Spring 2014 Issue 18

Spray painting the town

Asians, Aliens and Sci-Fi

Unlock your inner door lover

Graffiti artist Man One has a vision for Binghamton, planning to revitalize Downtown with four giant murals, see page 10

Professor discusses Asian stereotypes in science fiction, see page 6

Facebook page ‘Doors of Binghamton University’ celebrates doors on campus, see page 6

PIPE DREAM Friday, March 28, 2014 | Binghamton University | www.bupipedream.com | Vol. LXXXV, Issue 18

binghamton university gets

gender inclusive housing 149 Changes will allow students to pick roommates regardless of their gender

Geoffrey Wilson

Assistant News Editor

Binghamton University is set to include gender-inclusive housing options for the fall 2014 semester.

Gender-inclusive housing would allow students at BU to live with anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality. The main purpose of the option is to accommodate for transgender and gender-queer students uncomfortable with being forced to identify as either male or female.

Rainbow Pride Union (RPU) created a petition on change.org Tuesday, asking for “GenderInclusive Housing Options in all of the communities on campus

in order to create a more inclusive living environment.”

The petition was created by Nicole Perlman, a sophomore majoring in psychology, and Alexander Ortell, an undeclared freshman.

According to Perlman, Residential Life contacted RPU within a day of creating the petition. They met with Suzanne Howell, director of Residential Life, and Paola Mignone, associate director of business affairs at Residential Life, to discuss the logistics and implementation of the new housing options.

“They were very open to our ideas, and were more than happy to listen to what we had to say,” Perlman wrote in an email. “They’re very on-

board with the idea of creating Gender-Inclusive housing for next year. Not only would this be for incoming freshman, but an email will be sent out offering Gender-Inclusive housing options to returning students as well, even if those students have already signed up for housing.”

The petition received 292 signatures before it was closed as a result of its success.

According to Donald Lodge, director of RPU and a senior double-majoring in Chinese studies and political science, the choice would be something student can opt into, similar to chemical-free housing. While Hillside and Susquehanna Communities allow coed apartments, students are required to fill a four- or six-

person group.

“Having gender-inclusive housing as a formal option allows all students, not just the ones who are able to fill an apartment, to live comfortably with any gender,” Lodge wrote in an email. “Since freshman can’t even choose the apartment communities as an option, this option would give incoming freshman a chance to have a more comfortable and successful freshman year without the fear that their gender identity or sexuality will affect their roommate relationships.”

Perlman said the specifics regarding housing assignments would be discussed at another

See RPU Page 7

The number of colleges in the United States which offer gender neutral housing

51

schools don’t allow freshmen to live in gender-neutral housing

schools only open gender-neutral housing to students who identify as LGBTQ (UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, Southern Connecticut State University, Wesleyan University, Eastern Michigan University, Montclair State University, Evergreen State College)

1970

Hampshire College becomes the first school to offer gender-neutral housing

CIW crushes competition Prof. talks pot legalization Community crowned smartest on campus Focuses on “It feels great,” Krinsky said. “Shrek”) stumped more than half Alex Mackof goals, not Contributing Writer “Everyone was rooting against of the teams. us; they didn’t think we stood a The score was close for most tactics chance. But we showed them what of the game. CIW, Dickinson and Which community is the smartest on campus?

On Wednesday, the final round of Campus Trivia: Smartest Community on Campus settled the debate once and for all.

The Lil’ Einsteins, who represented College-in-the-Woods, triumphed in the campus-wide trivia competition. Team members Nick Vega, a sophomore majoring in English; Jeremy Bernstein, a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law; Joshua Krinsky, a sophomore majoring in finance; and Adam Lipke, a freshman majoring in accounting, defeated the teams from Newing College, Dickinson Community, Hinman College and Mountainview College.

true champions look like.”

The competition consisted of four rounds with five questions each, and was organized by one member from each community’s Executive Board. Teams answered questions from categories such as math and science, music, history and Binghamton. Thirty seconds were allotted to answer each question.

Sample questions such as “Who was the only U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms in office?” (Grover Cleveland) and “Who said ‘Blue flower, red thorns.

Blue flower, red thorns. Blue flower, red thorns. Man, this would be so much easier if I wasn’t colorblind!’” (Donkey from the movie

Hinman ended the first two rounds in three-way ties.

Mountainview was always one point behind, but managed to catch up at the end of the third round, making it a four-way tie.

Before announcing the winners, a recount from CIW occurred since teams were unsure that the score was kept accurately. Each correct question earned teams one point.

Wyatt Chartrand, a junior majoring in finance, represented Newing by himself. He cited the community’s proactive nature and his personal experience competing in state-level trivia competitions as a source for his confidence heading

See TRIVIA Page 4

BU celebrates Asian culture March 25-30 is Asian Empowerment Week Joseph Hawthorne Pipe Dream News

Binghamton University is celebrating Asian culture and achievement.

March 25 to March 30 is Asian Empowerment Week (AEW), where BU organizations present cultural and informational events each day of the week.

AEW is in place of AsianPacific American Heritage Month, which is in May. Since BU’s spring semester traditionally ends in mid-May and finals are shortly after, the Asian Student Union (ASU) has planned Asian Empowerment Week at the end of March for more than four years.

“The goal of Asian Empowerment Week is to

celebrate the rich Asian culture by spreading awareness and feeling proud to be an Asian American in Binghamton,” wrote Jessica Yee, president of ASU and a junior majoring in biology, in an email. “I hope that students can feel a sense of unity among the Asian American community and realize that there is a strong

See AEW Page 7

Margaret-Rose Roazzi Contributing Writer

One professor at Binghamton University says that it’s time to figure out the goals, not the tactics, of marijuana legalization.

Students gathered in Appalachian Dining Hall Tuesday to attend an event titled “Reefer Madness.” The talk was given by Stephen Lisman, a psychology professor who currently teaches a class called Drugs and Behavior.

After the talk, the professor opened the floor to questions from the audience as brownies were distributed to attendees.

Lisman told the audience it was important for young people to be informed about marijuana and the intricacies of marijuana policy.

“You guys are going to be making the legislation of the future,” Lisman said. “You guys are going to be out of college and making the decisions that affect us, so I want you to think about marijuana policy as complicated.”

Lisman told the audience that before discussing decriminalization and legalization, it was necessary to agree on what the goals of legalization would be.

Tycho McManus/Staff Photographer

Stephan Lisman, a psychology professor who currently teaches a class called Drugs and Behavior, speaks to students Tuesday evening in Appalachian Dining Hall. Lisman told the audience that it was important for young people to be informed about marijuana and the intricacy of marijuana policy.

Examples included decreasing the amount of users, decreasing the amount people actually use or introducing healthier techniques with which to use marijuana.

Marla Goldstein, a freshman double-majoring in psychology and human development, said it is important to get and stay

informed about marijuana.

“I think that its very important for our generation to stay educated on the revolution that pot is making because everything from 20 years ago is no longer relevant,” Goldstein said. “Like alcohol prohibition,

See REEFER Page 6

2

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www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

Students support the Wounded Warriors Project Event features dancing, entertainment and food to raise money for U.S. veterans Carla Sinclair

Contributing Writer A variety of different groups came together Thursday night to eat, dance, learn and contribute to veterans in need.

Hinman College, Theta Chi, Alpha Epsilon Phi (AEPhi) and Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) cohosted the event to fundraise for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

Performances by Binghamton Bhangra, Ballroom Dance Association and Hoop Troop led up to the main event, a presentation about the work performed by the organization.

Thursday’s event was organized by Hinman resident assistants Melanie McCullough and Peter Rodriguez. The $3 fee, which covered entrance costs and the Sodexo-catered food, raised $550, all of which will be donated to the WWP. “We think this is a great cause that deserves more attention from everyone,” said McCullough, a senior majoring in English. “Veterans are present in every community, so many of the students here should be able to relate in some way to the Wounded Warrior Project, whether it is through someone they know personally

or just through being exposed from the news.”

The WWP is a national nonprofit organization whose goal is to promote awareness and services for injured soldiers returning to the U.S. It focuses on four aspects: mind, body, economics and engagement.

From treating post-traumatic stress disorder to adapting to prosthetic legs to reintegrating back into college or the workforce, the WWP focuses on transitioning soldiers as seamlessly as possible.

Different programs include TRACK, the first all-veteran education center in America, and the WWP Packs, which are sent to injured soldiers as they enter military trauma units.

“They don’t want to feel hindered, to feel held back,” Rodriguez said. “They want to feel like they’re resuming their role in society. You don’t have to support the war to support the soldiers.”

PIKE, Theta Chi and AEPhi provided fundraising and advertising assistance to the RAs. Joseph Pellegrino, PIKE’s philanthropy chair, said the event was especially pertinent to some fraternities on campus.

“It was a lot of little details to

think about, like lights and food and tabling, but we wanted to do it because it’s for a good cause,” said Pellegrino, an undeclared sophomore. “We have a couple of brothers going into the army, so we thought it’d be a good event to co-sponsor.”

McCullough said the outside assistance is what helped make the event successful.

“We know that the performance groups will bring high energy and big crowds,” McCullough said. “Their execution in performance is unparalleled by any other dance organizations on campus.”

The audience consisted of fraternity brothers, veterans from the community and Hinman residents, many of whom were there not only to enjoy the show, but also to support the military.

“I had a great time, but I wanted to come tonight to support the troops,” said Sylvan Wilson, a junior majoring in biology.

“I’m not a war person, but I do support our troops.”

Franz Lino/Staff Photographer

Hinman ResLife, Theta Chi, AEPhi and PIKE co-host an event Thursday evening to fundraise for the Wounded Warrior Project. Performances by Binghamton Bhangra, Ballroom Dance Association and Hoop Troop led up to the main event, a presentation about the work performed by the organization.

Campus vows silence to protest LGBTQ harrasment Rainbow Pride Union's silent demonstration, modeled after Day of Silence, to take place on Friday Alex Mackof

Contributing Writer A silent demonstration modeled after the national Day of Silence is happening Friday from 12 to 4 p.m. along the Spine. Later, at 7 p.m. in Old University Union room 111, Break the Silence will follow the demonstration to formally conclude the event. The event

is being hosted by The Equality Project, SHADES, Rainbow Pride Union and Keshet.

The national Day of Silence is on April 11, during Binghamton University’s spring break. The Day of Silence raises awareness about anti-LGBTQ harassment and bullying in schools for students in middle school, high school and college. Those who participate vow to remain silent

throughout the day.

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) said that they hope the national Day of Silence will demonstrate the silence that LGBTQ students feel stifled by on a daily basis when coming to school.

According to Olivia Santoro, vice president of The Equality Project and a senior double-

majoring in sociology and geography, the goals of the silent protest are to raise awareness about the discrimination faced by the LGBTQ community and to acknowledge and celebrate everyone’s differences.

“Issues such as bullying, suicide, homelessness, poverty, work place and housing discrimination, police abuse and incarceration, and

inadequate access to healthcare are important issues that effect the LGBTQ community,” Santoro wrote in an email.

“We hope to bring this to the attention of the audience.”

Break the Silence will feature music, poetry, monologues and other methods of expression to celebrate the LGBTQ community. Rhythm Method, the Slam Poetry Club,

Explorchestra, Collection Romantic Autumn, Liberty Belle and the Union Boys and Strange Appeal will perform.

“We want this event to be a way for everyone to get together, have fun and celebrate who we are,” Santoro wrote.

PAGE III Friday, March 28, 2014

Health Nuts

Pipe Line Local News Authorities say 14 charged in Binghamton gang bust Federal authorities say they have charged 14 members and associates of the Bloods street gang called the “MacBallers” in a drug trafficking bust centered in Binghamton. Prosecutors say arrest and search warrants in the greater Binghamton area and New York City were served early Wednesday and defendants will appear later Wednesday before a federal magistrate. Locations searched include the nightclub called “17 East” in Binghamton, which authorities say the gang members frequented. The federal felony complaint alleges that since September 2009 the group was responsible for distributing quantities of cocaine, heroin and marijuana in the area, using rented vehicles, apartments, prepaid cell phones and guns to do it. The defendants, ranging in age from 23 to 55, could face 10 years to life in prison.

State News Probe: Errors let autistic boy slip from NY school A report says many factors led to an autistic teenager walking out of his New York City school to his death — including a safety agent distracted by a hug and a principal who didn’t want to alarm children with a lockdown. The report released Thursday also says 14-year-old Avonte Oquendo’s teacher failed to pass on a warning from his mother that he was prone to wandering. The mother, Vanessa Fontaine, says “someone has to pay” for her son’s Oct. 4 disappearance from school. His remains were found in the East River. The city schools investigator’s report says the school safety agent at the front desk was distracted when a student hugged her.

It says the principal refused to institute a soft lockdown because he didn’t want to alarm students.

Entenmann’s closing its Long Island bakery A famed baker that has operated on Long Island for more than a century is closing its Bay Shore facility this summer. Entenmann’s parent company Bimbo Bakeries USA announced Thursday that the company is shifting production to other plants. Newsday reports that 178 of the Bay Shore plant’s 265 workers will lose their jobs. A company spokesman says the current facility that opened in 1961 can no longer operate efficiently. The company was founded in Brooklyn in 1898 by William Entenmann. He moved to a small store in Bay Shore in 1905. The company relocated to the current facility in 1961. At its peak it employed 1,500 in Bay Shore. Bimbo Bakeries USA is the U.S. arm of Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo.

Rare Stradivarius viola could bring $45M at sale A rare 1719 Stradivarius viola is expected to sell for more than $45 million in a private sale. Sotheby’s says that price would be a record for a musical instrument sold privately or at auction. The instrument is one of two violas by Antonio Stradivari still in private hands. Only 10 Stradivari violas are known to have survived. This one is called “The Macdonald” after the 3rd Baron Macdonald, Godfrey Bosville, who purchased it in the 1820s. The late Peter Schidlof of the Amadeus Quartet acquired it in 1964. His estate is now selling it. Potential buyers can submit sealed bids through sometime in June. The auction record for a musical instrument is the 1721 “Lady Blunt” Stradivarius violin. It sold online for $15.9 million in 2011.

John Babich/Contributing Photographer

The eighth annual Health Fair was held in the East Gym Wednesday morning. More than 60 vendors showcased products at the event, titled Commit to B-Fit, which was offered in partnership by Binghamton University Dining Services by Sodexo and Campus Recreation.

Police Watch A lighter take on campus crime

Pulling out is always risky TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 11:57 a.m. — University Police was contacted by a witness to report a hit-and-run, said Investigator Patrick Reilly of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. The witnesses observed a car strike another car while it was pulling out and then proceed to drive away. Since one of the witnesses was able to give detailed information about the cars involved as well as the license plates, officers were able to identify the suspect, a 20-yearold female, and the victim, a 20-year-old male. Officers contacted the suspect, who stated that while she was pulling out, she thought she either hit or ran over something. She then got out of the car and decided that there was no damage to the other car and drove away. Police were able to find the victim’s car, though, and saw damage to the front left side of the car, where there was a visible scratch and paint transfer, as well as damage to the driver’s side headlight. The case is still under investigation.

Steak it to the man TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 5:19 p.m. — A manager at the Appalachian Dining Hall in Mountainview College reportedly saw a male steal from the dining hall, Reilly said.

The manager stated that he had seen the suspect steal food previously at the dining hall.

This Day in History Corrections Pipe Dream strives for accuracy in all we publish. We recognize that mistakes will sometimes occur, but we treat errors very seriously. If you see a mistake in the paper, please contact Editorin-Chief Christina Pullano at editor@bupipedream.com.

stabilizing: 7 person news team

March 28th 1834 President Andrew Jackson is censured

by Congress for refusing to turn over documents. Jackson was the first president to suffer this formal disapproval from Congress.

In February, the suspect allegedly took an expensive piece of steak on “Steak Night” and placed it inside his wrap sandwich. The manager was upset because the suspect stole an item yet again. Officers were able to identify the suspect as a 20-year-old male. Officers visited the suspect in his dorm and advised him that he was being reported to the Office of Student Conduct in lieu of being arrested, but that if he decides to steal again, he will be arrested. When asked why he stole, the suspect stated that he thought it was not wrong because he was stealing from a corporation and not a person.

Time to restock WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 5:47 p.m. — While resident director staff in Newing College’s Bingham Hall were conducting a routine fire inspection, some members noticed the odor of marijuana coming from a room that was being inspected, Reilly said. The staff found a metal grinder in the room as well. As a result, RD staff called University Police, and the officers were able to track down the 18-year-old male resident of the single room. The officers spoke to the suspect, who was able to give them .2 grams of a green leafy substance, which tested positive as marijuana. The suspect was given an appearance ticket for Vestal Town Court.

“Spring is

outside.”

— Conan O’Brien via Twitter, Thursday

the plague :destabilizing

4

NEWS

Palestinian refugee speaks to students Visiting prof. talks about finding peace with justice Christina Pullano Editor-in-Chief

A Palestinian refugee spoke on campus Monday, recounting the hardships he and his family faced and discussing what it will take to achieve a peaceful solution on the ground.

Professor Asad Al-Ghalith teaches at the University of Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, but he got his start in academia in the United States, attending both the University of Missouri and West Virginia University. His talk Monday, called “The Land of Sad Oranges: Trials and Tribulations of a Palestinian Refugee,” was hosted by the Binghamton University English department, BU Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), the BU sociology department and the Graduate Student Employees Union.

Al-Ghalith discussed life as a refugee for him and his family. His family had to flee Palestine during the 1948 ArabIsraeli War, and moved between several refugee camps during Al-Ghalith’s childhood. Born in 1956, Al-Ghalith talked about what the land meant to his family and their community of mainly farmers.

“Their relationship to

the land was existential,” AlGhalith said. “That harmonious relationship with the land was suddenly and severely ruptured … in 1948 and the Palestinians found themselves refugees in many countries.”

Al-Ghalith described his life when his family had to again become refugees, when he was in fifth grade. He recounted running with his family, standing near a bridge on the Jordan River, when violence struck.

“We were about 50 yards, maybe 100 yards away from the river, when the Israeli jets came on the last day of the war and bombed the bridge,” Al-Ghalith said.

The bridge wasn’t totally destroyed, Al-Ghalith said, but the shelling left large holes that rendered it uncrossable.

He described a moment that stuck with him: seeing a pregnant woman who had been shot in the stomach, as her daughter tried to use mud from the river to stop her mother’s bleeding.

“No one dared to stop and help this bleeding woman or her daughter or the people who were dismembered on the bridge,” AlGhalith said. “They feared that [they] were coming again to

finish the job.”

Al-Ghalith also talked about the living quarters for refugees.

For several months, he lived in a classroom with two other families — a total of 21 people.

“Of course there is no privacy, no chance to take a shower, no chance to sleep with all those kids crying and running, no food,” Al-Ghalith said.

He said his family received a loaf of bread each day to eat and, if they were lucky, a piece of moldy cheese.

That summer, Al-Ghalith and his family moved to a refugee camp in the Jordan Valley, where they lived in a tent with a dirt floor. 100,000 refugees were placed on the one-squarekilometer area, he said.

Al-Ghalith also discussed the future for peace in the region.

He said an unjust solution will not last in the long run.

“Only just peace has a chance to stick and last for generations to come,” Al-Ghalith said.

Steve Knauss, a fifth-year graudate student studying sociology, said bringing speakers like Al-Ghalith to campus are important in expanding views represented on campus.

“We have a warped reality on this campus, and the experiences of Palestinian refugees have been all but wiped out of it,” Knauss said. “Having a personal firsthand account of the tribulations of a Palestinian refugee really helps drive home just how much the Palestinian people have really sacrificed, in a way that facts and numbers don’t to the average student.”

Tyler Albertario, president of SJP and a senior majoring in political science, said Al-Ghalith “exuded personal strength” and appealed to the audience.

“He provided an inspiring appeal to the better instincts of human beings in the room,” Albertario said. “His main point is that we can have peace, but there has to be justice.”

www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

CIW outsmarts rest of campus TRIVIA continued from Page 1 in.

“I think the leadership mentality makes Newing the smartest community on campus.

We have a leadership class which I take that I definitely think has helped prepare me,” Chartrand said.

According to Krinsky, the CIW team relied on their ability to evade intimidation and their regular game show viewing.

“Never in our lives have we been scared of anything,” Krinsky said. “We watch ‘Jeopardy’ at least four times a month. We didn’t have anything to be worried about.”

The Lil’ Einsteins will receive three $75 gift cards to a Student Association-approved store or business of their choice. To be SA approved, an establishment must not sell alcohol, drugs, firearms or cigarettes.

The team currently has plans to

get gift cards to Amazon.

The Lil’ Einsteins worked together to achieve victory, admitting that nobody was forced to carry the team; the win was a collaborative effort.

“Everyone answered questions equally, and it was a team effort,” Krinsky said. “In the end, we ended up on top.”

We showed them what true champions look like Josh Krinsky

BU Sophomore

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www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

5

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STUDENTS & SODEXO

By Brendan Zarkower | Contributing Writer

Students met with Sodexo chefs and managers to voice complaints and suggestions at the biweekly Student Culinary Council meeting.

Here’s what they covered:

STUDENTS SAY: We would like a program where each student would be charged per disposable container purchased and used while at a resident or retail dining location. This would allow for a reduction in the base cost portion of the meal plan fee.

SODEXO RESPONDS: Indicated that it was under consideration.

Rename the International Station, it is really just a breakfast location.

We are in the process of changing the name to “Cakes and Eggs” now.

We would like a smaller and cheaper milkshake.

We recently added an eight ounce milkshake to the menu at The Diner.

We are working with the Real Food Challenge to bring grass-fed beef to the campus. Students cited prices for beef that they had found and asked if these were viable.

CIW’s dining committee requested more cleaners in the Union, especially the booths.

Responded that they would meet on a later date to discuss the specifics or pricing. They also noted that the price of beef has risen dramatically in recent weeks and therefore, might make this plan more difficult to implement.

We should have enough workers who are assigned to this job, we will look into what the problem is.

As per the request of this committee, Sodexo will start to carry Snapple in the University Union. It is part of the 10 percent of shelf space allowed for non-Coke products.

Additionally, the contract with Coke has been extended for 10 years. Sodexo representatives believe this is a good thing, especially due to their willingness to cooperate with us on things like the Snapple deal.

On March 31, a pilot program will be initiated for reusable dining hall take-out containers in College-in-the-Woods. Two hundred and fifty reusable containers have been purchased. Students will pay a deposit and be allowed to use one container at a time, bring it back to a dining hall facility for cleaning and retrieve a new one, cutting down on waste and cost.

Sodexo will be increasing the amount of almond milk in the Union, as it has been selling faster than they can keep up with.

As a result of the feedback of the Student Culinary Council, half sizes at Cafe Spice were started. They have been selling well thus far.

Students and Sodexo employees discussed whether money from meal plans will roll over or not without a $25 fee — some discussion but sources differed concerning when this is true.

Peter Napolitano (Directory of Auxiliary Services) — Use all your meal plan money before you graduate or take a semester off because once you do, the money is gone.

Sodexo is piloting a new app that will allow students to order food from the Marketplace through their smartphones. It will allow the use of meal plan, BUC$ or credit card. The food will be prepaid for, and an order number along with a pickup time will be delivered to the student.

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Prof. talks aliens and racism

www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

Lisman talks legality

Cheng discusses Asian stereotypes in sci-fi Rachel Bluth News Editor

Aliens have been destroying cities and terrorizing humans in the realm of science fiction for nearly a century, but according to one Binghamton professor, the origins of these creatures are more racist than extraterrestrial.

In a lecture given on Wednesday called “Asians, Aliens and Science Fiction,” assistant professor in the Asian American studies department John Cheng detailed how early science fiction borrowed from racist representations of Asians in American culture in the 19th and 20th centuries.

According to Cheng, concerns about the massive immigration of Asians to the US in the 19th century led to the pervasive fear of the “yellow peril,” and many Americans feared the “invasion of the asiatic hordes.”

Chinese immigrants were often depicted in popular culture as dumb laborers, unable even to understand why meat was better than rice.

In the 20th century, these fears transformed into the trope that Cheng called the “Evil Oriental Genius,” who, through his mastery of math and science, controlled the invading Asian horde in order to topple American culture.

Cheng drew parallels between the bigoted view of the “invading” Asian immigrants and the depiction of aliens as coming to invade Earth.

“We have strong associations with aliens, but why are they

always threatening and invading?

It is because that is where these tropes come from,” Cheng said.

Cheng pointed to two examples of highly racialized villains in science fiction. In a 1928 comic strip “Armageddon 2419,” the hero Tony Rogers, who would later become the character Buck Rogers, wakes up after 500 years to find that the world is now ruled by the “Han Air Lords,” and joins up with resistance fighters in a war “between the white and yellow races in the second war of American independence.”

Cheng also pointed to the 1934 comic Flash Gordon, meant to compete with the Buck Rogers franchise, where the villain is a yellow alien named Ming the Merciless. He is the leader of the planet Mongo and wears traditional mandarin robes.

“So if the Asians are the ones with the superior technology, how do you maintain white supremacy?”

Cheng asked.

“The solution is to make them extraterrestrial.”

According to Cheng, the word “alien” as a term for an extraterrestrial being didn’t come into popular use until after WWII. Previously, the term “martian” was applied, or the antagonists were simply beasts or insects from space. He said the word “alien” has strongly racial implications, because it was being used at the same time to denote Asian exclusion in the 20th century. Some Asian immigrants were classified as “aliens ineligible for citizenship.”

“The whole point of the discussion about why Asians should be excluded was because

Asians were so fundamentally different from Americans that we shouldn’t let them into the country,” Cheng said. “It becomes a space version of a racialized survival of the fittest.”

He noted that although science fiction writers and artists had almost no limits on how to depict aliens, yet they always ended up looking relatively human, and frequently Asian.

Artists borrowed imagery from “Villain Serial” magazines from 1935 and 1936 like “The Mysterious Wu Fang” and “Dr. Yen Sin,” the covers of which usually depicted a nefarious Asian man dressed in traditional Manchu garb putting a white woman in danger.

“Most people say that sci-fi is not about race because you can imagine things from other worlds, but people are using race,” Cheng said.

Eric Lee a junior doublemajoring in history and medieval studies, said he thought that some Asian stereotypes are still pervasive in popular culture today.

“I think it’s highly commercialized by Hollywood,” Lee said. “They might not consciously know this, but they are still being the active participants of the commercialization of stereotypes.”

Cheng is the author of the book, “Astounding Wonder,” about science fiction in interwar America.

This lecture was hosted by Asian Outlook and is part of Asian Empowerment Week, which will run through March 30.

Tycho McManus/Staff Photographer

Stephen Lisman, a psychology professor, gives a talk titled “Beyond Reefer Madness” Tuesday night in Appalachian Dining Hall. “You guys are going to be making the legislation of the future,” Lisman said.

REEFER continued from Page 1 it’s eventually going to be made legal.”

Lisman described the history of how marijuana came to be demonized, telling the story of Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics, who testified before Congress and stated that marijuana could cause madness and murderous tendencies. Anslinger also popularized the idea of marijuana as a gateway drug, saying that marijuana users turned to heroin once the high from marijuana was no longer enough.

Lisman went on to explain that there are certain health issues observed in chronic, heavy marijuana smokers. He said that there is just as much, if not more, tar in marijuana as in cigarettes. He also said that the substances in tobacco linked to cellular cancer mutations are also present in marijuana.

Lisman said that recreational use seemed to be safe from most of these health concerns, but mentioned that more research must be done before this statement can be proven.

“There’s very little basis for thinking that recreational use, meaning something less than

three joints or four joints a day, can cause serious health problems,” Lisman said.

Lisman ended the talk by reminding the audience that scientific study was the only way to gain conclusive evidence about the effects of marijuana. In order to move forward, Lisman said, people need to get all the facts on marijuana.

Kenneth Greenstein, an undeclared freshman, said he believed it was important to be informed about marijuana.

“Once the older generation dies off, we’re the generation that makes the laws to legalize it, so we need to be informed,” Greenstein said.

Don't read books, read

Pipe Dream

/ /

BU gets inclusive housing RPU continued from Page 1 meeting, but RPU will be heavily involved in the process.

“We will be working closely with ResLife to try to work out any kinks in the process that may arise,” she wrote.

Lodge said it was important to inform administrators of this need and match the standards of competitive schools.

“The main goal is to alert the administration that this is an issue that people care about and something that should be changed,” Lodge wrote.

“Many other schools already offer gender inclusive housing for people who ask for it.”

SUNY Geneseo and University at Albany, both schools within the SUNY system, already accommodate for students who apply for gender-inclusive housing.

Lodge said that gender-inclusive housing is essential for transgender and gender-queer students, but it benefits everyone regardless of how they identify themselves.

“It allows cisgendered–people who identity as the gender they were assigned at birth–individuals to live with the opposite gender if both parties desire to live together,” Lodge wrote. “It also helps some people who identify as Gay or Lesbian because they can choose any roommate without worrying that they’ll be discriminated against for their sexuality.”

According to Perlman, while genderinclusive housing has been successfully pitched to Residential Life, gender-neutral bathrooms are not currently part of the plans.

“There has already been a push to create more gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, and the Rainbow Pride Union plans to further advocate for them to the administration in the future,” Perlman wrote.

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Asian Empowerment hits University AEW continued from Page 1 presence of Asian Americans on this campus.”

AEW is organized by ASU, in collaboration with Asian Outlook (AO), BU Japanese Association (BUJA), Chinese American Student Union (CASU), Korean American Student Association (KASA), PhilippineAmerican League (PAL), Taiwanese American Student Coalition (TASC) and Vietnamese Student Association (VSA).

Past events included a K-Pop dance

workshop by PAL on Tuesday and a tai chi workshop by CASU on Thursday.

On Wednesday, AO hosted John Cheng, an assistant professor of Asian and Asian American studies at BU, who explained his research about science fiction and Asian-American history.

For Saturday, the office of the vice president for multicultural affairs (VPMA) for the Student Association, along with ASU, is sponsoring the International Film Festival, where the film “Linsanity” will be shown.

According to VPMA Isis McIntosh

Green, AEW is an opportunity for students to learn from students.

“It is important for weeks like this to be organized to reflect on the history, triumphs, and traditions of a particular culture that have allowed many generations of students to receive higher education today,” Green wrote in an email.

Events are planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday by TASC, BUJA and VSA. These include Game Night, a cultural workshop and a high schoolthemed Vietnam culture night.

“The main goals of AEW are

to empower Asian-Americans and highlight the different cultures, issues, and accomplishments of Asian-Americans to members of campus not involved in the AsianAmerican community,” wrote FuYun Fan, president of TASC and a senior majoring in integrative neuroscience, in an email. “Another goal is also to have different AsianAmerican cultures support, learn about each other, and unite despite our background differences.”

Schedule of Events Tuesday, March 25 7:00 p.m. KASA- Kpop Dance Workshop, FA 104 8:00 p.m. PAL in collaboration Men of Color general body meeting, UU 202

Wednesday, March 26 5:30 p.m. AO- Asians, Aliens and Science Fiction talk with John Cheng, UU 108

Thursday, March 27 7:00 p.m. CASU- Tai Chi workshop, FA 93A

Friday, March 28 6:00 p.m. Game Night, UU 215

Saturday, March 29 7:00 p.m. BUJA- Cultural Workshop, UU 102

Sunday, March 30 5:30 p.m. VSA- Vietnamese Night, UU Mandela Room

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Graffiti artist brings colorful vision to Binghamton Man One plans to put Downtown Binghamton on the map by painting 4 giant murals Odeya Pinkus | Staff Writer They say that it takes just one man to make a change, but in Binghamton’s case, what we might need is Man One. Students and community members alike gathered in Old Union Hall Tuesday night to hear Man One discuss his life, his work and his plans for the city of Binghamton. Man One, also known as Alejandro Poli, is a world-renowned artist specializing in large-scale graffiti pieces. Over the course of a weekend in midMay, he plans to redecorate and revitalize our area by painting four giant murals Downtown.

Poli grew up loving art and always drawing in his spare time.

One day as he rode the bus to high school, his friend showed him how to “tag” a bus. At the time, he was listening to a band called Mantronix, so he wrote their name as his tag. Soon this became an everyday occurrence, and as they ran out of unmarked buses, Poli and his friends moved to decorating the streets. At this point, however, he had to shorten

his name.

“Mantronix was way too long,” Poli said. “By the time I got to the ‘X’ I was sure to get arrested.” He shortened it to Man One, keeping part of Mantronix, but adding the “One” to show that he was the original “Man” in town.

Poli said he was a horrible artist at first, but as he continued to practice and create, he greatly improved. He learned the most important part of graffiti art: can control (the ability to make straight lines and not drip). He practiced on paper to refine his skills.

“I was really blown away by what you can do and get away with at a really quick amount of time,” Poli said. “In 10 minutes you could do something kind of cool and in an hour you can make something even cooler, and in three hours you could make it huge.”

Besides needing to work on his technique and style, Poli needed to spend his time fighting for the legitimacy of his work. He felt that he needed to explain why it was a “viable art form.”

“To me, it was always art,” Poli continued. “And it didn’t matter what anybody else thought.”

Due to his location in the tumultuous city of Los Angeles, people assumed that if you held a spray can then you also held a criminal record.

“It was no different than a mural. To me it was like, ‘It’s just a painting on a wall’; to other people it wasn’t that,” Poli said. “[When you have a spray can] it doesn’t become art anymore. It becomes, ‘You’re a gang member … we need to treat you like a criminal.’”

Man One, however, took the legal road. When he wanted to make a mural, he would ask for permission from building owners.

As word spread of his work, he began getting contracts from companies like Coca-Cola and Capitol Records. He continued to paint and found the chance to grow as an artist and spread his talent.

Man One had his first solo exhibition in 1994. At the time, he said, no galleries were displaying graffiti because it wasn’t regarded as true art. But through persistence and perseverance, he kept making his own shows when no other opportunities arose. He found an artist community and “global network” that would paint

together and collaborate all over the world. In 2002, Poli opened up the Crewest Gallery, a combination paint shop and exhibit. In 2006, he relocated to a bigger space in downtown LA. Man One was part of a movement that transformed downtown LA in the late 2000s.

The Mural Festival there helped the area gain attention, growth and prosperity. After seeing the effects on LA, both Man One and many students at Binghamton University believe that the same can happen to our own city.

The project is spearheaded by BU’s Innovation and Creativity class, a course under the School of Management and Watson School of Engineering. The class strives to pull together students from different schools to find new solutions to different problems. Taught by Kim Jaussi, students intend to “disrupt the universe, transform cultures and change mindsets.” They want to create change by involving the community and facilitating teamwork.

“It’s a holistic process that goes from big picture to very intimate

details,” said Jacob Bogossiam, a senior majoring in management at SUNY Broome Community College.

The project is the perfect convoy for this class, as Man One made it clear that it’s all about community involvement. Before his lecture began, one could walk around the room and make a small contribution to the project. Large papers were hung on the wall, with questions posed above them such as “I feel connected to the city when…” and “What do you look for in a healthy neighborhood?”

There were easels set up, with prompts such as “What does home look like?” and “The most beautiful place in Binghamton is…” Man One is looking for inspiration, and for help. As the project draws closer, there will be numerous ways to get involved and be a part of this project.

That being said, success won’t come easy. The community will need to band together to raise $75,000 to put on a mural festival.

There will be food, musicians and, of course, tons of art supplies.

Man One sees potential in Downtown Binghamton.

As word spread of his work, he began getting contracts from companies like Coca-Cola and Capitol Records.

“I think there’s some great buildings and some great areas where art is just like, calling out, you know … like needs to be in these areas, and I’m inspired by the architecture, I’m inspired by the landscape … I haven’t been there but I’ve heard there’s a great First Fridays that happens, and so I think bringing those things together will be awesome, I think the people are ready for it,” Poli said.

'Doors' blows campus off hinges New Facebook page parodies passe campus internet trends Kathryn Shafsky | Staff Writer They say when a window closes, a door opens. In just two weeks, a new student-run Facebook page has appeared. But unlike other popular pages, this one is not about the students; it’s about one of our unsung heroes: the Binghamton University door. With over 1,500 likes already, Doors of Binghamton University is reinventing what it means to be a door on campus.

Created by a freshman majoring in computer science who requested his name not be disclosed, Doors of Binghamton University is a Facebook page that posts pictures of various doors around campus.

After seeing so many Binghamtonrelated Facebook pages pop up on his News Feed, he decided to make one of his own after joking about the idea with his roommate.

“The first door I posted was my door to my room,” he said. “I was just sitting in my bed and I took it. I

didn’t even get out of bed. The next few I took, I was going to class and saw a door I liked and posted it.”

Recently, the page has begun to mirror its predecessor, Humans of Binghamton University, providing readers with insight into what the doors at BU are really thinking.

One post featured double doors and posed the question, “What is it like being a twin?” and the response: “I’m lucky. He’s the only one I can really open up to.”

“The first one I put a quote on was the New Union revolving door,” he said. “I wasn’t even serious about putting a quote on it. After I did that it got a bunch of likes and my page got a lot more popular so I did it again.”

The quote reads, “What’s your favorite part about being a revolving door on campus?” “The freedom.”

With the lack of information about doors on campus before the start of the page, some students

are appreciative of Doors’ ability to help students learn more about the walkways they use every day.

“I was amazed because for the longest time I was deeply bothered by the lack of information about various doors on campus,” said Tony Fahey, a freshman majoring in computer science. “This page has not only fulfilled, but actually exceeded my needs.”

Exposure to different places around campus is something that the page’s creator has experienced himself, often receiving pictures from friends of different doors.

“The most recent posts are doors that my friends sent me, which is cool because you don’t always see all of the other parts of campus that your friends see,” Doors’ creator said.

Doors of Binghamton University isn’t just making students laugh, but is also allowing students to appreciate BU in a new way.

“I like that it doesn’t take

itself too seriously,” said Keren Orr, a sophomore majoring in environmental studies. “Unlike Bing-U Secrets, where people often complain about Binghamton, this is a lighthearted way to celebrate it.”

The creator makes sure to try to post different types of doors on the page, but said he doesn’t yet have a favorite door on campus. The page also has “Window Wednesdays” in an attempt to broaden students’ perspective of buildings around campus.

One thing that the creator hasn’t found yet, however, is the elusive “perfect door.”

“I don’t know if there is a perfect door,” he said. “Every door is just really cool. To say there’s a perfect door would imply that there are imperfect doors too, and they’re all great.”

Kendall Loh/Photo Editor

An elevator door, which is a type of door that might be featured on Doors of Binghamton University one day.

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Anna Szilagyi | Contributing Writer

people watching places on campus

For some of us, the most exciting parts of the new Marketplace aren’t the food options, but the peoplewatching spots.

For all you amateur stalkers, watching your fellow students is about to get easier We’re all guilty of a slightly creepy, yet endlessly entertaining pastime: people watching. Campus is ideal for getting your fix when it comes to stranger-gazing. Some of us prefer to imagine the lives and daily drama going on between people, while others scan crowds for potential mates. Regardless of your goal, consider staking out in these spots on campus for prime people watching.

1. Einstein Bros Bagels Aside from the jalapeño schmear and fresh-squeezed

OJ, one of Einstein’s main attractions is the globe-like structure of its seating area.

Once you grab your food, sit just about anywhere in the fishbowl for a clear view of people walking to Lecture Hall or Science I for class. The glare on the fully-windowed room makes it difficult to see inside, so you’ll have no problems being subtle.

2. The benches along Lois B. DeFleur Walkway (the Spine) The Spine is typically packed with students right

before popular class times.

On the rare “Springhamton” day (over 40 degrees and not cloudy), there’s nothing better than grabbing a bench, or even a patch of grass, along the Spine with an iced coffee, a book and a pair of sunglasses to hide your people-watching eyes. Who knows, maybe you’ll even end up being snagged out of the crowd by Humans of Binghamton University for a photo. Or watch it happen to someone else, at least.

3. College-in-the-Woods Dining Hall booths

The upper level of the CIW Dining Hall isn’t just for bacon cheeseburgers with a side of shame at 1 a.m. The booth tables give you a perfect view of the main seating area below.

During typical lunch or dinner times, it’s easy to spot a friend, a person you want to be your friend (a friend crush, if you will) or a hot stranger from the booths. Shouting at them from above and then hiding is optional.

4. Glenn G. Bartle Library lobby The library lobby is full

of traffic pretty much all day long. Students pass through for a shortcut to avoid the cold, to print 200 textbook pages or to grab coffee at Jazzman’s.

From the seats along the lobby wall, you can catch all of these people while hiding behind a book or even a copy of Pipe Dream.

5. The Marketplace For some of us, the most exciting parts of the new Marketplace aren’t the food options, but the peoplewatching spots. The booths and couches around the periphery,

though highly coveted by people actually getting work done, provide an excellent view of the action at the center. If you wait long enough, you’ll be grateful to have the best seat in the house for a couple fight or a budding romance over Mein Bowl.

Use these tips to enhance your people-watching experience, but with caution — we don’t want everyone catching on to us.

Fall in love with the food you hate: Sodexo bucket list From Nite Owl fries to C4 salad, there are a few dining hall gems you have to try Gabriella Ginsberg | Staff Writer “Bucket list” seems too harsh a term — we’re seniors in college, not senior citizens — but this is one of our last chances to be dramatic and make lists that we can accomplish before time runs out. This list involves the love/ abhorrence relationship that we have with Sodexo. Here are the Sodexo meals you need to try before you graduate.

Caesar salad at Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center Located in the International section (we don’t know why), the Caesar salad is a staple of this dining hall. Consider it

the fifth “C” and load up your plate because they’ve always got tons. For some reason, it’s always next to fancy pastries like éclairs or tiramisu, probably for contrast.

Vegan station at Collegein-the-Woods Dining Hall There’s a new guy running Gifts from the Garden, but he’s pretty cool, so give him a chance. This station is famous for offering consistently edible and hearty entrees, so stop by one day and try a pecan patty, tempeh taco or Amazon chili.

Mediterranean bar at Appalachian Dining Hall Call it Little Greece, call it delicious or call it annoying that you have to weigh it all on a separate plate, but the

Mediterranean section at Appalachian makes it worth the hike. Load up a pita with hummus, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes or tabbouleh and eggplant for a small taste of Turkey.

Waffle fries at Mountainview Night Owl They’re fries that look like tiny waffles. Enough said.

Sugar cookies at any location If you spot one, immediately purchase it and tweet the geographic coordinates.

A committee will be by shortly to document your findings and publish them in the academic journal “Exotic Sodexo Offerings.”

Alternatively, buy out the lot and consume

accordingly in solitude and secrecy. They’re incredible.

Churros at Hinman Night Owl Like sugar cookies, these surface about once a year, usually around Cinco de Mayo. These are pretty far from the real thing but are still enjoyable for fans of the tubular doughnut.

Milkshakes at the Woods Diner The options are expensive but endless. Go nuts and mix the flavor of the day with Oreos and malt, or stay classic and get an old-fashioned vanilla shake. The architecture of CIW doesn’t make sense, but their milkshakes sure do.

Whether you love or hate

Sodexo, consider making room in your heart for that special something. Dinner or late-night snack runs with college buddies are privileges that won’t last forever. As the

weather warms up, there are few places I’d rather be than outside slurping down ice cream with friends. I might even miss the food once I’m gone.

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5 cartoons that aren't 'The Simpsons' or 'Family Guy' Photo Provided by FX

When it comes to late night cartoons, the line isn't drawn at Animation Domination on Fox Rich Kersting | Release As far as American programming is concerned, cartoons have held an important historical role in television.

For most of this time, however, cartoons have maintained an important, yet limited time slot: mornings and early afternoons.

This all changed, however, in the 1990s with the launch of Cartoon Network, which exists to this day to air animated content almost exclusively (give or take a few lame live-action movies).

Also, in 1989, Fox began airing the primetime animated sitcom,

“The Simpsons,” which after 25 years still maintains a successful primetime slot in Fox’s programming, and paved the way for other animated shows.

Arguably, the big three animated shows today are “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy” and “South Park.” While these tried and true shows continue to entertain with great success, there are other options to consider for people looking to add more animated programs to their watch list.

1. “Archer” “Archer” is an animated comedy created by Adam Reed for FX. While the first four seasons of the show followed the dysfunctional inner workings of the fictional intelligence agency, ISIS, the show has recently undergone a revamp for its fifth season, “Archer: Vice,” which follows the character’s efforts to run a successful drug cartel in the aftermath of the agency being disbanded by the U.S. government. The show follows the narcissistic, culturally witty and hilariously irresponsible master spy, Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin), as he jeopardizes the lives of his friends and coworkers, all the

The world of cartoons and animated alternative entertainment is currently a thriving bed of creativity and entertainment.

while disappointing his boss, who just happens to be his alcoholic, emotionally distant mother.

“Archer” offers you the ride of a lifetime: quick-witted jokes amid a half hour of explosions and ridiculous gun fights. It doesn’t get much better than this.

2. “Adventure Time” While often considered a children’s show, “Adventure Time” is arguably one of the most enjoyable, yet dark and depressing animated programs on television, and people love it. Created by Pendleton Ward, “Adventure Time” is a show that works to rekindle the youthful soul in us all. Since its premiere in 2010, “Adventure Time” has won several awards, including a Primetime Emmy, and has also garnered a quasi-cult following among college students and casual drug users in general.

Set in the post apocalyptic Land of Ooo, the show follows the whimsical and humorous adventures of Finn, a human boy and the last of his kind, and his best friend, a magical dog named Jake. Each episode is 11 minutes long and follows the duo’s overcoming of obstacles in their way to be the heroes they know themselves in their hearts to be.

“Adventure Time” airs on Cartoon

Network, and the first season can be streamed on Netflix.

3. “Rick and Morty” If spies and mystical postapocalyptia aren’t really your style, then maybe “Rick and Morty” has what you’re looking for. From “Community” creator Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, “Rick and Morty” is a brand-new show that follows the irreverent and morally questionable adventures of Morty, a socially awkward 14-year-old boy, and his alcoholic, mentally unstable, super-genius grandfather, Rick. Together, they traverse across space and time in order to make new breakthroughs in Rick’s often unethical and pseudo-scientific projects. These escapades often leave the two in absurd and hilarious situations, ranging from adopting a new dimension after the destruction of their own to being trolled by a virtual reality system. The other aspect of the show involves Morty’s parents as they struggle through a loveless marriage, and Morty’s older, typical “white girl” sister, Summer. “Rick and Morty” premiered last December and is currently on the ninth episode of its 11-episode run on Adult Swim, where it has been renewed for a second season.

4. “Robot Chicken” OK, if you didn’t like “Robot Chicken” back in high school, you probably won’t like it now. If you did like it, you always will, and if you’ve never seen it, then give it a try. From the twisted mind of Seth Green comes a stop motion, claymation, comedy sketch show that takes all the beloved and cherished characters from toys and shows you know and love and pits them into disturbing, hilarious and mature situation.

While the show may be unfit for sober daytime viewing, “Robot Chicken” is the perfect show for sleep-deprived, inebriated, 4 a.m. entertainment. The show boasts an incredible list of celebrity guest stars, and has won three Emmys over its six-season run.

The seventh season of “Robot Chicken” is planned for April 2014 on Adult Swim.

5. “The Boondocks” With its return for a fourth and final season planned for this April, there’s never been a better time to catch up on Aaron McGruder’s “The Boondocks.” Originally a comic strip, “The Boondocks” finally realized its potential as a television show when it was picked up for a 15-episode run

by Adult Swim. “The Boondocks” tell the story of Huey and Riley,

two brothers who move out of the inner city to live with their shorttempered granddad, whose rules and demands are often a point of contention. The show is narrated

by Huey, a revolutionary, freethinking, leftist kid who often takes up projects aimed at stopping civil injustices. Riley is Huey’s troublemaking younger brother, who enthusiastically worships contemporary AfricanAmerican pop culture and aims at being the toughest, meanest gangster in white, middle-class suburbia. While both sparking controversy and garnering critical acclaim, “The Boondocks” is a smart show that is consistently funny, constantly enlightening and highly addictive.

The world of cartoons and animated alternative entertainment is currently a thriving bed of creativity and entertainment. Using animation to explore irreverent absurdities, the creators of these shows are offering something that cannot be done through any other medium. So if you’re tired of the same “Family Guy” episode airing every night on TBS, or if you’re tired of doing “The Simpsons” a favor by tuning in to it, consider adding these cartoons to your normal lineup.

How to get college class credit minus the classes With these programs, no longer will you be confined to tests and lectures for grades Samantha Steiner | Contributing Writer The spring sunshine may be blocked out by heaps of snow, but registration season is upon us. Instead of the traditional classroom experience, consider these campus-run programs for credit instead: The Dean’s Team The Dean’s Team is a twocredit internship program that brings a wide range of services to the Binghamton University student body.

“For a lot of people around our office, this is the first group they think of when they want student opinions,” said Morgan Appel, a program

coordinator with the Dean of Students Office.

The program includes a class that meets an hour per week. The meeting time is designed to work around interns’ schedules. Interns also regularly attend conferences with presenters from across campus.

“Next week the vice president of student affairs, Brian Rose, is coming in to talk about how the budget works,” Appel said. “Here’s the inside scoop on how things work.”

Because there are currently 11 Dean’s Team members, students participate on a much more personal level than they might in a larger group. Last

semester, members attended a dinner held at Dean of Students April Thompson’s home.

“This is a chance to get to know administrators as people,” Appel said.

The deadline to apply for the Dean’s Team internship next semester is Friday, April 11.

The application is available on B-Engaged.

The Road Map The Road Map Student Task Force is a presidential internship offered for two graded credits.

Students develop a project of their choosing and persuade the administration to implement it.

“The interns are broken

up into several teams, usually made up of about five to six people,” said Chiara Zaccheo, a senior double-majoring in geography and environmental studies. “I’m on the Business Manual team — we are creating a manual for Binghamton students interested in startups.”

Groups meet with President Harvey Stenger four times throughout the semester to keep track of their progress.

The application for this program is not yet available.

Teaching Assistant Finally, if you want to see the classroom from a new perspective, consider becoming a teaching assistant.

In

addition to taking attendance and holding office hours, TAs often get to try their hand at planning and conducting lessons themselves.

May Yagual, a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering, decided to become a TA for an intermediate Spanish course taught by professor Olga Martin.

“I usually do a lot of group study, and I realized I liked teaching other people,” Yagual said.

Many departments allow you to become a TA for two to four credits and determine your workload accordingly.

Students usually become TAs for courses they have already

taken and enjoyed, or in subjects in which they have a firm knowledge base. This is an ideal opportunity to get a taste of a career in education, and to get to know faculty members on a more personal level.

“You kind of bond with the professor you TA for,” Yagual said. “[Professor Martin] told me she was a mechanical engineer in Venezuela and she worked for Lockheed Martin.”

In order to become a TA, contact the professor for the course you have in mind and visit the department through which it’s offered to pick up the appropriate forms.

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WOMEN'S spring fashion Pastels, denim jackets and not too-short shorts are all the rage this upcoming season Yael Rabin | Staff Writer The days are longer, birds are chirping and warm weather is on the horizon.

It’s spring, and it’s time for a wardrobe change. Here’s a rundown of the latest trends in women’s spring fashion and a guide to transitioning your winter wardrobe to spring!

Go denim: There are certain wardrobe staples every woman should have, from the little black dress to the perfect pair of jeans. Trade your down coat for a spring essential: the denim jacket.

Since it’s not quite warm yet, find one with a looser fit so you can layer some light knit sweaters underneath. Also, choose a faded wash because it adds that perfect touch of lightness to an outfit. Denim jackets can be worn with almost anything, and never go out of style.

Pastels: During the winter, color is often hidden under puffy down coats, so spring is when we can let

our colors pop. Judging by fashion blogs and shopping websites, this spring’s color palette for women involves pastels. Pastels are a great transition tone from winter to summer because they’re more subtle than summer’s bright and loud colors used in floral patterns. Trade your go-to black or gray shirts and oversized sweaters for some pastels. They also lend themselves to a clean, tailored look.

Loosen up: While skinny jeans and pants are found in every female wardrobe, relaxed pants and looser fitting jeans (think boyfriend jeans, but more flattering and fitting for the female body) are gaining popularity among fashion blogs and celebrities.

A previous attempt to bring back MC Hammer’s harem pants fortunately didn’t take off, but instead harem pants received a bit of a makeover with tighter inseams and somewhat tapered legs.

When buying pants or jeans with a looser fit, you want to make sure that you still r e t a i n

shape within your legs and behind. If you are going for a bold pattern, don’t pair it with a bright-colored top.

Choose a pastel to make for a clean, classy look that shows you’re ready for the warm days to come. Also, cargo pants are a hit this season and because of their pocket details, they make more of a statement than just regular pants.

Not too-short shorts: If it’s 60 degrees out and you choose to wear shorts, please, for the love of God, do not choose highwaisted Levi’s cutoff shorts that have your butt cheeks falling out. It’s unattractive and unflattering. Stores like Madewell and Gap make great, comfortable shorts that are both flattering and fashionable. This season, relaxed is in, which is good because if it really is hot out, you would rather be wearing something loose than clothing that sticks to your body.

Skater is in: The skater skirt/dress is very in right now and will continue to be throughout

spring and most likely summer. The skater cut, based off of the cut of ice skaters’ dresses, is flowy and perfect for spring. Even if you have to pair it with tights, the swing adds flirty fun that embodies everything spring is supposed to be.

Also, what’s great about skater skirts and dresses is that they work well in a lot of different colors and patterns.

But unless you’re really good at it — and I mean really good — don’t mix prints because it will look like you walked out of Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” music video.

Refine your tops: Slouchy, cotton T-shirts are also very in and great for spring and summer. For blouses, chiffon is a really great material because it’s chic and lightweight. H&M has really great long-sleeved blouses and some really great sleeveless tunics. Other blouses to consider are thinstrapped camisoles in either chiffon or a satin blend. A thin-strapped camisole looks great under a blazer, jacket or sweater and can make the transition from day to

night. If you’re not willing to give up your knits, opt for a loose-knit sweater. The holes will allow you to breathe and not feel so constricted when temperatures rise after you leave your dorm room or apartment.

Spring in your step: For shoes, try the Chelsea boot in a brown or tan hue, or a lowcut biker boot. The Oxford shoe continues to prevail, so if you have yours from last year, by all means recycle your footwear. If you’re looking for some variation on the Oxford, try a sandal or weaved version, which can be found on Zappos.com or in Urban Outfitters. Canvas shoes like Keds or Vans are also great for spring. White Keds offer a crisp, clean look to any outfit and go with virtually anything.

If you’re looking for more spring fashion inspiration, check out fashion blogs Who What Wear, Song of Style or The Chriselle Factor. For places to shop, try H&M, Target, Madewell or Cotton On, an Australian clothing store import. Good luck ladies, get shopping!

Janine Furtado/Assistant Photo Editor

MEN'S SPRING FASHION

From crew neck tees to Oxford shirts, it's all about keeping it classic in warm weather Kenneth Herman | Staff Writer As Binghamton warms up to a high of 40 degrees, we are seeing fewer sweatpants and more basketball shorts on campus. Spring is here! Men, look no further for the newest trends and where to buy them.

Fit: Fit is the most important.

You can purchase the nicest, most high-quality cotton shirt on the market and still look 14 if your clothes don’t fit right.

For button-downs, make sure your collar sits around your neck without constricting it. The sleeves should not extend past your palm and should not bunch up when cuffed at the wrist.

For regular T-shirts, the sleeve should sit halfway around your bicep, and the bottom of the shirt should not rise up when you lift your arms. Similarly, pants should not need a belt to stay on.

If the legs billow or rise up when you’re sitting, your pants are either too long or too short.

Tops: Nothing beats a classic plain T-shirt for the hotter months.

You can find inexpensive, quality fabrics at stores like J. Crew or Uniqlo

and even Target’s Merona line.

Stores like H&M, Old Navy, Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 carry shirts that won’t last as long but still look and feel decent. A regular crew neck is ideal, but those willing to venture can try a scoop or v-neck as well. Apparently Binghamton summers are actually pretty hot, so a tank top in any neutral color can look great (no neon).

Button-downs are another great option. Oxford cloth buttondowns, particularly in colors like blue, gray and white, can work in any season with any outfit. J. Crew sells at great deals, but you can pick these up anywhere, from Walmart to JC Penney. Remember these are not dress shirts, which tend to have a longer collar and are made from twill fabric or broadcloth.

As it gets hotter, look for lighter materials like chambray or linen.

This season, floral print and allover designs are in. Stores like PacSun and ASOS carry all-over designs. Just avoid oversized Hawaiian shirts — you’ll look like your dad on vacation.

Jackets/Sweaters: Although it’s time to stash

away the North Face fleece jacket, spring and summer nights tend to get cold too. A hoodie is acceptable but often lazy-looking. A snug crew neck sweater, anywhere from Old Navy to Macy’s, coordinates with anything and won’t get too hot. Denim jackets (like Levi’s), Barbour coats (ASOS), rain jackets or anoraks (North Face, LL Bean) are also lightweight and handsome options.

Bottoms: For spring, a pair of Levi’s, Uniqlo, even American Eagle denim jeans are good quality.

Avoid sulfur dyes and opt for indigo-dyed (dark blue, light wash blue) jeans instead. For more colors, check Bonobos, J. Crew or the aforementioned stores for chino pants. Colors like blue, gray and khaki are versatile.

Black pants often provide too much contrast but can work with other neutral colors. As summer comes around, pairs of chino shorts from Land’s End or H&M are lightweight and comfortable.

Shorts should sit from 1 to 3 inches above the knee. Navy and khakis are safe bets, but louder colors like red, green

or yellow work better for shorts than regular pants do. You’re not in middle school anymore — avoid madras designs and never, ever wear jorts.

Shoes: They say the things that keep you on the ground — your mattress, car tires and shoes — are the most important investments you can make.

Never buy cheap shoes. Stores that carry “in-house”-brand shoes like Forever 21, H&M and American Eagle should be avoided at all costs. For spring, a pair of boots like Clarks Desert Boots, Wolverine 1000 Miles and Red Wing Iron Rangers can break the bank but will last for years.

As summer rolls around, low-top canvas shoes are lightweight and comfortable. Brands like Vans, Nike, New Balance and Keds in colors like gray or white look great. Boat shoes (Sperry TopSiders, Eastland, Quoddy), bucks (Alden of New England), Blucher moccasins (LL Bean) and penny loafers (Allen Edmonds) are also good casual-wear options. Since it’s hot, either wear low-cut socks or don’t wear socks at all. If you

choose the latter, buy scented shoe trees, change your shoes every day … and actually wash your feet daily. Also, we don’t live in Southern California, so flip-flops and sandals can look ridiculous. But if it’s scorching hot, then by all means wear those instead.

Accessories: A baseball hat is an undisputed classic. Avoid fitted caps and snapbacks by brands like Obey or Stussy. Ebbets and Urban Outfitters carry wool- or cottonbrimmed baseball caps for cheap.

Do not buy a bucket hat or fedora unless you’re a fisherman, Jason Mraz or feeling very bold. A pair of wayfarers or club-masters from Ray-Ban or Warby Parker are great sunglasses. Do not buy aviators unless you are Tom Cruise. Lastly, a watch from Timex or Omega is inexpensive but a timeless addition to your wardrobe (no pun intended).

Lastly, fashion is an entirely subjective form of expression. If sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt are what you feel good in, then by all means wear that instead.

For those interested in dressing a

Janine Furtado/Assistant Photo Editor

FUN

14

Silent Food Theater

www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

Adam Rauth & Alex Coltoff

Fun. Binghamton Ninja

Our Aemittephagus Future

RELEASE DATE– Thursday, September 6, 2007

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis ACROSS 1 Further down 6 Scurry 10 1975 summer thriller 14 Yellowish colour 15 Noodle output?

16 Russia’s __ Mountains 17 Corporate leader’s flying fleet?

19 Kind of beads or handles 20 Floors 21 Wall St. happening 22 Focused on, with “at” 23 Mogul’s fancy cars?

28 Locker room sprinkle 30 Becomes less cordial 31 “__ to recall ...”

33 “Rights of Man” author 34 Reviewer of bks.?

37 Cleric’s golfing successes?

40 G.I. mess crews 41 Capture fully, as one’s attention 42 River part 43 Sara Lee employee 44 Busy as __ 45 Plastic user’s accumulation?

51 Raipur royal 52 Onetime Burmese statesman 53 With 45-Down, Advent symbol 56 Theater prize 57 Theme of this puzzle 61 Kind of therapeutic bath 62 Fall preceder?

63 Foolish 64 Not cut out 65 Like much coastal weather 66 Things to put up DOWN 1 Hair piece

2 Cinco into cuarenta 3 Refs, at times 4 “... __ darkness comes on”: Bartram 5 Equip anew 6 Honey __ dressing 7 Orange drink 8 Prepared 9 Gives birth to 10 Groucho, at birth 11 Redolence 12 Have doubts 13 Some coasters 18 Place to unwind 22 Radiant 24 Clinched 25 Fishermen’s tools 26 Floor support 27 Super 28 Very little time?

29 “Pronto!”

32 It’s not to be believed 33 Asphalt worker 34 Cut from the short loin 35 Mod Squad pal of Linc and Julie

36 “Off the Court” autobiographer 38 Company named for a goddess 39 Target 43 Carefree 45 See 53-Across 46 Dominant tendency 47 Santa __ 48 Like many dirt roads 49 Serpent ending

50 Macabre 54 “Rule, Britannia’’ composer 55 Puts into action 57 Degree of considerable degree 58 Dom Perignon, e.g.

59 She married Dick twice 60 Animal with a silent first letter

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

xwordeditor@aol.com

By David J. Kahn (c)2007 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

09/06/07

09/06/07

Chris Walsh

Seth Wegener

OPINION Friday, March 28, 2014

Address: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 Phone: 607-777-2515 FAx: 607-777-2600 Web: www.bupipedream.com

Spring 2014 editor-in-ChieF* Christina Pullano editor@bupipedream.com MAnAging editor* Paige Nazinitsky manager@bupipedream.com

neWs editor* Rachel Bluth news@bupipedream.com Asst. neWs editors Davina Bhandari Nicolas Vega Geoff Wilson oPinion editor* Michael Snow opinion@bupipedream.com

A positive transition

A

fter students from the Rainbow Pride Union submitted a petition to get gender-inclusive housing on campus, Residential Life has agreed to begin offering that option to students in the fall.

This doesn’t just mean that transgender, genderqueer and gender-questioning students will have a space on campus to feel more comfortable and included.

It means that all of us, no matter where we identify along the gender spectrum, will be a part of a more progressive, inclusive and accepting institution.

There are many ways to further create a community in which all students, wherever they align on the gender spectrum, feel comfortable, safe and accepted.

This is a great step, and we’re grateful that the University listened to this call to action. However, we cannot only account for gender diversities in the places students sleep, but must extend services to the places where they eat, socialize and learn. As the process to hash out the details and logistics of this program begins, we have a few suggestions about how to further improve the lives of all students on campus.

One extra step would be removing gender pronouns on class listservs. Transgender students are often left to contact their professors directly in order to explain their preferred pronouns. This is often the first interaction that transgender students have with their professors — and subsequent interactions are dictated by the initial response of the professor. Though we’d like to think that all professors are understanding, sometimes they are not. In order to remedy this potential awkwardness, the University can both allow

students to edit their preferred pronoun on a semesterly basis and allow the inclusion of an intersex box on University forms to account for students who do not identify as either male or female.

The University does a good job providing resources for transgender students seeking help through the Binghamton University Safe Zone, a network of faculty trained in providing a safe space for LGBT students, and the Multicultural Resource Center. We hope to see these resources made more visible by providing educational materials for transgender and questioning students alongside those distributed by the Real Education About College Health (REACH) vehicle.

Residential communities can also help by distributing educational materials alongside the usual bucket of condoms and pregnancy tests. By making these materials more visible on campus, we would be, in effect, making these issues more visible and more commonly addressed as well, especially for students who need the information but are not yet comfortable speaking to someone in person about it.

While the New University Union was a missed opportunity to provide gender-neutral bathrooms, there are still plenty of opportunities to create genderneutral bathrooms or convert existing ones. They could be added to the Student Wing, which will have to undergo some renovations when the services there

move over to the old Dickinson dining hall. The Old Union currently has single-stall bathrooms in the basement, which could easily be re-labeled from “family bathrooms” to something more inclusive for trans students. They could even just say “bathrooms.” Places like dining halls and the New Union, which have multiple bathrooms already, lend themselves to genderneutral options, too. This conversion is not merely a way to prevent quizzical looks as students exit bathroom stalls. It gives transgender students the signal that the University cares enough about their welfare to go the extra mile. Transgender students already deal with feelings of alienation from the rest of society. It is our responsibility to quell those feelings in whatever way possible, even through something as simple as a bathroom lacking the usual pictures of stick figures with triangle dresses or broad shoulders.

Bringing a school into the 21st century means more than simply building Skype rooms and installing smart boards. It means adjusting to the needs of our students and responding to the pressing social issues of our time. We hope that in the coming months, our suggestions will be taken into consideration, and we are excited and proud to see the new direction in which Binghamton University is going.

Artist, mentor and community activist Man One reimagines Binghamton's future Justin Kalin Columnist

Artist, mentor and entrepreneur Alejandro Poli — better known by his pen name Man One — addressed Old Union Hall Tuesday night, drawing the enthusiasm of more than 200 guests, including Binghamton University administrators, faculty, students and the community at large. In the weeks preceding his visit, the [re]BOLD Binghamton team worked tirelessly to build support for the Mural Festival, set to take place the week of graduation.

Instructed by professor Kim Jaussi of the Center for Leadership Studies, [re]BOLD Binghamton is one of several projects coordinated by the experimental Innovation and Creativity course. Participating students subscribe to the core values of an in-house movement known as Gen 10 that aspires to reimagine processes, communities and organizations. The six students who comprise the [re]BOLD Binghamton team have embodied these values by bringing the initiative from concept to execution, not only facilitating the

We should fight to see this project flourish

sPorts editor* Ari Kramer sports@bupipedream.com Asst. sPorts editors Erik Bacharach Ashley Purdy Fun PAge editor* Ben Moosher fun@bupipedream.com

design MAnAger* Zachary Feldman design@bupipedream.com design Assts.

Rebecca Forney Cari Snider Photo editor* Kendall Loh photo@bupipedream.com Asst. Photo editor Janine Furtado editoriAl Artist Miriam Geiger Paige Gittelman CoPy desk ChieF* Victoria Chow copy@bupipedream.com Asst. CoPy desk ChieF Paul Palumbo leAd Web develoPer Willie Demaniow developer@bupipedream.com

soCiAl MediA MAnAger Keara Hill social@bupipedream.com

[re]BOLD initiative bolsters community pride his permits and supplies, loiter the block to discourage potential business and accuse the storefront of harboring delinquents. On several occasions when city officials commissioned his individual and collaborative murals, he would come back to find the walls whitewashed. Other times, he was met with reprimands, fines and attempts at prosecution.

Yet, in the face of contention, Man One has endured the political nature of his work to educate the general public about the misunderstood value of graffiti. His commitment to charitable causes and workshops for underprivileged children spans the globe, adding a distinct authenticity to his brand. These are not merely random acts of kindness; rather, they are acts of character that come from years of realizing one’s greatness and helping others achieve their own.

Binghamton is a city on the verge of its own greatness, left in the wake of once prosperous defense, technology and manufacturing industries. From the perspective of the University, Downtown is ready to become a

Asst. releAse editor Jacob Shamsian

systeM AdMnistrAtor Daniel O'Connor

Views expressed in the opinion pages represent the opinions of the columnists.

The only piece which represents the views of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the Staff Editorial, above. The Editorial Board is composed of the Editor-in-Chief, News Editor, Opinion Editor, Sports Editor, and Release Editor.

story of Binghamton, but also shaping its future by challenging the mindsets of locals and students alike.

Man One opened the forum with his own story as a first-generation American raised in Los Angeles, having shown an aptitude for art from an early age. His first venture into graffiti began when a friend encouraged him to tag bus seats on their daily commute to high school, gaining name recognition in the streets and through referrals from small business owners. Even though he did not make much at the beginning, he loved what he was doing.

Still, he needed another way to paint impactful pieces without resorting to the shadows. In the mid-1990s, he created a personal website to showcase his portfolio, education and contact information, differentiating himself as one of the only graffiti professionals at the time.

Throughout his career as a freelance and commercial artist, Man One has been confronted by a number of strong oppositional forces. As a former spray paint distributor and founder of Crewest Gallery, police would conduct routine inspections of

releAse editor* Darian Lusk release@bupipedream.com

college town. The student population needs a place to expand over the next decade, and with the rise of real estate comes demand for economic development projects that will gentrify the area.

But we are students who come and go with the seasons. Man One goes home at the end of the day. It is the residents of Binghamton who watch their children grow to see the next. If we come to BU simply to learn how to make a living, then we will have done no service in the greatness of others.

We should fight to see this project flourish for the city that will continue to give even after we leave.

We are all stakeholders in bridging the gap, and Man One has the charisma to reach across. As a youth advocate, he will empower students. As a community activist, he will encourage civic engagement through the Mural Festival. And as a friend of the University, he will bring us closer to a destination city, clarifying the vision of Binghamton in the 21st century.

This is our story. Let’s reimagine this community by asking more from its future. Let’s [re]BOLD Binghamton.

— Justin Kalin is a junior majoring in accounting.

neWsrooM teChnology* William Sanders tech@bupipedream.com

business MAnAger* Zachary Hindin business@bupipedream.com

Pipe Dream is published by the Pipe Dream Executive Board, which has sole and final discretion over the newspaper’s content and personnel. *Positions seated on the Executive Board are denoted by an asterisk.

Pipe Dream is published Tuesdays and Fridays while classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters, except during finals weeks and vacations.

Pipe Dream accepts stimulating, original guest columns from undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty. Submissions should be 400 to 500 words in length and be thus far unpublished. Columns and letters to the editor in response to something printed in Pipe Dream should be submitted before a subsequent issue is published.

Submissions must include the writer’s name and phone number, and year of graduation or expected year of graduation. Graduate students and faculty members should indicate their standing as such, as well as departmmental affiliation.

Organizational (i.e. student group) affiliations are to be disclosed and may be noted at Pipe Dream’s discretion.

Anonymous submissions are not accepted.

Any facts referenced must be properly cited from credible news sources. Pipe Dream reserves the right to edit submissions, and does not guarantee publication. All submissions become property of Pipe Dream.

Submissions may be e-mailed to the Opinion Editor at opinion@ bupipedream.com.

16

OPINION

www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

Shaming Educational focus narrows after graduation restricts A liberal-arts curriculum encourages learning for the sake of learning progress Macon Fessenden

The way a person dresses is none of your business Jake Lewis Sex Columnist

One of the many things I feel I’ve learned vastly more about in college is the extent of how messed up society can be. You can be a genuinely good person at your base, but if you say something that others don’t agree with or do something that part of society doesn’t accept, then you may find that your good qualities aren’t greater than society’s perception of your words or actions.

Slut shaming has come into light as a massive societal issue in the past few years. Typically, it revolves around making people feel like less than they are because of decisions they make that go against what society expects of them, mostly in terms of raw physicality, whether it is how they dress or who they do.

Since it applies to society’s view of traditional women’s values, slut shaming has permeated a lot of our society. But it also happens here at Binghamton University.

Think about the Downtown scene.

I know I’m guilty of wondering why people wear short dresses and T-shirts without a jacket, thinking that it’s a crazy idea. As of late, I’ve viewed it as more of a logical issue. When I was younger, I definitely thought it was a matter of morals, but that isn’t the case.

How you dress or who you sleep with shouldn’t be a big deal to anyone but you. Of course, just like in the previous example, there are smart ways to go about these sorts of things and less intelligent ways; make sure you practice safe sex, don’t catch a cold from what you wear and all that kind of stuff.

Luckily, we as a society are generally moving in the right direction in terms of gender equality. Does that make slut shaming or gender inequality less of an issue? Certainly not. It’s something that we all have to collectively try to improve in the future.

As society’s views shift, however, there is also a negative perception regarding the opposite side of slut shaming. If you’re too reserved, people may find it strange or think that you have insecurities. Why do you think all of those Amish-to-city transition shows took off?

We see it more with women than with men that if you perpetrate traditional ideals, even if you’re just being true to yourself, parts of society could view you as being a hindrance to attaining gender equality.

One of the more alarming points, in my opinion, is that this is also a hindrance to some women professionally. Women who typically dress covered up or dress in a way that society prescribes masculine can at times feel pressure to change that image in order to get jobs. As I looked up various instances of this, I found people asking how they could either “fem” up their look or stay butch and still get the job.

The fact that people need to ask that is a huge issue. We as a society shouldn’t care about someone’s style.

Sure, you need to look professional to land a job, but if a woman comes in for an interview dressed in a suit and tie as opposed to a flowy dress or blouse, that shouldn’t affect how qualified she is to get the job. The sad reality is that sometimes it does.

If you choose to stay chaste, if you don’t flaunt your body through your clothing and style choices, a lot of people categorize you. The same goes for the opposite regarding slut shaming.

As our society attempts to broaden its views and what it accepts, the views that are actually expressed show a lot of narrow-mindedness on both sides of the spectrum. Will that change in the near future? Maybe, maybe not. For now, the best thing we can do is gain the confidence in ourselves and our choices so that we can block out the negativity reflected in our society.

— Jake Lewis a senior majoring in English.

Columnist

Pan left, a figure sitting at a computer in a university library. A wide-eyed freshman looks at the course directory on the screen before him, mouth drooling with the possibilities that lay in the future.

Yeah, he’s bio or human development, or whatever, but the major only takes up a little more than half the classes he needs to graduate. His gaze darts across the page, reading course descriptions that get more interesting with each flick of the scroll wheel. “Buried Cities and Lost Tribes,” “Black Feminist Thought,” “Demons, Fools and Madmen,” “Buddhist Metaphysics.”

Authors he never thought he’d read are listed in the required reading; topics

he didn’t even know existed are central themes in the syllabi. The words jump off the screen and dance with this 18-year-old boy, as he gets lost in the opportunity to become cultured, well-rounded. To learn for the sake of learning.

Flash forward four years. This same boy is sitting at his desk in his Downtown apartment, opening a letter. His room is full of artifacts of who he is: treasures of the places he’s been, the people he’s loved and the things he’s learned. His bookshelf holds the well-liked required readings from his career as a liberal arts student: sci-fi books from “Tales of the Future,” graphic novels from “Alternative Fictions,” philosophy books ranging from Kant to Aquinas to Shantideva. His letter, just read, falls from his hands onto the table. It’s an acceptance letter to nursing school, his top choice. His blood pumps with joy and excitement, adrenaline rushes through his veins, preparing him for the evolutionarily defunct instinct of fight-or-flight. He spins

in his chair, relief clear on his face that he sees once, twice, three times in the mirror on his wall. He slows his spinning, coming to a final stop facing his bookcase. The excitement dissipates as a wave of nostalgia comes crashing over him.

This is the prospect that many of us students face as we begin to face the prospects of real life. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing after graduation: going to grad school, getting a job or going in for another degree. Senior year is the end of learning for the sake of learning. Many of us come from restricted high school regiments, where the electives were limited to “Forensics.” There wasn’t much opportunity to broaden your horizons, so you took full advantage of it during your four years here (or at least you plan to).

And now the fun of horizon-broadening is coming to an end. Maybe you’ll read a couple interesting books, or listen to some interesting NPR stories once you’re gone, but nothing comes close to the structure

of a college class in making you learn. I would have never read “Abhidharma-kosa”

by Vasubandhu outside of class (yeah, what?). And I’m going to nursing school, so I probably won’t ever do something like that again.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the medical field, just as I’m sure you love business or engineering or accounting. And I don’t want to spend the rest of my life reading “Abhidharma-kosa.” But learning for the sake of learning was my favorite part of college, and perhaps the most difficult to replicate once I leave. If you want me I’ll be making my own reading lists and finding strangers on the Internet to force my opinions on. Goodbye, cruel liberal arts school.w — Macon Fessenden is a nonmatriculated graduate student. He graduated in spring 2013 with a degree in environmental studies.

Vaccination should Think critically about be mandatory for all your literary theory A parent's decision to withhold vaccination affects public health Molly McGrath Columnist

My mother taught me never to criticize another family’s parenting style. She said that it was ultimately the decision of the father or mother to rear their children in whichever way they saw fit. In most instances, her advice holds true. However, in the case of the anti-immunization movement, not only should parents be criticized for their neglectful behavior, but government intervention should supersede parental autonomy.

Vaccination must be mandatory.

The vaccination debate is a classic example of the “tragedy of the commons” scenario. The absence of disease is a public good enjoyed by the American people due to a calculated joint effort by the scientists who develop vaccines and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which executes the vaccination program.

Unfortunately, some citizens free-ride by choosing to opt out of vaccination for either religious or pseudo-scientific reasons. This behavior is unacceptable, as herd immunity is required to stop outbreaks of disease. About 95 percent of the population must be vaccinated to meet herd immunity standards.

Proponents of the anti-immunization movement spread misinformation and do so at a dangerous cost. The most recent example of the anti-immunization effort is the purported link between the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism. It is understandable that parents with children suffering from autism

would look for an external source to explain the ailment. The diagnosis of autism is rising at an unprecedented rate, and we still do not fully understand the cause for the disease. The link was first reported in a study published in British medical journal Lancet in 1998. The study was conducted on a mere 12 children, with no control group. The study has since been retracted, and following studies demonstrated there is no evidence to support the claim; however, celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy continue to defend the link and spread lies through television and Internet forums.

The effects of spreading such misinformation are now coming to light.

Even though the anti-immunization movement has lost credibility, there is a rise in measles outbreaks in the United States and Canada, with 187 cases reported in the U.S. alone in 2013. In Canada, the outbreaks center around religious enclaves, with the vaccination rate as low as 70 percent in some areas.

There is only so much that education can do to encourage parents to comply with vaccination, and coercion is the next logical step in addressing this important public health issue. Though we tout the U.S. as the home of the free, there are necessary limits to our personal “freedom.” We have laws to govern hunting, crime and education. Citizens pay taxes against their own will in order to enjoy the benefits of living in this polity.

The CDC requires incoming immigrants to be vaccinated against disease. If we require immigrants to be vaccinated, it should not be considered such a radical notion to require our own citizens to do the same.

— Molly McGrath is a junior doublemajoring in history and political science.

English students deserve a more challenging classroom environment Chris Ertel Guest Columnist

Anyone who has taken an English class at Binghamton University is familiar with those students who feel the need to share any and all of the insights they glean from whatever text is being discussed in class.

While no one should ever feel ashamed or embarrassed for sharing his or her opinions or ideas in a class, the culture of lending equal validity to all student comments has gone too far. Professors and teaching assistants alike are expected to regard all student interjections as positive contributions to the discussion, even when students are sometimes wrong.

This “accept all” culture in the English department at BU is a detriment to the growth and development of students’ intellect and analytical skills. In order to improve their skills in interpreting and understanding texts, students should have their ideas challenged and questioned.

While literature and theory of course provide more room for interpretation than the hard sciences, this does not mean that any and all ideas students derive from these texts should be regarded with equal weight.

What value does a degree in English hold if students are left thinking that texts can be interpreted with little effort in any way that they see fit? Students should be encouraged to dig deeper and back up their ideas with references from the text, not simply share whatever comes to mind and receive a pat on their back from their professor. Anyone planning to go further in the field of English shouldn’t graduate

with the expectation that literary analysis is as easy as presenting any arbitrary opinion on a text. Students should be trained to back up their ideas with textual evidence and thoroughly reasoned arguments.

Mistakes are some of the best opportunities for growth and learning.

The best English classes I’ve taken aren’t the classes where the professor or TA entertains every single idea imaginable, but the ones where instructors are not afraid to tell students they are wrong or that they should explore their ideas more carefully. This enables students to learn how to analyze a text in a more critical and nuanced way, which should be an important goal for any English department.

Professors and TAs can be kind and encouraging without telling students that they are always right. I am not advocating for an atmosphere of rejection and unreasonably high standards, but rather an environment in which instructors can challenge the ideas of their students without being branded cruel or restrictively difficult. Educators should push their students to think carefully rather than entertaining any random thought that comes to mind.

While instructors are responsible for holding students to higher standards, we as students should take responsibility as well. I encourage my fellow English majors to challenge ourselves to explore assigned texts more deeply and thoughtfully. Don’t come to class prepared to regurgitate any immediate reaction you have to whatever you are reading. Instead, think carefully and critically. You may find that you get a lot more out of your next English class with this in mind.

— Chris Ertel is a senior majoring in English.

March out, soldier parade: the IDF brigade Bringing military personnel to campus skews student perceptions Tyler Albertario and Julie Quinn Guest Columnists

Monday will mark the third time this semester that a soldier speaks in favor of the Israeli army on our campus. This is a disturbing trend, particularly considering that the latest visit contained nothing short of hate speech, which sadly went ignored by our campus community.

We must remember what soldiers represent, because it is not peace.

They cause destruction, displacement, devastation and death to those deemed “enemy,” even the innocent. The horrific, unjust and merciless crimes against European Jews cannot serve as a perpetual excuse to continue inflicting settler colonial policies and, consequently, suffering upon the Palestinian people. We as a community tacitly support this by hosting events in which Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers speak and minimize the suffering they’ve inflicted.

Bringing IDF soldiers to this campus

latently demonizes Arabs. Racism against Arabs and/or Muslims represents the last form of “acceptable” bigotry in our society. Anyone, for example, that described a rising number of Latino babies as a threat to white civilization would be widely perceived as a far right extremist and racist. It’s difficult, to say the least, to imagine a speaker with such views being invited to our campus.

And yet, somehow Israeli soldier Yishai Goldflam could imply to a room full of students this March that Arab babies in Israel represent a ticking time bomb and a demographic threat to Jewish rule.

Worse still, he managed to do so while successfully coming across as a pragmatic moderate, both during the event and in subsequent press coverage.

While anyone calling for the U.S. to be a “white state,” or the U.K. to be an “English” state, would immediately forfeit their place in the political mainstream, in Israel your ticket of admission to the mainstream is adherence to a “Jewish state.” In reality, that is not a state in which Jews can live as equal citizens, but a state in which Jews have the right to rule, and to implement discriminatory laws and policies to achieve that end — in other words, an apartheid

state.

Goldflam portrayed himself as a man of “compromise,” and spoke with pride of his role in preventing a soldier from stealing a can of Coke in Gaza, while ignoring that under international law no Israeli soldier has any business being in Gaza in the first place. This is not to even speak of his bizarre statement that the IDF did everything possible to prevent civilian casualties during Operation Cast Lead (even while admitting to hundreds of civilians killed, though denying that more credible estimates are much closer to 1,000, as noted in the Goldstone Report).

This Monday, Zionists will make yet another attempt at swaying the student body — this time transparently with an event titled, “When Disaster Strikes, Israel is There.” What about the disaster and devastation caused by Israel? By constantly barraging the student body with biased, positive news about Israel, the campus is whitewashed with one side of a complex and largely negative saga.

At last Monday’s event, students did not receive “the honest truth,” a “pro-people” perspective, a “win-win vision” or any of the other catch phrases that Goldflam employed. Rather, they received the usual

misinformation of the Israeli propaganda machine, along with the racism that it entails. It is our genuine hope that this Monday’s event is more equitable.

We call upon Zionist organizations to stop bringing soldiers to this campus, for their presence mobilizes student support for an apartheid regime. The Jewish community on this campus is large, diverse and productive. Many Jewish organizations partake in social justice initiatives and good works projects. These are the sorts of events that are useful and representative of what the Jewish people have to offer.

Racism and suffering should be condemned loud and clear. Here in Binghamton, Zionism’s dominant voice is eroding potential for dialogue and amplifying a defensive, misinformed narrative to students. We as university students must shun prejudice and fight to end the national imperialist policies that abet Israeli Apartheid. We will only be able to move toward extinguishing human misery if we all register that Palestinians are in fact just as human as the rest of us.

— Tyler Albertario is a senior majoring in political science. Julie Quinn is a senior majoring in history.

www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

17

SPORTS

COMMENTARY

Masiello can still be role model at Manhattan College Ari Kramer Sports Editor

Steve Masiello called me for a feature story I was penning two Octobers ago. With his Manhattan College basketball team preparing for the rapidly approaching 2012-13 season, Masiello graciously granted me about 20 minutes of his day, telling me about his method for successfully rebuilding the Jaspers.

Near the end of our conversation, I told him I grew up rooting for Manhattan — that the Jaspers got me hooked on college basketball.

“That’s great. I love to hear that. I really love to hear that,” Masiello responded before telling me he wanted to catch up more the next time I visited Riverdale on a break.

His invitation was sweet. It was unsolicited and certainly unnecessary. Above all, it seemed genuine.

And that’s what has nagged me during this whirlwind of a week that’s seen Masiello go from Manhattan to the University of South Florida and from University of Kentucky graduate to college dropout. I

don’t know what to believe. I can only imagine how Masiello’s Jaspers must feel.

Masiello had said on numerous occasions that he loved coaching at Manhattan College. He loved his players, their work ethic and their commitment to the program.

“This is where I want to be. I want to be in New York. I want to be with these kids. I’m really excited about the future of this program.”

That’s what Masiello told reporters after Manhattan fell to Louisville in the NCAA tournament’s Round of 64 on March 20. Sounds genuine, right?

The following day, Masiello emerged as the leading candidate for the vacant USF head coaching position.

By Tuesday, Masiello and Manhattan were no mas.

Or so we all thought — and I mean everyone ranging from the janitor of Draddy Gymnasium to every national college basketball writer.

But then USF killed the deal.

The 36-year-old head coach had never earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky as his resume stated,

according to a search firm USF had hired to conduct a background check.

Is it possible the firm made a mistake? I guess. But that would be one expensive mistake for USF, which doled out $60,000 for the background search.

With more details yet to emerge, Masiello seems like a liar to his players and employers.

The New York Post reported Thursday that a source claims the degree discrepancy is due to a paperwork predicament.

Whatever the case may be, an important question arises: How much value should a college degree hold on a college basketball coach’s resume?

Schools hire coaches who have graduated from college because they want their student-athletes to emulate their coaches and graduate as well. Schools want their coaches to serve not only as instructors of their sport, but also as role models to their students.

But the pending accusations notwithstanding, Masiello has served as an impeccable role model for his players. He has demanded professionalism from college students, requiring,

among other things, his Jaspers to sit in the front two rows of class and to never wear sweats.

He has connected with these kids. That much is made clear by watching a Manhattan game.

The players bought into his culture his first day on the job three seasons ago, and by creating an atmosphere of “Team Over Everything” — that was Manhattan’s motto this year — he has helped save college careers. Just ask Emmy Andujar, who, if not for his connection with the Jasper family, might have sought revenge for his brother’s drugrelated murder.

Masiello made a mistake at the ripe, young age of 22. When applying for an entry-level coaching position at Tulane, he wrote on his resume that he had graduated from Kentucky.

He got the job and ever since, he has lived the lie.

His youth doesn’t absolve him. It certainly doesn’t.

But put yourself in his shoes, a college student with a job opportunity that could jump-start your dream career.

What would you do?

Say you’re a junior majoring in economics with the

aspirations of running a bank.

Chase offers you a good job, a college degree being the only qualification you don’t meet.

What do you do?

It’s always easier to take the high road in hypothetical situations, but you would definitely at least think about straying. You would. And if you would stray, you’d try to make the most of the opportunity, just as Masiello has done for the last 14 years.

Manhattan College faces a tough decision: dismiss the coach who resuscitated the Jaspers basketball program or retain the accused liar who had his bags packed for South Florida. I can’t fault the school whichever way it leans, at least with the details that are currently public knowledge. It’s not clear-cut like Binghamton University’s 2010 buyout of Kevin Broadus, who recruited players below the school’s academic standard and then pressured teachers into awarding undeserving grades.

College basketball provides second and third chances to its student-athletes. If not for second chances, Jordan Reed might not be the star of

our school’s basketball team; Cleanthony Early, who starred for nearby Sullivan County Community College, would not have led Wichita State to a perfect regular season. The list continues.

Because — and only because — Masiello had proven to be a sturdy role model before this fiasco, he deserves a second chance from the school he carried out of obscurity. Assuming he’s not years shy of completing his communications degree, he can lead by example and graduate from Manhattan College — Eddie Jordan has created a precedent for this at Rutgers.

Masiello’s players will see a coach determined to right the ship, and he will undoubtedly feel indebted to the program that afforded him a second chance.

At least that’s what I’d like to believe, just as I wanted to believe his catch-up invitation and commitment to Manhattan College.

Maybe the second time’s the charm.

BU aims to keep emotions in check against Albany After postponement of last weekend's series, Bearcats set to open America East play Ari Kramer Sports Editor

File Photo

Senior second baseman Jessica Bump will look to add to her team-high 13 stolen bases this weekend when the Bearcats play a three-game series against Albany.

Emotions rode high during the last time the Binghamton softball team faced Albany.

The Bearcats (7-10) hosted the Great Danes (9-7, 1-2 America East) in the 2013 America East tournament, the winner needing just one more victory to secure the league’s bid to the NCAA tournament.

Albany prevailed, 4-2 and Binghamton sputtered in a 9-0, season-ending defeat to Stony Brook later in the day.

When the two teams battle in a three-game series in New York’s capital this weekend, finding the appropriate balance of emotion will be key for the Bearcats.

“I think one thing that we learned last year from the conference tournament was we played with a lot of emotion,” BU head coach Michelle Burrell said. “I think that some of our emotion came out on the field, and that’s something that we’re trying to be consistent with this year with how we approach every game.”

But emotion cannot negate focus, a key for Binghamton’s hitters who will likely face Albany senior Brittany MacFawn more than once this weekend. MacFawn threw a fiveinning perfect game against Binghamton in 2011. She went 28-9 with a 2.11 ERA and 283 strikeouts in 256 1/3 innings last year, when her devastating change-up and effective rising fastball flummoxed Binghamton in three of the four meetings.

MacFawn has been marginally less effective this year. She has started just eight of Albany’s 16 games, going 4-4 with a 2.91 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings.

The Bearcats are looking forward to their next shot at

We've gotten our lineup to where we really wanted it to be —Michelle Burrell BU head coach

Albany’s ace.

“We’ve seen MacFawn a lot.

We’re pretty familiar with her, other than our freshman class,” Burrell said. “I think we’ve gotten our lineup to where we really wanted it to be, and I think everyone kind of knows what their roles are with the lineup.

We’re just looking forward to getting out and seeing what we can do against her.”

MacFawn generally does not award free bases to her opponents. She has walked just five batters this season. The Bearcats will need to locate the right pitch because falling behind MacFawn has proven treacherous.

“We want to be aggressive and really attack with our good pitch that we’ll see and our atbats,” Burrell said. “So I think that will be our mindset, is just going after the first good strike.”

Because weather conditions spoiled last weekend’s America East opening series at UMass Lowell, the Bearcats haven’t played a game since March 16. They lost four times that weekend at George Mason’s Cherry Blossom Classic, and Burrell expressed her disappointment in the results.

But having last weekend off could actually benefit

Binghamton for its series at Albany.

“Obviously you want to keep playing, but I don’t think it hurt us,” Burrell said. “I do think we were in a spot with just a couple girls who just had a little nagging, nothing-serious injury, that we were able to give them a little break and give them the weekend off last week.

And I think the break was good for them, and hopefully they’ll come back feeling good going into conference play.”

And even though it comes a week later than expected, America East play affords the Bearcats a fresh start independent of their 7-10 record.

Burrell thinks non-conference play will help her team as it begins its quest to return to the conference tournament, where the emotions always ride high.

“We’ve definitely seen some really good competition so far during the preseason,” Burrell said. “I especially think we faced a lot of top pitchers that have been doing really well. So I think that should prepare us for the type of pitching that we’re going to see in conference.”

First pitch against Albany is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Albany Field.

Ashley Purdy contributed reporting to this story.

BU @ Albany DATE

March 29 & 30 LOCATION

Albany Field TIME

1:00 p.m.

18

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

Marist's hot start, strong finish downs Bearcats Binghamton cannot sustain second-half momentum down the stretch, falls short Colby Bird

Pipe Dream Sports

Franz Lino/Staff Photographer

Senior attack Angela Vespa scored one goal in Binghamton’s loss to Marist.

BU @ Albany

BU @ Marist

DATE

March 29 LOCATION

John Fallon Field

7

TIME

12

1:00 p.m.

The Binghamton women’s lacrosse team dug itself a hole that it could not get out of on Wednesday where it fell to Marist, 12-7.

Both teams came into the game riding two-game win streaks, but Marist (6-2) appeared the more ready team from the opening face-off, scoring early and often on a barrage of firsthalf shots. After allowing five goals in nine minutes, BU head coach Stephanie Allen pulled junior starting goalkeeper Kara Pafumi in favor of sophomore Erin McNulty.

The change in net did not slow down Marist, which held a 7-3 advantage going into halftime behind 19 shots, compared to BU’s six attempts.

Binghamton (6-4) allowed the first two goals after the break, but then went on a 3-0 run over the course of 15 minutes to cut the deficit to three goals with just more than 10 minutes remaining.

“We made the adjustment to get the ball off the draw control more,” Allen said about the team’s comeback. “The defense did a nice job stepping up in the second half, putting the ball on the ground and creating

turnovers.”

Sophomore attack Allison Gionta would take momentum back to the Marist side 40 seconds later, scoring her game-high fourth goal to end the Bearcats’ run. Marist would go on to score two more unanswered goals, en route to its sixth victory of the season.

“I think we got ourselves in a little bit of a hole at the beginning,” Allen said. “Our girls showed a lot of fight in coming back and making it as close and competitive as it was.”

Binghamton outshot Marist, 18-10, in the second period, and picked up twice as many ground balls in the half, 12-6.

The Bearcats’ scoring was spread between five players.

Freshman attack Brianne Arthur and freshman midfielder Valerie DeNapoli each tallied two goals.

Junior midfielder Renee Kiviat, freshman midfielder Callon Williams and senior attack Angela Vespa each scored one.

Arthur now has 30 goals on the season, tying the Binghamton scoring record for a freshman set

by Becky Green in 2004.

In net, McNulty returned to her dominant form seen earlier in the season. Adjusting quickly to the Marist pressure, she gave the team a boost defensively, saving 10 of 17 shots in the game.

The Bearcats now set their sights on the upcoming conference schedule when they travel to Albany. The Great Danes are undefeated through eight games and are currently ranked 20th in the IWLCA Coaches Poll.

“Conference competition is a clean slate, and non-conference records don’t matter in the conference season,” Allen said.

“We are looking at Albany as being 0-0 in the conference just as we are, and looking forward to having a competitive game with them.”

The Bearcats will travel to Albany’s John Fallon Field on Saturday, where the Great Danes will be honoring their six senior players prior to the opening draw.

Opening face-off is set for 1 p.m.

Our girls showed a lot coming back — Stephanie Allen BU head coach

BU looks to shake rough non-conference slate

Bearcats hoping things click as they begin quest towards America East tournament Jacob Groezinger Contributing Writer

With America East play opening for the Binghamton men’s lacrosse team, Saturday’s matchup against Hartford presents an opportunity to turn the tides on a rough season so far.

Most recently against Air Force, Binghamton (2-5) watched its efforts pale away in the game’s waning minutes.

The disappointment wasn’t a rarity — the same late-game slump has plagued BU three times this season. If the team wants to get off on the right foot in conference play, it will have to focus on executing a full game, especially keeping those last minutes competitive.

“We have a great group of tough guys — but we have to learn how to close out games,” BU head coach Scott Nelson said last week.

Despite its unimpressive record and its need for some offensive troubleshooting, Binghamton is not a lost cause.

Individually, senior defender Shawn Needham sits seventh nationally in caused turnovers (2.29 per game). Senior attack Matt Springer ranks 13th in goals per game at 2.86 and, among active Division I players, ranks fourth in most

goals scored in a career (114).

Additionally, junior attack Tucker Nelson ranks 19th in the country in assists per game. He has recorded at least two points in all seven games this season.

Junior goalie Max Schefler attained top-20 status in saves per game after Sunday’s match when he recorded a seasonhigh 16 saves.

Collectively, the Bearcats are 13th in the nation in assists, doling out an average of seven per game. BU has also recorded a clearing percentage of .934, good for second in the country behind Ohio State (.975).

Binghamton’s competition early in America East play doesn’t seem to be too stiff.

Hartford (4-5) was picked to finish a place behind the Bearcats in the Coaches’ Preseason Poll, despite having won the AE crown in 2011.

The Hawks also currently ride a losing streak, having dropped their past two contests to No. 11 UMass Lowell and Holy Cross.

Leading Hartford’s offense are junior attack Kevin O’Shea and senior attack Andrew Cacchio. O’Shea has scored 23 goals and dished out 10 assists in nine games, while Cacchio lags just behind him with 17 goals on the season. Defensively, senior goalie Frank Piechota, who made all-conference first

team last season, has so far recorded 84 saves on the season with a 9.30 GAA. Last season, the Bearcats entered AE play with a winning percentage of .500. But they went on to drop four of five conference games, finishing with just five wins for the season. However, this year Binghamton has a different look — they have played close games against non-conference opponents including Cornell, Delaware, Siena, Air Force and Colgate, whose combined record is 30-12. The Bearcats should be properly prepared for its conference slate.

Tipoff against Hartford is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at AlMarzook Field in West Hartford, Conn.

BU @ Hartford DATE

March 29 LOCATION

Al-Marzook Field TIME

2:00 p.m.

Franz Lino/Staff Photographer

Junior attack Tucker Nelson ranks 19th nationally in assists this season with 1.86 per game.

Upcoming Sports Schedule Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Golf

Baseball

Softball

@ Hartford

@ Albany

Villanova Invitational

@ Mount St. Mary's

@ Albany

Saturday 3/29, 2 p.m.

Al-Marzook Field

Saturday 3/29, 1 p.m.

John Fallon Field

Monday 3/31, 8 a.m.

White Manor Country Club

Sunday 3/30 - Monday 3/31, 1 p.m.

E.T. Straw Family Stadium

Saturday 3/29 - Sunday 3/30, 1 p.m.

Albany Field

19

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | March 28, 2014

BU seeks offensive resuscitation at Mt. St. Mary's Non-conference match provides struggling Bearcats opportunity to wake bats Erik Bacharach

Assistant Sports Editor Behind the same offense that powered it to the America East title last season, the Binghamton baseball team has now landed in the depths of the conference.

Through 18 games this season, Binghamton (5-13, 1-4 AE) has accrued a team batting average of .230. Last year, the team finished with a collective mark of .266. But while the lineup certainly isn’t reproducing its 2013 efficiency, according to Binghamton head coach Tim Sinicki, what’s even more concerning is BU’s ineptitude at situational hitting.

“I think the biggest thing for us that we did last year that we’re not doing this year is not so much the amount of offense, but the timely hitting,” Sinicki said. “It’s not like we were a .300 hitting team as a group. Our team batting average was modest. But at the same time, when we were getting those hits was what was so valuable to us.”

Binghamton, looking ahead to a non-conference series with Mount St. Mary’s this weekend, dropped two out of three last weekend to Hartford. After only plating four runs in the series, BU has now failed to score over three runs in its last seven games.

Compiling hits up and down the order has been the Bearcats’ sore spot all season, but when they do get runners on base, they haven’t fared much better. Poor decision-making on the base paths has prevented BU hitters from even a chance at capitalizing in timely situations, but Sinicki said that as the weather improves and the team gets more exposure

to outdoor practice, everything should come together.

“It’s not easy sometimes to be cooped up in the gym. And you just can’t simulate some baseball type of situations that you really need to work on in terms of our ability to make good decisions on the bases,” Sinicki said. “Those are all things that you do in the fall, but at the same time, you need to revisit them in the springtime, just as refreshers, and unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to do that yet.”

A change in the weather can only help BU’s efficiency at the plate. Though the entire lineup has to be more productive with its at-bats, Sinicki says it starts with the middle of the order.

Junior right fielder Zach Blanden, senior second baseman Daniel Nevares and junior left fielder Jake Thomas, three of Binghamton’s biggest bats, are all hitting at least 30 points under their 2013 batting averages.

Last season, BU had six position players finish above a .280 clip.

This year, only Nevares and senior center fielder Bill Bereszniewicz are above that mark.

“The way our program is and the way we’ve always been, we’ve got to be pretty balanced one through nine in the lineup,” Sinicki said. “I think we have the ability to do that. But when your middle-of-the-order guys aren’t hitting the way you want them to, then what happens is the guys down in the order get more exposed, and it’s created a situation where it looks like the entire lineup is struggling.”

For all of BU’s shortcomings at the plate, it’s been producing on the

Franz Lino/Staff Photographer

Senior center fielder Bill Bereszniewicz leads Binghamton’s offense with a .304 batting average, 74 points above the team’s overall clip.

mound. Last year’s championship team held opponents to a .262 batting average. But even with the graduation of its two most potent arms, Binghamton’s pitching staff is actually faring slightly better against opposing hitters, only allowing a .260 clip from the plate.

Against Hartford, BU’s trifecta of junior Jack Rogalla, sophomore Jake Cryts and junior Mike Urbanski baffled the Hawks, allowing only one earned run over 19 innings.

“They’re doing exactly what

BEARCAT BRIEFS Golf places 20th at Middleburg Bank Intercollegiate

we ask them to do,” Sinicki said. “They’re keeping us in the ballgame, and giving us a chance to win at the end. They can’t do any more right now. And I’m very optimistic that they’ll continue to throw the baseball that way because they’re a talented group.”

So perhaps this non-conference matchup comes at exactly the right time for BU. With starting pitching holding down the fort, the sleeping Bearcat offense will have some free swings this weekend to try and startle itself

from hibernation.

“I think it does come at a good time for us,” Sinicki said. “I think we’ll get a chance to play with the lineup a little bit this weekend.

Whether it’s different players, whether it’s a different batting order, whatever the case may be, I think non-conference games give you a chance to do that.”

First pitch of Sunday’s doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. while Monday’s single game is set for 4 p.m. Both will be played at E.T. Straw Family Stadium in

BU @ Mt. St. Mary's DATE

March 30 & 31 LOCATION

E.T. Straw Family Stadium TIME

1:00 p.m.

Summer at City

Staff Reports The Binghamton golf team finished 20th out of 27 teams in last weekend’s three-day Middleburg Bank Intercollegiate.

The team posted a score of 911, finishing with individual day totals of 304, 306 and 301. Junior Jack Sedgewick led the team with a total score of 224, placing 50th of 140 participants.

Sedgewick recorded team-best scores of 75 and 73 in the competition’s final two days, respectively.

Freshman Sameer Kalia played his best golf on day three, completing the course with a score of 75. Kalia was

Binghamton’s second-best performer, finishing in a five-way tie for 78th with 229 strokes. Junior Josh Holling was not far behind, ending in a tie for 83rd with a final score of 230.

Senior Bryce Edmister recorded the team’s lowest score, 72 (+2), on the first day, but finished with 80 strokes in each of the next two days.

Binghamton returns to action on March 31 at the two-day Villanova Invitational. Play is set for 8 a.m. at White Manor Country Club in Malvern, Pa.

THREE CREDITS FOUND. NO SUMMER LOST. You don’t have to sacrifice your summer vacation in New York to earn the credits you need. The City College of New York offers three full-credit summer sessions for a fraction of the cost of other schools. And because the sessions are flexible, you can attend the one that best fits your schedule. So speed up your path to graduation or take that elective you want.

Join us for Summer at City!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.ccny.cuny.edu/summer

SPORTS

SOFTBALL

BU, Albany set for rematch Page 17

Friday, March 28, 2014

OUT-FOXED

Mid-game efforts not enough to overcome Marist's hot start See page 18

Franz Lino/Staff Photographer