbooks that students such as myself need, then I would have one less burden to worry about.

According to the Pew Research Center, the amount of dependent undergraduates who are below the poverty line has risen to 20 percent as of 2016,

with a much larger percentage coming into less selective colleges. Looking at BU specifically, nearly six percent of students come from families making less than $20,000 a year. The fact of the matter is, whether you know it or not, many students on campus are struggling financially. I would like to say that this problem not only exists on an institutional level, but it is so much more than that. Every day I am met with a barrage of opportunities I cannot partake in. The studyabroad poster in the University Union reminds me that I don’t have the financial security for it. When my friends haphazardly suggest getting food at the Marketplace, I need to make up some excuse as to why I’m not hungry, even though I feel my stomach growling. When the clubs I am a part of suggest an event, I’ll be the one missing out because I can’t pay the cover fee. When housing applications open, I tell my friends I think Mountainview, Dickinson and Newing are overrated, when the truth is they are the more costly dorms and I need to save wherever I can. And while it would be easy to devolve into arguments about better financial aid and social welfare programs, at this point, it seems that basic recognition is difficult to acknowledge.

While the CARE team often says that they are there in the event of a crisis, how are they supposed to help when your

ongoing crisis is poverty? Who can help when your family calls, wondering how to pay their next bill? How will they help when a visit to the mechanic nearly bankrupts you? Often, it feels as if, while living on campus as a lower-income student, I face an endless line of problems I need to solve on my own, trapped within the confines of a Catch-22. Naturally, this would lead to more stressors than the average student faces. But the so-called solutions offered by University support systems don’t come close to amending the problems low-income students face. The CARE team offers a student emergency fund, but usually these awards do not exceed $500 and can only be utilized once during your undergraduate career. This money also comes with the stipulation that it cannot be used for any school-related fees, such as textbooks or tuition. Besides this, a lower-income student could be referred to the University Counseling Center in order to address the stresses of living as a lower-income college student, but once again, the support offered is inadequate. I doubt it is possible to remedy any situation over the span of 10 therapy sessions, much less the overwhelming circumstances that poor students face. Thirty percent of undergraduates face some sort of food insecurity, and while the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may help to combat

this, only 23 percent of students who are eligible for SNAP actually enroll in it. While this could be for a myriad of reasons, underuse is attributable most prominently to the fact that quite simply people do not know it exists and that they qualify for it.

Lower-income students often have to balance a dual role as students and as members of their lower-income family. And oftentimes these roles come into conflict, as I have learned from experience. Yes, I have an exam today, but my mother called to say that my sister fell and hurt her knee, and now I need to come home to carry her down to the car to take her to the hospital. Yes, I have class right now, but my mother is having a panic attack over the phone trying to figure out how to pay the added-on fees for the HOA. Yes, I have final exams, but I have to return home to take care of my mother after her emergency ulcer surgery. If I had a cent for every time someone told me to simply email my professor and explain my situation, I wouldn’t need to be writing this article. Firstly, professors have their own lives and responsibilities. It would be difficult for them to be concerned with the affairs of their thousands of students. Secondly, there is only so much professors can do to be accommodating without the requirements of the SSD office. After a certain amount, emails

asking for extensions become hollow and don’t convey the desperation you feel.

The sad fact of the matter is that whatever campus resources there are to address the needs of lower-income students, they simply are not enough. Lower-income students such as myself feel that they have been forgotten and left behind while the machinery of the University continues ever onward. While I hope that there is some help out there for students such as myself, it means nothing if we can’t find it. So these existing resources must be made available in a manner that brings the help closer to those it is intended to reach. Secondly, while there exists a department for many kinds of students, from SSD to the Q Center, where should I turn beyond the CARE team in order to get the help I need? There should be an established space on campus that has the capacity to further serve its students beyond the scope of the University, whether it be connecting a student with basic benefits in order to survive more comfortably or having more of an authority to reach out to professors on behalf of students to allow for accommodations because of their ongoing circumstances.

Kimberly Mourao is a junior double majoring in psychology and philosophy, politics and law.

Anti-homeless architecture perpetuates stereotypes

Midtown Manhattan’s new Moynihan Train Hall features gleaming chrome accents, a glitzy Starbucks and a stand filled with fresh flowers. Despite all of these enticements, one distinct quality remains — the awkward positions all of the occupants are in. Traveling families wall themselves in with suitcases, solo backpackers squat on the ground with their luggage tucked underneath them, and tourists loop through Hudson Booksellers while picking up and putting down pocketbook paperbacks. Everyone is in motion, despite the fact that they are going nowhere. They are stranded until their train number or platform number is called. The culprit for this forced standing, forced squatting and forced browsing is the lack of seating.

While the lack of seating may be a minor nuisance to tired travelers, it is representative of a larger issue — anti-homeless architecture. Also known as “hostile architecture,” anti-homeless architecture dissuades people from sitting, lying on or otherwise occupying, public spaces. Examples include spikes on low walls and metal armrests dividing benches

into multiple seats. Less obvious is the deliberate absence of any substitutes for seating, such as the empty floors in Moynihan Train Hall. The chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Janno Lieber, said that the original plan for the Train Hall simply “didn’t get down to the detail of if and where we should put benches.” Moynihan’s only seating area requires a ticket purchase, and even travelers who are willing to sit on the floor may be reprimanded for doing so.

A Train Hall visitor, Cindy Finch, recalled, “One of security people came over and directed me to the waiting area and I said, ‘Oh, I’m good, I’m fine, I can sit on the ground, it’s OK’ and he’s like no you can’t you can’t sit here.’”

All of these tactics are part of a subtle but determined effort to keep homeless people out of public spaces — exacerbating the stigma around homelessness while deliberately avoiding initiatives that may ameliorate the issue.

Critics of Moynihan Train Hall’s architecture characterize it as the paragon of cruel public infrastructure. Mother Jones writer Tim Murphy suggests that “The problem with Moynihan is not just a problem with Moynihan — it is merely a very expensive version of a problem that’s now endemic to public infrastructure. One of

the animating principles of modern civic life is to make public resources increasingly inaccessible in order to prevent public resources from being used in the wrong way, or used at all by the wrong people.” By refusing to build seats or anything resembling a seat, as even the waist-high radiators now have signs warning visitors not to sit on them, the architects of Moynihan Train Hall — and the politicians who supported its construction like former governor Andrew Cuomo — played into the dehumanization of those searching for a place to rest.

The lack of seating in Moynihan Train Hall, as well as the scores of hostile architecture around the city, perpetuate stereotypes of homeless people — namely, the idea that homeless people are simply loiterers who choose not to have jobs. Many homeless individuals are active job seekers — a 2018 study reported that “45 percent of homeless single adults and 38 percent of homeless adults in families still earned wages from employment while homeless.” And perhaps more harmful than extending these stereotypes, anti-homeless architecture directs attention away from the real issue — the lack of stable housing and social infrastructure for New Yorkers.

New York’s homeless crisis has reached its highest peak since the

1930s, according to the Coalition for the Homeless. The Bowery Mission, a nonprofit organization for the homeless, reports that nearly one in 120 New Yorkers are homeless. Despite these alarming figures, the city remains woefully unequipped to provide adequate care for the unhoused. Thousands of New Yorkers are forced to seek shelter in subway stations, in makeshift camps or on the street. The city’s shelter system is also flawed. Facilities are often in disrepair, lacking kitchens and even clean water at times. Last November, asylum seekers in New York living in homeless shelters claimed that “A lot of the food that they’re getting is two, three, four days old […] They have no place to warm it.” Moreover, the length of residency in homeless shelters has also increased. The extended stay detracts from the purpose of homeless shelters — temporary refuges to allow homeless individuals and families to stabilize their situations — and continuously subjects homeless New Yorkers to subpar conditions. Some homeless people prefer living on the street or in camps rather than staying in shelters which, along with being run-down, can foster hostile relations among the residents and between the residents and the employees.

In New York, one of the most common reasons for homelessness is a lack

of affordable housing, an issue that is affecting even those who have stable incomes. Anti-homeless architecture minimizes the city’s pre-existing lack of space. The solution to the homelessness crisis is not to ignore its existence through dazzling new infrastructure projects. It is to consciously contribute funds to activist initiatives that are in dialogue with those in need.

The Coalition for the Homeless suggests that it is not enough to build simple housing. Rather, all new housing units for the homeless should be supportive housing, or housing “which pairs affordable housing with on-site supportive services.” Moreover, the Coalition suggests that new housing should prioritize those who are ill and those who have long histories of homelessness. New supportive housing initiatives ought to also “allocate greater resources to help those with the greatest needs. Research shows that an estimated 20 percent of homeless families need housing with onsite supports — more than simple rental assistance — in order to overcome homelessness. Much greater proportions of homeless individuals, particularly those with disabilities, need both the housing and services that supportive housing provides.” In fact, supportive housing has existed successfully

for decades. Breaking Ground, a housing initiative for the homeless, has operated permanent supportive housing since 1990. According to the organization, Breaking Ground operates almost 4,000 housing units in New York City, as well as housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. They argued that supportive housing, which they defined as “affordable housing paired with wraparound services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term,” has been proven to be a costeffective solution to chronic homelessness. Members of Breaking Ground also build personal relationships with homeless people on the streets, assisting them through the lengthy documentation process to apply for housing.

Homelessness is an issue encroaching upon multiple levels of society, exacerbated by rising rental prices. Funding supportive housing is an essential step toward addressing the homelessness crisis, but perhaps the first step comes from within ourselves — we must recognize that homeless people do not need to prove themselves to deserve a seat.

Kathryn Lee is a sophomore double-majoring in english and economics.

Hostile architecture is representative of larger issues in NYC.

Kathyrn Lee Opinions Columnist

WSJ article insensitive to Asian hate

Sydney Lee Opinions Columnist

There was massive backlash against the Wall Street Journal’s article, “Are There ‘Too Many Asians’?” The article, which talked about previous Western attitudes toward population control in China and China’s current population decrease, brought into question whether the Wall Street Journal supports the Asian American community, especially in the wake of the shootings aimed at Asian communities in California days before the article’s release.

The article’s title was, overall, insensitive to Asian Americans, especially when considering that many people were on edge because of the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay shootings. The release of the article contributed to the rising visibility of antiAsian hatred. In addition, its content revealed the author’s positive opinions concerning China’s population decline within a global context. The title was based on a book released in 1959 titled “Too Many Asians,” which stated that Western societies needed to prevent Asian societies from having more children in order to control the global population and handle their resources. The article, originally titled

“Are There ‘Too Many Asians’?” adds to the active hatred against the Asian community.

The article was written by The Wall Street Journal’s Chief Editorial Editor, William McGurn. The article attempted to link the previous decade’s overpopulation and poverty issues to previous Chinese population growth.

In the end, McGurn states that there were many factors in the Chinese population decline and that it should have happened decades ago, stating, “If only that were the message being sent 50 years ago — when it might have made a difference.” He argued this by linking previous world leaders and organizations’ views — from the 1960s to the 1970s — on overpopulation and poverty to Western groups pushing population control onto China.

McGurn has written previous articles about Asians, whether it be about politicians, movements or overall communities.

One article, titled “AsianAmericans Feel the Hate,” talks about the issues in Asian American communities while undermining the Stop Asian Hate movement’s credibility or Asian hate crimes themselves. McGurn does this by saying that peoples’ “woke obsession with race and hate works” to diminish the crimes themselves, and by questioning if an Asian hate crime would still be a hate

crime if it was done by a non-white person.

In “Are There ‘Too Many Asians’?,” none of McGurn’s sources linked issues of overpopulation and poverty with China’s population rises and falls. These weren’t linked because he discussed sources talking about decades’ worth of population issues from different viewpoints, as if putting the ideas next to each other would somehow magically connect them. It was evident that McGurn’s opinions of the decrease in the current Chinese population were positive. It

There was a clear backlash against this article, with some calling the article “disgusting” and the writer “racist.” The backlash was called for, considering that it was insensitive to recent shootings, in which many Asian families lost loved ones, as well as the question itself of whether there are too many Asians in Western society.

This backlash made the company retract the print version, with the online version still on the Wall Street Journal’s website. The title of the article was changed to “China and

is a wild stance and leaves the audience questioning whether McGurn even believes the sentiment of his piece’s original title.

The article received backlash for its title, stance and general timing of release. “Are There ‘Too Many Asians’?” was published on Jan. 23, which was two days after the Monterey Park shooting and the same day as the Half Moon Bay shooting, both targeting Asian communities in California.

the Population Bomb That Wasn’t,” which did not stop the backlash it was receiving. It does not seem like the Wall Street Journal will be removing this piece based on McGurn’s position at the Wall Street Journal and his previous articles that took similar stances.

The article’s title reinforces the idea that there are too many immigrants or minorities in America. Even though the article is about China, the Wall Street Journal and the

author are both in America, which makes many viewers think that this article is about America. The article’s headline gives no indication that it is about China specifically, given that it just refers to them as “Asians.” Many viewers will just glance at article titles without reading them, which is how it reinforces the idea that there are too many Asians in America. People will not know the context unless they read it, but that doesn’t stop the article from being hurtful in its title alone. These types of articles enforce discriminatory mindsets, which are often followed by hate crimes, hateful incidents and online hatred, all of which have already increased significantly since COVID-19. Many of these reports range from verbal assault to being spat on in the face to the most recent shootings in California. “Are There ‘Too Many Asians’?” supports the idea that there should be fewer Asians in the world, making the community feel unwelcome and exposing them to a continuous feeling of discomfort while living in America. The author may not have been trying to make this point when the article was originally being written, but it is hard for someone to view a piece they made with the same perspective as someone who is reading it for the first time. However, it is clear that there is some resentment or

dislike toward the Chinese community based on the different transitions and wording alone. McGurn was not arguing that overpopulation in general had to do with poverty, but instead attempting to directly relate it to the Chinese population and blame them for previous world issues.

Publications and articles such as these bolster the idea that Asians and other minorities are objects of hatred in America. Instead, topics about overpopulation should be written with more of a worldly perspective, thinking of different perspectives and contributing to the bigger picture. This is the opposite of what McGurn does in his column, which focuses the attention of one nation.

Moving forward, and based on his previous works, the minimum that McGurn should do is stop focusing on the Asian community. Based on his previous articles, he doesn’t write about their issues in a truthful way. Even though there were many people voicing their concerns about a “racist” writing for The Wall Street Journal, there is a lot of doubt that his removal is likely given that he is The Wall Street Journal’s chief editorial editor.

Sydney Lee is a sophomore majoring in English.

Rural America should receieve more resources

The train derailment in the Ohio town of East Palestine illustrates the significant neglect to which rural areas in the United States are subject. The response to this lifethreatening disaster was inadequate and lacked urgency for the 4,700 residents who were put in danger. Government officials and agencies claim that East Palestine is safe, but residents of the community fear for their health, with many reporting symptoms associated with chemical inhalation, like shortness of breath, dizziness and headaches. East Palestine citizens are feeling disregarded by officials and are disappointed at their lack of urgency. As one East Palestine resident told NPR, “That’s not real reassuring that they’re just going to say, ‘Oh,

everything’s good,’ because we aren’t going to know the true ramifications of what the impact on the environment is for a while.” Federal politicians and agencies are treating the matter from a distance and offering little support to those facing this disaster. It seems the only real sense of urgency toward this issue comes from the officials who want to get the derailment out of the news as quickly as possible.

Although the nature of these events differs, comparing the response to Hurricane Sandy in New York City to the response in East Palestine illustrates a clear imbalance in concern for rural areas compared to urban ones. The decisions made in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy established a precedent for dealing with similar circumstances quickly and effectively. This kind of response has been nonexistent in Ohio — the concerns of residents are being ignored, and nobody is taking responsibility. But

neglect of rural areas goes beyond one in a million situations like this. Huge disparities have existed between public health care in rural and urban areas for the past 20 years, resulting in higher mortality rates in rural areas compared to urban ones. Unemployment and poverty rates are also higher in rural areas, and job growth has

rural areas provide essential services in agriculture, mining and forestry that could not exist in urban areas. Urban areas get credit for diversity and industry that isn’t given to rural areas, but rural areas are more economically and demographically diverse than many people tend to realize. Rural populations are often considered to be

plateaued in rural areas while skyrocketing in metropolitan areas. The neglect of rural areas stems in large part from a stigma that pervades the United States. Rural areas are considered obsolete, and their function in our nation’s economy is often overlooked. However,

exclusively white, which proportionately is close to true, but since 97 percent of the United States’ land mass is rural, thinking of rural areas as homogeneous discounts the existence and experiences of marginalized groups throughout the country who live in these rural areas.

Rural people are often stereotyped as backward and traditional, and are therefore not given as much respect as they deserve in the United States. Because of this, policymakers often neglect the importance of rural society and the nuance that exists in rural counties. Current policies aimed at increasing job growth and reducing poverty in rural areas fail to address the primary sources of inequality between rural and urban areas, such as access to quality education, health care and affordable housing. Subsidies to rural areas frequently go to the wrong places, favoring urbanization and corporate growth over education and fair labor standards for existing industries. The policies enacted also neglect the diverse and individual needs of rural areas, treating every county the same despite differences in economic and demographic makeup.

Rural areas don’t need to be urbanized — they just need access to resources

that can help their existing economies flourish and last. Investing in equitable education, sustainable agricultural and industrial development and highquality public services will allow rural areas to succeed. With this, an increase in social protection and equal access to natural resources will ensure growing, diverse populations in rural areas can thrive. The stigma surrounding rural areas is harmful and has caused ineffective policies to be implemented. This has fostered a growth in the divide between urban and rural areas in the United States, and rural areas have been neglected as a result. Rural America has always been the backbone of the United States, and leaving it to perish will have negative ramifications for us all.

Antonia Kladias

is a freshman majoring in biochemistry.

“Are There ‘Too Many Asians’?” reinforced anti-immigrant and antiasian sentiment.

Stigma and neglect of rural areas has led to ineffective infrastructure and policy.

Antonia Kladias Opinions Columnist

“Publications and articles such as these bolster the idea that Asians and other minorities are objects of hatred in America”

“The neglect of rural areas stems in large part from a stigma that pervades the United States”

Baseball wins weekend series at Norfolk State

Binghamton earns

first series win of the season, exiting weekend with 2-1 record.

Johnny Yang sports intern

After going 1-2 at Wake Forest last weekend, the Binghamton baseball team traveled to Norfolk, Virginia for a three-game series against Norfolk State — looking to put up improved numbers. BU would flip its record over the weekend, going 2-1 against the Spartans and earning its first series win of the season.

“I thought that we were better than our opponent and felt like we should’ve won all three games,” said Binghamton head coach Tom Sinicki. “Little disappointed that we couldn’t get the three-game sweep, but we’ll continue to get better every week.”

The Bearcats (3-6) got on the board early in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. In the second inning, junior infielder Isaiah Corry barreled one into center field, which drove in sophomore infielder Devan Bade and junior catcher Kevin Reilly. Despite facing an early 2-0 deficit, the Spartans (28) responded in the third after scoring on an RBI groundout.

Not long after, in the fifth, the home team added another run to its total — which tied the score at two.

Binghamton would continue to exchange runs with its opponents, first thanks to a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Mike Gunning. However, Norfolk State tied things up once again in the eighth after scoring on a fielding error by the visitors. In the ninth, the Bearcats rallied, scratching out three runs and shutting out the home team in the bottom of the inning, allowing them to secure the 6-3 victory.

“It’s important to be able to try to find ways to win games,” Sinicki said. “I was happy that we kept the game close and found a way to win at the end.”

The second game of the doubleheader saw a more onesided result, as the Bearcats managed a 7-0 victory. Once again, Binghamton got on the board first in the second inning after Corry singled up the middle to score Reilly. However, it was the fifth inning that propelled BU to the victory as it put up a five-spot to make the score 6-0. Binghamton then added one more run in the sixth.

“We’re not used to playing double headers these days, but we’ve got to play games, that’s the most important thing,” Sinicki said. “It didn’t pose any

challenges, but it was a little different … It’s a pretty long day at the field.”

Junior pitcher Gabe Driscoll went 5.2 innings while striking out six and giving up zero earned runs. Senior pitcher Tanner Sinicki and junior pitcher Alex Henderson were also called upon in relief, both contributing to the shutout effort.

“[Driscoll’s] been terrific,” Sinicki said. “He was in complete control, had all his pitches working for him for a third straight start. He’s really going out there and proving himself.”

The third game of the series saw a much tighter contest, as Binghamton would go on to lose 6-5 in extra innings. Similar to the first game, both teams went back-and-forth. Neither team would manage to score more than two runs in an inning as Binghamton led 5-4 going into the ninth. With the Spartans on the brink of defeat in the ninth, senior pitcher Jack Collins gave up an RBI single, allowing the home team to tie the score at five. The Spartans could not add to their total, sending the game to extra innings.

In the tenth, after Binghamton failed to score, Norfolk State had the opportunity to walk it off. Junior pitcher Justin Rosner allowed a

Junior pitcher Gabe Driscoll threw 5.2 shutout innings and struck out six batters in Binghamton’s 7-0 win over Norfolk State on Saturday.

single to the left side, allowing the Spartans to plate the gamewinning run as Binghamton dropped the final game of the series.

“Being on the road has its challenges, but at the same

time, we hope that it affords the team an opportunity to build chemistry,” Sinicki said.

“Hopefully all these away games in our non-conference season will help us prepare for what we have ahead of us.”

proVided bY bubearcats.com

Binghamton will remain on the road for its next three-game series against GWU starting on Friday, March 10. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Tucker Field at Barcroft Park in Arlington, Virginia.

Wrestling competes at EIWA Championships

Over the weekend, the Binghamton wrestling team competed in the long-awaited Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships. BU entered with three wrestlers seeded top five in their weight classes, all looking to secure spots in the upcoming NCAA Championships as well. Overall, Binghamton dropped from their sixth-place finish last year, ending in 11th on Sunday, and will send three Bearcats to nationals.

“I’m really happy that all three of them were able to qualify their spots at the NCAA championships,” said Binghamton head coach Kyle Borshoff. “Our program continues to have a presence at the national level. All three of our NCAA qualifiers have the ability to make noise in Tulsa. I was hoping to score some more team points other weights, but at the end of the day the whole purpose of this weekend is to get to the national championship and [redshirt junior Cory Day], [sophomore Brevin Cassella] and [redshirt junior Jacob Nolan] all fight tirelessly to secure their spots.”

Day one of the two-day tournament consisted of the round of 16 and quarterfinals, however, the Bearcats (5-13,

4-5 EIWA) had one competitor in the round of 32, as redshirt senior Anthony Sobotker swiftly took the victory in the 133-pound match, joining his teammates in the next round. Sobotker would go on to lose his round of 16 bout on a technical fall.

In the round of 16, Binghamton had several qualifiers, the first of which was another simple win through the efforts of sophomore Micah Roes — who took the 125-pound bout 6-0. BU’s second advancement to the next round came in the 165-pound match, as Cassella also won 6-0. The final two Bearcats to move on to the quarterfinals came in the higher weight classes, as Nolan and Day won their 184 and heavyweight

bouts, respectively. Nolan got a reversal on his opponent to secure a 10-0 victory, and Day achieved a victory on a fall with two and a half minutes left.

In the last eight, Roes took an early exit in a 5-0 decision defeat, yet things looked up after when the 165-pound match came around. Cassella took on an opponent who had previously defeated him in the regular season, getting revenge on the Drexler wrestler by utilizing a late six-point move to win 7-0. In the 184-pound class, Nolan also found victory, albeit at a tighter 4-2 margin.

Joining Casella and Nolan in the semis was heavyweight wrestler Day, overcoming his Bucknell opponent 3-2 with an early takedown — narrowly securing his advancement. This

win ultimately qualified Day for the NCAA tournament in Tulsa.

First up in the semis was Cassella, who fought a close match against his No. 8 ranked Cornell opponent, holding it to sudden victory. A takedown decision, which was initially challenged by Binghamton head coach Kyle Borshoff, lost it for the Bearcat and sent Cassella to the consolation semis. Nolan followed him, also pushing his bout to overtime. This time he was able to secure the win and join Day in qualifying for the NCAA tournament with a 3-1 victory. In his consolation match, Cassella joined his fellow semifinalist Bearcats in qualifying for Tulsa as well, giving Binghamton three competitors in the upcoming tournament. Cassella’s win also gave him a spot in the thirdplace matchup for his class. Binghamton’s only finalist of the day would be Nolan in the 184, as Day left him the last Bearcat standing after losing in the heavyweight semifinals bout.

Cassella would finish fourth overall in the 165-pound class on the day, his opponent securing two points through escapes to win the third-place matchup. In Nolan’s final bout, despite scoring an early point, a series of takedowns would ensure Nolan’s second-place finish in the 184-pound class. After dropping the semifinal consolation bout, Day ended the day in the fifth place heavyweight bout. After going up 1-0 early, a takedown with 52 seconds left gave Day the two points needed to secure a 3-0 victory and fifth place finish.

BU’s qualifying wrestlers will compete in the NCAA Championships on Thursday, March 16 through Saturday, March 18. The bouts will take place all day at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

proVided bY sam janicki

Redshirt junior Cory Day earned a 3-0 decision victory to win the gold in the 285-pound weight class at the EIWA Championships over the weekend.

Cassella, Nolan, Day qualify for NCAA Championships.

Aidan Jennings assistant sports editor

Women’s basketball knocked out by Maine

On Wednesday night, the Binghamton women’s basketball team entered the America East (AE) playoffs as the No. 6 seed, facing a quarterfinals matchup against No. 3 seeded Maine. In a game that constantly stayed competitive with 15 lead changes over its course, BU could not deepen its run into the postseason, falling 64-54.

“Just really proud of this team,” said Binghamton head coach Bethann Shapiro Ord. “I asked them to leave everything out there and play their hardest and don’t leave anything to chance, and they did. They just battled.”

The game’s back-and-forth nature was set in motion by a tight first quarter. Despite the

Men’s

Bearcats (13-17, 6-10 AE) only gaining the lead over the Black Bears (16-13, 11-5 AE) early in the opening 10 minutes, the visitors remained constantly on the tail of their opponents — never trailing by more than four points. This was helped by BU’s defensive efforts just as much as their offensive, particularly when senior guard Denai Bowman managed a steal to allow a fast-break opportunity, where redshirt freshman guard Jadyn Weltz converted to give Binghamton its only lead of the period.

The close quarter was slightly stretched in its closing seconds as a Maine 3-pointer put the home team ahead 14-10.

The second quarter remained just as, if not more, competitive than the first as Binghamton found an early groove, going on a 7-0 run to put the score at 17-14 two minutes into the period.

Bowman once again ran the show for the Bearcats, scoring

eight of her team’s 14 points in the second. BU, however, could not hold onto the lead it had gained and entered the half trailing by one point, with the score at 25-24.

“We played a great lockdown first half,” Shapiro Ord said. “We turned them over 11 times in the first half. We were able to score 15 points on those turnovers. We did a lot of really good things and the kids, like I said, they just battled. It was a crazy atmosphere with the football players above us, and the place was packed and its a small venue, but the girls weren’t bothered by that, they didn’t care. Unfortunately, [in] the fourth quarter we didn’t turn them over as much in the second half, but it was just a hard-fought battle, and I’m really really proud of this group.”

In the third quarter, more Bearcats began getting involved in order to keep up with the constant scoring of

the Black Bears. A 3-pointer by sophomore forward Genevieve Coleman and fast break efforts from redshirt freshman guard Ella Wanzer — as well as defensive work from senior guard Clare Traeger — highlighted the two-way hustle BU had to bring in order to stay alive. Bowman’s continuous effort and leadership on both ends of the court also contributed to an effective degree, but Maine was able to find a gap by the end of the third, gaining a five-point lead at 46-41 going into the final quarter.

“They’ve just been incredible young ladies to coach,” Shapiro Ord said. “The way they’ve grown since they’ve been here, it’s just awesome and that’s why I’m in the business, to help these players grow on and off the court. And their work ethic, [Bowman] and [Traeger], they are always in the gym, they are always trying to get better, they’re

such high-character kids. They did whatever it took for this team, and this is a very, very close team — which I’m very proud of — and it’s because of their senior leaders. They’re great, great young ladies and I’m very lucky and blessed to have this opportunity to coach them and to coach a little bit longer.”

In the fourth quarter, however, the Black Bears and their home crowd of supporters were able to take control. Binghamton brought the score to a three-point game early on in the frame and showed signs of keeping the contest close, but the hosts continued to keep their foot on the gas, not conceding BU the lead for the rest of the game.

The game ended 64-54, ending Binghamton’s 2022-23 season while Maine advances to the next round of the AE tournament. The Bearcats were still able to honor some of their best performers this year in the

AE awards. Bowman received an All-Second team selection, as well as joining Weltz on the All-Defensive team. Weltz was also honored alongside fellow redshirt freshman Wanzer. Both were selected to the AllRookie team.

“I wanted to keep playing, and I feel like this team has so much ability,” Shapiro Ord said. “It’s such a young team that’s really fun to watch, and I’m excited to see how our future comes, but we’ve got so many young kids that didn’t have a lot of experience and made such big impacts, like Ella Wanzer and Jadyn Weltz — both being on the All-Rookie team. Our older kids, they did such a great job of embracing the process and that’s what it’s about, really loving the process and one step at a time. But just an incredible group of young ladies. Sad that it’s over again, but it’s back to work — the off-season is where you win championships.”

basketball moves on to face Vermont

basketball from page 1

“[UMBC] was switching a lot of ball screens,” said Sanders. “I thought we were able to, especially early on, take advantage of that … I thought we did a really good job of chasing their shooters around the court.”

Scoring calmed down for both sides over the following minutes as neither side converted on a field goal until the six-minute mark — when a Retriever jumper knotted the game at 22. The hosts grabbed a two-point lead, but graduate student forward Miles Gibson retied the contest at 24 after a pair of free throws, ending Binghamton’s five-minute scoring drought. Gibson drilled a 3-pointer on the following

possession, but with three minutes remaining, UMBC jumped out in front again — finishing the period on a 6-1 run and leading 30-28 at the break.

“We didn’t allow them to rebound [and] get second chance points, which was a big part of our game, especially when we played [UMBC] at home a couple days ago,” Sanders said. “We came out and executed a lot better which allowed us to be successful.”

The second half began with a back-and-forth scoring effort from both sides, although the Retrievers maintained the advantage throughout. The hosts grew their lead to four points, but a 3-pointer from senior guard Jacob Falko and

a basket from graduate student forward Ogheneyole Akuwovo helped knot the score up at 36-36. UMBC got its lead back up after a pair of shots from beyond the arc, but the Bearcats matched this effort with their own. Petcash drilled a three and was then followed up by one from graduate student guard Christian Hinckson, as BU took a 48-46 lead with 10 minutes left in the contest. “We didn’t shoot [3-pointers] great, but we made some timely ones,” Sanders said. “[Falko] hit one from the corner which was a big three. We made some big free throws. We were able to execute, and that’s the main thing.”

The final stretch of play began with a set of back-

and-forth scoring, but saw Binghamton begin to pull away late. The visitors took a six-point lead with just under four minutes left in the game after Falko converted on his second three of the game. The Retrievers quickly tied the game back up at 62, but consistent makes at the free throw line from the Bearcats kept the hosts at bay. BU made just one field goal during the final six minutes of game time, yet held on to its advantage thanks to its defense and work at the charity stripe. Binghamton exited the contest with a 67-65 victory, earning itself a trip to Vermont for an AE semi-finals matchup.

“For us, it’s always about playing the team that’s in front of us,” Sanders said. “We were

in [the same] situation last year.

We were confident last year, we were confident this year and we never left any of those games when we lost to those teams feeling like we couldn’t win. We were confident going into the game and guys came out [and] played their butts off.”

The Bearcats will face the Catamounts in the semifinals for the second season in a row.

In 2022, Vermont defeated BU 74-42 and ended its AE championship hopes. The No. 1 seeded Catamounts, who won the tournament a year ago, led the AE this season with a 14-2 regular season record and swept both games against Binghamton this year.

“The mentality is just you wanna keep playing,” Sanders

said. “We wanna win the championship. If you wanna win the championship in the America East you have to go through Vermont. We’re gonna go there confident. Last game we played them, we played them tough. We’re not gonna go in there being afraid. It’s the conference tournament and everybody is playing for the same thing. Everybody wants to win the championship and go to the NCAA tournament. That’s our mindset, and that’s what we gotta come out and be prepared to do.”

The Bearcats will hit the road to face the Catamounts on Tuesday, March 7. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Patrick Gymnasium in Burlington, Vermont.

megan patterson staff photographer

Senior guard Denai Bowman scored 16 points and swiped three steals in BU’s 64-54 loss to Maine in the AE quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Bowman and Coleman drop 16 points each in season-ending defeat.

Aidan Jennings assistant sports editor