Spring 2018 Issue 1

Jump-start your

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The Free Word on Campus Since 1946

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 | Vol. XCIII, Issue 1 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com

BU trails SUNY in minority growth University sees lower rise in minority population Orla McCaffrey News Editor

When it comes to its minority population, Binghamton University hasn’t grown as much as other SUNY campuses have over the last decade.

Of the four-year SUNY institutions, BU saw the third-lowest growth in percent of underrepresented minority students over a 10-year period, according to a diversity brief published in 2017. SUNY defines these students as black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska native, native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander and those who identify as two or more races.

Between fall 2006 and fall 2016, the underrepresented minority population at BU grew by 4.4 percent. At most of the other 17 four-year schools, this population grew by at least 10 percent. Currently, BU trails only the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University in lowest growth of underrepresented minority population.

The brief, published last June, is the third of its kind that reports on progress toward SUNY’s diversity and inclusion objectives, which include being “the most inclusive State university system in the country.”

SUNY’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy has a stated goal of “striving to ensure that the student population we serve and the administrative staff and faculty we

SEE MINORITY PAGE 2

Kevin Paredes/Photography Editor Danielle Christian, a junior majoring in business administration, and Baaba Annan, a sophomore majoring in human development, were two of more than 40 students who volunteered at various Broome County organizations, including Tri Cities Opera, on Sunday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Volunteers serve community on MLK Day Binghamton locations included Tri-Cities Opera

community at the second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers assisted staff at the Tri-Cities Opera, Michael Levinstein The Discovery Center, the Center for Pipe Dream News Technology and Innovation and two local nursing homes by cleaning, In 1968, civil rights leader Martin organizing and performing other Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Fifty small tasks. years later, his legacy has inspired a At Tri-Cities Opera, located at 315 national day of volunteer work in his Clinton St. in the city of Binghamton, honor, and on Jan. 15, 45 Binghamton volunteers helped organize trims and University students took advantage of fabrics in the costume room. Sue the opportunity to give back to their Johnson, the costume shop manager,

said she started her job by volunteering and hoped others would follow in her footsteps.

According to Alyanna Gallo, a sophomore majoring in anthropology, volunteering at the Tri-Cities Opera gave her a chance to reflect on the importance of community outreach.

“Volunteering is important because it gives you the opportunity to become more involved in your community while giving you a chance to actually see the impact your work is doing,” Gallo wrote in an email. “Every act of

service you do has a huge impact.”

The United Way of Broome County and the University’s Multicultural Resource Center helped plan the day of community service, which was funded though a Students Affairs Divisional Diversity Initiative grant. The grant, which provides allocations for programming that promotes diversity, funded snacks and transportation to the sites for volunteers.

Jose Maldonado, ‘12, is a diversity

SEE MLK PAGE 3

SUNY starts food insecurity initiative Task force to analyze issue on state campuses Amy Donovan Assistant News Editor

Jacob Hanna/Staff Photographer U Club Binghamton is one of several student housing complexes that offer 12-month leases. Students who decide to study abroad or live elsewhere often find themselves locked into their lease, and are forced to either pay for a room they are not living in, or sublet.

Students scramble for spring sublets Renters look to Facebook, Craigslist to fill rooms Sasha Hupka Assistant News Editor

Erin McLaughlin is ready for her study abroad experience. The forms have been filled out, payments have been made and friends have been notified.

But one problem remains: she hasn’t found someone to sublet her apartment at U Club Binghamton.

McLaughlin, a junior majoring in English, pays $730 a month for her room at U Club Binghamton and is bound by her lease to pay the rent until the end of

August. Now, she has only two options: pay rent for a room she won’t be living in, or sublet to some else.

Her problem is a symptom of the Binghamton area’s saturated student housing market — there are more rooms in luxury housing complexes and neighborhood houses than students to fill them.

“It’s hard to sublet — it’s not easy,” said Milton Chester, assistant dean for off-campus programs and services.

“Especially here, because there is more housing than there is demand, so students have options besides sublets.”

Subletting occurs when a tenant rents out a property to another person, usually someone whose name is not on the

ARTS & CULTURE

original lease. The tenant then collects rent from the person subletting, and pays their landlord or rental company.

At Binghamton University, the majority of students who sublet their rooms are studying abroad.

Other students decide to sublet after transferring schools or encountering roommate conflicts. Students living on campus planning to study abroad are permitted to leave their room without facing penalties. But students who sign year-long leases off campus don’t have that option.

Chester said his office usually sees approximately 80 students trying

SEE SUBLET PAGE 2

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in his 2018 State of the State address that he wants every SUNY and CUNY campus to have a food pantry. Currently, 31 out of 64 SUNY campuses have pantries.

The SUNY Student Life Committee launched a Food Insecurity Task Force to investigate the issue in November.

The task force will be comprised of students, staff, faculty, food providers and philanthropic organizations, according to the resolution. It will also look to produce a systemwide analysis of food insecurity in SUNY schools to come up with more initiatives to combat it.

Marc Cohen, president of the SUNY Student Assembly, a member of the SUNY Board of Trustees and co-chair of the Food Insecurity Task Force, said that the SUNY Student Life Committee decided to create a task force dedicated to food insecurity because it’s a major issue for college students.

“One of the things we recognized was important was to focus on issues that directly impact the lives of students,” Cohen said. “Things that are addressed in the academic affairs committee, finance committee, communications committee, of course those affect a lot of students and of course those are important issues, but there wasn’t really a forum to discuss things like diversity,

“The Post” falls flat as a feminist statement,

The Editorial Board discusses the implications of the University’s housing policies,

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See page 6

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SEE SUNY PAGE 2

SPORTS

OPINIONS

Alumnus brings bao to Binghamton,

equity and inclusion or veterans issues, mental health and, of course, food insecurity.”

According to a 2016 national survey, 48 percent of college students had experienced food insecurity in the past month.

The survey interviewed over 3,500 students from eight community colleges and 26 four-year colleges across the United States and found that housing or hunger problems negatively impacted 32 percent of students’ education.

Cohen said that while the task force’s makeup is still in the works, its main goals include making sure students have access to food and culturally appropriate food.

“Food insecurity is not just a matter of affording food,” Cohen said. “It’s not just a matter of underprivileged, lowincome students. There are students coming from various cultures and may attend a school in something of a food desert where they just can’t find food that they need based on culture or ethnicity.”

In addition, the task force hopes to work with the city of Binghamton and the communities surrounding SUNY campuses.

“This isn’t just a campus issue,” Cohen said. “This is a community issue and we need to ensure that our oncampus students, off-campus students, commuter students are all able to learn and earn a world-class degree without having to choose between putting

Women’s basketball falls to Albany,

Men’s basketball earns its first America East Conference victory,

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NEWS

bupipedream.com | January 16, 2018

Legislature approves opioid treatment funding

County receives $2.7M to operate facility Jillian Forstadt Assistant News Editor

The Southern Tier will soon have another tool in the battle against opioids. The Broome Developmental Center is slated to open this spring after the county legislature voted 11-4 to accept $2.7 million in state funding late last month.

The funding will be used to operate the 100-bed opioid addiction treatment facility, located on a 40-acre property in the Town of Dickinson. The facility, which previously provided long-term inpatient services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will be repurposed as a drug rehabilitation center.

“The right choice was made tonight,” Broome County Executive Jason Garnar tweeted shortly after the vote.

“More treatment is coming to Broome County!”

The funding will be used to support the operation and opening of the first phase of the facility, which will provide 50 beds for supervised short-term detoxification services. State Sen.

Fred Akshar said $1.2 million of the funding will be used to repair the facility, as well as building costs, according to Spectrum News. The other $1.5 million will cover costs for those who can’t afford services.

“Tonight I thank the people of Broome County and beyond,” Akshar tweeted. “There is no more powerful a voice than that of the people. I also thank the legislature in its entirety, democracy is alive and well. #PeopleBeforePolitics prevailed.”

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services is funding the first phase of the project and Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare will provide services at the facility.

Robert Kent, chief counsel for the Office of Counsel and Internal Controls of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, attended the legislature vote. He said that in 2016, there were 450 reported administrations of naloxone — the lifesaving drug administered to those who have overdosed on opioids — in Broome County.

Approximately 94 percent of the 66 overdose deaths in 2017 were heroin- or opioid-related, according to data released by Broome County District Attorney

Students struggle to leave leases SUBLET FROM PAGE 1 to sublet rooms or apartments each semester.

“Usually, the heaviest time is after the fall semester, when they want to study abroad,” Chester said.

“When you leave the country, you leave the latter half of your lease to contend with.”

To find subletters, students rely on a combination of Facebook, Craigslist and other online forums to post advertisements for their rooms.

One Facebook group, “Off-Campus Housing in Binghamton,” sees multiple posts per day from students looking for subletters. Students looking for rooms, on the other hand, are far from common.

McLaughlin said that working through these websites can be frustrating, but it is the only way to draw attention to her sublet advertisement.

“The only people responding are companies encroaching upon my advertisement to advertise their website,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t want to be stuck paying two rents.”

According to Chester, the University offers the Housing Registry, an online housing database where students can post advertisements and search for housing.

“One of the things I tell students to do is stick with the Housing Registry, instead of going to places like Craigslist, where there can be scams,” Chester said. “I encourage them to work within the framework we set up.”

Many students also agree to give substantial discounts on rent in an effort to attract potential subletters.

Carly Alsofrom, a junior majoring in nursing, said she offered a discount on her $600 rent in hopes that she could better compete with other sublet offers.

“It has not been as easy as I expected it to be,” Alsofrom said.

“I have seen some interest in my room, but not much. I have been also willing to drop the monthly rent by over $150 a month and I still haven’t found anyone.”

But despite posting advertisements and offering low rents, many students are still unable to successfully sublet.

Chester said he encourages students to try and plan ahead to avoid having to sublet their rooms, and to try to find rooms to rent on a half-year lease or month-to-month basis.

Stephen Cornwell’s office early this year. The deadliest month was last February, when 11 people overdosed in the county.

“New York State has committed to making the space and funds available to create this program in Broome County so that your residents can receive care where they live allowing them to be near their families,” Kent wrote in a letter last month to Daniel Reynolds, chairman of the Broome County Legislature.

The remaining beds are expected to provide more longterm residential treatment, although county funding for the additional $500,000 needed has not yet been approved.

A vote on accepting the money for the first phase of the project was postponed in early December

by Republican legislators of Broome County because of budget concerns. Reynolds and other members of the legislature expressed concerns about the facility’s capacity and impact on the community. Reynolds said he was concerned about missing information on the subject and the facility’s fiscal impact, according to WBNG. Later that month, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz reached out to New York state officials to

Orla McCaffrey/News Editor The facility will provide 50 beds for supervised short-term detoxification services. According to data released by Broome County District Attorney Stephen Cornwell’s office earlier this year, approximately 94 percent of the 66 overdose deaths in 2017 were heroin- or opioid-related.

express an interest in the funding allocated to Broome County in a letter, which Poloncarz tweeted in early December.

Garnar said he made fighting the opioid epidemic his top priority when he took office in 2017, and will push further treatment and resources in 2018.

underrepresented minority student population 50%

Buffalo State: 28%

Pipe Dream News

Albany: 15.8% Oneonta: 10.1% New Paltz: 8.6% Binghamton: 4.4% Buffalo: 4.3% Stony Brook: 2% Cory Bremer/Design Manager Above are eight of 18 four-year SUNY institutions. Schools were selected to represent the trend of underrepresented minority student population across campuses. Complete diversity statistics can be found in Pipe Dream’s online version of this article.

BU minority rates lag MINORITY FROM PAGE 1 2006 and 2016. The institutions if there were more students of that saw the largest increases in underrepresented minority population are SUNY Buffalo State, with an increase of 27.9 percent, and SUNY Potsdam with an increase of 22.6 percent.

At BU, the percentage of black first-year students decreased from 6 percent in fall 2006 to 4 percent this past fall, according to data from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Nicole Sirju-Johnson, the interim chief diversity officer of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the director of the Multicultural Resource Center, said she thinks students’ experiences would be different

color on campus.

“Absolutely, I think it would be different no matter who was different,” Sirju-Johnson said.

“There are a variety of variables that feed into that. Binghamton University has a different quality standard — we are the highest, most selective of the SUNYs. It may be that we have to look at the different ways on how we recruit students.”

Sirju-Johnson said the Office of Undergraduate Admissions could speak more to BU’s diversity statistics and any initiatives to increase them. The office turned down an interview and requested that Pipe Dream email questions on the matter.

SUNY creates task force SUNY FROM PAGE 1 food on the table or buying a textbook.”

In 2016, one in seven individuals were at risk for hunger and 27,150 people were food insecure in Broome County, according to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

The county operates several food pantries including the Salvation Army and different Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse locations, but these options aren’t always

Attendees recieve free naloxone training Hannah Walter

Potsdam: 22.6%

employ are representative of the diversity of our state.”

In New York, which consistently ranks in the top 10 most diverse states, 21.2 percent of residents qualified as underrepresented minorities, according to SUNY’s definition.

The underrepresented minority population across all SUNY institutions reached 26 percent last year, meaning the system is at least as representative as the state.

As a whole, SUNY, which includes 64 campuses, experienced a 10.2 percent increase in underrepresented minority population between

accessible to students.

Qiana Watson, the head of Binghamton University’s Bear Necessities Food Pantry, wrote in an email that she’s glad to see SUNY taking the initiative to combat food insecurity.

“Food insecurity is something that impacts college students across the nation and in much higher rates than are reported,” Watson wrote. “This is truly exciting and fuels my desire to help those who find

While various challenges have set back the expected opening date of the center, Garnar said the center is expected to open its services to the public as early as April 1, according to Binghamton Homepage. The center is currently recruiting personnel to fill approximately 50 positions.

Discussion explores addiction as disease

Percent increase in

at four-year SUNY schools

“This new treatment center at the former Broome Developmental Center is going to save lives,” Garnar said. “I remain committed to working with all of our partners to end the epidemic through prevention, law enforcement and treatment options.”

themselves in need.”

Cohen said another focus of the task force will be ensuring students don’t feel ashamed if they utilize food pantries or other initiatives created to decrease food insecurity.

“We need to figure out a way to ensure students are pursuing the resources they need while maintaining and promoting their dignity,” Cohen said. “We have to make the process of seeking out as seamless and dignified as possible.”

Nearly 40 attendees gathered on Monday night in Downtown Binghamton to discuss the intersection of criminal justice and the opioid epidemic.

The conversation was part of a monthly discussion group, Garden of Hope, in which participants discuss different aspects of addiction. The event was hosted by Truth Pharm, a grass-roots organization that helps people affected by the opioid epidemic.

“This topic is near and dear to me because I was incarcerated for six months,” said Grace Vallese, a member of Truth Pharm and resident of Choconut, Pennsylvania. “I’m an addict and it’s really important to me that we change the current outlook about how the criminal justice system is ran.”

Vallese and the other participants listened as Andrew Pragacz, a fifth-year graduate student studying sociology at Binghamton University, and Kevin Revier, a sixth-year graduate student studying sociology at BU, spoke on the relationship between substance-use disorder and incarceration in a presentation titled “Garden of Hope: The Criminal Justice Response to the Opioid Epidemic.”

Both men are founding members of Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier (JUST), a two-year-old organization created by 10 BU graduate students.

Pragacz said the founders of JUST were inspired to create a platform to effect change in the criminal justice system and end mass incarceration. Since their conception, the group has been collaborating with Truth Pharm on various events.

“JUST is part activism, part current issues and part academic,” Pragacz said. “Because Truth Pharm works with people that have [substance-use disorder] and their families that are suffering from the fallout of that, it was a natural fit and collaboration.”

Each of the presentation’s two parts, “Jail is Not the Answer, So Abolish It” and “Policing Drugs as Harm Inducing,” touched on issues such as racial disparities in incarceration rates, harmreduction techniques, health care in jails, the dangers of a jail-

sanctioned detox and problems associated with re-entry.

In the latter half of the program, Revier noted that in August Truth Pharm held the “Trail of Truth” march, which commemorated 87 people who died from drug overdoses.

“We found that half of those people had been incarcerated, six died within a week and two died within a month of being released from jail,” Revier said.

Tinamarie Gunther, a resident of Endwell and member of JUST, and Grant Loew, a senior majoring in environmental science and president of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, later spoke on important rights to know when dealing with law enforcement and a personal experience with the Broome County Jail — the largest jail in New York state.

“People often forget we are equal to officers,” Loew said. “We have the same human rights as they do, they’re just enforcing the laws and hold the authority, and often that authority is abused.”

Benita Roth, associate professor of sociology and women, gender and sexuality studies at BU, attended the program as part of her research on Truth Pharm.

She said it is important to hold events like these because of the opioid epidemic’s impact on the greater Binghamton area.

“It is killing people and disrupting life for many members of this community,” Roth said.

“Groups like Truth Pharm and JUST are pushing very hard to try to get our elected officials to address the epidemic as the public health emergency it is.”

At the end of the event, attendees had the opportunity to receive training on how to use naloxone, a drug that can stop someone from overdosing.

They were taught the signs of an overdose, when they should administer the drug, how many times they should administer it and when to notify emergency medical services. Each newly trained participant received a bag with naloxone and aiding items.

According to Alexis Pleus, founder and president of Truth Pharm, all organization events aim to breakdown the stigmas those with substance-abuse problems face.

“I just want people to realize that addiction is a disease and that everybody deserves a chance at life,” Vallese said. “If people gave up on me, I would not be here right now. Everybody deserves a chance.”

O PINIONS FFUN PAGE UN III Thursday, Thursday, Tuesday, Monday, Monday, September January October October April 3,16, 2,5, 2017 28, 2017 2018 2017 2017

aDDress: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902

WORD STREET on the

Pipe Dream asked students

a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law

“One of my goals is to do more things that I wouldn’t normally do and step out of my comfort zone.”

“More cheap, healthy options in C4. I try and eat at Simple Servings and the salad bar, but it’s so expensive.”

Ayesha Arthur

Niko Bartash

a sophomore double-majoring in Africana studies and human development

a junior majoring in environmental studies

eDitor-in-Chief* Noah Bressner editor@bupipedream.com

asst. news eDitors Amy Donovan Jillian Forstadt Sasha Hupka opinions eDitor* Emily Kaufman opinions@bupipedream.com asst. opinions eDitor Savanna I. Vidal arts & Culture eDitor* Georgia Westbrook arts@bupipedream.com asst. arts & Culture eDitors Kara J. Brown Rachel Greenspan sports eDitor* Samuel Ditchek sports@bupipedream.com

“I want to remember to go outside more.”

“One of my goals is to do more things that I wouldn’t normally do and step out of my comfort zone.”

Spring 2018

news eDitor* Orla McCaffrey news@bupipedream.com

Michael Litwak

a junior majoring in theatre

web: bupipedream.com

Managing eDitor* Shauna R. Bahssin manager@bupipedream.com

“What do you want to see change this semester?”

Robert Edwards

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asst. sports eDitors Evan Cole Grace Palumbo photography eDitor* Kevin E. Paredes photo@bupipedream.com asst. photography eDitor Rebecca Kiss

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Allison Runkel

a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience

a freshman majoring in economics

“The math department. When I was taking calculus, there were no professors, only TAs, so it was pretty painful.”

“I am a transfer, so I hope this is a positive change for me and that I adjust well.”

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Jillian Forstat/Assistant News Editor

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

Library holds “Drag Queen Story Time” The Broome County Public Library hosted a story session led by drag queens Saturday evening, according to WBNG. Dozens attended the event, during which drag queens dressed as various Disney princesses and read stories to children.

Local business robbed at gunpoint K&K’s The Old Teahouse, located on Bunn Hill Road in Vestal, was robbed last Tuesday at 12:30 a.m., according to the Press & SunBulletin. The Vestal Police Department said someone entered the business after closing time, displayed a black handgun and left with an undisclosed sum of money. The incident is under investigation.

tory Plant in Johnson City will be transformed into a mixed commercial and residential building after a $50 million renovation, according to the Press & SunBulletin. The renovation will be developed by 59 Lester Empire LLC. According to Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, the building will be comprised of 228 affordable senior apartments on four floors and commercial space on the first floor available for rent. Garnar said the building is scheduled to open in 2021.

STATE NEWS SUNY enrollment decreases despite Excelsior Scholarship

The enrollment rate at SUNY campuses has decreased despite the recent implementation of the Excelsior Scholarship, according to the Press & Sun-Bulletin. Some campuses originally stated their concerns about the scholarship, a New York state program that ensures free SUNY tuition Empty Johnson City building to for those who qualify, saying that it undergo $50 million renovation could potentially strain school budgets and facilities. However, enrollThe former Endicott Johnson Vic- ment went down 1 percent for the 2017 school year.

Digital eDitor Alana B. Epstein digital@bupipedream.com

BU joins national service day

newsrooM teChnology Manager* Henry Zheng tech@bupipedream.com

MLK FROM PAGE 1

asst. newsrooM teCh. Manager Michelle Tan

fellow at the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and one of the organizers of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

According to Maldonado, this year’s event was larger than the first trip last year, with 20 more students volunteering.

“With Dr. Martin Luther King being such an important advocate and civil rights leader of our time, before his passing, this is just a

way of us trying to live his legacy,” Maldonado said. “Being able to reach out to the community, whether that’s through the element of service, helps to provide good character.”

Volunteers at the Center for Technology and Innovation in Downtown Binghamton began their community service by taking a tour of the building and learning about innovations pioneered in Broome County. Later, they helped move and organize electronics

to prepare for upcoming events at the center. John Alexandro, a sophomore majoring in accounting, said he helped shelve items and was surprised by what he learned.

“It was cool to see all of the stuff that actually started in Binghamton,” Alexandro said.

“Kids from around Binghamton were there learning how to code for video games, so that education really makes a difference in the community.”

Pipe Line LOCAL NEWS

asst. Copy Desk Chief Sarah Molano

This Day in History Jan. 16, 1920

The 18th Amendment, which outlawed the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors … for beverage purposes,” took effect, signaling the start of Prohibition.

eDitorial artist Jorden James

business Manager* Andrew Genussa business@bupipedream.com asst. business Manager Maryam Soomro businessassistant@bupipedream.com Distribution Manager Elisabeth Standard 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 Mondays and Thursdays while classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters, except during finals weeks and academic breaks.

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stabilizing:first issue

CBR :destabilizing

OPINIONS Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Note from the Editor

Renewing our mission

We must remember the important values outlined by our first editors Noah Bressner

Editor-in-Chief

Jorden James/Editorial Artist

ON CAMPUS, OFF THE MARK

We are starting a new semester, taking new courses and adjusting to new schedules, but chances are, if you lived on campus last semester, you're still living on campus — whether you like it or not.

Binghamton University Residential Life doesn’t make it easy for students to break their on-campus housing lease; students must be transferring, graduating, studying abroad or joining the military to do so.

Those students who want to move off campus for the spring can’t, and off-campus students whose rooms they’d fill are scrambling to find subletters.

The Editorial Board has discussed the University’s unreasonably early housing sign-up deadlines before, and inevitably, this issue comes up again, especially when trying to justify why so many students are struggling to sublet their off-campus rooms. The early deadline causes problems for students on both sides — students who live on campus often rush into signing up for housing without knowing for sure if they want to continue living on campus, and students who wish to live off campus are rushed into signing leases before all the “best” places

are taken.

But what happens when a student living on campus experiences something that makes them want to live off campus for the following semester? And what happens when a student who has already signed a lease decides to study abroad, graduate early or move elsewhere?

The product of these situations is a deluge of students who want to sublet their rooms, with few students who are actually able to take over these leases. The University’s housing contract locks students in to living on campus for the entire school year, save for three reasons, which the University outlines in the contract: withdrawing from the University, attending a study abroad program or transferring out of the University. Thus, students living on campus who are interested in living off campus are generally unable to take over leases for students who are trying to sublet their

off-campus rooms.

These problems all boil down to the University’s early housing deadline. If the deadline were later in the fall semester or in the spring, students would have a better idea of their plans for the future. In 2014, Suzanne Howell, the associate dean of students and the director of residential life and student housing, wrote a letter to the editor in which she explained some reasons why the housing deadline was changed to the fall semester beginning that year, after previously being during the spring semester.

“We believe that the timeline change is in the best interest of our students,” she wrote.

But if the University changed the deadline in order to increase on-campus signups, and ResLife is generally unwilling to let students break their on-campus leases, it is clear that this is not truly in our best interest. Presently, students who are struggling to

sublet their rooms, often having to continue paying rent even when they are not occupying their rooms — simply because students who live on campus are unable to move. The University has created a vicious cycle for students. Rather than matching the needs and patterns of the students it is supposed to serve, it is attempting to dictate them.

ResLife should, at the very least, take a case-bycase approach when deciding whether or not to let students break their on-campus housing lease. Students and their families encounter life events that could change their finances, personal relationships and physical and mental health.

The University should be more aware of these possible — and realistic — life changes and how they can affect students’ housing arrangements.

If the administration truly wants to act with our best interest in mind, it should reconsider the current housing policies.

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.

“This is a new paper in a new college. It is up to you, all of you, to insure its success. It will reflect your views and opinions, those of the aggregate student body. Primarily as a news organ it will reflect your achievements — and your failures.”

This mission is perhaps even more important today as the University and the communities that surround it grow and change. We promise to cover BU with fairness in both its triumphs and failures.

Our goal is to create a quality news report that you can’t find elsewhere at BU. We aspire to be more than just a log of what happens, and instead to truly help you understand what makes this community tick.

We still believe in the high level of quality journalism that was written about on the pages of The Colonial News all those years ago. We want to find the stories that you’re passionate about; our job is to serve you — the BU community. Stop by our office in University Union West Room B03 to let us know what you liked, and especially what you didn’t like. We understand that we sometimes miss the mark, but our conversations with you make us stronger as a newspaper and ultimately help us serve you better.

The building where Triple Cities College once stood is still there on Lincoln Avenue in Endicott — a testament to the University’s rapid growth and a monument to a different part of its history. Pipe Dream isn’t meant to just be a monument, but a living and growing record of the University, its successes and its growing pains. However you want to tell your stories, we’ll be there taking notes.

In November 1946, a newspaper called The Colonial News was first printed on the campus of Triple Cities College in Endicott, New York. It was started as a newspaper dedicated to telling the stories of a college founded to serve veterans in the wake of World War II. The Colonial News evolved into what is now Pipe Dream, and Triple Cities College, originally a twoyear satellite campus of Syracuse University, evolved into the fledgling research institution that we now know as Binghamton University.

This university is very different now than it was at its founding. It’s very different now than it was even a decade ago. There are more students and more faculty. The University Downtown Center expanded BU’s reach into the city of Binghamton and a new eight-acre health sciences campus will soon bring BU into Johnson City as well.

As the University grows, we renew our mission to tell the stories that matter to you, our readers — whatever your relationship to the University may be.

It is vital to find your own voice and your own path through Binghamton. Even more than Pipe Dream has been in the past, we want to be a place where everybody in this community can use their voice to call for change — even when that change seems improbable.

Over eight decades ago, the editors of The Colonial News included in that first issue a statement of our — Noah Bressner is a senior majoring values as an organization: in history.

Should pre-med requirements be reconsidered?

Mandatory courses are often irrelevant to the current health care field Morgan Manganello

Contributing Columnist

I arrived at the hospital with a sense of wonder and thrill — every neuron in my body firing at full potential, triggering me to feel excitement in my fingertips and through my toes. As I walked into the lobby, I greeted the man who was kind enough to take me under his wing, and with a firm handshake I began my first day of shadowing a brilliant physician.

I felt as though every year of wanting and working had led to this moment — seeing real patients in a real hospital.

The doctor asked me what courses I had taken in college

thus far and I listed off the names of hard science classes that sounded more like a foreign language.

“Ah, you survived organic chemistry without getting weeded out,” he proclaimed.

This exchange led me to ask my most pondered question: “As a physician, do you ever use organic chemistry?”

My question was met with a loud chuckle and an answer that left me frustrated: “No, never.”

Why would all U.S. medical schools require a class that would not help me be a better physician?

A couple of hours of research led me to my answer.

One hundred and eight years ago, a single account turned our nation’s health care system completely on its

head — the Flexner Report. Mr. Abraham Flexner published his report on U.S. medical schools in 1910, which created clear and consistent admissions standards. Flexner argued for the establishment of the biomedical model of medical training, and after his report was published, it became the gold standard.

In the aftermath of his high standards, one-third of U.S. medical schools were shut down. Under Flexner’s recommendations, the new medical school admission prerequisites were chemistry, biology and physics, with their respective labs completed within a minimum of two years in college. Further, he endorsed taking more science courses than the required ones.

To provide a comparison, the Association of American Medical Colleges currently requires chemistry (both general and organic), biology, physics and English to apply to medical school.

Sound familiar? In over a century, the antiquated prerequisites for medical college admission are virtually unchanged.

It is important to note, to contextualize the absurdity of this, that in 1910 the germ theory was still being developed and tested and antibiotics were still 30 years in the future. While Flexner wildly improved health care and medical education in his time, the pre-med students of today desperately need yet another curriculum overhaul.

Instead of an emphasis on the hard sciences, focus should

be shifted to finding the solutions to modernity’s problems. Premed students should be required to take sociology courses on disparities between populations of different races, religions, genders and so on.

Also, to further the brilliant medical research rooted in computers and coding, students should be proficient in computer science. Additionally, to combat the burgeoning epidemic of physician burnout and suicide, a stress management course should be required. These are just a few of the many areas that would produce better doctors than our current system does.

Today’s field of health care is ever-changing, with novel technologies developing constantly, new trends emerging

annually and global populations being served more than ever. It is of the utmost importance to prepare our next generation of doctors for the progressive and unique role they will possess in society.

The attempt at reform in the 2015 Medical College Admissions Test was far too small a step in the right direction. Changes must be bigger and more revolutionary to adequately care for patients and even physicians. The direction taken should be in direct response to the following question: How can we prepare and groom the next generation of doctors to best serve our people?

— Morgan Manganello is a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience.

In support of the graduate school applicant

Undergraduate students are often discouraged and intimidated when applying to graduate programs Kara Bilello

Columnist

After four weeks off, the expectation is for students to come back refreshed and ready to tackle a new semester. Yet, for seniors who are graduating in May, including myself, there was no break.

Many seniors who are applying to graduate school are spending hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars on application fees, personal statements, statements of purpose, financial aid papers, scholarship essays and the Free

Application for Federal Student Aid forms.

There is no Common Application equivalent for most graduate programs, as there was for many undergraduate universities. For my fellow English majors applying to programs in writing and literature, we need to pull together up to 50 pages of our best writing. And for a majority of students, there is a fine balance between an aboveaverage score on the GRE and maintaining one’s sanity while battling test anxiety.

Beyond this, there is another factor at play making a stressful few months additionally complex —

intimidation.

It’s common for undergraduates to feel intimidated by their graduate teaching assistants (TAs), which can lead to a feeling of not being able to measure up. I’ve heard from friends and peers that their TAs have told them “they are not cut out for grad school,” “won’t make it,” and flat-out laughed at their anxiety surrounding applications. This feeling is the catalyst for a vicious cycle — particularly in students already rendered vulnerable by the surrounding stress.

My current position as a graduate school applicant has altered my mindset — I believe that many graduate students view undergraduates

as “grunts, nobodies, bottom of the [surgical] food chain,” as Dr. Bailey refers to the medical residents in season one of “Grey’s Anatomy.” This is not their fault, but rather, it is that of the culture that deems a bachelor’s degree to be not enough.

Personally, I have hoped to obtain a doctoral degree since I was a kid, but this is not the case for everyone. The blame should not be put on an undergraduate for not yet having the chance to obtain a greater education. We should be encouraging them — those who do not feel defeated by the education system.

Perhaps undergraduates, while we still have much to

learn, can be carriers of future hope. Perhaps what makes us “less knowledgeable” as young 20-somethings can allow for the integration of an additional perspective. We possess a young energy. In my fellow undergraduates, I see hope in their eyes and excitement for the future when they think about graduating in a few months.

Every graduate and postgraduate student was an undergraduate at some point.

This is key to remember. A community of collaboration is what we need at this university — in place of a separation between undergraduates and graduate students, we could form an environment of support

and mentorship. I’ve been lucky enough to have graduate students who have reviewed my portfolios, sent letters on my behalf and even given me advice on the best neighborhoods in the city where I hope to be in the fall.

For now, we can thank the graduate students who make an empathetic effort — offering to write recommendation letters for their students, sharing their stories and advice and even reaching out to their alma mater on a student’s behalf. Power to the applicant who persists.

— Kara Bilello is a senior double-majoring in English and Spanish.

ARTS & CULTURE New Year's Resolution: Fitness Edition Make the most of the gym in January and beyond Nikkolette Sather Contributing Writer As college students, it’s hard to commit to anything, let alone a New Year’s resolution.

According to the current survey on the my.binghamton. edu homepage, 34.2 percent of respondents had chosen “Hit the gym!” as their spring semester resolution at the time of publication. There are a variety of popular ways to get fit on campus, but you might be surprised by what services students frequent most at the East Gym. Madeline Klemenz, a group fitness instructor and a sophomore double-majoring in integrative neuroscience and Spanish, said taking group fitness classes is a good introduction to getting fit.

“The fitness classes are a great way to get a taste of the countless ways there are to exercise,” Klemenz wrote in an email. “If you like the class, that’s great, and if you hate it, at least you tried it and figured out it isn’t for you. Most of

what I incorporate into my own personal workouts are picked up from the classes I take here.”

During the 2016-17 academic year, the beginning of spring semester saw the highest number of group fitness clients with people signing into classes 2,763 times in January and 3,196 times in February.

The offerings include cardio classes like Spin and Cardio Kickboxing and strength-training classes like Booty Bootcamp and Body Pump.

Klemenz, who teaches yoga, said the classes are designed for all fitness levels.

“I can understand feeling tentative to try something new, but even the classes that seem intimidating cater to all levels,” Klemenz wrote in an email. “We are trained to offer modifications in intensity so that attendees don’t feel uncomfortable or discouraged.”

FitSpace is the East Gym’s fitness machine and weighttraining area. For the 2016-17 academic year, February had the

largest number of check-ins to FitSpace with a total of 37,781 patrons checking in and March had the third-highest number of checkins with a total of 34,937 patrons checking in.

Robert Meyer, a personal trainer at the East Gym and a senior majoring in business administration, said he recommends using the SYNRGY360 trainer in FitSpace, an apparatus equipped with toys like a heavy bag, TRX Suspension Trainers and battle ropes.

“The SYNRGY functional fitness area in Fitspace has a lot to offer to students looking to lose weight or gain muscle,” Meyer wrote in an email.

Beyond group fitness and FitSpace offerings, the gym also hosts personal training and smallgroup training. The East Gym sees an average of 721 personal training sessions in any given academic year.

Kim Smith, a personal trainer at the East Gym and a senior majoring in integrative neuroscience, said

Group fitness class check-ins for the 2016-17 academic year

FitSpace check-ins for the 2016-17 academic year

Average open recreation participants in an academic year

August

912

August

10,749

Badminton

2,281

September

2,746

September

35,098

Basketball

59,711

October

2,038

October

30,328

Pickleball

180

November

1,834

November

26,737

Raquetball

534

December

1,058

December

14,141

Volleyball

676

January

2,763

January

28,851

Track

7,436

February

3,196

February

37,781

Tennis

1,372

March

2,704

March

34,937

Disc Golf

186

April

1,702

April

24,166

Lap Swim

6,921

May

1,188

May

16,019

Rec. Swim

8,002

personal training may help you unlock your full potential.

“You are capable of more than you know, and sometimes all it takes is a little motivation and guidance to see some incredible results,” Smith wrote in an email.

Memberships for group fitness and FitSpace come with a cost, but many open recreational activities are free. Inside the East Gym, the pool is available for both recreational swim and lap swim and there are basketball courts that

house different activities such as pickleball and volleyball.

An average of 59,711 members checked in to play basketball during the academic year, 8,002 people checked in for recreational swim and 6,921 attended lap swim.

Take it from the trainers: tips to make resolutions stick

Rebecca Kiss/Assistant Photography Editor Staying on top of your New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t feel impossible. To learn how to get motivated, Pipe Dream consulted staff at the East Gym. From left: Madeline Klemenz, a group fitness instructor and a sophomore double-majoring in integrative neuroscience and Spanish; Kim Smith, a personal trainer and a senior majoring in integrative neuroscience; and Robert Meyer, a personal trainer and a senior majoring in business administration.

Nikkolette Sather Contributing Writer February is a popular month for students to visit the East Gym, but check-ins tend to drop around the middle of March. This year, stick to your resolutions and don’t let midsemester blues get the best of you. For tips on how to stay

motivated, Pipe Dream asked a few East Gym student employees to give us their best advice.

Among those we asked were Kim Smith, a personal trainer and a senior majoring in integrative neuroscience; Robert Meyer, a personal trainer and a senior majoring in business administration; and Madeline Klemenz, a group fitness instructor

and a sophomore double-majoring in integrative neuroscience and Spanish.

Make a schedule, and stick to it “For me, creating a clear outline is key to sticking with long-term goals,” Smith wrote in an email.

“A resolution such as ‘I will go to the gym more’ should be replaced with something more specific, for example ‘I will go to the gym 3

times a week before breakfast for 1 hour.’ This way, I can hold myself accountable, fall into a routine, and even keep written tabs on myself at the end of the week.”

Listen to your body “‘Listen to your body’ may sound like one of those cliche mantras you see on fitness model accounts, but there is so much truth in that,” Klemenz wrote in an email. “If you feel like you need a rest day, it means you should take a rest day. If you feel like you need to eat more carbohydrates, eat more carbohydrates. Here again is the reinforcement of the notion that working towards your goals takes an enormous amount of mental power.”

Set small goals “Take it one day at a time, and set lots of small goals you can achieve daily or weekly,” Smith wrote in an email. “Some examples of this can be increasing your steps for the day by walking to a further dining hall or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.”

Extend your goals beyond fitness “Even if your goal is just to lose weight, allow your productivity to bleed into other aspects of your life that may also need some work. Odds are you can always benefit from a

little more discipline, routine and self-efficacy,” Meyers wrote in an email.

Find a friend and motivate each other “As college students, it’s often hard to find the time to exercise in addition to all of our responsibilities, but sometimes it’s just mustering up the willpower to turn off Netflix, get out of bed, and physically get to the gym,” Smith wrote in an email. “Finding a friend to work out with is a great way to make this happen, because you can hold each other accountable for the commitment, and also the social component could make it more bearable.”

Find joy in your workout “Make your workout something you look forward to, not dread,” Klemenz wrote in an email. “I’m aware that this is easier said than done, but the more you experiment and try new things, the more likely you are to find something that you enjoy. You’ll likely start to look forward to working out more once you begin to reap the mental and physical results. Even hitting the gym with friends you look forward to seeing or creating a really good playlist that you look forward to listening to can be effective motivators before the physical

activity itself becomes a motivator.”

Set SMART weight-loss goals “Before setting a plan in motion to achieve your weight loss goal for the new year, it is important to make sure that your goal is SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound,” Smith wrote in an email. “Setting unrealistic goals is a major way to become discouraged early on, and fall off track. The most effective way to keep pounds off long term, is to lose 1-2 pounds per week. This can be achieved by reducing your caloric intake by 500 calories per day (or 3,500 calories per week) through a combined healthy diet and exercise routine.”

Forget the new year — sort of “Whatever your New Year’s Resolution may be, it is my belief that the best way to stick to your resolutions is to ultimately deemphasize the importance of the new year,” Meyer wrote in an email.

“Remind yourself that to rise to whatever occasion you have set out for, it is you, and only you, who will have the power to execute and see your vision come to fruition. Ask yourself, why have I been waiting for the beginning of a new year to make a change? Is there anything wrong with starting today? Probably not.

How about right now? Even better.”

Strength-training workouts to complement your cardio Kara Jillian Brown Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Navigating the gym can be not only confusing, but also intimidating — especially if you don’t know what to do when you get there. Instead of exclusively exercising on the cardio machines, venture further into the gym and diversify your workouts with strength-training exercises. To get started, follow Pipe Dream’s beginner-friendly full-body workout plan.

Warm-up Spend 10 to 15 minutes on your favorite cardio machine.

Exercise: Lat pull-down Muscle targeted: latissimus dorsi To begin, adjust the leg pad on the pull-down machine so it rests snugly on your thighs.

Pick a weight that’s comfortable for you and make sure the pin is secure. Next, reach up and grab the bar, with your fingernails facing forward and your grip wider than your shoulders. Pull your arms down, drawing your elbows down and in toward your sides, before slowly extending your arms back to the top. Repeat eight to 12 times to complete one set, rest and do two to four more sets.

Exercise: Weighted hip thrusts Muscles targeted: gluteus maximus, hamstrings Select a barbell that’s a comfortable weight for you. Begin resting your shoulders on a flat bench with your shoulders, hips and knees in a straight line and your feet in front of you. Keep your feet hip width apart and your knees over your ankles. Engage your core and tuck your pelvis under to maintain a flat back. (a) Place the barbell across your hips. (b) Without arching your spine, drop your hips toward the floor and then squeeze your glutes to bring your hips back to the top. Repeat eight to 12 times to complete one set, rest and do two to four more sets. This exercise can also be done without the weight if you feel the weight is too much.

Exercise: Overhead tricep extension Muscle targeted: triceps Grab one dumbbell that’s a comfortable weight for you. Begin standing with your feet under your hips, your core engaged and your pelvis tucked under to maintain a flat back. Holding on to one end of the dumbbell, bring your arms overhead with your wrists in line with your forearms and your elbows pointing forward and

squeezing toward your head. Bend at your elbows until your forearms become parallel with the floor and extend back to the top. Repeat eight to 12 times to complete one set, rest and do two to four more sets.

Exercise: Elevated lunges Muscles targeted: gluteus maximus, quadriceps Stand in front of, but facing away from, an elevated platform.

Bring one foot behind you and place your toes on the platform. Step your other foot forward, so your knee is over your ankle. Keeping your weight in your back toe, drop your back knee down into a lunge, and squeeze your glutes to return to a standing position. Repeat five to eight times to complete one set, rest and do two to four more sets.

Exercise: Outer thigh squeeze Muscle targeted: abductors Take a seat on the outer thigh machine and adjust the footrests so your thighs are together. Pick a weight that’s comfortable for you and make sure the pin is secure.

Keeping your core engaged, push your knees out as wide as they can comfortably go, before slowly returning them to the middle.

Repeat eight to 12 times to complete one set, rest and do two to four more sets.

a

b Kevin Paredes/ Photography Editor Molly Warren, a senior majoring in psychology, performing weighted hip thrusts.

6

ARTS & CULTURE

bupipedream.com | January 16, 2018

'The Good Bao' adds new flavor to Downtown Binghamto

Co-owners and area natives Steven Lounsavang and Soal Sotivongsa, '12, serve up in Georgia Westbrook Arts & Culture Editor The Good Bao, located on Henry Street near the Greater Binghamton Transportation Center in Downtown Binghamton, is unassuming from the outside, with only a sleek sign to indicate it is there. But stepping into the space, there is an undeniable change in the air from the grayness outside; this is partly due to the yellow highlights against the dark walls, and partly because the menu is surprising for a restaurant Downtown.

Soal Sotivongsa, ‘12, and his business partner, Steven Lounsavang, opened The Good Bao two months ago — but the work started long before that. Both men grew up in the Binghamton area, before serious dining came to the Downtown area. Sotivongsa, who studied economics at BU, spent his teenage years driving to fast food chains. It was not until he moved to New York City after college to work for an investment banking firm — and tried his first bao — that he started to think about how he could bring better food options to his hometown.

“The only time I had any free time [while living in New York City] was just to go out to eat for lunch, and so I would go explore all these different eateries around New York City,” Sotivongsa said. “I’ve always wanted to come back to Binghamton at some point to do something. I wasn’t sure what it was, and then I said, ‘You know? Let me try this. Let me bring this [bao restaurant] over here.’”

Sotivongsa partnered up with Lounsavang, whom he knew from childhood. Together, they split the responsibilities of running the restaurant, with Sotivongsa managing the branding and front-of-house operations, and Lounsavang in charge of the food. Neither of them had formal training in food service or hospitality, but rather they combined their experiences to create the menu, with Sotivongsa bringing his experiences from his time living in New York City and Lounsavang’s training coming from being a self-proclaimed “mama’s boy” and working in the kitchen of Thai Time.

The bao in the name of the restaurant refers to the light, steamed bun that is the foundation for the offerings on the menu at The Good Bao. According to Sotivongsa, he and Lounsavang treat the bao like “an Asian hamburger,” but he said they also draw their inspiration from countries and cuisines from around the world.

“Our chicken is Laos-inspired, because we use a lot of lemongrass,” he said. “The beef is Korean bulgogi sauce, so we marinate that in a house bulgogi marinade … and the pork belly is authentically Taiwanese. And we do fried fish, we do tofu, but every protein on our menu was inspired from various places that we’ve eaten and various relationships that we’ve had. We have friends from across the world, so they always have these stories … from those experiences, we said, this is an opportunity for us to infuse those things into our menu.”

The men put together the menu for The Good Bao themselves, developing their core offerings over two to three months and maintaining a flexible approach to updating it with specials. They also said they keep an ear to the ground for customer feedback, which has helped them drop some of their less successful items, like Philly cheesesteak baos, and add some of their hits, like their fried chicken bao. The latter was developed during a slow day for the restaurant and posted to its Instagram; when people kept coming in asking for it, they added it to the regular menu.

Clockwise from top: assorted baos from the menu of The Good Bao, three of the drinks on the menu and the co-founders of the restaurant (left to right) Steven Lounsavang and Soal Sotivongsa, ‘12.

And the food is delicious. There are rice bowls, Asian-inspired beverages and the natural star of the offerings: the baos. The pork belly bao, which Lounsavang said almost always sells out by 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. every day, lived up to its hype with a slight kick and The Good Bao’s signature spread. The Korean

barbecue beef bao is also terrific, with a sesame flavor and a sauce that is sweet but not overpowering. Other baos on the menu come topped with an Asian slaw that is miles beyond basic coleslaw and paired well with whatever it is served on.

Sotivongsa said that one of their goals

at The Good Bao was to be able to get highquality, fresh ingredients at a low price point.

That mission, coupled with the taste of the food itself, is what he suggests is part of the reason the restaurant’s menu is able to find fans across ages.

“Before this, I was doing a lot of research

While class was out, hip-hop was in

Pipe Dream recaps the releases you missed over winter break Marcus Budashewitz Contributing Writer While some Binghamton University students may have spent their winter breaks doing a whole lot of nothing, the hip-hop world continued to bring new bops. From buzzy singles to complete albums and mixtapes, established artists and newcomers have been busy. Here are the biggest releases in hip-hop and rap from the past month.

ALBUMS: Eminem, “Revival” The perpetually popular rapper leapt back onto the scene with “Revival,” released on Dec. 15.

The nearly 80-minute album was met with mixed reviews, but still debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200. Some saw the album as Eminem re-entering the scene in his top form. Others considered it a nonessential and overly commercial product.

Regardless, Marshall Mathers is not yet done — he is headlining several upcoming music festivals, including Governors Ball and Firefly.

Huncho Jack, “Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho” Travis Scott and Quavo have teamed up to form a trap supergroup that exploded onto the scene with this album. Scott and Quavo — who is one third of hip-hop group Migos — released the eponymous “Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho” on Dec.

21. The group brings together two of the biggest names in hip-hop on this 13-song collection. The artists carried most of the tracks themselves, with features from only Takeoff and Offset, the other two members of Migos. The album received some criticism for monotony, but nonetheless reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200.

N.E.R.D., “NO_ONE EVER REALLY DIES” Pharrell Williams has established himself as one of the most prominent artists of this era, both as a solo singer and as a producer. Now, N.E.R.D, the rap-rock group with which he got his start is back with a new album. This tight 11-song album dropped on Dec. 15. N.E.R.D.’s first full release since 2010, the album features a laundry list of notable guests such as Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Future, Wale and Ed Sheeran. Despite the sevenyear hiatus, glossy production from Williams ensured N.E.R.D. doesn’t skip a beat and they landed at No. 31 on Billboard’s Top 200. “NO_ONE EVER REALLY DIES” tackles topics ranging from LGBTQ rights to police brutality, as N.E.R.D. reenters the game in a compelling, relevant and political way.

SINGLES: Kendrick Lamar and SZA, “All the Stars” This track released on Jan. 4 in tandem with the exciting news that Kendrick Lamar will be

producing the soundtrack for the upcoming Marvel superhero film, “Black Panther.” The single itself received some harsh criticism from old fans of Lamar who accused it of being generic and cliche, but the context of the song’s release does need to be considered — “All the Stars” is a piece of a film soundtrack, not a piece from Lamar’s own album, so some banality is to be excused.

Migos, “Stir Fry” The Georgia-based trap-rap trio is at it again with this Pharrell Williams-produced promotional single for their upcoming album, “Culture 2.” “Stir Fry” was released on Dec. 20 and its designation as the official song of the 2018 NBA All-Star Game signaled Migos’ continuing popularity with their fans.

Bruno Mars and Cardi B, “Finesse (Remix)” The “Bodak Yellow” artist joined Bruno Mars on this remix of a track off his album “24K Magic.” The original song wasn’t very popular, but since Cardi B hopped on the remix on Jan. 4, it has skyrocketed to No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Bruno has long been a staple in the music industry, but newcomer Cardi B continues to prove she is not a one-hit wonder. The pair will perform together at the Grammy Awards on Jan. 28.

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7

ARTS & CULTURE

January 16, 2018 | bupipedream.com

on restaurant scene 'The Post' is timely, but hollow

nventive Asian-fusion cuisine

Spielberg's political thriller falls flat despite critical acclaim

Sarah Buerker Staff Writer

Noah Bressner/Editor-in-Chief

tes of upcoming generations er, I think, this time, I think open-minded to try different ly, I think, older crowds,” he one of my friends’ mothers, o for the first time like last was an experience for her

which she’s more open to now than she was maybe a couple of years ago. I think food has become such a conversational piece.”

The ultimate goal of the men at the helm of The Good Bao is to begin franchising the restaurant, including establishing an outpost on the BU campus. For now, Sotivongsa said, they’re focusing on getting students — and other community members — to come to them. He said they hope to host student events and club meetings at their space on Henry Street, and the restaurant boasts a bulletin board already filling up with community postings. They are also starting a scholarship in tandem with the Educational Opportunity Program at Binghamton University, which Sotivongsa was a part of during his time at BU, called “The Good Scholarship.”

Sotivongsa and Lounsavang chose the name “The Good Bao” for the message it sends about the quality of the food, but also because they hope the name is a memorable one for people who visit the restaurant.

“We’re just two good guys trying to make good food for good people,” Sotivongsa said. “[We want people to] remember where they had their first bao — or their first Asian hamburger.”

The Good Bao is located at 58 Henry Street in Downtown Binghamton. The restaurant’s phone number is 607-2370445. It is open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Though “The Post” garnered buzz in the movie world weeks before its release date, it was less of an inspiration than simply a critical darling — a film we’re supposed to like, but don’t really enjoy.

The film, released on Jan. 12, is based on the true story of journalists from The Washington Post who published the findings of the Pentagon Papers in 1971.

The Pentagon Papers were a top-secret government study conducted by the Department of Defense on the United States’ involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967.

The damning papers famously vindicated the American people’s rising opposition to the war and exposed underlying political motivations and illicit attacks in Vietnam.

The gripping historical basis for this story draws in political junkies, journalists and movie lovers alike. While the historical account is dramatic, fast-paced, and overall captivating to watch unfold on screen, the execution fell short of my expectations based on the talent included in the film’s credits.

The New York Times’ initial publication of the papers led to an injunction from the government, forcing the Times to cease publication on related stories. At the time, The Washington Post was owned by Katharine “Kay” Graham, played by Meryl Streep. The Post was in possession of their own copy of the Pentagon Papers, and Graham was tasked with the decision of whether to risk defying the government’s aggressive censure of the press.

The most dominant theme in the movie is feminism. The beginning of the film paints Graham as an intelligent woman, bogged down by the male-dominated circle of Washington elite. Graham’s character is conspicuously overshadowed in nearly every scene during the first three quarters of the film. The reduction of her character is a purposeful move meant to accentuate the patriarchal nature of the corporate world into which she was thrust into following the death of her husband, the previous owner. Her constant dismissal by male counterparts on the board of the Post highlights the patriarchal status quo of the times, but marks a sharp contrast in the last quarter of the movie.

The film creates a slow burning anticipation for Graham to assert herself as the capable owner of her family’s newspaper, showing Graham scouring contracts, taking meetings and dining with the former Secretary of Defense. Graham’s character flips the script on male figures of her time, after making the pivotal decision to publish the Pentagon Papers.

She very suddenly falls into the role of an assertive boss and dives into collaboration with Ben Bradlee, the Post’s executive editor, played by Tom Hanks.

Although I understood that her assertion of power was an inspiring, feminist move — defying the patriarchy — it came across as disingenuous and rushed. The scenes at the beginning of the movie that contrast her abilities as a shrewd businesswoman behind closed doors and as a fumbling, timid woman in the presence of powerful men make her transformation to an assertive white knight for journalism and women alike a little unbelievable. Graham comes across like an overly conspicuous, Hollywood version of a woman breaking the glass ceiling with a single power move.

Rather than seeing a creative and gradual

Provided by Grabillis, Inc. “The Post,” starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, was released in theaters nationwide on Jan. 12.

character development throughout the film, there is no deviate from the cliches and story arch pitfalls you’d expect in such a film.

For what was meant to be a movie that played on the current political climate, the women in the film other than Graham were vastly underplayed. Throughout the film, the screen is distinctly male-dominated, bringing to the audience’s attention a world above the glass ceiling, void of women’s influence. The film was deliberate in forcing the audience to consider the absence of women throughout the film — women are distinctly absent. It seemed like a deliberate homage to the current discussion about women in the workplace, but it lacked any deeper meaning or investigation.

It seems as if the rush to release the movie left gaps and errors, and led to a lack of depth, especially concerning the portrayal of other important female characters. One such character, Meg Greenfield, played by Carrie Coon, was the editorial writer for the Post at the time and played a key role in analyzing the Pentagon Papers. She won a Pulitzer Prize in 1978 for editorial writing and in her last scene, as John Williams’ orchestra plays the inspirational victory music, you hear her telling the style desk that they need to run

fewer stories about shoes.

The release of the film sits comfortably in a conversation about the nation’s current political climate. President Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly claimed that the media is biased against him, coining and popularizing the term “fake news.”

Steven Spielberg, the critically acclaimed director of the film, told a Hollywood audience after a screening, that he rushed to get “The Post” filmed and produced within a year.

“I just felt that there was an urgency to reflect 1971 and 2017 because they were terrifyingly similar,” Spielberg said.

Although “The Post” portrays a story that’s undoubtedly important to tell, the timing of the film seems to walk the line between amplifying the voice for ongoing social movements like #MeToo and cheaply capitalizing on the divisive political climate to sell tickets.

I wanted to leave the theater feeling as though I saw a movie of the year, but I didn’t. While “The Post” is worth seeing for the captivating story, it doesn’t leave you with a feeling that you saw something exceptional. Overall, it is based on a fantastic story and features a top-notch cast, but the film falls short of a timeless ode to the importance of journalistic freedom.

mony' to first solo album, Camila Cabello shines on 'Camila'

of her hit single 'Havana,' the artist impresses with her eponymous popsynth project

SONY Music Entertainment oring fans or new listeners.

Gabriela Trinidad Contributing Writer After the success of her hit single “Havana,” Camila Cabello’s highly anticipated solo album has arrived.

“Camila,” released on Jan. 12, marks the start of Cabello’s career as a solo artist following her departure from “X Factor”formed girl group Fifth Harmony. The 20-year-old Cuban American pop singer is trying to do what many have failed at: establishing a successful post-band solo career. Artists like Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake have accomplished this feat, but it may be too soon to tell if Cabello can.

Cabello’s 10-track effort follows in the synth-pop tradition of Fifth Harmony, but is more understated than typical mainstream pop. Rarely using the powerful vocals Fifth Harmony fans are used to, Cabello pleasantly surprises by shying away from in-your-face, rapturous pop. Simple instrumentation allows for her voice to be the star — a star that doesn’t need to be bombastic to be intriguing.

Breathy, raspy vocals are recurrent

throughout, particularly when background “oohs” and “ahs” populate her lyrics.

Employing impressive restraint, her vibratos and runs are showcased in a delicate and pure way, especially on the track “All These Years.” On this album, a more reserved Cabello finds herself navigating the tricky worlds of dating, desire and friendship as a young adult.

“Camila” opens with “Never Be The Same,” which is fitting considering how this body of work is sort of her reintroduction to Fifth Harmony fans and a first impression for everyone else. A slow build of beaming synth chords blooms into a boisterous, bassbacked chorus with Cabello proclaiming she’s so into someone that she feels like she’s under the influence of drugs. Two tracks later, “She Loves Control” is a declarative, Latin pop-inspired number with Reggaeton-esque flavor. Cabello sings over the slinky rhythm, “She loves control, she wants it her way / And there’s no way she’ll ever stay unless you give it up,” with an assertiveness that’s single-worthy.

But it’s her hit single “Havana” that has dominated the charts and can be used as a lyrical template for the album. “Havana, ooh

na-na / Half of my heart is in Havana, ooh na-na / He took me back to East Atlanta, nana-na, ah / Oh, but my heart is in Havana,” are the repetitive, stick-in-your-head lyrics everyone around you has been singing. The common thread of “Camila” reverberates on “Inside Out,” the album’s fifth track.

It’s essentially as wide as Cabello’s lyrical scope goes, with a chorus repeating “Baby, give it to me, no doubt / ‘Cause I wanna love you inside out / I wanna love you inside out.” Coupled with instrumentation only slightly different from the works of artists like Selena Gomez and Katy Perry, the album’s foundations could use some creativity.

While the first half of the album is made up of road trip jams, after track six, “Consequences,” Cabello’s quieter side comes out on synth, electric guitar and piano-driven ballads. This is when Cabello puts her strongest material on display.

“Consequences” is an honest and raw piece of contemporary pop which lays out the ugly aftermath of a breakup. She admits to not eating, developing trust issues and seeking attention in other people’s beds, as the price paid for a love gone awry.

On the song “Real Friends,” the lead guitar’s simple chords make room for the insecurity and hurt Cabello effortlessly intonates. The lyrics on “Real Friends” are some of her most touching: “No, I’m no stranger to surprise / This paper town has let me down too many times / Why do I even try? Give me a reason why / I thought that I could trust you, never mind.”

Cabello has a lot at stake on her debut album. She’s not yet at the status of the best band-members-turned-soloists, but she played her cards right by leaving Fifth Harmony. On the whole, Cabello has left room for improvement, but she simply needs to reflect on what she truly wants to sound like. When she shines, as heard on “She Loves Control” and “Real Friends,” she proves there’s a reason to pay attention to her next moves.

When she sticks to cookie-cutter lyrics and generic production, it muddies her unique voice. The rebirth of her career hangs on this compilation of mostly solid pop songs that are everything today’s music audience wants to hear — but it’s unclear whether it will translate to a successful future solo career.

F UN

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

High Morals

Nate Walker

Winter at Binghamton

Sudoku

Annabeth Sloan

By The Mepham Group

Level: 1 2 3 4 Solution to the last issue's puzzle

Welcome Back

Annabeth Sloan

© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

1/16/18

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 16, 2018

THE Daily Commuter Puzzle

Horoscopes

The Cosmos

ACROSS 1 Letters for a tasty sandwich 4 Thespian 9 Wander 13 Broadcasts 15 Remove a beard 16 Hideous 17 Pass out cards 18 Woodwinds, for short 19 U.K. fellow 20 Flab around the middle 22 Actress Behrs 23 Brooklyn team 24 Bread for a Reuben 26 Preaches 29 Nonconformist 34 Fashion show participant 35 Thick cords 36 Actor McBride 37 Watched 38 Like paper in a school binder 39 Italian auto 40 Opening 41 Trousers 42 Dishwasher cycle 43 In spite of the fact that 45 Overeats 46 Unusual 47 Conceal 48 Wingless bug 51 “And” symbol 56 Equipment 57 Tied up 58 Sudden attack 60 As __ as nails 61 Cyclist Armstrong 62 Small rodents 63 Vacation stops 64 Go into 65 Guitarist __ Paul 1 2 3 4

DOWN Wicked Reclines Snare Items listed in a will

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

Last Issue’s Puzzle Solved

5 Converses 6 Hired vehicle 7 Think __; ponder 8 Tight-lipped; quiet 9 __ ducky; bathtub toy 10 Monster 11 Dismounted 12 Fictional story 14 Sloping 21 Rod and __; fishing gear 25 Simple reply 26 Last letter, for Socrates 27 Fit for a king 28 Skillful 29 March, for one 30 Primates 31 Cake coating 32 Largest U.S. bank 33 Toys with tails 35 “__ around the rosie...”

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50 Make money 52 __ and groan; bellyache 53 Football kick 54 Hammerer’s target 55 Yahtzee cubes 59 __ Moines, Iowa

9

SPORTS

bupipedream.com | January 16, 2018

BU crushed by Albany

Wrestling records its third conference win Women's basketball drops to sixth in AE Michael Steinberg Pipe Dream Sports

Jonathan Flores/Pipe Dream Photographer Redshirt junior Joe Russ went 2-0 on Sunday during the wrestling team’s matches against Columbia and Hofstra.

Grace Palumbo Assistant Sports Editor

The Binghamton wrestling team kicked off the semester early, taking down Columbia and Hofstra in two matches this past Sunday.

Under the direction of acting head coach Kyle Borshoff, the former assistant coach, the Bearcats were able to record consecutive victories against both the Lions, 20-14, and the Pride, 27-9.

BU’s day began in New York City, where Binghamton (6-4) claimed victory in six of the 10 matches.

Redshirt junior Joe Nelson set the pace of the match, claiming the first victory in the 125-pound weight class in over four minutes of ride time in the 16-5 major win.

Redshirt junior Joe Russ also put up a notable victory, earning four takedowns in what appeared to be a lost match, to come back for a win against Columbia (2-7) junior JP Ascolese, 8-7. In the 149-pound weight class, redshirt sophomore Frankie Garcia claimed a 3-1 victory against his opponent in a match that was scoreless for the first period.

“Garcia got a great win over Columbia,” Borshoff said. “If there was one match of the week that I would say exceeded expectations, it was when [Garcia] beat his opponent from Columbia. That was

a highlight for us.”

After taking the win at Columbia, the squad ventured to Long Island to compete against Hofstra (7-6).

The Bearcats were able to capture eight straight matches against the pride, posting a 27-9 victory.

Nelson secured his second victory of the day and the first of the match, versus sophomore Jacob Martin. Teammates redshirt senior Jacob Nicholson, Garcia, Russ, redshirt junior Vincent DePrez and senior Steve Schneider all followed suit, each claiming their second wins of the day as well.

Following the South Beach Duals in late December, the matches over the weekend marked Borshoff’s second and third as acting head wrestling coach. As the team faces new leadership, he asserts that only small changes have been made to the team’s day-to-day activities.

“We’ve made some small changes, our goal hasn’t changed, and the way that we’ve been training is the way that we believe in and that’s how we’re going to have success at the end of the year,” Borshoff said. “So, in general, things haven’t changed drastically, but there have been small changes that we’ve made and a couple of areas we’ve tweaked. But we just wanted to stay comfortable with our training methods as we moved through the season.”

Despite former head coach Matt Dernlan’s resignation, the team’s long-term goal also remains the same.

“Our long-term goal is absolutely to be a national power in wrestling,” Borshoff said. “We’re trying to bring in the best and brightest students in the state and from surrounding states. The talent in the Northeast is top-notch and that’s where we’re recruiting from, and we believe that with the guys we’re recruiting, we can make a push at being a top-20 team, maybe a top-10 team and just continue to work our way up.”

Borshoff also made clear that the contests this weekend marked an important shift in the mentality of the wrestlers.

“The guys are starting to really believe in themselves,” Borshoff said. “In wrestling, confidence is so important and that’s where we’re starting to get better. The guys are starting to really believe and buy into what we’re doing. They’re believing that we can compete with the best guys in the country and I think we’re seeing direct results of that belief when we go out and wrestle.”

The Binghamton wrestling team is set to return to the mats on Jan. 27, facing off against the University of Pennsylvania at 2 p.m. and Drexel University at 7 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Coming off a 64-59 America East (AE) Conference win over first-place Hartford, the Binghamton women’s basketball team was looking to jump past Albany in the conference standings and take control of third place. Instead, the Bearcats (11-6, 2-2 AE) dropped their matchup against the Great Danes (15-3, 4-1 AE), falling 63-46 and dropping to sixth place.

The game was tightly contested heading into the midpoint of the second quarter, with both teams exchanging leads frequently. Then, the Great Danes pulled ahead to a 19-18 edge following a jump shot by senior forward Tiana-Jo Carter. The Bearcats threatened to come back several times, but never regained the advantage.

Albany managed a double-digit victory despite low playing time for several key players.

Carter, freshman guard CeCe Mayo and junior forward Heather Forster all had three personal fouls early in the game and were forced to sit. The Albany bench picked up the slack, however, accounting for 26 of Albany’s total points for the day.

“Their bench stepped up,” said BU head coach Linda Cimino.

“They had kids come in off the bench and have probably career highs. We can’t allow that.”

Turnovers were also a big problem for the Bearcats. They coughed the ball up 23 times, resulting in 28 Albany points.

Cimino pointed to those turnovers as a key reason for the defeat.

Despite its poor ball security, BU seemed on the edge of a comeback at multiple instances throughout the game. In the fourth quarter, it was able to claw back to a six-point deficit.

One reason the team could not pull off the comeback, according to Cimino, was free-throw shooting.

The Bearcats have had previous trouble shooting free throws this season and missed 11 shots from the charity stripe against the Great Danes.

“We didn’t capitalize today when we got to the free-throw line,” Cimino said. “You know, when you make your free throws, it chips the lead away.”

The Bearcats also shot poorly from the field. Senior guard Imani Watkins, who ranks first in the AE and 14th in the nation in points per game with 21.4 points per game, shot only six of 17 from the field and three of eight from the foul line. However, even on an off day, Watkins managed 18 points and shot 37.5 percent from the 3-point line.

Sophomore guard Kai Moon put forth an efficient scoring effort, logging 14 points, seven of which came from the line, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 3-point range. Moon and Watkins combined for 32 of

Binghamton’s 46 points, as only five Binghamton players scored against the Great Danes.

The Bearcats historically have had a lot of trouble against Albany, dropping its last 16 games against the Great Danes. While Cimino conceded Albany was the better team Monday, she did not believe Albany has any specific advantage over Binghamton.

“They’ve got a couple of kids who can really shoot the ball and they did a good job getting the ball inside today,” Cimino said.

Even with the loss, Cimino is not concerned for the team’s future, nor is she worried about working on any particular kinks in practice.

“I think we just need a little bit of rest and we need to group and then we’ll get right back at it on Thursday,” Cimino said.

The Bearcats are set to face Stony Brook on Thursday. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Events Center in Vestal, New York.

Jonathan Flores/Pipe Dream Photographer Senior guard Imani Watkins led Binghamton in scoring on Monday, tallying 18 points and three 3-pointers in a loss to Albany.

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WRESTLING

BU wins two straight SEE PAGE 9 Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Men's basketball overpowers Great Danes at home

Mia Katz/Contributing Photographer Senior forward Willie Rodriguez recorded 20 points and two 3-pointers on 75 percent shooting from the field during Binghamton’s win over Albany on Monday night.

Rodriguez's 20-point performance propels Bearcats to their first America East victory Yaakov Spivack Pipe Dream Sports

The Binghamton men’s basketball team snapped its three-game losing streak and earned its first conference win, defeating Albany Monday night.

The win improved BU’s record to 1-3 in the America East Conference and 10-9 overall.

“I’m really proud of my group, more so than anything,” said BU head coach Tommy Dempsey. “Not only for the win, but just how they’ve handled the last week and a half or whatever it was that we got off to the slow start in the league. The tough loss to Maine, getting blown out on the road at Hartford.

I’m just proud of our overall togetherness, because without that … I don’t think we would have got that done tonight.

I’m more pleased with just the overall approach that the guys had, and the belief that they had about their abilities to get it done tonight and hopefully that’ll be something that we can build on moving forward now that we have a monkey off our back.”

The night began with several empty trips from both teams.

This was ended emphatically by a dunk from junior forward Thomas Bruce via an assist from junior guard J.C. Show. Albany responded quickly with two points of its own from graduate forward Travis Charles. Six

quick points from BU put them comfortably in the lead just a few minutes into play, but the Great Danes rallied to briefly take control of the game with several efficient offensive sets.

The teams then traded points up until the half, at which point Albany held a slight edge, 29-28.

The second half featured a newly energized Bearcat team. A 3-pointer from Show shortly following the break set the tone for a half which was mostly dominated by BU as it scored 50 points. Senior forward Willie Rodriguez was one of the key proponents of this run as he finished the game with 20 points, a majority of which came during critical moments down

the stretch.

“We [were] just going out there and playing,” Rodriguez said. “Having fun. We were talking about having fun out there, and obviously you’re not having fun when you’re losing.

So when you gotta lead, you just gotta sometimes let it fly.”

With just over two minutes left, however, Albany began to rally with two free throws from junior forward Devonte Campbell. With under a minute remaining, the edge was trimmed to seven points. Despite the Great Danes’ offensive flurry, Binghamton iced the game with eight made free throws in the contest’s final minute.

“I knew it was gonna come

down to free throws,” Dempsey said. “The math tells you that they’re gonna have to start fouling. And you’re gonna have to make free throws. I was pretty calm, and tried to help them stay calm because I knew that we were just a couple of possessions away from it being … free throws to decide it.”

The Bearcats demonstrated efficient shot selection, ending the evening with a 46.2 field goal percentage. They also captured the battle on the boards, pulling down 35 rebounds to Albany’s 32.

This victory comes following a 32-point defeat during Binghamton’s previous outing against the Hartford on the road. “[Our resilience] doesn’t

tell me much because I already know,” Dempsey said. “I’m with these guys every day, I know that we care about each other, I know that we’re about the right things, I know that we work hard and we’re together. So, it maybe validates it … it’s not about sending a message to anybody except ourselves. That we get locked in, we play well, we can beat anybody in the league. We’ve felt that, we’ve talked about it, but we haven’t proven it. And tonight we had a little taste of it.”

The Bearcats will next take on Stony Brook University.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Island Federal Credit Union Arena in Stony Brook, New York.