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The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Monday, April 24, 2017 | Vol. XCI, Issue 24 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
Students help local cleanup initiative
Volunteers remove trash from Downtown neighborhoods as part of community project Hannah Walter Pipe Dream News
said. “And he got elected president of the United States, and asked me to come to the White House and run a program based off the book.” Although Jones is no longer an adviser in the White House, the issue of climate change is at the forefront of his work. According to Jones, nuclear war and climate change are humanity’s
In celebration of Earth Day, Binghamton University students and community members alike participated in a city of Binghamton cleanup event. Approximately 50 volunteers met at Despina’s Mediterranean Taste on Hawley Street to gather bags, gloves and maps before hitting the streets of Downtown Binghamton and the North Side to pick up trash. The event was planned by City Councilman Conrad Taylor, a junior majoring in political science. Taylor has hosted four other cleanups since his inauguration last January with the help of his Clean and Green Coordinator Sharon Nieminski and constituent Debra Hogan. He said that he often gets complaints from his constituents about how the streets and sidewalks are dirty, and began organizing these events to help alleviate the issue.
SEE JONES PAGE 2
SEE CLEAN PAGE 2
Katherine Scott/Staff Photographer Van Jones, a civil rights activist, former White House adviser under Barack Obama and current CNN political commentator, spoke this past Sunday afternoon in the Anderson Center for the Arts. He discussed his career, issues facing American society and what it means to be a patriot.
Van Jones discusses climate in the US
CNN contributor, former White House adviser examines today's politics and social issues Pelle Waldron Assistant News Editor
What can one person do? For Van Jones, a civil rights activist, former White House adviser under Barack Obama and current CNN political commentator, the answer is a lot. On Sunday afternoon in the Anderson Center for the Arts, Jones spoke to Binghamton University students, faculty
and local community members about his career, current issues facing society and what it means to be a patriot. Born in Jackson, Tennessee, Jones received a law degree from Yale University, but his career quickly turned toward helping those in need. While working on prison reform in Oakland, California, Jones had an “epiphany” regarding what he calls one of the biggest threats to humanity: climate change.
Caffeine companies recruit BU students
Stimulant becomes more accessible on campus through peer marketing Jillian Forstadt Pipe Dream News
Caffeine, the most widely used drug on the planet, is consumed by college students both early in the morning and late at night. Products containing the drug are now more accessible to students, as their peers market popular energy-inducing products from large companies. With more than six places to buy coffee on campus at Binghamton University, students are constantly in the presence of caffeine. This presence has grown with the increase in the number of students on campus who are employed as representatives for large caffeinecentered brands. Although prescription drugs and
illicit substances are strictly regulated, caffeine is available freely on campus. Ben Amaral, a sophomore majoring in economics, said that he thinks the lack of concern about the drug is due to its social fluency. “Caffeine is a social norm,” Amaral said. “If you ran into someone studying right now and said, ‘Do you want to go get coffee?’ and they said, ‘Oh, I don’t drink coffee,’ people would bat an eyelash at that.” Amaral is a collegiate ambassador for Monster Energy, which sells more than 40 flavors of caffeinated energy drinks. Monster drinks are known for having high amounts of both sugar and caffeine, with most varieties having 160
SEE CAFFEINE PAGE 3
New York expands industrial hemp research to University Pharmacy school granted permit to study medical benefits of cannabidiol Alexandra Hupka News Intern
Binghamton University will be one of four New York schools to begin researching the chemical properties of hemp as part of the state’s Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program. According to a recent announcement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the University, alongside SUNY Sullivan, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Morrisville State College, has received a special permit
from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. This permit will allow hemp to be grown in cooperation with local farmers. According to Gloria Meredith, founding dean of the BU School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS), the permit will be used to research cannabidiol, a chemical found in hemp. “Binghamton University is excited to explore hemp-related research that
SEE HEMP PAGE 2
ARTS & CULTURE
Jones spearheaded the Oakland Green Jobs Corps, which provided jobs installing solar panels for predominantly poor and minority youths. Jones wrote his first book about the initiative, titled “The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems,” which caught the eye of a certain senator from Illinois. “This senator with a funny name and kind of big ears read the book,” Jones
Walk brings attention to mental health, suicide rates Third annual Out of the Darkness walk raises $6,771 for suicide prevention Peter Brockwell Pipe Dream News
In an effort to foster and destigmatize conversation surrounding mental health, Binghamton University students and local residents gathered on Sunday to participate in the third annual Out of the Darkness walk. The event was organized by the Out of the Darkness committee of the Binghamton University Active Minds club, which worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a national nonprofit organization that aims to save lives and provide hope for those affected by suicide. Funds raised will be donated to the foundation.
Rebecca Kiss/Assistant Photography Editor More than 150 Binghamton University students and community members walked around the Brain as part of the third annual Out of the Darkness walk on Sunday, April 23. The walk was a fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a national nonprofit organization that aims to save lives and provide hope for those affected by suicide.
In total, the event sponsors and participants raised $6,771, surpassing the organizing committee’s stated goal of $6,000. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will use the money to fund research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy and
put on future awareness events. More than 150 attendees walked around the Brain three times, covering four miles in total. The event was sponsored by the Alpha Phi Omega
SEE WALK PAGE 2
iFest+ promotes diversity on campus Annual festival provides platform for multicultural organizations Allison Detzel Contributing Writer
On Sunday afternoon, students gathered in the Peace Quad and Old Dickinson Community to celebrate diversity at iFest+, an outdoor festival and the most recent incarnation of the International Festival, which began in 2012. The event featured interactive experiences and live performances, all
aimed at showcasing multiculturalism at Binghamton University. According to Jermel McClure, Jr., the Student Association (SA) vice president for multicultural affairs (VPMA) and a junior majoring in political science, his office helped plan the festivities and he hopes to contribute to future events celebrating the diversity of the student body. “Events like iFest+ are really important for our campus community
OPINIONS
because they allow us to come together and celebrate our differences,” McClure said. “I look forward to many more campus-wide, inclusive events.” The festival was a collaboration between clubs, associations, fraternities and businesses. Its sponsors included the SA VPMA’s Office, Creativity+, Newing College Council, Dickinson Town Council, Mountainview College Council,
SEE IFEST+ PAGE 3
SPORTS
BU student brings the runway to campus,
Jazz is back — in style and onstage,
Pity the pit bull, says columnist Kristen DiPietra,
Men’s lacrosse edged by No. 1 Syracuse,
Baseball sweeps Maine in three-game series,
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