Spring 2016 Issue 24

Theatre dept. brings

'hamlet' to campus

see page 4

Celebrating 70 Years as the Free Word on Campus

Friday, April 29, 2016 | Vol. LXXXIX, Issue 24 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com

SA cuts funding for campus Food Co-op Locally sourced, student-run eatery, store restructures in response to budget changes Pelle Waldron Assistant News Editor

Caleb Schwartz/Pipe Dream Photographer Pictured: Binghamton University history professor Stephen Ortiz stands on the Spine. Ortiz is set to speak about embracing moments of uncertainty on May 3 as part of BU’s Last Lecture series.

Stephen Ortiz to deliver Last Lecture

BU history professor will examine the importance of accidents Alexandra Mackof News Editor

Binghamton University history professor Stephen Ortiz will deliver this year’s Last Lecture on the importance of embracing moments of uncertainty.

The Last Lecture series was inspired

by Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Pausch, a computer science professor, gave his final lecture, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” in September 2007 before dying the following year. Kicking off at BU with psychology professor Ann Merriwether in

2011, each year one professor has been tasked with giving a lecture as if it were their last.

Amanda Baker, the Student Association (SA) vice president for academic affairs and a senior majoring in history, organized this year’s lecture and asked Ortiz to be the keynote. According to Ortiz, the task originally seemed daunting and he credited Baker for giving him the will to participate.

“I first thought I was doing a history lecture,” Ortiz said. “But then Amanda said, ‘No, we want your deep thoughts.’

I’m terrified of deep thoughts and if someone else had asked me, I might not

have agreed.”

Ortiz came to BU in 2010 after teaching at both Pennsylvania State University and Ohio State University. He grew up in Florida and received his bachelor’s from the University of Florida. Although BU is far from his hometown, Ortiz said he loves teaching at the University.

“I’m extraordinarily pleased to be here,” he said. “It’s a great place to be. There are so many interesting and successful people — students and professors — who make it a really fun job.”

Ortiz also earned a Ph.D. in history

SEE ORTIZ PAGE 2

In 1975 a group of students, looking for an alternative food option that provided local, organic meals, founded the Food Co-Op at Binghamton University.

Today, the Roots Café, located in the basement of the Union, serves freshly prepared food on Tuesday through Friday. The menu changes daily, and students can also purchase avocados, bananas and other produce as well as bulk items such as granola and oatmeal.

The Food Co-Op serves primarily as a business — almost all the food comes from local farm shares, is prepared in the mornings and sold by weight throughout the day. The Co-Op also functions as a social club, with an e-board that puts on informational events, including guest speakers and film screenings.

Operating on a $4,000 annual budget from the Student Association (SA), the Co-Op spent most of the money on startup costs every year. The rest of the money went towards social events, which have high costs because they are free, but the Co-Op still provides food.

Starting next semester, however, the amount of money they receive from the SA will be $0.

Kate Tashman, the SA vice president for finance and a junior doublemajoring in biomedical engineering and mathematics, said that the reason they lost their funding is due to the combination of being a business and a social group.

“They viewed themselves as a student group mixed with a business, whereas from an auditing perspective a business needs to be completely different from our student groups,” Tashman said.

M-HOPE provides space for students to share stories, advice about mental illness Contributing Writer

Mental Health Outreach Peer Educators (M-HOPE) interns spoke in the New University Union on Tuesday about the facts, myths and stigmas surrounding depression. An illness that, they said, can never be cured by silence.

M-HOPE interns Hadas Bernstein and Olga Gonzalez, both seniors majoring in psychology, explained that mental illnesses like depression are often stigmatized because they do not primarily manifest physically and go largely unnoticed by others.

To further their point, the M-HOPE educators presented a TED talk video from comedian Kevin Breel in which he talked about his own battle with depression.

“Every 30 seconds, somewhere, someone in the world takes their own life because of depression and it’s happening every single day and we have a tendency, as a society, to look at that and go, ‘so what?’” Breel said in the video. “You hold it in and you hide it and even though it’s keeping you in bed every day and it’s making your life feel empty no matter how much you try and fill it, you hide it, because the stigma in our society around depression is very real.”

The presenters explained that one of the best methods for treating depression is to seek help through individual or group therapy.

“We encourage people to speak up about their illness, especially mental illnesses, because when you put a face to something and understand it more in depth, people can realize there

shouldn’t be a stigma attached to it,” Bernstein said. “It’s what makes people who they are. We see so many people with mental health disorders, not just depression and no one talks about it and they think something is wrong with them and we hope to eradicate that sentiment.”

Event organizers further stressed the importance of not remaining silent on the issue of depression, offering suggestions such as journaling and staying away from negative activities to cope with depression’s symptoms.

“Write in a journal; it helps to put

SEE M-HOPE PAGE 2

See page 4

Alexandra Mackof News Editor

healthier lifestyle.

Danielle Preiser, one of the speakers of the event and a junior majoring in psychology, spoke about her 6 1/2-year battle with an unknown illness that was causing her large intestine to die, requiring multiple surgeries.

Preiser said that after many doctors’ failed attempts to heal her, she became more focused on her overall wellness by exercising and becoming a gluten-free vegan. Although she still isn’t completely cured, Preiser said it’s important to stay positive throughout times of illness.

“In order to win the battle for life,

The Moefest location has moved yet again, after complications arose from hosting the event on the Old Dickinson Co-Rec Field.

The event, which is WHRW 90.5 FM’s largest concert of the year, will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 29. The final set venue for Moefest is the area between Whitney and Old Champlain in the Old Dickinson housing community.

The latest change comes after a request from Gaffney Productions, a company that WHRW has hired to help with Moefest logistics. According to Isabella Castiglioni, the director of public relations for WHRW and a junior majoring in geography, Gaffney Productions said the Old Dickinson CoRec Field would not be a safe location for the performance stage.

“We had a production meeting with the outside sound company, and he said he couldn’t drive his truck into the [CoRec] field,” Castiglioni said. “If it rains, he’s afraid his truck will get stuck in the mud, and the truck is needed to bring in the stage.”

Moefest was originally set for the Peace Quad, until Binghamton University administration cited conflicts with University policy stating that loud events cannot be held on-campus before 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the

SEE HEALTH PAGE 2

SEE WHRW PAGE 2

John Babich/Pipe Dream Photographer Robert Huang, a senior majoring in biology, speaks on how diet and exercise improved his health at Tuesday’s “Winning at Health” student symposium.

Student group hosts forum to encourage healthy living Amy Donovan

Contributing Writer

ARTS & CULTURE

DCP brings “The Rocky Horror Show” to campus, complete with dildos and aliens,

WHRW's annual concert moved to Old Dickinson lot

We see so many people Fit University club members encourage an active lifestyle and positive thinking with mental health disorders ... and no one talks about it — Hadas Bernstein M-HOPE Intern

Fit University, a club focused on promoting health and wellness through exercise and peer support, hosted its first annual “Winning at Health” student symposium on Tuesday in Old Union Hall.

Five students from Fit University spoke about their personal struggles with obstacles like bipolar disorder, noncommunicable diseases and depression.

The speakers also gave insight into how they personally learned to overcome their battles by focusing on mental health, working out more and leading a OPINIONS

Mac & Cheese Fest sold out, but we’ve got the highlights,

See page 5

SEE CO-OP PAGE 2

Moefest relocates once more

Interns explore stigmas surrounding depression Samuel Abaev

“They were thinking ‘our student group budget has been taken away,’ but no, we took away the budget of a business.”

No student groups which function as businesses on campus receive money from the SA. The funds, which come from the student activity fee, are reserved for social clubs which don’t make a profit. But according to Jowell Padro, the president of the Food Co-Op and a senior double-majoring in comparative literature and Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies, their purpose has never been to make money as a business.

“Our goal is not to make a profit, it’s to provide a food alternative,” Padro said. “We’re not interested in being a business with a big profit, because if that was the case our food wouldn’t be accessible to people, and that really is our goal.”

In response to the loss of funds, the Food Co-Op plans to restructure their organization. A new social group, called Students for Ethical Living and Food (SELF) is being founded. The Co-Op will function as an autonomous business, and SELF will serve as a new social group that provides the volunteer workforce for the Co-Op. There are currently around 15 volunteers, who take shifts in the kitchen and at the register, and the hope is that SELF will increase that number.

“What SELF is going to do is recruit volunteers and market the Co-Op,” Padro said. “[It will] very much use the Co-Op as a platform to facilitate the mission statement of what the CoOp and what SELF shares, which is ethical living, sustainable food and food alternatives.”

The fight on the "tampon tax" is misguided and calls for better solutions,

See page 7

SPORTS

Baseball to host NYIT this weekend in non-conference three-game series,

See page 8

Softball pushes winning streak to seven with Wednesday’s sweep of Buffalo,

See page 10

2

NEWS

bupipedream.com | April 29, 2016

History prof. to talk about life's accidents ORTIZ FROM PAGE 1

from the University of Florida, which he said was “in some ways an accident.” According to him, a lot of the experiences that shaped his life were originally unplanned, a trend that inspired his lecture titled, “The Accidental Historian.”

“The talk deals with my trajectory through my life, and how in many ways, there were many series of accidents that have gotten me here,” Ortiz said.

“When you’re 22 and graduating from college, you get out there and have to make your own path. Sometimes accidents are fortuitous.”

For Ortiz, a lot of questions surrounded his plans postgraduation. And while this is not his actual last lecture, it may be the final one for many seniors.

Ortiz said that in keeping with this idea, he will share questions that followed the conclusion of his personal college career.

“There were questions like, ‘Should I be a history major?

Should I go to graduate school?

Should I go back to graduate school?’” Ortiz said. “I wondered, ‘Am I able to write something that’s meaningful or has some impact?’”

Ortiz also said that sometimes, success only stems from understanding the importance of questions and not only focusing on answers.

“If you ask most people in [the Glenn G. Bartle Library] tower, even as accomplished as professors are on this campus, many of them will tell you there are times they feel like an imposter, that they don’t know enough,” Ortiz said.

“And I think that’s an interesting phenomenon: the true kind of measure of whether you are an expert is realizing how much you really don’t know about something.”

Concluding with the notion that confusion can lead to progress, Ortiz credited the more chaotic moments in his life with shaping his identity.

“I wouldn’t be a good teacher and I maybe would be a less good person if I hadn’t had big gaps where I wasn’t doing what I do now,” Ortiz stated. “Those gaps don’t look like they have any bearing on who I am now, but are deeply central to my way of approaching the world. The unintended consequences of taking weird paths to your future can bring results that you can’t anticipate, but become central to who you are.”

Last Lecture will take place on May 3 at 7 p.m. in Old Union Hall and is open to all members of the campus community.

The true kind of measure of whether you are an expert is realizing how much you don't know — Stephen Ortiz BU Professor

John Babich/Pipe Dream Photographer Mental Health Outreach Peer Educators interns Hadas Bernstein and Olga Gonzalez, both seniors majoring in psychology, spoke in the New University Union on Tuesday to address common misconceptions about mental health.

M-HOPE interns educate students on depression M-HOPE FROM PAGE 1 things in perspective and you’re able to recount what’s actually bothering you,” Gonzalez said.

“But mainly, don’t become isolated. With depression, a lot of people find comfort and instant gratification in staying in and not talking to others, but that only serves to make you feel better for that moment. It doesn’t help deal with the problem in the long run.”

To close the event, the presenters asked attendees to

share their stories. Alexandra Stein, a junior majoring in psychology, volunteered to talk about her personal journey with depression.

“I was diagnosed with depression when I was 14 and since then I had a lot of friends come and go in my life,” Stein said. “People treat you badly because there is a stigma attached to [depression], but I’ve finally, now in college, been able to find a group of friends who accept me for who I am.”

Gonzalo Quinones, a

sophomore majoring in psychology, said he found the event both educational and interesting.

“The video was provocative and it definitely revealed a lot of things that unless you have depression, you wouldn’t know about,” Quinones said. “I’m interested in the phenomena of depression in college students because it’s such a widespread issue that still has a stigma attached to it and I wanted to know more about it.”

We encourage people to speak up about their illness, especially mental illnesses — Hadas Bernstein M-HOPE Intern

WHRW's Moefest concert venue relocates for a second time WHRW FROM PAGE 1

Photo provided by WHRW

theatre department’s production of “Hamlet.” Although WHRW General Manager James Scott said he first submitted a request to reserve the Peace Quad at the beginning of the semester and received confirmation over two weeks ago, he was informed last Friday that the event could no longer be held there.

The University reserves the right to overrule any location bookings of student organizations on campus and offer alternative venues, but many have said that Moefest’s relocation could have been executed earlier to avoid complications.

“We were told by this company who’s providing the stage that they refused to use the

Co-Rec Field,” Castiglioni said.

“It all goes back to the fact that if we were on the Peace Quad it wouldn’t be a problem.”

The University offered to absorb any additional costs for promotional materials to advertise Moefest’s location after the first venue change to the CoRec Field. But Castiglioni said that although the location has switched again, WHRW is not remaking marketing materials so as to avoid further confusion.

According to Castiglioni, one of the benefits of the Peace Quad was its central campus location.

She said that the changed location will not deter eager attendees, but it will limit the amount of students who stumble upon the event.

“The field we’re in now is way smaller than both the Peace

Quad and the Old Dickinson [Co-Rec] Field, plus at the other two locations we’re much closer to the center of campus,” Castiglioni said. “So I think we’ll still get a good turnout because people want to see the bands we have, but we’ll lose a lot of people who would have noticed it in passing.”

Scott added that regardless of the changes and complications, he believes Moefest will be a success.

“It’s just what happens when you change the location for an event as large as Moefest last minute,” Scott said. “There’s a reason we’ve been planning this for months — an event this size really necessitates that. Moefest is still alive and I think it’s still going to be a great show.”

Students discuss healthy lifestyles Food Co-op loses SA funding HEALTH FROM PAGE 1 every survivor must be strong and positive,” Preiser said. “There are no exceptions. People question how one can be so positive while fighting for life. The answer is simple: it’s choice. If you choose to live, you choose to fight and you choose to be positive.”

Veronika Polyakova, the copresident of Fit University and a junior majoring in human development, spoke about how she developed a healthier lifestyle to battle her polycystic ovary syndrome. The disease causes infertility, excess testosterone and hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormone. Polyakova said that hearing from others is a powerful way to spread awareness.

“Something like this is important because hearing people’s stories in person is so much more real than reading about it online,” Polyakova said.

“And my motto is you shouldn’t have to get sick to start taking care of yourself. So it’s important for people to hear it from us

and to understand that this can happen to them.”

Lauryn Maleski, a freshman majoring in human development, spoke about her battle with bipolar disorder and her attempted suicides. She emphasized that sharing her story and advocating for the end of the stigmatization of bipolar disorder has helped her overcome her personal struggles.

“I promise you that putting your story out there, whether it’s related to health and wellness or not, is incredibly difficult,” Maleski said. “But because I’ve spoken about my struggles and because I’m an activist, my life and the lives of other people have drastically changed for the better.”

Olivia Choi, a freshman majoring in nursing, said that the speakers were very relatable and it was comforting to hear how everyone has their own battles to face.

“It was very helpful to see that other people are going through problems,” Choi said. “We all are and it’s nice to know we’re not alone. It’s important because it shows that everyone has a

connection and that you’re not alone.”

Preiser said that her goal in speaking at this event was to help any person who may be struggling by sharing her own story.

“I think it’s important because first and foremost I haven’t been open about it and being open about it has been healing in itself,” Preiser said. “If I can touch one person, then that’s all I want.”

In order to win the battle for life, every survivor must be strong — Danielle Preiser BU Junior

CO-OP FROM PAGE 1

“I think it offers a lot of vegetarian and vegan options The hope is that SELF, as that aren’t available anywhere a social group, will be able to else,” D’Emic said. “It also receive funding from the SA in provides a cheap, healthy food the future. The Co-Op would that’s hard to come by other still have to operate on it’s own, places on campus.” which would entail increasing In the end, Padro said that he their revenue to account for hopes the Co-Op can survive as start-up costs. According to an alternative to Sodexo.

Tashman, while still maintaining “The food just tastes much — Jowell Padro the culture of the Co-Op, tweaks better, it’s clean, it’s organic,” Food Co-op President to their business model would Padro said. “Everything about allow this to work. our food is what you want to eat “This is a time for them and how food should be.” to start and try to be more profitable, like our other businesses, so they don’t need a budget,” Tashman said. “Maybe change their business model a little bit just because times have changed, but at the same time keep that feel of the food Co-Op and really keep the spirit of it because that’s what draws people to it.”

Emily D’Emic, a senior majoring in English, frequents the Co-Op and also used to volunteer in the kitchen. She said that the type of food offered Sasha Dolgetta/Pipe Dream Photographer there is hard to come by in other Pictured: The Food Co-op, located in the Old Union Basement. Starting next semester, the organization’s $4,000 annual budget from Student Association will be cut to zero dollars. places at BU.

Our goal is not to make a profit, it's to provide a food alternative

PAGE III Friday, April 29, 2016

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

Clothesline-ing the Spine

Pipe Line UNIVERSITY NEWS Harpur College Council considers Student Association’s course-retaking policy Harpur College Council has decided to table a vote on a new policy on retaking classes for credit until next semester. The current policy states that only classes in which a student has received an F may be retaken and counted toward a student’s GPA, with both the first and second grades being averaged together. The new policy, written mainly by members of the Student Association (SA), would allow students to retake a class in which they received a D or F and have both count toward their GPA. Nick Ferrara, SA president for the 2016-17 academic year and a junior majoring in political science, expressed disappointment with the Council’s decision to put off the vote. “While we are disappointed in the council’s decision we look forward to working with all those concerned to pass this long overdue policy next semester,” Ferrara wrote in an email.

Lot F3 to close on April 29 Lot F3 will be closed for Pi Kappa Alpha’s Fireman’s Challenge Friday, April 29, according to the University News Briefs. The lot will return to normal weekday use Monday, May 2. Pi Kappa Alpha is working in conjunction

with the Binghamton Fire Department for this event, where student groups compete in firefighting activities.

Web: bupipedream.com

Spring 2016 editor-in-ChieF* Jeffrey D. Twitty editor@bupipedream.com

LOCAL NEWS

MAnAging editor* Rohit Kapur manager@bupipedream.com

Woman stabbed on Binghamton’s Westside

neWs editor* Alexandra K. Mackof news@bupipedream.com Asst. neWs editors Pelle Waldron Gabriella Weick Brenden Zarkower

A woman was hospitalized after being attacked Wednesday afternoon in the Westside neighborhood of Binghamton, according to the city of Binghamton Police Department.

The woman, a 32-year-old female, was taken to UHS Wilson Medical Center after she was stabbed in the area of 42 Clinton St. Two women, Linette Pica, 24, and Joannie Gonzalez-Espinoza, 26, both of Binghamton, have been charged with one count of assault in the second degree in connection with the incident and have both been remanded to Broome County Jail.

Binghamton hotel looking to become student housing The owner of Travel Hotel & Suites on Front Street in Binghamton is seeking to renovate and become student housing, according to the Press and Sun-Bulletin. The property has seen a large number of drug arrests in the last year, but is looking to convert its 139 rooms into long-term student housing.

The proposal will need approval from the city’s planning commission at its next meeting next month.

This Day in History April 29, 1899 Jazz musician and bandleader Duke Ellington is born Edward Kennedy Ellington in the District of Columbia.

“[He’s] Lucifer in the flesh.”

— John Boehner,

the former house speaker on Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz.

oPinions editor* Caleb D. Schwartz opinion@bupipedream.com Arts & Culture editor* Odeya Pinkus arts@bupipedream.com Asst. Arts & Culture editors Kara J. Brown Georgia Westbrook sPorts editor* Orlaith McCaffrey sports@bupipedream.com Asst. sPorts editors Noah Bressner Kyle McDonald PhotogrAPhy editor* Kevin A. Sussy photo@bupipedream.com Kevin Sussy/Photography Editor T-shirts donning uplifting messages from survivors of assault and their supporters are pinned to a clothesline along the Spine. The Clothesline Project is a worldwide campaign with the mission of increasing the awareness of violence against women.

Police Watch We All Scream For …

TUESDAY, April 26, 11:38 p.m. — Officers responded to Endicott Hall of Newing College late Tuesday to speak with a janitor, said Investigator Robert Meddleton of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. The janitor took the officer to the stairwell where an unknown person had thrown ice cream around and smeared it all over the walls. He reported that he has repeatedly seen vomit and garbage thrown around the stairwell since the beginning of the semester, although this is the first time it has been reported to police. The case is still under investigation.

Strike Out TUESDAY, April 26, 4:32 p.m. — UPD was called to the paid parking lot for a hit and run, Meddleton said.

The victim, a 66-year-old female, said that she had noticed damage to her Toyota Camry on the rear driver’s side door and around the fender of the car. She also noticed a turn signal cover on the ground which had a Chrysler symbol on it. The officer was able to locate a Chrysler in the parking lot with minor damages and a missing turn signal cover, so the driver was contacted and called to the scene. The suspect, a 22-year-old male, said that he did not strike the vehicle and had tried to park there but couldn’t fit. Despite the officer then presenting the cover to him, he denied hitting the vehicle. He

A lighter take on campus crime Derek Schuster Police Correspondant

was given a ticket for leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

Library Lecher WEDNESDAY, April 27, 12:32 p.m. — Officers responded to Glenn G. Bartle Library Wednesday afternoon, Meddleton said. The victim, a 20-year-old female, said that she was seated on a couch in the library when an unknown male came and sat down next to her. The male then slid next to her so that their legs were touching and told her that she “looked like a sexy librarian” and put his arm around her. He has been described as a white male around six feet tall with wavy brown hair.

The victim said that he looked more like a professor than a student.

Abuse of Power WEDNESDAY, April 27, 4:11 p.m. — UPD was contacted by the Dean of Students Office, Meddleton said. The victim, an 18-year-old male, had received a letter from the office that referenced an incident about illegal substances being used. The letter, which was determined by the Dean of Students Office to be fictitious, said that he was responsible for going to a hearing but also gave him websites and phone numbers to help with his substance abuse problem.

There is a possible suspect, but the case is still under investigation.

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Bethany J. Gordon Airi Kojima CoPy desk ChieF* Shauna R. Bahssin copy@bupipedream.com Asst. CoPy desk ChieF Gabrielle Teaman neWsrooM teChnology MAnAger* Henry Zheng tech@bupipedream.com editoriAl Artist Elizabeth A. Manning business MAnAger* Michael A. Contegni business@bupipedream.com Asst. business MAnAger Andrew P. Genussa distribution MAnAger Justine L. Seliger distribution@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.

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stabilizing: TBT

Will Power :destabilizing

ARTS & CULTURE campus theatre

Sci-fi, cult & kink

DCP brings 'Rocky Horror' to C4 Kara Brown Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Dickinson Community Players is set to put on “The Rocky Horror Show” this weekend in the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4) Multipurpose Room.

This cult classic tells the story of a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who get a flat tire during a storm.

In an attempt to find help, they stumble upon the home of cross-dressing evil scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. During their journey, the two meets a slew of interesting characters and connect with their sexuality on a new level. Through song, dance and sex, this play gives the word “unexpected” a new meaning.

“The Rocky Horror Show” screenplay was written by Richard O’Brien in 1973, before being adapted into the cult classic 1975 film “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” This wacky story breaks down traditional gender roles and brings sexuality to center stage.

Jacqueline Pontillo, a freshman double-majoring in economics and theatre, played Janet.

This is the type of show where the audience can interact by calling out during designated moments of the performance and dressing up

“The whole point is that Janet and Brad are supposed to be like a stereotypical, ’50s couple,” Pontillo said. “Superinnocent and then they come in and they get super corrupted by these aliens and sex and rock ‘n’ roll.”

Marisa Freeman, the show’s director and a junior majoring in anthropology, thinks that the show’s edgy themes send a strong societal message.

“I think [the play is] a statement on being yourself, but not to the point where you follow your own self-interest to hurt other people,” Freeman said.

Matthew Long, a junior majoring in political science, played the over-the-top, overtly sexual and confident Dr. FrankN-Furter.

“I like to think of myself as someone who lives for campy things,” Long said. “Those really kind of gaudy, over-the-top type of things, like drag queens, beautiful noise like that and this show is perfect — quintessential for that it’s the most absurd, scifi, campy musical-comedy that you could ever come see.”

Featuring everything from dildos to brains in a bag, there

is never a dull moment in this story. Additionally, the show invites audience interaction, with call-outs throughout the performance. But even while the play is fun and upbeat, attendees can expect a somber ending.

“I think the ending being more serious is a different take than a lot of companies take it,” Freeman said. “Because it’s such a campy over-the-top show, you can push the end that way too, but I wanted to bring it back to a more grounded, sane place after the insanity that the first 98 percent of the show is.”

Mary Golden, the show’s musical director and a sophomore majoring in English, said that she has thoroughly enjoyed her role in the play and is excited to see how far it’s come.

“It’s shaky, because we haven’t done a musical in a long time,” she said. “I was a little worried at first, but it turned out to be so amazing and I’m so proud of this cast and everything they’ve done,” “The Rocky Horror Show” will be performing in the C4 Multipurpose Room on Friday, April 29 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Caleb Schwartz/Pipe Dream Photographer From left to right: Taylor Dunn, a junior double-majoring in psychology and theatre; Tiana Camacho, a senior majoring in theatre; Matthew Long, a junior majoring in political science and Anna Cronin, a junior majoring in psychology, performing as characters in DCP’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show.”

The show runs through Saturday, April 30.

Kevin Sussy/Photographer Editor Danielle Nigro, a junior majoring in theatre, Stephanie Herlihy, a junior majoring in psychology and Jake DeRobertis, a freshman majoring in mathematics perform in the theatre department’s production of “Hamlet.” The Mainstage show runs through May 8.

'Hamlet' is a girl

Theatre dept. updates Shakespeare

There’s a great difference Shauna R. Bahssin between just reading the text of Copy Desk Chief “Hamlet” and this performance — the actors’ physicalities and line The Binghamton University deliveries seem so effortless that it’s theatre department ended its barely noticeable that the language Mainstage season by going back is Elizabethan. Additionally, the to the basics, with a production show fills in moments absent in the of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, original script — Brady has added “Hamlet.” small scenes, including silent, The play is one of theatre’s intimate asides between Hamlet most revered pieces and is often and Ophelia, which occur within required reading for those who the background of scripted events. study the English language. So, However, there is another for an audience who will likely notable directorial addition: in this already be familiar with the story production, the traditionally male— the leading character’s angst, cast Hamlet is played by Danielle the familial betrayal and the Nigro, a junior majoring in theatre. eventual demise of each principal For Kevin Oakes, an associate character — how can the show be director of the show and an adjunct made fresh? professor of theatre at BU, the In this production, directed by decision to cast Hamlet as a woman theatre professor Anne Brady, the came naturally, given the creative first noticeable difference from team’s interpretation of the show. other renditions is the show’s “This is a story that we think is modern feel. Though the set and universal,” he said. “We wanted to setting remain the antiquated castle open it up to all people auditioning of Elsinore, the play is launched — this is everyone’s story; this is a into the 21st century through the woman’s story just as much it is a props and costumes of the actors, man’s story.” which closely resemble the outfits Brady echoed the sentiment, and inventories of modern-day saying that the tragedies faced by people. Gertrude and Claudius are Hamlet are ones experienced by dressed in contemporary clothing both genders. She also believes that and the actors who play Horatio, the narrative of the story has not Rosencrantz and Guildenstern been affected by the gender change are dressed in outfits typical of a in casting. student on the Spine.

“Loss and heartbreak and

despair and feeling at sea or alone or at a loss of what action to take are things that all of us can identify with at some point in our lives,” she wrote in an email. “And so, in those aspects, among others, Hamlet’s story is a universal story,” Though masculinity is often associated with the role of Hamlet, Brady and Oakes explained that a female lead in the play is far from unusual. In fact, women have been playing the role since as early as the 18th century. And even beyond this, the minute that Nigro steps on stage, any preconceived notions of Hamlet’s character will evaporate. Her Hamlet is energetic, frenetic and as immaturely moody as a 30-year-old Danish heir can be, flawlessly moving between Shakespeare’s sharp wit and the madness of her character.

“A director considers many things when casting - she/he is casting a company of actors to tell a story, not just one person for one role. And, so, I cast the entire company to help support the story of the play ,” Brady wrote.

“I hope that the audience may find something new in Hamlet by seeing it played with Danielle in the lead role.”

“Hamlet” will be playing at the Watters Theatre with performances at 8 p.m. on April 29, 30 and May 6 and at 2 p.m. on May 1 and 8.

Seeing life through pairs of 3-D glasses

Professor Emeritus Ken Jacobs returns to campus to discuss his original films Patrick Hao Arts & Culture On a usual Tuesday night, Lecture Hall 6 hosts the 48-person cinema class, “Expression and Innovation in Film and Video.” This Tuesday, however, the hall was above capacity with faculty, students and community members for a special screening of 3-D films

by Ken Jacobs, distinguished professor emeritus of cinema.

Jacobs, who helped found Binghamton University’s cinema department in 1969 and taught at BU until his retirement in 2002, returned to campus as part of the cinema department’s annual Visiting Artists Series.

Co-sponsored by the cinema department, the Harpur College Dean’s Speaker Series and Broome County Arts Council, Jacobs also visited BU for the 2012 edition of the series. But this time, Jacobs brought a

portfolio showcasing his recent fascination with 3-D technology.

The first film shown was “Canopy,” a five-minute video composed of still images shot with a 3-D camera but shown through 2-D projection. The film is shot on a single New York City sidewalk, which was taped off with scaffolding for construction.

Through the manipulation of images, Jacobs creates the illusion of a motion picture. The digital optical tool that is used to create the image of a canopy billowing in the imaginary wind is juxtaposed against an artificial flicker effect that harkens back to analog film.

Throughout the film, Jacobs constructs a meta-narrative, distinguishing between the illusionary movement in film and the perception it creates in the brain.

The traditional 3-D film “Blankets for Indians,” an overtly

political film shot during the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011, was screened second in the evening. The title is a play on the U.S. government’s 19th century policy of supplying Native Americans with smallpoxcontaminated blankets. With this piece, Jacobs, as the voyeuristic cameraman during a movement of protest, comments on the action as if he were a court jester, questioning the criminal portrayal of the peaceful collective by those who look down upon the movement.

The film was often paused on an image during the screening to allow the viewer to explore the 3-D space and make note of faces in the mass. The protesters include many different personalities, such as a person playing a trombone and a woman pushing a stroller with a toddler.

The movement of the crowd is interlaced with manipulated

shots of a fountain in front of New York City Hall. The fountain is a monument of excess — something that is owned by the rich and powerful. It is used by the film as a symbol of a government which has allowed the transgressions of Wall Street to continue even as the Occupy Wall Street movement grew.

When discussing the film,

Jacobs explained why he was attracted to the Occupy protesters at Zuccotti Park.

“I adore these people, people who were arrested, brutally beat and the subject of cruelty,” he said.

Like filmmakers Jean-Luc Godard and Werner Herzog before him, Jacobs is not interested in using technology

for pure spectacle, but instead as a way to explore the whole medium of cinema. For an avantgarde filmmaker, that means illuminating the way reality is portrayed on a medium that works as a grand illusion. Jacob describes this process of filmmaking as one based on feeling. “[There’s] no logic,” Jacobs said. “I just use my intuition.”

Jacobs creates the illusion of a motion picture Elizabeth Manning/Editorial Artist

5

ARTS & CULTURE

April 29, 2016 | bupipedream.com

A spiritual trip at Mac & Cheese Fest

One writer's journey through the ups and downs of Bing's long awaited evening

Michael Contegni/Pipe Dream Staff Photographer Two types of mac and cheese available at Binghamton’s first Mac & Cheese Fest. The event, which took place on Thursday, raised funds for the Binghamton Philharmonic.

Odeya Pinkus Arts & Culture Editor If everyone has a vice, then mine is cheese. I love cheese.

In all forms really, from blocked to stringed and from melted to crumbled. There is no experience comparable to walking through a farmers market and finding a brand new cheese that you had no clue existed, like a beer-infused gouda, or a jasmine-infused goat cheese — but anyway, I digress.

I don’t want to call myself a cheese connoisseur, but then again, I do. Beyond just cheese, I love mac and cheese. A soft-shell pasta with a warm, delicious cheese is possibly the only food combination that can truly warm the soul.

With all this being said, the prospect of the Mac & Cheese

Fest more than excited me, it was truly the best thing that could have happened to me. Actually to the entire Binghamton area.

So I got my ticket and I waited.

After weeks of anticipation, the day arrived. I showed up to the Holiday Inn, ready for an experience like no other. And apparently, I wasn’t the only one. I had to park in the Boscov’s parking lot just to walk over to the hotel.

I finally found my way to the event, but my nose realized it before anything else. The beautiful, sensuous, delectable aromas filled my nostrils and once they arrived there was no turning back. I waited in line, but I soon realized that before I could feast on any food, I had to feast my eyes first. The main ballroom was filled with people

— cheese-lovers young and old.

The walls were lined with vendors serving samples of their various concoctions. I had a score card with me, listing each of the 32 participating restaurants. Vendors included student favorites such as Lost Dog Cafe and hidden gems such as Enfield’s Restaurant. There was a lot to take in and that was just the atmosphere. Now on to the main event: the food.

Before I begin, I should probably explain what I look for in a good macaroni and cheese. For me, there are a couple of factors that make a good macaroni and cheese. I care about sauce. It must be cheesy, it must be flavorful and it shouldn’t taste manufactured or from a box (not that I don’t love a good box of Kraft, but there is a time and place for everything people). I also

care a lot about the consistency of pasta. There is no reason to get a mush; it should never be like the macaroni was stepped on before entering the bowl. And if there are additives, their presence should never detract. I’m looking for the crunchiest of crunches and the most potent barbecue sauces.

I began my journey by trying an old favorite and finding something new in the Lost Dog. As far as dishes go, I was impressed. Even despite the plastic cups that all portions were served in, this tasty treat still looked presentable. Lost Dog called this “Hot & Crunchy Cheesy Mac” and I was impressed by its delicious cheesiness. This dish consisted of elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, Havarti cheese scallions and Frank’s RedHot Sauce. I usually can’t handle

spice, but this I could deal with.

I moved on to try what The Colonial had to offer. At this booth I was greeted by large shells in a yellow cheese sauce. Daring. Yet as I let my taste buds do the work, I was disappointed. Big shells demand big taste, and these did not hold up. Yet with this small cup behind me, I was determined to move on and find salvation in these creamy sauces.

I ventured over to a booth that brought me back to an elevated place of hope and love. The food at a place called Kristofor’s Restaurant impressed me to no end. As I took the first bite, I was amazed by what flavors hit my taste buds. I went back again to make sure it was as good as I first thought. It was.

Some restaurants went in the direction of adventure, with Galaxy

Brewing Company putting poached pears into its dish. This was, for lack of a better word, crazy. It was sweet and not bad. I don’t know if I’d order it in a restaurant, but for the novelty I’m glad it was available. One restaurant, Lampy’s Mediterranean Grill, featured a white chocolate dessert mac and cheese. You could taste the sweetness and it was surprisingly cold.

A definite standout of the night was from Belmar Pub. Their mac and cheese featured barbecue pulled pork, and was topped in crushed rich crackers. Delicious.

While it was impossible to try every type, the end of the evening I found myself stuffed to my gills.

All in all, Mac & Cheese Fest was a religious experience. I might have been breaking Passover, but this was the most spiritual I’ve felt in weeks.

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F UN Friday, April 29, 2016

Slove (Sloth Love)

RELEASE DATE– Thursday, August 9, 2007

Elizabeth Manning

#relatable

Elizabeth Manning

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis ACROSS 1 High-__ 5 Cheek or lip 9 1983 film in which Mr. T plays a hack named Samson 14 “Typee” sequel 15 Luau entertainment 16 Shrink slowly 17 Channel buildup 18 Early forefather?

19 #1 tennis player for much of the ’80s 20 Sales taxes, e.g.

23 The yoke’s on them 24 Asylum seekers, briefly 28 His first words to Alice were “Your hair wants cutting” 31 Barring 33 Half a dance 34 Big name in astrology 35 Rampant 36 Dele breaker?

37 It became two states on 11/2/1889 40 Janis Ian album “Working Without __” 41 Utah’s state flower 42 Monster Park NFLer 43 Banned pesticide 44 Old Roman being 45 Barnum “attraction” 46 1943 Bogart film 48 Barber’s sprinkle 49 Import replaced by the Echo in 2000 55 Poly- kin 58 Jokester Johnson 59 Mont. neighbor 60 Gelatin garnish 61 Layer 62 National park near Springdale, Utah 63 “Vissi d’arte” singer 64 Not slowing down a bit 65 “__ Cassius has a lean ...”: Shakespeare

DOWN 1 Throw 2 Discharge 3 Pepsi, for one 4 Eager and then some 5 Generous type 6 “Law Like Love” poet 7 Czech, e.g.

8 Word before old 9 Luxurious 10 Disturbing company 11 Cooler denizen 12 Append 13 North Sea land: Abbr.

21 Apply, as pressure 22 “When pigs fly!”

25 Theater opening 26 Beatles’ “__ a Place” 27 Woodland deities 28 Amateurs on boards 29 Blake of “Gunsmoke” 30 Doth get one’s hands on 31 Prolonged battle 32 It’s picked 35 Itinerary details: Abbr.

36 Badly needing to get out 38 Ore analysis 39 Hastings hearth 44 Orchestral premiere of 4/7/1805 45 Place to get a bite 47 Cluttered room, usually 48 Folksy starch source found in 20-, 37- and 49Across

50 Cereal grains 51 Voyage 52 Ad writer’s award 53 School founded by Henry VI 54 Reel in 55 Yoga class need 56 Subj. of the 1991 film “For the Boys” 57 Old platters

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE: rs

yaaaas sticke

I Had To

xwordeditor@aol.com

By Victor Fleming (c)2007 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

yaas

Elizabeth Manning

8/9/07

8/9/07

Pre-Veterinary Society Weekly meetings: Mondays at 8pm in the New Union Room 324. Any and all are welcome, especially animal lovers and pre-vet students!

OPINIONS Friday, April 29, 2016

Surviving summer vacation at home It's hard readjusting to living with your family; here is some advice Kristen DiPietra

Contributing Columnist

IF YOU TAKE A SHOT, DON'T TAKE THE WHEEL

As the dreary weather that characterizes Binghamton winters comes to an end, students are beginning to take advantage of everything the newfound sunshine has to offer.

This includes the numerous bar crawls and day drinking events that have become increasingly common in Binghamton. These events see students flock to State Street and the Downtown area in large numbers, but the 4 1/2-mile trek from the University to Downtown Binghamton often proves challenging to the thousands of students that live on-campus.

Unfortunately, some students make the decision to combine their choice of transportation — driving — with drinking. This semester alone, a member of the Student Association (SA) E-Board and a Binghamton student-athlete have been arrested for driving while intoxicated while making the trip back to campus from Downtown.

While all students are aware of the dangers of drunk driving, the sad truth is that many ignore the information presented to them and simply choose to drive while intoxicated.

Just last year, a visiting student was injured in a car accident on Parade Day because a drunk driver was behind the wheel. As the student body grows towards

an ambitious 20,000 by 2020, businesses have begun to rebound in the Binghamton area and a more vibrant off-campus culture has been cultivated. With this culture comes an uptick in the number of breweries, bars and drinkingrelated events that are available to students. This broadened set of social opportunities, however, should not cause an increase in the number of DWIs. We celebrate the right to drink responsibly, but driving while intoxicated should not be tolerated by anyone. And this responsibility primarily lies with the students.

We know that the cabs in Binghamton are less-than-pleasant for a multitude of reasons. If Uber successfully comes to the city, there will be far easier methods of getting home from a night out.

Also, the new walking path set to appear in the coming years will make it easier to bike or walk Downtown. But for now it is up to students to use other means to avoid getting behind the wheel drunk. Merely planning for a place to stay, a designated driver, taking cab money or knowing

the late-night bus schedule can help avoid potentially disastrous consequences.

But you know all of that. Most people do. Most are aware of how dangerous driving drunk is to themselves and to others. Progress comes, however, by not only being aware of these dangers, but by actually caring about them. There will always be those who, at least in the moment, feel superhuman, invincible to the potential harm they are placing upon themselves and others. That’s where the community comes in. It’s time for the students, the SA and the University to come together to help prevent these incidents from happening.

The University is lacking in effective drunk driving mitigation programs. Just as RAs and University staff work to combat crimes such as assault, they should work to minimize drunk driving.

Similarly, it would greatly serve students if the University worked with UPD to set up more checkpoints on busy nights. A UPD officer could be stationed in large student parking lots, checking

to see if intoxicated students are entering cars. UPD staff could also be positioned more heavily at entrances to campus in order to deter students from trying their luck behind the wheel.

With the recent increase in drinking events scheduled during the daytime, it would be beneficial for OCCT to provide a more weekday-like schedule on busy weekend days. Increased offcampus bus trips will give students looking to head Downtown for bar crawls or day parties more options and decrease the risk of poor judgement.

While it may be impossible to control the actions of every student that decides to drink, we as a campus community can help prevent drunk driving from becoming a common occurrence.

Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is inexcusable, but the reality is that it’s happening.

Instead of treating these incidents as isolated events, we must acknowledge the fact that alcohol plays a role in the lives of many BU students and work together to stop drunk driving.

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, Opinions Editor, Sports Editor and Arts & Culture Editor.

laments about the way we cut our hair. The key to maintaining a healthy and less intrusive relationship with your parents is being honest but establishing boundaries right off the bat. Here are five tips to ensure you survive your summer and ensure your recently asserted autonomy: 1. Get your mom a Netflix account. She’ll forget who you are in no time, to the point where you’re better off getting maternal affection from Michelle Duggar.

2. Put all your taboos in your sibling’s room. If you don’t have a sibling, place the blame on your five-year-old niece. When your parents realize that you don’t have a niece, share your narcotics with them. Sometimes parents are cooler than you think.

3. When your parents bug you for information about your sexual or romantic life, don’t lie. Be honest and tell them that you routinely pleasure yourself to baby photos of Steve Buscemi.

4. Don’t leave your parents out of the hip, new lingo you’ve acquired over the past few months. Educate them about the sharp new rhetoric such as “basic,” “bae” and “ham radio.”

5. Whether you’re trying to combat the freshman 15 or the junior 45, don’t say no to delicious home-cooked food. Accept it graciously and stockpile it in your room until next semester. Threemonth-old lasagna is still better than Pandini’s.

Through it all, we love our families and the support that they give us. In a couple of years, when we’re unemployed, we’ll be glad that they love us enough to let us stay on their couch.

As the school year is winding down, many students are counting the days until they can pack up their things and return home.

The thoughts of seeing loved ones, eating home-cooked meals and a three-month respite from schoolwork tantalize us as we push through our final exams. But for some of us, the anxiety begins after finals week. Returning home after a year of newfound freedom and liberalization can be a daunting task. How can we go back to the life we’ve lived so long ago?

Afraid that you and your mother might accidentally find each other’s copies of “Fifty Shades of Grey?” Maybe that your brother will discover your ambiguous back tattoo that you’ll then have to blame on early phases of leprosy?

No matter where we’re from or who we live with, college kids have to readjust to their old, yet new, abodes.

At one point or another, we realize that we might have ideologies differing from our families’. Maybe the subtle allusions to Rand Paul’s divinity or misguided micro-aggressions spoken at family gatherings never bothered you in high school, but now you’re an adult with the option to articulate your own opinions in a respectful way. Your family may still think of you as a child and they’re not wrong. But now it’s time to break free and assert that you will not be subjected to curfews or watching “M*A*S*H” reruns.

Even a summer day job can’t protect us from our father’s nightly — Kristen DiPietra is an interrogations or our mother’s undeclared sophomore.

The fight against state 'tampon taxes' is misguided

To create true change, the food stamp program should be altered to include menstrual health products Orlaith McCaffrey

Sports Editor

A woman walks into a drugstore. She brings three items to the checkout counter: Tootsie Rolls, Tylenol and tampons. On which of these products will she have to pay a tax? The answer might surprise you.

In 40 U.S. states, consumers are required to pay a sales tax on tampons. Items like food and medicine, however, are considered essential and are exempt from this surcharge.

In recent months, there has been an explosion of sentiment against this seemingly obvious example of institutional sexism.

Politicians and activists alike have called for the elimination of taxes from menstrual products, pointing to Canada and France, countries that have either completely removed or significantly reduced the charge.

Even President Obama was drawn into the discourse in a recent Youtube interview, saying, “I have no idea why states would tax [tampons] as luxury items.”

Obama is right. Charging a sales tax on items that are necessary for the health and hygiene of women is an oversight that has lasted too long in the U.S. But that’s exactly what it is: an oversight, not a piece of legislation specifically designed to target women.

The current conversation

regarding this issue, while correctly calling for the elimination of the tax, holds that the surcharge was levied by male legislators because of their aversion to menstruation.

This serves only to reinforce the stereotype of women as victims, which is detrimental to their advancement as it lowers their perceived ability to improve their positions in society.

The fact is that no specific “tampon tax” exists. Rather, sales taxes were imposed by states in order to generate revenue.

The tax-free status of certain products, namely groceries and medicine, were campaigned for heavily by interest groups.

Tampons and pads, however, enjoyed no such backing.

Positively, the discussion of this issue has called attention to a structural disadvantage that women face, yet the notion that the removal of this tax will have any real effect on women’s lives is misguided. The average woman spends $7 per month on menstrual products; in a given year, the elimination of the tampon tax would save her less than $8 in New York state.

A more effective alternative to getting rid of the tax, which most adversely affects economically disadvantaged women, is for menstrual products to be covered by food stamps. I’m not suggesting an increase in the funds allocated to the program, rather a change in the products that can be purchased with it.

For poor women who spend a disproportionate amount of their income on necessities, feminine hygiene products should be free, not just tax-free.

The addition of menstrual health products to the list of items covered by food stamps would not just be a more practical alternative to the elimination of the tampon tax, but a more feasible one. In the U.S., sales taxes are regulated at the state level. This is an important fact that has been ignored in the arguments that point to Canada and France, countries which apply sales taxes at the national level. While it takes the passing of just one law to eliminate the tax in these countries, a law would have to be passed in each

U.S. state to entirely rid the country of it.

The attention the tampon tax has received is a step forward in the discussion of the institutional challenges women still face in the U.S. While the elimination of the tax is the right move, it would serve as little more than a symbolic gesture in the fight for gender equality. In order to truly make a change in the lives of those that are most affected by not being able to afford menstrual health products, the food stamp program must be altered to include them.

— Orlaith McCaffrey is a sophomore double-majoring in political science and Spanish.

SENIOR COLUMN

I've truly enjoyed my experience at Binghamton

Friends, professors, family, Pipe Dream taught me valuable lessons and provided great memories Anita Raychawdhuri

Columnist

When I started at Binghamton University three years ago, I was somewhat disappointed. I went to Vestal High School and was hoping I’d end up somewhere more — how do I put this — glamorous. I wasn’t too thrilled about staying in the 607, so that, coupled with my social ineptitude, made me nervous about starting college.

Yet, BU ended up being so much more than I imagined. I had fantastic academic experiences, made lovely friends and got a little

too familiar with Tom and Marty’s. I do wonder if my college experience would have been different if I had gone to a completely new place, leaving behind the safety blanket of family and high school friends. But despite that, I am happy I chose BU, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

I wish I could write the rest of this column on my friends and State Street and end on a purely happy note. I would love to write about how I grew as a person, got involved on-campus and made unforgettable memories. Not to say that I did none of those things, but when I look back on my time at BU I feel not so much sadness, but a tinge of regret.

I regret the friendships I let wither, I regret dedicating myself to people that I shouldn’t have and I regret being too flippant or uncomfortable to get involved in some aspects of campus. When I was a freshman I thought college was a chance to start over, meet new people and mold myself into the person I always wanted to be.

Now, I’m not sure if you can ever really “start over,” but accepting that has been a valuable lesson for me.

Every experience helps you grow and I’m sure I’ve grown during my time at BU. I’ve become more comfortable with myself, more willing to let things go and

less worried about what others think of me. Perhaps that’s just growing up, but I do think BU has cultivated who I am, for better or worse. I don’t know if I achieved everything I set out to when I started BU as a freshman, but I certainly had immeasurable experiences.

As I move into the next chapter of my life, I am thankful for what BU has offered me. College is so unique, so for all of you guys with more of it left: don’t take it for granted, and seize these opportunities that you won’t ever have again.

Sitting here, writing this column, I wonder if freshman me

would have expected senior me to be where she is. If I’m being honest, probably not. I ended up in a rather different place than I thought I would, but maybe that’s for the best.

To all my professors at BU that have helped me figure out my future and taught me so much about life and literature: I want to say thank you. I admire you all so much, and can only hope to be as knowledgeable and patient as you are.

To my high school friends: I appreciate all you have done for me as I have, somewhat awkwardly, grown up.

To my BU friends: thank you

for making my time here fun and exploratory.

To my friends that I’ve grown apart from: I apologize, and hope that you know I tried my best to make things work.

To my family: thank you for supporting me in a multitude of ways and always being there when nobody else could.

To Pipe Dream: thank you for giving me an outlet for writing that didn’t need to be in MLA format.

And to BU: thank you for giving me the academic experience I needed, but didn’t know I wanted.

— Anita Raychawdhuri is a senior majoring in English.

8

SPORTS

bupipedream.com | April 29, 2016

Bearcats aim to remain sharp in break from AE play

Binghamton to seek contributions from all postions in three-game series against NYIT Noah Bressner Assistant Sports Editor

After capturing the America East (AE) Championship and advancing to the NCAA tournament in both 2013 and 2014, the Binghamton baseball team aimed to repeat its success last season. Instead, the Bearcats failed to come anywhere close to expectations, placing last in the conference and four games out of playoff contention.

This year, however, the season has gone more according to plan.

Currently, BU (17-20, 12-3 AE) is batting at a .283 clip, its highest mark since 2011 and the pitching staff has improved significantly in conference play. Binghamton has won seven of its last 10 conference games and currently sits atop the AE, 2 ½ games ahead of secondplace Stony Brook.

If the Bearcats want to win their first regular-season championship since 2010, they will have to play well in their nine remaining conference games. Last season, Binghamton dropped eight of its nine final games. Before finishing out its AE slate, BU will play five games against nonconference opponents, starting with a threegame series against NYIT this weekend.

In contrast with his usual strategy of resting the team’s starters in nonconference matchups, Binghamton head coach Tim Sinicki is opting for a

lineup of regulars in preparation for the end of the season.

“Our main focus is going to be to keep our guys sharp,” Sinicki said. “We’re going to play all of our regular guys, we’re going to start our regular pitchers, but I’m not going to feel the need to throw them or play them as long as I would in conference games.”

Sinicki believes the contributions that have propelled Binghamton to the top of the conference have come from every part of the lineup.

“I don’t think this is a team of stars by any means,” Sinicki said.

“Everyone contributes up and down the lineup. Everybody has had some key performances, but I think for this team to continue to be successful it’s going to take an effort from everybody.”

According to Sinicki, one aspect of this year’s squad that is unique is the atmosphere in the clubhouse.

“What’s really special about this group is that they’ve got really good chemistry right now,” Sinicki said. “They really like each other and they really pull for each other.”

In their most recent matchup with NYIT (17-21) last season, the Bearcats took two games of a three-game series.

Spearheading the Bears’ offense will be senior outfielder Joe Daru, who leads NYIT with a .373 batting average and 28 RBIs on the season. In NYIT’s 7-2 loss to

NJIT last week, Daru went 2-for-4 with a home run.

On the defensive end, senior pitcher Joseph Portela and junior pitcher David Plotkin will try to to shut down the BU lineup. Portela and Plotkin currently have ERAs of 2.35 and 2.88, respectively.

“The pitching is really where [the Bears’] strength is,” Sinicki said. “They’re well-coached and they play tough, so it should be a very competitive series.”

BU is set to return to action on Saturday. First pitch is set for noon from the Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, New York.

The series will continue with the second part of a doubleheader on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. followed by the finale set for Sunday at noon.

What's really special about this group is they've got really good chemistry —Tim Sinicki BU jHead Coach Raquel Panitz/Pipe Dream Photographer Junior first baseman Brendan Skidmore leads Binghamton this season with seven home runs.

Baseball player Jacob Wloczewski charged with driving while intoxicated, suspended from program Staff Reports Binghamton baseball redshirt sophomore Jacob Wloczewski was arrested on-campus early Wednesday morning for driving while intoxicated, according to a statement released by the athletics department.

A Binghamton New York

State University Police officer on patrol observed Wloczewski’s vehicle traveling 10 mph over the posted speed limit on Connector Road at approximately 1:51 a.m.

After being stopped outside of Windham Hall of Mountainview College, Wloczweksi stated to the officer that he had been drinking and proceeded to fail a field

sobriety test. He was transported to the station and found to have a blood alcohol content of .17.

He was issued a traffic ticket for speeding and an appearance ticket for Vestal Town Court.

Wloczewski, a right-handed pitcher, has made seven starts for the Bearcats this season, compiling a 3-0 record with a

team-best 3.27 ERA. He holds opposing players to the thirdlowest batting average in the conference (.225). The baseball team currently sits in first place in the America East with a 12-3 record.

“Wloczewski has been immediately suspended from the baseball program until

further notice for violating the Binghamton University StudentAthlete Code of Conduct,” the athletics department said in a statement provided by Associate Director of Athletics John Hartrick. “When all legal proceedings have been resolved, Wloczewski can elect to follow a process for reinstatement to the

baseball program by making a written request for reinstatement.

The request requires approval by the head coach and a subsequent meeting with the Athletics Review Board. The Board, comprised of at least three sport administrators, then makes a recommendation to the Director of Athletics, who makes a final determination.”

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April 29, 2016 | bupipedream.com

9

BU to take on Vermont Binghamton aims to earn AE tournament bid Evan Cole Contributing Writer

Despite only earning its first conference victory last weekend when it defeated UMass Lowell, the Binghamton women’s lacrosse team still has a chance of clinching a spot in the America East (AE) tournament for the first time in program history.

The Bearcats (5-11, 1-4 AE) are set to close out the regular season against Vermont on Saturday and need a win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Binghamton also needs New Hampshire to defeat UMBC in order to secure the fourth and final seed in the AE tournament.

“We’re trying to be all-in,” said BU head coach Stephanie Allen. “This is our opportunity to extend our season. We just need to focus on what we do out there,

regardless of what happens in the other games.”

Vermont (6-9, 2-3 AE) features a dangerous offense that averages almost 11 goals per game. BU senior defender Allie Rodgers, who is tied for 15th in the nation in caused turnovers with 2.06 per game, will look to stifle the Catamounts’ offense.

In addition to Rodgers, Allen expects the rest of the squad to contribute on defense.

“We have to play as a collective group,” Allen said. “The more we can get [the Catamounts] out of their comfort zone, the more we can create defensively.”

On the other side of the ball, the Bearcats are confident in their ability to exploit Vermont’s man-to-man defense. Freshman midfielder Rebecca Golderman and junior midfielder Callon Williams, who have combined for 52 goals scored this season, have both proved they can thrive

in one-on-one situations. The duo is adept at creating chances and will need to do so against the Catamounts.

“Our focus this week is on playing together and creating for one another,” Allen said. “We expect to take advantage of [manto-man] this weekend by dialing in our off-ball movement.”

Vermont’s defense has a habit of allowing high-scoring totals, conceding 10 or more goals in 10 of its 15 games this season. If the Bearcats can take advantage of this trend, they may have the offensive performance needed to take down the Catamounts.

Binghamton has also performed better on the road in conference play, recording its sole conference win away from home.

First draw for Saturday’s game against Vermont is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Virtue Field in Burlington, Vermont.

This is our opportunity to extend our season...Our focus this week is on playing together —Stephanie Allen BU Head Coach

Provided by BU Athletics Senior defender Allie Rodgers’ average of 2.06 caused turnovers per game is tied for 15thbest in the nation.

Einstein

anytime

Provided by BU Athletics Former Binghamton cross country and distance runner Craig Coon finished 32nd in the 2016 Boston Marathon.

BU alum among world's best Coon, '11, finishes 32nd in Boston Marathon

Kyle McDonald Assistant Sports Editor

For Craig Coon, a 2011 Binghamton graduate, his passion for running has taken him from the track of the Events Center to the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

In mid-April, Coon took part in the 2016 Boston Marathon, finishing 32nd out of more than 26,000 participants with a time of 2:29:51.

“For me, it’s just trying to stay fit,” Coon said. “I came back this year and said I’ll try and see if I can [keep] the same [time] as I get older.”

In 2013, two explosive devices were set off near the finish line of the marathon in a terrorist attack that killed three spectators and injured hundreds more. The tragedy united the city and runners around the world, including Coon.

Although he was unable to race in 2013, Coon knew as soon he heard of the attacks that he wanted to compete in Boston again. “[I wanted] to go back and support the marathon and support Boston,” he said. “You can feel the outpouring [of support] when you’re there.”

Before he started running marathons, Coon competed on

both the cross country and track squads for BU. “Running at Binghamton, I had very good coaches, in [cross country head] coach [Annette] Acuff and [track and field head] coach [Mike] Thompson,” he said. “They helped motivate me and make me just a better runner overall.”

In 2009, Coon finished 21st at the America East Championships, helping the Bearcats to a first-place finish for the first time in program history.

Coon, who majored in engineering, cited a balance between academics and athletics as contributing to his success.

“It’s a balance and I think it takes both for me to succeed,” he said. “Engineering can be daunting at times and having an outlet like running helps me take my mind off the work. At the same time, engineering can take my mind off of running, so I’m not always focused entirely on one thing. ” As soon as she began coaching him, Acuff knew Coon would accomplish great things.

“We used to [joke with him] when he was here and tell him, ‘You’re going to run a great marathon,’” she said.

In addition to his success in

competition, Coon was vital to the development of BU’s program.

“Craig [Coon] was a great student-athlete for our program,” Acuff said. “He was one of our team captains for a couple years and is overall a great ambassador for the entire program.”

Although Coon has accomplished a great amount in his running career, he is not satisfied just yet. He wants not only to get faster, but also to keep running for as long as he can.

“I just want to keep enjoying running,” he said. “If I got to a day when I didn’t enjoy it anymore, that’d be unfortunate. I’m trying to train but at the same time make [running] a life pursuit.”

[Coon] was a great studentathlete for our

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FEATURE

BU alum among top-finishers in Boston Marathon See page 9 Friday, April 29, 2016

Rachel Tomei/Contributing Photographer Senior designated hitter Griffin McIver blasted three home runs and recorded five RBIs in Binghamton’s doubleheader sweep of Buffalo on Wednesday.

BU sweeps Buffalo in non-conference twin bill

After dominating first game, 12-4, Binghamton holds off late rally to take game two, 11-8 Thomas J. Haughney Contributing Writer

With a five-game winning streak on the line, the Binghamton softball team played a nonconference doubleheader at Buffalo on Wednesday. While the Bulls (14-32, 8-9 Mid-American) entered the series with nearly as many losses as the Bearcats (28-12, 10-2 America East) have wins, Buffalo came into the series prepared to put up a fight.

After jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, the Bearcats never looked back. BU maintained its lead throughout five innings, winning game one, 12-4. Binghamton’s dominant performance in the first of two games was spearheaded by senior catcher Lisa Cadogan, who batted 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Other top performers included junior left fielder Gabby Bracchi, who went 2-for-4 and scored two runs

and senior first baseman Taylor Chaffee, who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. The Bulls were never able to match Binghamton’s offensive attack, finishing the game with nine hits to BU’s 14. Freshman pitcher Makenzie Goluba was credited with the win after striking out four batters over four scoreless innings.

“We were happy [the girls] were able to get on their pitchers right away,” said Binghamton head coach Michelle Burrell.

“I think it’s tough for [the opponent’s] pitching staff because our lineup is so deep.”

In game two, the Bulls’ offense came up clutch when they needed it most. Going into the seventh inning, Binghamton led Buffalo, 6-3. The Bearcats managed to tack on two runs in the inning thanks to solo home runs by senior designated hitter Griffin McIver and junior shortstop Crysti Eichner. They entered the bottom of the

seventh inning leading, 8-3.

The Bulls chipped away at the lead with three runs on two singles. Then, Buffalo junior right fielder Ashton Earnhardt doubled, scoring two runs to tie the game at eight and send the contest into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Eichner hit a sacrifice fly to give the Bearcats a one-run lead. That was followed up by a two-run homer by McIver — her second of the game. Binghamton’s three-run lead proved too much to overcome, as the Bulls went scoreless in the bottom of the eighth to give the Bearcats an 11-8 win and the sweep.

“We seem to be letting up sometimes in the seventh inning,” Burrell said. “We want to make sure going into that seventh inning, no matter if we’re tied, up a run or up by five that we go in and take each batter one at a time.”

McIver lived up to her title as the reigning AE Player of the

Week, batting 4-for-6 over two games, with three home runs and five RBIs. She now leads the team and the conference with 12 homers. Eichner was also a major contributor on Wednesday, going 4-for-4 in the second game and tying her career-high four hits in a game.

Her final hit, an eighth-inning sacrifice fly, proved to be the game-winning RBI. With the win, Binghamton extended its winning streak to seven games, outscoring its opponents, 60-27.

The Bearcats are set to face off against conference-leading Albany in a pivotal three-game series this weekend. The series will get underway on Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled to start at 1 p.m. The series will conclude with a single game on Sunday at noon. The games will be played at Albany Field in Albany, New York.

SOFTBALL STANDINGS: AMERICA EAST

1.

ALBANY 9-1 AE, 29-12

5.

UMBC:

3-8 AE, 22-26

2.

BINGHAMTON 10-2 AE, 28-12

6.

HARTFORD: 2-9 AE, 6-36

3.

STONY BROOK: 9-5 AE, 22-21-2

7.

UMASS LOWELL: 2-13 AE, 10-38

4.

MAINE

7-4 AE, 20-18

Groundskeeping key to homefield advantage

Teamwork of BU's Support Systems Assistant Lane, Physical Facilities keeps venues in top shape Jeffrey D. Twitty

Binghamton’s winter during the 2014-15 season was especially fierce. Frozen turf forced the men’s lacrosse team to cancel its opening It’s never quite safe to bet on the contest, while poor field conditions weather in Binghamton, especially moved baseball’s home opener to when winter rolls around.

Ithaca. Neither team heated up as Edior-in-Chief

their fields thawed, either. Baseball finished with a home mark of 5-7-2, failing to claim a single series, while men’s lacrosse finished winless at the Bearcats Sports Complex for the first time in program history.

After the disappointing spring

Caleb Schwartz/Pipe Dream Photographer Binghamton’s Baseball Complex is just one of the athletic facilities managed by Support Systems Assistant Matt Lane and BU Physical Facilities.

season, summer and fall came and went, giving way to a mild winter.

Come winter’s close, the men’s lacrosse team opened its 2016 home schedule with a sunny, 60-degree bout — a far cry from the icy 2015 opener that never was.

“In the spring, we started [outdoor practices] the third week in January,” said BU head men’s lacrosse coach Scott Nelson at his team’s February preseason presser.

“We’ve been out every day — I think we missed one day due to weather — it was probably the easiest winter we’ve ever had.”

This season, Nelson’s team has made winning at home look easy, posting a 4-2 record at the Complex.

Binghamton’s baseball and softball teams are a combined 14-0 so far at home, each winning its first seven games on their home turf.

So, is mother nature the MVP for Binghamton in 2016?

Probably not. But according to Matt Lane, BU’s support systems assistant, she’s played an important role for the Bearcats this season. “[In 2015], we didn’t really get on the baseball fields until a couple weeks into April,” Lane said. “This year, we were on our fields the first week of March. Huge difference.

The ability for baseball and softball to practice and for lacrosse to have nice practice weather is an advantage.”

Lane, who works in conjunction with Physical Facilities, is in charge of overseeing and managing all of BU’s athletic venues. From Binghamton’s 81,000-squarefoot Sports Complex to the fullyirrigated, bluegrass baseball field, Lane — alongside groundskeepers Fred Fulton and Donald Williams — ensures Binghamton’s homefield advantage.

“It’s a huge effort between Physical Facilities and athletics to make sure that our facilities look nice, and to keep them nice for recruiting and people coming to campus,” he said. “Especially with the baseball filed being on Bunn Hill [Road], it’s a nice showpiece.”

The baseball team, which kicked off its spring season with indoor practices, found trouble on the road early against teams from warmweather climates, such as Texas and North Carolina. Binghamton compiled a 2-13 record against teams outside of the Northeast.

In their home opener, however, the Bearcats routed Bucknell, 142. Since then, BU has swept both Albany and Hartford at the Baseball Complex.

“Baseball and softball, they know the hops of the field,” Lane said.

“They get to play out there every day. Out there, they know exactly how the ball is going to roll. We try to groom it for them before games

to make sure that it’s ready to go.”

One of only three exclusively University-owned grass baseball fields in the America East, Binghamton’s Baseball Complex was renovated in 2012. Now featuring a 30-foot center-field batter’s eye and outdoor batting cages, the venue is a crown jewel in the conference.

BU’s athletic facilities have set it apart and made home sweet for the Bearcats, but not without the help of Lane and his crew, who kept winter’s wrath winless in 2016.

The ability for baseball and softball to practice and for lacrosse to have nice weather is an advantage — Matt Lane BU Support Systems Assistant