Spring 2018 Issue 25

transports audience

Soundwalk event transports audience back back back back back in in in in time in time time time time back in time Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Vol. XCIII, Issue 25 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com

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The Free Word on Campus Since 1946

BU tours avoid Tillman Lobby during protest Guides divert groups from ‘Day of Silence’ Yuri Lee

Assistant News Editor

Kevin Paredes Photography Editor

David Currie has worked to bring a food co-op to Binghamton’s North Side since 2010.

North Side considers local food co-op Community seeks to alleviate food insecurity Jillian Forstadt

Assistant News Editor

When the last full-service grocery store on Binghamton’s North Side closed in 1996, community members thought it would be just a short time before the city found a for-profit chain to replace the former Grand Union. Twenty-two years later, it is still difficult for the residents of the neighborhood to buy affordable or good quality fresh food, qualifying the area as a food desert.

Now, community members are taking measures to open a local grocery into their own hands.

David Currie has worked under the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition since 2010 to expedite change in the area. He has taken the lead in introducing a concept that may seem out-of-thebox to may Binghamtonians: a food cooperative, or co-op.

“We all feel very strongly that it will succeed and it will succeed as a co-op,” Currie said. “The co-op structure is ‘one person, one share’ and that membership, or that share, gives you a sense of loyalty to the institution. You buy into the concept, and that means that you’ll also shop there.”

Many Hands Food Co-op was

Cory Bremer Design Manager

created by Currie while he served as the executive director of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition. While the co-op has not yet been built, a community of supporters has formed around the mission of Many Hands Food Co-op, one of the coalition’s many community-based projects.

According to Feeding America, 41.2 million Americans live in foodinsecure households, meaning they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. In Broome County, the food insecurity rate ranges from 14.5 percent to 17 percent. The county exceeds the national average, which estimates only 12 percent of households are food insecure across

the United States.

Over the many years since the closing of the neighborhood’s last grocery store, the face of the North Side has changed significantly.

Roughly 53 percent of households on the North Side are families, many of which have lived in the neighborhood for generations. But in recent years, the community population has expanded to include immigrant families moving to the Binghamton area, attracted by the low property values.

Conrad Taylor, ‘17, serves as the city councilman for the 4th District, which encompasses the North Side, and sits on the Many Hands Food Co-op steering committee. He said rallying behind positive projects

like the food co-op is necessary in order for the neighborhood to move forward economically.

But, like Currie said, instituting community change is anything but a straight line. Food deserts are often indicative of other flights of capital in the area, which adds a layer of complexity to the issue.

Since food deserts tend to be in low-income neighborhoods, many symptoms of the problem arise.

Without access to a supermarket, people frequently spend more money on cheap, highly processed foods, leading to increased rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in lowincome communities and areas struggling with food insecurity.

“With poverty and food insecurity, you have a lack of accessibility, so feeding your family, which is already hard enough, becomes that much harder,” said Eamon Ross, a member of the food co-op’s steering committee and a senior majoring in political science.

While a food co-op serves as one option for the community, residents like Nick Plavae, who has lived on the North Side for six years, are happy with any accessible grocery option in the neighborhood.

“There’s nothing to eat,” Plavae said. “It would be nice if there was somewhere to fill your belly close by.

It’s very frustrating.”

SEE FOOD PAGE 5

Brian Warm was holding a sign that read “I refuse to be silenced” as part of the Q Center’s Day of Silence protest on April 27 when he noticed something strange — there were no student tour groups passing through the Tillman Lobby.

According to Warm, an education and outreach intern at the Q Center and a junior majoring in business administration, he initially saw tour groups going through the Tillman Lobby at the beginning of the protest, but noticed tour guides avoiding the area and staying outside as the demonstration progressed.

“Certain tour guide groups started pushing themselves more toward the opposite

corner of where Dunkin’ Donuts was and kind of stayed there, huddled a little, talked over there and tried to push their groups out as quickly as possible,” Warm said. “And the last hour and half or so, I noticed that none of the tour groups were coming in at all and I noticed them standing outside.”

According to a screenshot obtained by Pipe Dream, what Warm was noticing was the result of a message sent by a student guide in the tour guide GroupMe chat. The message suggested tour guides should avoid the area because of the protest, implying it was something guides didn’t want parents or prospective students to see.

“I’d avoid Tillman — it’s the Day of Silence in honor of LGBT issues and there’s kind of intense protest going on in there,” the message read.

“Obviously super important

SEE TOURS PAGE 4

Walk increases awareness of domestic abuse One Love organizes ‘Yards for Yeardley’ Gillian Kenah News Intern

In the United States, about 20 people are physically abused by their partners every minute, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, volunteers from the Binghamton University Athletics Department and

the 20:1 Sexual Assault Prevention Program walked on the Peace Quad at Yards for Yeardley, a national walking event designed to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

Yards for Yeardley is organized by the One Love Foundation, a group created in honor of Yeardley Love, who was killed by her exboyfriend at the University of Virginia in 2010. Following her death, Love’s mother and sister founded the One Love

SEE WALK PAGE 4

Speaker discusses implications of citizenship question Students raise concerns over 2020 U.S. Census

Civic Engagement (CCE) invited Carlos Figueroa, an assistant professor of politics at Ithaca College, to speak on the possibility of the restoration of this question.

The event, entitled “Unpacking the 2020 U.S. Census,” was held Tuesday evening in the University Union. Figueroa presented on the dangers of including a question about citizenship status, which he claimed could lower response rates and hurt communities.

Data from the census helps determine where local and federal governments build facilities, such as hospitals and schools, and the funding allocated to them.

According to Figueroa, with an inaccurate census, resources may not be allocated in the most efficient way possible.

“It’s something that we should take seriously from a

Michael Levinstein Pipe Dream News

A question regarding citizenship status has not been seen on the United States census since 1950.

However, U.S. residents may have to answer it on the next census in 2020.

The U.S. Commerce Department has requested that citizenship status be included on the 2020 census in order to more fairly enforce the Voting Rights Act. In response, the Andrew Goodman Foundation (AGF), an organization with chapters throughout the country that focuses on political activism on college campuses, and Binghamton University’s Center for

ARTS & CULTURE

civic perspective,” Figueroa said.

“Along with voting and political participation, more generally, responding to these kinds of surveys and questionnaires [is important] because they mean that we would then get the kinds of resources that we deserve in all types of communities.”

Samantha Ng, a junior doublemajoring in Asian and Asian American studies and human development, is an ambassador team leader for AGF’s Vote Everywhere program, which is co-sponsored by the CCE and aims to register students to vote and get them politically engaged.

According to Ng, events like this are important for diverse campuses like BU because people of different backgrounds, like her own family,

SEE CENSUS PAGE 4

Kevin Paredes Photography Editor Carlos Figueroa, assistant professor of politics at Ithaca College, discussed the dangers of asking about citizenship status on the U.S. census, something he claims can lower response rates and harm communities.

OPINIONS

SPORTS

Kokedama Flora inspires a new look at nature and flower arranging,

Cultures and cuisines combine to create Binghamton’s first World Night Market,

Contributing columnist Annick Tabb discusses the link between misogyny and violence,

Women’s lacrosse prepares for firstever postseason appearance,

Baseball captures two games against intrastate teams,

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PAGE II Thursday, May 3,2, 2018 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017

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

SPRING 2018 editor-in-ChieF* Noah Bressner editor@bupipedream.com MAnAging editor* Shauna R. Bahssin manager@bupipedream.com

This Day in History

Paint outside the lines

May 3, 1992 Five days of rioting and looting ends in Los Angeles, California. Sixty-three people were killed in the riots, which began after four police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King.

neWs editor* Sasha Hupka news@bupipedream.com Asst. neWs editors Amy Donovan Jillian Forstadt Yuri Lee 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

Corrections In the April 30 issue of Pipe Dream, the news article “BU Council seeks new student delegate” incorrectly stated that University President Harvey Stenger and Provost Donald Nieman are members of the BU Council. Stenger and Nieman often sit in on BU Council meetings, however, they are not members of the Council. Pipe Dream regrets the error.

Police Watch

sPorts editor* Samuel Ditchek sports@bupipedream.com

The following accounts were provided by Investigator Patrick Reilly of Binghamton’s New York State University Police.

Asst. sPorts editors Evan Cole Grace Palumbo PhotogrAPhy editor* Kevin E. Paredes photo@bupipedream.com

Pipe Line

Asst. PhotogrAPhy editor Rebecca Kiss

CAMPUS NEWS

Fun editor* Nate Walker fun@bupipedream.com

Student Association Congress passes two bills

design MAnAger* Cory Bremer design@bupipedream.com design Assts.

Khaled Pendleton Gaoming Lyu CoPy desk ChieF* Bridget McCusker copy@bupipedream.com Asst. CoPy desk ChieF Sarah Molano digitAl editor Alana B. Epstein digital@bupipedream.com neWsrooM teChnology MAnAger* Henry Zheng tech@bupipedream.com Asst. neWsrooM teCh. MAnAger Michelle Tan editoriAl Artist Annabeth Sloan business MAnAger* Maryam Soomro business@bupipedream.com distribution MAnAger Laura Staff 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.

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stabilizing:west side story

editorial:destabilizing

Mia Katz Staff Photographer Ashley Hernandez, an undeclared sophomore, paints her picture at a Sip ‘n’ Paint event in Endicott Hall of Newing College.

In a meeting on Monday evening, Binghamton University’s SA Congress passed the Act for Updating the Chartering Process, which further defines the full and provisional charter statuses, formalizes the charter suspension process and will allow student groups to voluntarily dissolve their charters. Additionally, the SA Congress passed the Elections Publicity Standards Act, which states that letters of intent, sweeps and the constitution’s eligibility requirements must be announced in an email to all SA members before the letter of intent deadline. In addition, SA President Jermel McClure gave a speech addressing successful events throughout the semester and the accomplishments of the 2017-18 executive board.

LOCAL NEWS

Person stabbed in Downtown Binghamton Around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, there was a stabbing on the corner of Telegraph Street and Conklin Avenue, according to FOX 40. One person endured a minor laceration to the face. First responders believe the incident occurred during a party, but police are still investigating the case.

Binghamton elementary school evacuated Benjamin Franklin Elementary School students were cleared out of the building on Tuesday afternoon because of a suspicious smell, ac-

cording to WBNG. Students and faculty remained outside for about 45 minutes until the Binghamton Fire Department and New York State Electric and Gas determined the building was safe to enter. The cause of the smell was not found.

STATE NEWS

Cuomo announces additional funding for farm water quality efforts In a press release on Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $15 million in grant funding will help New York livestock farms support water quality projection projects. The funding is part of the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, which invested in drinking water, wastewater infrastructure, water quality protection across New York and proper management and storage of nutrients on farms.

Partying in University Plaza SATURDAY, April 28, 12:45 a.m. — Officers responded to Hunter Hall of Mountainview College after receiving reports of an intoxicated female. Upon arriving at the residence hall, officers spoke with an 18-year-old female and an 18-year-old male. According to the male, the female had drank one-fifth of a bottle of vodka at an apartment in U Club Binghamton apartments and had vomited multiple times.

Officers contacted Harpur’s Ferry, and after evaluating the female, emergency medical technicians determined that she did not need to go to the hospital.

Unlocked SATURDAY, April 28, 11:19 a.m. — Two males contacted UPD after items were stolen from their apartment in Choconut Hall of Susquehanna Community.

According to the males, they left their apartment the previous night around 10 p.m. and returned to the apartment at 4 a.m. on April 28. While they were gone, they did not lock the door to their apartment or their bedrooms. The males said they went to bed when they returned to their

Sasha Hupka News Editor

apartment, and when they woke up, they realized that items were missing from their rooms. One male said he was missing three watches with a combined value of $400. The other male said he was missing $350 in cash.

Officers canvassed the area, but nobody noticed anyone unusual in or around the apartment that night. The case is still under investigation.

Outdoor hammock SATURDAY, April 28, 2:18 p.m. — An officer was in Windham Hall of Mountainview College when she heard loud clinking noises and female voices in a stairwell. When she opened the stairwell door, she observed three females trying to carry a large metal hammock frame up the stairs. The females appeared to be having difficulty navigating a turn in the stairwell. When the officer asked the females what they were doing, they said they were trying to carry a hammock from outside the building to their dorm room. According to the females, they wanted to set it up in their dorm. The officer asked the females to bring the hammock back downstairs and informed them they were committing larceny by removing the hammock from outside the building. Although the officer told the females she would not arrest them, she advised them that they may hear from Student Conduct and Residential Life.

bupipedream.com | May 3, 2018

NEWS

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‘Stress-Free Spring’ features free snacks, activities University launches finals week initiative

various partners.

“President Stenger was very interested in helping build an initiative to help with student stress in the fall,” Keegin wrote.

“So the first De-stress December was started via the Dean of Students. Then it expanded to the spring and now it’s a campaign that all departments and offices on campus can be a part of.”

Over the next several weeks, some resident and retail dining locations, along with the libraries, will be offering extended hours in the days leading up to finals, providing more study spaces for students. Overnight parking restrictions have also been lifted from April 30 to May 16, allowing any commuter or resident with a valid parking pass to park in any unpaid lot overnight, as long as the car is removed before 6 a.m. the following day.

Students running low on their meal plan can also take advantage of free food. A treat schedule, posted outside of dining locations, lists complimentary snacks and

Allison Detzel

Pipe Dream News

With finals week quickly approaching, Binghamton University students are entering the most stressful time of the semester. But while studying for exams, they can take advantage of free snacks, extended study hours and overnight parking.

These perks, along with various de-stress events around campus, are part of “Stress-Free Spring,” a 17-day-long initiative coordinated

by BU’s Dean of Students Office.

It is designed to provide students with interesting, engaging and stress-reducing activities before and during finals week. Jennifer Keegin, the associate director for campus activities, wrote in an email that the initiative began in 2012 as a month-long destress event and has grown into a campus-wide campaign with

drinks available to students during the initiative.

Additionally, students can participate in de-stress activities, including movie screenings, therapy dogs and exercise sessions.

Cindy Blackman, assistant director of marketing for the Dean of Students Office and Residential Life, is in charge of overseeing the initiative. Blackman wrote that the de-stress activities are planned by different offices on campus. Once an event is planned, organizers can email the Dean of Students Office to add their events to the “Stress-Free Spring” calendar.

“We’re hoping our students take advantage of these many options to study but also take breaks and have some fun,” Blackman wrote. “I see first-hand how just petting a dog makes them smile and relax, so I think it’s working. We’re usually lucky enough to get some good weather too.”

Maham Mallick, a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, said she took a

break from working on a paper to attended “Plants and Paws,” an event hosted by the E.W. Heier Teaching & Research Greenhouse and the department of biological studies on May 1.

“We just came back from writing a 15-page paper, so we took a break and came here,” Mallick said. “It definitely takes your mind off the finals.”

Alex Field, a senior majoring in economics, attended Late Nite Binghamton’s de-stress night.

Field said he stopped by after finishing work on campus and made a stress ball before catching his bus.

“Finals season is crazy,” Field said. “Tea and YouTube are my usual de-stressor[s], but there are tons of fun ways to relax on campus and [they keep] me sane.”

With events continuing until May 15, students can look forward to more opportunities to de-stress, including chair massages at the University Downtown Center on Thursday, complimentary coffee at Jazzman’s Library Tower Cafe

Mia Katz Staff Photographer Students pet a therapy dog at the E.W. Heier Teaching Greenhouse.

on Friday and free group fitness classes at the East Gym from May

7 to May 15. The full list of events is available on the BU website.

Gala highlights Israeli innovations for water crisis Speakers discuss ways to provide clean water

innovations in technology, philanthropy and humanitarian aid, was founded by Enactus, a network of students and mentors who work to engage young entrepreneurial leaders to use innovation and business principles to better the world, according to its website.

Members of 1948 Co. pitched the idea for a water-related event to the World Jewish Consulate in February 2018, alongside groups from Cornell University, New York University and the University of Pittsburgh. 1948 Co. won a $10,000 grant from the Consulate and used its award to pay for the speakers, transportation, food and geotag for the Water Gala.

The grant was designed to award a group that could bring a unique side of Israel to its college campus.

Three of the speakers at the Water

Jacob Kerr

Pipe Dream News

Over one billion people currently don’t have access to clean water, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

In an effort to draw attention to this water crisis and the Israeli technology used to help combat it, 1948 Co. hosted the Water Gala on Monday night. Around 200 students packed into the Mandela Room for the event, which included speakers, tabling by student organizations, live music and food.

1948 Co., a project that aims to raise awareness about Israeli

Gala are involved with Israel in different ways. They discussed Israel’s connection with the water crisis through technological, political and humanitarian lenses.

Talia Chasen, an organizing member of 1948 Co. and a sophomore majoring in psychology, said the ultimate goal of the event was to raise awareness about the crisis.

“The water crisis is a huge issue, and we believe in helping by starting small,” Chasen said. “We hope to cause a ripple effect — first starting in this room, then to the rest of the school, to surrounding cities, the state and on and on until everyone knows about it.”

The Gala’s keynote speaker, Avi Jorisch, ’97, is the founder of Integrity Merchant Solutions and

author of five books including his most recent, “Thou Shall Innovate.” During Jorisch’s talk, he shared several stories from his life, including one about the moment he decided to get involved in the technology field while living in Jerusalem.

According to Jorisch, Israel is 60 percent desert and extremely lacking in natural resources, yet it is the only country in the world to be water independent, which means that it doesn’t rely on any neighbors or weather for water. This has helped establish Israel as a major leader in water technologies, which include pumps that transform ocean water into drinking water, drip irrigation systems and systems that recycle toilet water to be used in agriculture.

Al Vos, a professor of English and the faculty master of Hinman College, said Jorisch’s talk helped him understand the importance of the United States’ role in the water crisis. “[Jorisch] was a terrific speaker with a message that really hit home,” Vos said. “I emerged with a renewed sense of the need for the United States to become more proactive in water-use policy and practice.”

Student groups also tabled at the event to spread awareness of water issues happening around the world.

Students spoke about the water problems in Flint, Michigan, Africa’s water crisis and Puerto Rico’s lack of clean water after Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017.

Other speakers at the Water

Gala included Robert Holahan, an environmental science and political science professor at BU; Toumai Kafri, a representative from IsraAID; and Galit Peleg, head of the department for public diplomacy and academic affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York. These speakers, along with Jorisch, participated in a panel and took questions from students at the event.

During the panel, students asked how they can actively help mitigate the water crisis, and Kafri suggested utilizing the resources that college students have available to them.

“College is a time with substantial connections, resources and space to work,” Kafri said. “It’s just a matter of using as much of it as you can.”

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bupipedream.com | May 3, 2018

Rebecca Kiss Photography Editor Volunteers from the Binghamton University 20:1 Sexual Assault Prevention Program and the BU Athletics Department tracked participants’ laps at Yards for Yeardley, an event that aims to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Tour groups avoid ‘Day of Silence’

BU joins 25 SUNY campuses in walk

TOURS FROM PAGE 1

WALK FROM PAGE 1

but maybe something that we don’t want to show parents.”

Krista Medionte-Phillips, the director of undergraduate admissions, wrote in an email that many tour guides walked through the Tillman Lobby during the Day of Silence protest, but because of the congestion, they were later given the option to not stop there.

“Our typical tour includes a stop in the Tillman Lobby and our tours take a few minutes to talk here,” Medionte-Phillips wrote. “With all of the activity in the Tillman Lobby, it became quite congested. Our tour guide supervisors made a quick decision, and offered the tour guides the option of stopping elsewhere instead of the Tillman Lobby.”

Normally, according to two student tour guides, tour groups are supposed to enter the Tillman Lobby from the Engineering Building side entrance before going downstairs to stop in the University Union Undergrounds near the bowling alley. If there’s a lot of traffic, tours may stop upstairs and talk in the lobby before exiting through the main entrance out to the University Union bus stop.

However, the tour guides confirmed that despite the traffic, they would still usually stop by Tillman Lobby.

“They try to spread out the tours but they don’t avoid it typically if it’s busy,” a tour guide said.

Brandon Bocanumenth, the director of Rainbow Pride Union (RPU) and a senior majoring in psychology, said this wasn’t the first time tour guides avoided going through the Tillman Lobby. Last year, during the national LGBTQ conference run

by RPU, he said he also noticed that no tours were passing through the lobby, despite being there the whole day.

“Specifically avoiding it because we are in there was really strange, especially [since] we’re talking visibility,” Bocanumenth said. “We had a national LGBTQ conference and [if] you’re going to completely ignore that we’re doing that, [it] is like a slap in the face for someone that worked as hard as me and my organization did to set it up.”

According to two tour guides, they are also instructed to avoid mentioning “Pandora’s box,” a term that refers specifically to potentially controversial topics that could upset more conservative parents and prospective students, including gender-inclusive housing and the Freshman Research Immersion Program.

Although they are allowed to answer questions on these topics if they are specifically asked by a parent or prospective student, tour guides say they are usually instructed to avoid them to protect themselves from confrontation.

Nevertheless, MediontePhillips wrote that the Admissions Office supports diverse viewpoints and free speech on campus.

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“Our community supports and encourages creative expressions, such as the silent protest and we do like to show this to our guests,” Medionte-Phillips wrote. “Other topics such as gender neutral bathrooms are an important part of our campus, and are also included in our training messaging. The Admissions Office values the diverse perspectives on campus, and we believe that prospective students should have an opportunity to experience our rich, vibrant community during their visit.”

Kelly Clark, director of the Q Center, said she is currently talking with the professional staff at the Admissions Center to get to the bottom of what happened on the Day of Silence and is currently working with them to fix the issue.

Warm said he hopes future tours will take initiative to discuss protests on campus and take pride in the diversity and resources at BU. “[Tour guides] can discuss what kind of protest has been going on or what kind of activism has been going on recently on the campus to the group so they’re not necessarily meshed into it, but they can still get an understanding of what’s happening instead of just completely hiding it and disguising it,” Warm said. “I think that the administration and the Admissions Center in general should really pride themselves on the diversity that this campus has.”

Foundation in an effort to educate the public on the warning signs of interpersonal violence.

Last year, 10 SUNY Athletic Conference campuses reached over 25 million yards, according to a SUNY press release. Now, 26 SUNY campuses have partnered with the One Love Foundation to hold Yards for Yeardley events throughout the month of April with the goal of contributing 50 million yards.

Linda Reynolds, an assistant athletic director for studentathlete development at BU, said the event was planned earlier in the year, but is especially timely for students, faculty and staff managing the recent tragedies at

the University.

“Initially we had this event planned prior to the tragedies on campus,” Reynolds said. “Myself and [Dara Raboy-Picciano, the coordinator and co-founder of the 20:1 Program], who oversees the Health Promotion and Prevention program [had] coordinated previously to do a One Love escalation workshop earlier in the year. From that, we decided that we would do the Yards for Yeardley event. Now more than ever, it makes sense for us to be doing this.”

Kristie Bowers, assistant athletic director for studentathlete support and development, participated in Yards for Yeardley and said the event was helpful in raising awareness of interpersonal

abuse.

“I think that domestic violence is an increasingly hot issue, especially on campus this year, and I think it’s important to bring attention and bring support to those who may have experienced domestic violence and know that there’s resources and allies out there for them,” Bowers said.

According to Reynolds, the University 20:1 Program interns are currently being trained by members of the One Love Foundation on how to run workshops on the warning signs of domestic violence and educate others on the resources available to victims. Using this training, the program plans to hold workshops on campus in the coming semesters.

Students discuss citizenship question CENSUS FROM PAGE 1 have different views on the census.

“My parents are immigrants, and I think that they have a different relationship with the U.S. government, within the United States, as other folks may have with different backgrounds,” Ng said.

Yazmeen Marte, an undeclared freshman, said she learned about the census in her WRIT 111 class and came to the event to gain more perspective on its impact on the Latinx community.

“I was kind of researching the

Latinx identity, and how the fact that the census has a lot to do with how we identify and how that’s a problem,” Marte said.

At the end of the event, Figueroa touched on ways that students can make their voices heard. He provided a template for calling representatives and discussed a class-action lawsuit filed by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that aims to take the citizenship question off of the census. The suit, filed on April 3, alleges that asking for a resident’s citizenship status would decrease turnout and lead to

inaccurate information, as well as an inaccurate allocation of funds.

Ferdous Dehqan, a Vote Everywhere ambassador and a senior majoring in political science, said his team initially contacted Figueroa and helped organize the talk because they wanted to focus on both education and promoting activism.

“I think it is very important to be [active],” Dehqan said. “It could be just doing volunteering at the college level or university level or student clubs, public rallies or by calling and texting our elected officials.”

bupipedream.com | May 3, 2018

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North Side, a food desert, considers future grocery options FOOD FROM PAGE 1 Since the close of the Grand Union, a number of projects have been proposed, but all have fallen through.

In 2009, a Save-a-Lot franchise was slated to open in the former Big Lots Plaza at 435 State St., but when another location owned by the franchiser started to decline financially, the Binghamton area development was pulled.

That same year, the North Side’s closest grocer, a Giant located at 56 Main St. on the West Side, closed after Weis Markets acquired all Giant locations.

It was then that Many Hands Food Co-op was conceived, hosting its first planning meeting in early 2010. At the same time, Lea Webb, then serving as city councilwoman for the 4th District, was working to address food insecurity in the community under the North Side Grocery Project.

According to Currie, the two projects first partnered in earnest around 2013. That spring, Many Hands Food Co-op became incorporated. Currie, Webb and a team of volunteers put together a business plan and feasibility study and presented it to the Binghamton Local Development Corporation.

In November 2013, Mayor Rich David took office, bringing along his own campaign promises to find a grocery store for the North Side.

He formed a committee, which took shape as a continuation of Webb’s North Side Grocery Project, and looked for a private operator for the property at 435 State St. All signs were optimistic when, in July 2014, two developers proposed Grocery City Market, part of a $3.5 million development called West State Street Plaza. The developers, one of which had worked on the original developments of Big Lots Plaza, planned to partially demolish and rebuild the space, which was somewhat structurally unsound after being built on a garbage dump.

The damage to the building, however, turned out to be greater than the developers originally

thought, and according to city of Binghamton Deputy Mayor Jared Kraham, they were not able to work through the structural problems of the building.

The promise of a grocery store near actualization put the Many Hands Food Co-op into hibernation, Currie said, as it wouldn’t be as necessary in the neighborhood.

The excitement for the project died down, and Currie and his colleagues stopped seeking out prospective funding for the project, as it couldn’t compete with a chainoperated grocery store.

After new leaders took office and the partnership between the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition and Webb’s office died down, rumblings from students at Binghamton University began.

Before joining the steering committee, Ross transferred to BU in fall 2016 and joined the Roosevelt Institute, part of a national network of campus think tanks. In that year’s Binghamton Blueprint, which offers local policy suggestions, students called for a food cooperative to combat food insecurity and poverty on the North Side.

One month after the blueprint’s publication, he contacted Currie.

The two spoke for more than two hours over the phone, realizing they saw eye to eye on a potential solution that had lost speed.

“What I was trying to achieve with my policy proposal was the same thing his project was trying to achieve,” Ross said. “This mission and the motivation I had for it only increased the more I got to know about the nature of food insecurity in [the Binghamton area].”

Since their initial conversation, Ross and the Roosevelt Institute have partnered with Many Hands Food Co-op, bringing along a student committee of more than 20 volunteers and support from organizations such as Enactus and Students of Urban Planning. The task force meets weekly during the semester to work on different aspects of starting the food co-op, including grant applications and co-

Kevin Paredes Photography Editor Ebony Jackson, a member of the Many Hands Food Co-op steering committee, has lived on Binghamton’s North Side since she was 16.

writing an updated business plan.

The project is now driven by an interim board of directors, a steering committee and three subcommittees.

Ebony Jackson, a small business owner, joined the steering committee last fall. Jackson, 36, has lived on the North Side since she was 16 and now resides there with her four children. Although she considered moving away as the community faced hardships over the last couple of decades, she chose to stay in the neighborhood where her parents still live today.

“As I got older and had opportunities to live on different sides of town, this one just felt more close-knit and tight and more of what I’m used to,” Jackson said.

When Kmart closed its location in Binghamton Plaza in December 2016, Jackson said the community experienced another devastation.

For Jackson, living on the North Side has been more positive than negative. She has a car and can get her family to and from the Weis on Robinson Street. Her mobility, however, has made her life easier

than many of her neighbors’. Andre Callender has lived on the North Side with his family for roughly two years after he moved from New York City to be closer to his father.

Before Callender purchased a vehicle, his most accessible options for groceries could only be reached by cab or bus.

“Since Kmart going, there’s really no food spot over here that people would be able to have access to,” Callender said. “I’m pretty sure a lot of people don’t like driving across town or don’t like driving all the way to Walmart or something to go buy some stuff, so I’m pretty sure that would help a lot of people over here.”

According to a neighborhood survey conducted by the North Side Grocery Project in 2009, 90 percent of North Side residents surveyed said they would “actively patronize a new local grocer.”

However, when determining what type of grocery provider they would prefer, 65 percent said they “desired” a chain-store operator, while only 18 percent “favored a co-op.”

Jackson, however, said after many failed plans for a local chain store, it’s time for a new, community-based option to emerge.

“We always get these promises of economic development and they always fall through,” Jackson said. “Over the last few years a lot of businesses have come and gone in efforts to try to make money but not really trying to help or give back.”

In an effort to insert itself into the local conversation, the steering committee has hosted a number of events in the last six months around the greater Binghamton area.

In October, the steering committee and Roosevelt Institute hosted a forum and panel on food insecurity in Old Union Hall at BU. In November, Ross, Jackson, Taylor and Camille Ricks, another member of the steering committee and North Side resident, spoke at the North Side Community Assembly at the Centenary Chenango Street Church.

Many of the 13 attendees, including Janet McHenry, have lived on the North Side for their entire lives. McHenry, who organized the meeting, acts as the leader of the group.

“We’ve been down this road many, many times and hit the brick wall,” McHenry said. “Personally, I’m a little hesitant, only because we’ve been there and done this a number of times. I want to see it happen, but we really need a buy-in from the city.”

Another town hall on the North Side was held in March, with visual support from Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and Broome County Legislator Mary Kaminsky, who represents the county’s 14th District.

While community support is shaping up, the largest obstacle facing the food co-op is funding.

Still, the food co-op has received a number of donations in recent months. In January, the project was awarded a grant of roughly $18,000 from the United Presbyterian Church to fund a business plan and

feasibility study. The church also gifted 20 percent of its donations during Lent to Many Hands Food Co-op. The team is waiting on a number of pending grant approvals, including some from United Way and BU’s Ross Fund.

The face of the North Side has continued to change as well. In January, the blighted Big Lots location was torn down after the city was awarded a $500,000 state grant. Since 2017, the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) mobile grocery store has been working on the North Side, and the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition has brought together nearly two dozen local groups and businesses to provide programs in the neighborhood. While these developments can alleviate some of the effects of food insecurity, Taylor said they are not sustainable solutions.

“They are fantastic, but they’re still just Band-Aids,” Taylor said.

“We need a serious grocery store in the neighborhood and if we can’t rely on a for-profit organization to make that happen then maybe we have to do it ourselves and create a community owned business.”

The co-op still has a long way to go before a physical storefront can open its doors. At this rate, however, the committee expects the business to open as early as fall 2019, with start-up costs estimated at around $2.3 million.

Many Hands Food Co-op projects it will create 45 to 50 jobs upon opening and generate annual sales of $4.8 million in a 10,000 square-foot space. The committee wants to focus on keeping the price of membership low, probably around $25.

These expectations, despite a slow but steady growth over the last couple of years, are what keep Currie optimistic.

“It’s tilling the garden, it’s getting all of the rocks out of the field, getting the soil prepared to accept it and I think we’re ready to plant,” Currie said. “That’s how I would describe where we’re at right now.”

SUCCESS doesn’t stop for SUMMER Binghamton students, headed home for the summer break?

If so, enroll in Summer Session at Suffolk County Community College and get a head start on next semester or even make up a course.

Both the eight-week and first five-week sessions start on June 4th, with another five-week session starting July 9th.

Make the most of your break with Summer Session at Suffolk.

Enroll in fall classes, too! Call 631-451-4111 or visit us online.

sunysuffolk.edu/SummerSessions

ARTS & CULTURE

Jasmine McAvoy, owner of Kokedama Flora, shows her on-trend terrariums and floral arrangements in her shop on Chenango Street.

Rebecca Kiss Assistant Photography Editor

Kokedama Flora creates innovative arrangements New shop adds twist to traditional bouquets Gabby Iacovano Arts & Culture

At Kokedama Flora, shop owner and Binghamton resident Jasmine McAvoy offers ontrend, eco-friendly options in floral design.

McAvoy’s business started with weekly trips to a local farmers market, where she sold plants and arrangements.

Once she was registered to do business as “Kokedama Flora” this past January, she moved into a shop above Alexander’s Cafe on Chenango Street.

Kokedama Flora sells succulents and small plants, flower arrangements, terrariums, wreaths, dish gardens and kokedama — the decorative Japanese moss balls from which the shop got its name. While McAvoy often uses cut flowers,

she also creates long-lasting living displays — one terrarium in her shop, for example, has been thriving for a year. In addition to plant sales, the business also offers installations for local events and weddings, and McAvoy teaches plant crafting classes both in her shop and at Broome Community College through the continuing education department.

McAvoy’s designs cater to customers who are looking for an earthier, quirkier alternative to traditional floral bouquets and arrangements. She said she aims to give customers access to new design techniques that they might find on Pinterest or in trendy magazines.

“When you go to a florist, the first thing they show you is usually a bunch of roses, it might not be something different like a bouquet made of succulents,” she said. “People who want a less rigid presentation might come to me.”

After graduating from

Binghamton High School, McAvoy attended SUNY Purchase to study photography, but found herself interested in the many other artistic disciplines offered there. Her teachers and professors inspired her to dabble in many art forms, and as a result she has explored media, fashion design, photography, printmaking and graphic design.

Her first experience with floral art was her job at Lowe’s creating flower displays in its plant department. This led her to a further pursuit of creative jobs surrounding plants, and she got a job at Renaissance Floral Gallery on Main Street upon returning to the city of Binghamton after 13 years of moving around upstate New York, Massachusetts and Georgia. She said that her year working at the florist, and her resulting passion for flowers, introduced her to a new world of competitions, clubs and fascinating historical and cultural significances. While

attending a flower show at the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, she said she learned that many plant enthusiasts and growers are intensely dedicated to the subject.

“Plant people are a lot like I imagine dog people or horse people to be like,” she said.

“They’re weird and crazy and I think I fit in with them.”

Kokedama Flora’s flowers and plants are grown locally instead of internationally sourced, and local group Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments, Inc. (VINES) has given McAvoy the opportunity to grow flowers at its Laurel Avenue community garden. She also grows flowers in friends’ backyards, sourcing other supplies like bark and branches through foraging.

According to McAvoy, the use of homegrown flowers and foraged materials connects her to her art in a unique way.

“I grow the flowers I use, so I don’t treat my flowers the way you

treat a box of flowers that came in the mail,” she said. “Yesterday I actually experienced spring for three hours gathering spring branches, and that wouldn’t have come to me even if I had bought $500 worth of flowers online.”

McAvoy’s choice to grow local flowers was reportedly inspired by the knowledge that many of the flowers that cross our border are fumigated with insecticides.

This awareness has shaped her creative path as a florist. For example, when she was designing an installation for last week’s VINES fundraiser dinner, she originally planned on using eight boxes of mail-order flowers.

Instead, she said she decided to use locally sourced kokedama and birch bark for the display.

“There’s this huge push in the floral industry right now for American-grown flowers and foraged-looking bouquets,” she said. “More isn’t always more.”

McAvoy explained that she understands this issue more as

she learns more about the floral industry, and that ecologically harmful choices are often made because of economic pressures.

She has not worried much about economic feasibility yet, but said she hopes to maintain her principles even when things get tough.

“I think if you’re able to look at being a florist creatively, you would be able to avoid the pitfalls of falling into that stagnant way of designing,” she said.

“Kokedama Flora is not about buying fumigated flowers, and a kokedama with a piece of birch bark and a shiny river stone is just as beautiful.”

McAvoy said she also hopes her art encourages people to think about their environment in a different way.

“Hopefully a little bit of nature and nurture will change people’s minds,” she said. “Maybe you’ll go home and the birch tree in your yard will look more beautiful.”

Hear the history of Downtown Binghamton Friday Binghamton Soundwalk recreates the city’s past Katy Wong

Arts & Culture

Immerse yourself in the history of Downtown Binghamton at the Binghamton Historic Soundwalk Project, a community-based event that uses sound to exhibit the city’s past and present.

Directed by Jennifer Stoever, an associate professor of English, and Monteith McCollum, an assistant professor of cinema, the project will debut a one-mile guided walk starting from the Center for Technology & Innovation, also known as TechWorks!, located on Water Street. According to Stoever, a soundwalk is a trip that emphasizes your awareness of sound while connecting you with the environment. For those who wish to walk at their own pace, the soundwalk route will also be available as a map that can be accessed online.

The event will take walkers to four different sites, all of which showcase an important part of the city’s history, ranging from the Native American settlement near the Susquehanna River to the public dances held at Boscov’s in the 1980s. Each site also includes exhibitions made by Binghamton University students who are taking Stoever and McCollum’s class, ENG 450P: Sound, Places and Publics.

The goal of the class is for students to learn about the history of the city of Binghamton while constructing sound art — installations of auditory compositions or recordings — for the project.

According to Stoever, those on the walk should take in the sounds of the surrounding nature to gain the full effect of the project.

“For our soundwalk here, we’re gonna ask residents and students going to walk with us to just listen,” Stoever said. “They should think about how listening helps us locate ourselves physically in space but also emotionally in space.”

Xueji Fan, a senior majoring in cinema, worked with her group on an exhibition titled “stitches,” which focuses on the hardships of women laborers in the Binghamton area in the 19th and early 20th century.

For “stiches,” exhibition listeners sit in front of a large transparent sheet that shows the shadow of a fence, representing how real Binghamton-area factories looked during the time period. The echoes of female voices and factory machinery then fill the atmosphere, showcasing historical events including the 1913 Binghamton factory fire and the Binghamton cigar workers’ strike of 1890.

The sounds used in her group’s exhibition were either found in archives or recorded by current female employees of Boscov’s, who read old codes from women workers from the past.

Fan said the Binghamton Historic Soundwalk Project is an opportunity for students to connect with their community.

“Since we’re doing this in old places [that] no longer exist, it’s a good chance for them to listen to our pieces and to see the contemporary of that site and what we did that can associate with the past,” Fan said.

Jesse Williams, a sophomore double-majoring in cinema and comparative literature, and his group created an exhibition called “No Parking on the Dancefloor,” a piece that transforms Boscov’s parking ramp into a 1980s dance party. The sounds in the project are made mostly by the group members, who recreated the sounds of people dancing, like feet tapping and shuffling.

“No Parking on the Dancefloor” is based on the Binghamtonfounded American Dance Asylum, an organization that grew popular in the ’80s with its avant-garde public dances held in the parking ramp. These dances encouraged all people to dance, regardless of their body type, gender or sexuality.

“The dances were a way to not just have creative collaboration between the town and the campus, but also as activism challenging the silence around AIDS and homophobia,” Stoever said. “They’re a real piece of queer history in Binghamton that we often don’t think about.”

“Hydro Impressions,” an

provided by Jennifer Stoever Binghamton Historic Soundwalk Project Left to right: Wenhao Fu, a junior majoring in cinema; Navkiran Arneja, a senior double-majoring in art history and English; and Monteith McCollum, assistant professor of cinema at BU, walk down Water Street in Downtown Binghamton, a key location for the Binghamton Historic Soundwalk Project.

installation created by Jacob Lazen, a senior majoring in anthropology, and his group members, take listeners back to the time when Native Americans lived on the banks of the Susquehanna River.

To imitate the sounds of the river flowing, Lazen and his team used three tin pans filled with water vibrating at different patterns.

Lazen said he learned how to create the mechanisms in his project solely through practice and that an engineering background isn’t necessary to contribute to

the soundwalk.

“I’m an anthropology major, so I have zero background in engineering but a lot of background in music production,” Lazen said.

“It’s just a question of learning where things plug in and how to touch wire together, so this isn’t like Watson.”

The walk ends back at TechWorks!, where Shane Smith and Brandon Barrett, both seniors majoring in cinema, feature their project called “Resonant Technologies.” The project is a

mini soundwalk inside the factory that includes three different sonic installations, ranging from the art of typewriters to sounds of telegraphic Morse code.

“Before I took this class, sound wasn’t even in my ideas of an art installation, and I didn’t think sound and history could be so connected,” Barrett said.

The Binghamton Soundwalk Project will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at TechWorks! at 321 Water St. The walks will leave every 30 minutes from TechWorks!.

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ARTS & CULTURE

bupipedream.com | May 3, 2018

Fourth annual Mural Fest revamps Johnson City Amateur artists to create original works Saturday Marcus Budashewitz Contributing Writer

The Department of Public Art and reBOLD Binghamton, an organization dedicated to uniting Binghamton University students and Binghamton area residents, have teamed up to beautify Johnson City for the fourth annual Mural Fest. Held in Floral Avenue Park, the event will be a day of painting, live music and a barbecue on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is the second year that Mural Fest is being held in Johnson City after its relocation from Cheri A. Lindsey Memorial Park in Downtown Binghamton in 2017. Chelsea Cleary, a volunteer artist with the Department of Public Art, emphasized the importance of appreciating local art.

“We want residents to have beautiful images to enjoy,” Cleary said. “We hope that folks can rethink the storefronts or buildings from just blighted buildings to possible business space.”

The Triple Cities area contains many neighborhoods, abandoned properties and homes.

Although art won’t solve the broader economic issues that cause the Binghamton area’s housing problems, Mural Fest organizers said they hope it can aid in bringing those problems to the forefront.

“The hope is that we will inspire folks in the community to want to create,” Cleary said.

“When they visit these parks with the murals, we want them to feel a sense of ownership of the art because they helped make it.”

A feature of Mural Fest is the family-friendly environment created by the offering of activities for people of all ages.

There are opportunities ranging from full-scale murals created

Art created at the 2016 Binghamton Mural Fest. This year’s iteration of the event will take place at Floral Avenue Park in Johnson City this Saturday, May 5.

by experienced artists to amateur painting for children. Cardboard animals and “box cities” — small cardboard model buildings that construct a city — are two options for children to paint.

According to Cleary, volunteer artists will paint mural installations that will either stay at the park or be displayed on old buildings around the Triple Cities.

For the organizers of the

event, the effect that Mural Fest has on the children who attend is a huge motivator to make the event a success. Cleary said she was inspired to get involved after attending a previous Mural Fest and seeing its impact.

“It was amazing to see the children painting the giant cardboard houses and animals with their friends and caretakers,” Cleary said. “The kids have such a great time

painting and their enthusiasm is definitely contagious.”

In addition to providing a calming environment that works toward the improvement of the area, Mural Fest aims to elevate attendees’ appreciation of art in general. Mural Fest’s coordinators said they intend to show attendees the positive influence art can have on the city’s morale.

“I want to inspire the youth

in the area to see art as not something that you can only enjoy in a gallery or a formal place, but rather, it’s everywhere and anywhere they want to see it,” Cleary said.

Peg Johnston, a founding member of the Department of Public Art, said she has noticed the effect that art can have on a community.

“We love to go into neighborhoods that are visually

Pipe Dream Archives

dull and have been neglected,” Johnston said. “Public art just delights.”

Aside from the painting component of the festival, there will be tables for local community organizations and artisans. Live performances from bands Hot Dogs and Gin, Adam Ate the Apple and other local artists will play throughout the day, and barbecued food will be available for sale.

bupipedream.com | May 3, 2018

NEWS

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Walk through the world Downtown event to feature local artisans Nikkolette Sather

Arts & Culture Intern

This Friday, May 4, experience a variety of music, 21 different food vendors and artisanal products rooted in traditions from all over the world at the first World Night Market, located at the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade in Downtown Binghamton.

Cynthia Rotella, event director of World Night Market, said the idea for the event was inspired by the talent in the area. The event is organized

by EatBing, an organization composed of small business owners who coordinate culinary events in the Binghamton area — also known for coordinating the biannual restaurant week.

EatBing has been collaborating with the city of Binghamton and local businesses for months to organize the event.

“This event was a brain child of Michele [Bleichert], Owner of Water Street Brewery,” Rotella wrote in an email. “She wanted to bring a higher end market event that captured the true essence of the culinary and artistic talents of Binghamton and Broome County.”

Over the course of the night, a variety of disciplines including art, cuisine and entertainment will be judged, culminating in awards that will be given out at 9:30 p.m.

“This [World Night Market] is a juried event,” Rotella wrote. “We are thrilled with our very special judges, Mike Andrzejewski, Owner of the Seabar and Cantina Loco, located in Downtown Buffalo and Mike Morgan, runs the cafe at Columbian Mutual, who will judge the cuisine portion and Nancy Reynolds, Executive Director of Broome County Arts Council, will be judging the artists and artisans portion.”

There will be over 14 musical performances, including the Binghamton Children’s Choir, Mosaic Foundation and KASA Moda, a Korean modern hiphop dance team, among others.

In addition, there will be public demonstrations from

Listen before they’re live Vibe with Pipe Dream’s picks before Spring Fling Katy Wong

Arts & Culture

provided by Paige Nazinitsky Graphic Design The World Night Market will take place from 5 p.m. to midnight at the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade this Friday, May 4.

expert artists and craft vendors which will be open until at least 10 p.m.

“There will be oil painters, potters, felt artists, wood sculptors and silk flowers,“ Rotella wrote. “And after 10 p.m. we will have DJ Funky Leroy performing until midnight as we ‘Dance on the Promenade.’”

According to Rotella, the planning process for the event was spearheaded by members of EatBing.

“Marie McKenna from Lost Dog; Gina Lisio Minichino, Little Venice; Sylvia Kerber, Caselle Olive Oil/Upstate Office Furniture; Chris Bodnarczuk, BU Anderson Center & Director Porch Fest; Joshua Bernard, BingPop and Luma were all part of the planning,”

Rotella wrote.

While planning World Night Market, Rotella said she had to account for potential obstacles that might come up during the event, but she is looking forward to the event nonetheless.

“First year events are always a challenge but we have a great team and a warm receptive and enthusiastic restaurant, artisan and entertainment population,” Rotella wrote.

The sponsors for the event include the city of Binghamton, Carolyn Waffle Travel, Regalo Gifts & Designs and Caselle Imports.

World Night Market will take place on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade Downtown from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday, May 4, rain or shine.

Warm days have finally arrived in Binghamton, which means Spring Fling is just around the corner.

Whether you’re an alternative music lover or hip-hop fanatic, this year’s concert will cater to you with opening act, DRAM, and headliner, Foster the People. Prepare for Saturday night’s performances and let loose with Pipe Dream’s official Spring Fling playlist.

“Houdini” — Foster the People With its upbeat rhythm and catchy piano melody, it’s practically impossible to not feel the urge to bob your head or tap your feet to this song, which was released on Foster the People’s first album, “Torches.”

The lyrics are both uplifting and simple enough to memorize, so you can sing your heart out at the concert.

“Broccoli” — DRAM feat. Lil Yachty If you haven’t heard this song yet, then you probably didn’t go to any fraternity party or bar in Downtown Binghamton during 2016. This song almost never fails to attract a huge crowd of college students singing along. It’s also DRAM’s most popular single and

was ranked No. 3 on Billboard’s “100 Best Songs of 2016.”

“Sit Next to Me” — Foster the People This laid-back song is Foster the People’s most popular track from their newest album, “Sacred Hearts Club,” with over 47 million listens on Spotify. The chill rhythm fits the relaxed atmosphere of Spring Fling, making it the perfect anthem for the evening.

“Cash Machine” — DRAM The fun, retro background sounds mixed with a hip-hop beat makes this single stand out among other typical hip-hop songs.

Listening to this ragtime tune feels like you’re transported to a different era, but then you hear the catchy rap lyrics about being rich.

“Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls)” — Foster the People This song essentially speaks to the post-Spring Fling feeling of not wanting the fun night to end, especially because it means the start of finals week.

With its chorus repeating the phrase “Don’t stop” five

times, this song is easy to learn and will probably be stuck in your head all day Sunday.

“Cha Cha” — DRAM The title says it all — this song will make you want to move your hips to its energetic rhythm and dance all night long. If you listen closely enough to the background music, you’ll hear a sampling from the popular video game “Super Mario World.” DRAM’s unique take on hip-hop combines not-soordinary elements, and this song exemplifies that approach.

Opinions Thursday, May 3,2, 2018 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017

Mamta Popat Arizona Daily Star via AP Approximately 1,000 teachers, other staff and supporters line Congress Street at Granada Avenue in Tucson on the first day of the statewide Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018. “Hashtag activism” can spread into physical protests.

‘Hashtag activism’ wrongfully discourages criticism People who express opposing ideas are vilified, creating an echo chamber Theodora Catrina

Contributing Columnist

Social media has an everincreasing presence in the world of activism. Twitter is the perfect platform to share your thoughts and create conversations with other users in under 280 characters. The rise of “hashtag activism” has allowed strangers of all different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussions that concern them. Movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter have grown exponentially because of the power of Twitter.

Hashtag activism is often critiqued for its limitations. The ability to share and like a tweet may not equate to demanding change through physical protest. To some, it may seem that it is simply a method of communicating to others that you care about the issue at hand, as opposed to actively seeking change. Nevertheless, hashtag activism is unique in its ability to spread information fast.

It increases awareness among the millions of social media users in mere seconds, often in the form of trending hashtags and news.

However, it seems that as hashtag activism grows, criticism of particular social movements becomes more and more unwelcome. Although belligerent

and ignorant statements are rightfully distressing and unwanted, not all criticism should go ignored and face retaliation. There is always room for improvement, and social movements and activism shouldn’t be exempt from criticism. More importantly, the voices of these critics should not be silenced or attacked.

The #MeToo movement faced a large amount of both judgment and appraisal. Catherine Deneuve, a French actress, shared her opinion about the #MeToo movement. Essentially, she penned a letter that stated the legitimate protest against sexual violence had gone too far. She claimed that unwelcome sexual advances by

men were not sexual assault and the #MeToo movement sent “men to the slaughterhouse” before they were even found guilty.

Although I, like many, disagree with Deneuve’s message, it raises an important question — how do we define sexual assault? However, Deneuve’s letter was immediately faced with brutal replies. Many people on Twitter responded with claims that her beliefs were a sign of internalized misogyny and that she was invalidating sexual assault. This harsh response to a personal opinion closed the door for an open dialogue about the faults of #MeToo, thus impeding its progress.

This occurrence is not singular; instead, it is happening quite

frequently. This creates an echo chamber, where people will only surround themselves with likeminded individuals, rarely opening themselves up for healthy debate and change. Similarly, those with differing views may feel that their opinions are not accepted and that they are ostracized for having them. This rejection of criticism creates an environment in which change is not easily achieved, even when it is necessary.

This may be another indication of the restrictions of hashtag activism. On Twitter, you only have limited space to share your thoughts, and you are behind a screen where it is difficult to communicate your message in a poignant and effective manner.

Additionally, the lack of face-toface contact makes it painless to automatically reject and vilify someone’s opinion.

It is important to take into consideration the effect of ostracizing opposing ideas. It is much easier to ignore differing perspectives and seek validation and comfort regarding your own political agenda on social media.

However, when we actively seek conversation and listen and raise questions, it creates a more knowledgeable environment where we can address the issues with how we approach social change during the era of online protest.

— Theodora Catrina is a freshman majoring in mathematics.

Reconsidering the intentions behind the US involvement in Syria In response to Eli Krule’s April 23 column

Michael Harel

Contributing Columnist

Last Sunday, four individuals were randomly murdered in a Waffle House in Tennessee. The following day, 10 innocent pedestrians were murdered in a terrorist attack in Toronto. With senseless attacks occurring seemingly every day, and amid rising tensions over gun reform, people are feeling less safe than ever. There seems to be no place to hide from the everencroaching darkness in the world.

This growing anxiety is palpable even on our campus.

So, when President Donald Trump struck the Bashar al-Assad regime on April 13 in response to its use of chemical weapons to kill many innocent people, it is understandable why many would applaud that action without carefully analyzing it. Such a seemingly forceful response makes us feel as though we are standing up for justice and fighting off evil in the world, while also protecting ourselves. However, it is important to inspect the strike rationally.

On April 26, guest columnist Eli Krule wrote a piece defending Trump’s intervention in Syria.

Krule said that the strike was important because it showed that the United States is willing to stand up against immoral acts.

He said, “We must not let our hatred and disdain for the Trump administration blind us to the injustice and suffering happening in Syria.” He continued, “If we have any moral compass as a country, we must support this strike.”

While I agree with Krule that we must “speak up for the victims of horrendous acts of violence” and admire his support of intervention in Syria, I do not agree that the strike achieved that end. Rather, it was just a political move on the part of Trump.

If Trump was really concerned about standing up against morally reprehensible actions, he would not have waited until now to send that message. Trump has been in office for around a year and three

months, but has done little to nothing to save the people of Syria.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been murdered, but only when chemical weapons were used did Trump respond. So, clearly, Trump only cares about appearing strong and giving the impression that he is protecting Americans from the spread of dangerous weapons, rather than about saving innocent Syrians.

The strike failed to make any meaningful impact and did not send the strong message that Krule suggests. Israeli officials called the attack a failure, and an Israeli senior defense official said, “If President Trump had ordered the strike only to show that the United States responded to Assad’s

use of chemical weapons, then that goal has been achieved. But if there was another objective — such as paralyzing the ability to launch chemical weapons or deterring Assad from using it again — it’s doubtful any of these objectives have been met.”

In addition, the attack failed to damage the Syrian Air Force, which was allegedly used to deploy the chemical weapons. Israeli officials also criticized the United States for talking so much about the attack beforehand, and allowing Syria to move their assets. This perfectly illustrates how the United States was not interested in preventing future attacks, but rather putting on a show for the world stage.

Krule is right; it is morally

reprehensible to sit silently as the Syrian regime brutalizes its own people. However, real meaningful action is needed and not just blind missile strikes. The Assad regime must be toppled and that must be the United States’ objective if it wants to meaningfully stand up against the Assad human rights abuses. There are a number of approaches the United States can take to achieve this, such as pressuring Russia, Turkey and Iran, working with Israel or placing troops on the ground. However, lauding non-praiseworthy intervention only serves to perpetuate inaction.

— Michael Harel is a junior majoring in political science.

We must condemn men who blame their violence on women The ‘incel’ movement creates an environment where brutal misogyny is normalized Annick Tabb

Contributing Columnist

The phrase “Nice guys finish last” is a common one. I have heard it and variations like “She friendzoned me” and “Girls only date assholes” countless times.

When I hear or read phrases like this, I usually roll my eyes and continue on with my life. But when I first read the term “incel,” I felt the need to reexamine the mindset behind these comments under a new lens.

The incel movement found its way onto my radar when I read that Alek Minassian, a suspect in a van attack in Toronto that killed ten people in April, had been connected to this online community.

The word “incel” is a shortened form of “involuntarily celibate.”

The incel community is a group of men who blame women for not having sex with them or showing romantic interest in them. Rather than emerge from the internet as more enlightened individuals, these men are able to feel validated in their warped views of the women who reject them.

The subreddit “TheRedPill” describes itself as a “discussion of sexual strategy in a culture increasingly lacking a positive identity for men.” Upon further investigation, I found a “Guide to Managing Your Bitches.” This guide provides tips for men who want to assert their dominance in relationships with women.

Examples of these tips include, “Remember, women are children: mentally, behaviourally and evolutionarily,” and that not being

strict with a woman would lead her to “become as selfish and insufferable as you let her get away with.”

It is said that Minassian and other incels found a mentor and hero of sorts in Elliot Rodger, who killed six people and injured 13 in Santa Barbara in 2014. A video showed up on YouTube before the tragedy occurred, in which a man who identified himself as Rodger threatened to kill people out of sexual frustration and loneliness.

He said, “You girls have never been attracted to me. I don’t know why you girls aren’t attracted to me. But I will punish you for it.

It’s an injustice, a crime.” The videos Rodger posted and the 141-page manifesto that he wrote have been used as educational and informational aids for fellow incels.

A comment on a message board discussing the Toronto van attack

blamed the tragedy on women’s rights. It read, “All violence, random attacks and terrorism are done by men who cannot find [girlfriends], and thus women are DIRECTLY responsible for it. The ONLY way to fix this problem is to take away women’s rights.”

While not all incels will act violently toward people who wronged them, it is hard to ignore the incendiary, demeaning and volatile nature of the comments that fill these subreddits and other forums. Despite the huge emphasis that has been put on incels’ inability to find romantic partners, it is important to understand that this problem will not go away if all incels magically find a woman to have sex with.

Some people, however, believe that this complex problem has an easy, straightforward solution. The opinion that the incel problem

would be solved if women simply started giving these men the romantic and sexual attention they crave is both untrue and dangerous.

Author Scott Westerfeld tweeted, “If every incel somehow got a girlfriend, the net violence would only go up. Because guys who think like this are violent to their girlfriends. It’s not their singleness that’s dangerous; it’s the way they think about women.”

In 2013, the World Health Organization reported that “globally, 38 percent of women who were murdered were murdered by their intimate partners” and 30 percent of women are subjected to violence by an intimate partner.

These statistics make it clear that people who are in relationships with women are not cured of misogyny and are still capable of hurting people.

There is a powerful link between

misogyny and men who commit acts of mass violence. Seung-Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech shooter, Adam Lanza, who was responsible for the shooting at Sandy Hook, and Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber all had histories of misogynistic feelings and/or behavior.

It is perfectly normal to feel badly when someone you are romantically interested in rejects you. It is not normal, however, to blame the person or vilify and dehumanize their entire gender and society at large for your “failure.” It is not a criminal act to reject someone who you are not attracted to and people should not use romantic rejection as an excuse to justify their acts of violence.

— Annick Tabb is a sophomore double-majoring in political science and English.

DEAR JESSICA Dear Jessica, I am super excited for my internship this summer. It’s in a field that I really want to work in, but I’m really nervous because it is my first one. How can I make the most out of this experience?

Congrats on getting this internship, I hope it’s a great fit for you! First off, before you start, take a few minutes to write down your goals for this experience. It will help to have a guideline for what

exactly you want to get out of it.

You could even share it with the director of your internship so that they can help you achieve these goals. As you complete the internship, ask questions. Never leave yourself in the dark if you can get a solid answer for something.

Allowing your curiosity to flourish will help you to feel satisfied and to bolster the knowledge being provided directly. Finally, keep a journal of your experiences. It can just be a few sentences, but write in

it after each day at your internship.

This way, in the end, you will have something to look back on at the end of the summer and see how much you have learned and accomplished. This will also help to keep the experience fresh in your mind if asked about it in an interview later on. You should also make an appointment or walk into the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development before the end of this semester. The professionals there will be able to answer any questions you might

still have.

issues, which are only exacerbated when I’m wearing less clothing.

Dear Jessica, What can I do to feel comfortable After such a long winter, I’m and cool this summer? thrilled that it’s finally warm outside! However, with the sunshine I can understand your anxiety and warmth comes shorts season about showing more skin. I think and showing more skin, along with it’s important to explore what you the uncomfortable reminder that I are comfortable in, so I recommend didn’t spend all winter preparing my that you go to the mall and take “beach body.” I know I’d look like an your time shopping. Try on different idiot walking around in a sweatshirt styles and decide what you like. and jeans all summer, but I’ve Maybe you like longer shorts better, always struggled with body image or don’t mind tank tops that have

thicker straps. Look for articles with a light fabric that will keep you cool even when they cover more. If you’re uncomfortable showing skin at the beach, opt for a swim shirt to wear over your bathing suit. You might want to try dresses, too, as they can be longer but still light and flowy. Just remember that no matter what, every body is a beach body and you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident!

Fun

Thursday, May 3,2, 2018 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017

Convention

Nate Walker Harvey enjoying the nice weather

Sudoku

Annabeth Sloan

By The Mepham Group

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

Deep Thinking

Annabeth Sloan

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

4/30/18

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

It’s time to stop

Daniel Eisenhower

The most ambitious crossover

Daniel Eisenhower

ACROSS 1 Goldman’s partner 6 Socially awkward sort 10 Potter’s material 14 Voyager 1, e.g.

15 Like James Bond antagonists 16 With 11-Down, 2016 almostOscar-winning movie 17 Screen legend Flynn 18 *Tuna eater’s tool, maybe 20 Neither’s partner 21 Boxing ref’s decision 23 Worked, as dough 24 *Eyebrowplucking tool 27 Family room 28 Captain’s group 29 Spring shape 31 Lottery ticket purchase, essentially 34 Michaelmas daisy 36 *Shape of rotini pasta 38 Trendy 39 Sixth __: intuition 40 Émile who wrote “J’Accuse...!”

41 *Cocktail frank stabber 43 “Miracle on 34th Street” store 44 Thor, to Odin 45 Its football team has played Harvard 134 times 46 Grand Marquis, for short 47 2100, to Augustus 48 *Loser to rock, beater of paper 52 Adjusted (to) 56 Dorm mgrs.

57 “Ben-Hur” author Wallace 58 With 60-Across, contraption that usually includes the answers to the starred clues 60 See 58-Across 62 Pub size 63 “The World According to __” 64 Concave navel 65 Not leave

66 Leave 67 Surprising plot development

47 In need of air 34 Play divisions freshener 35 “Go away!”

36 Finish the top of, 49 Burial chamber 50 Int.-reducing as a room DOWN mortgages 37 Business 1 Used up 51 Like sugar magnates 2 Cursor shape 52 Egyptian snakes 39 Era that began 3 Proofer’s change 53 Foolish one with Sputnik 4 “Game of 54 Funny Fey 42 Church songs Thrones” network 43 Soldier’s 55 “The Destroyer” 5 Soda water of Marvel Comics cooking 6 Interior designer’s 59 Med. scan supplies concern 61 Opposite of SSE 46 Actress Farrow 7 Eggs, to a biologist ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE: 8 Hockey venue 9 Yukon gold rush region 10 Wash the dirt off 11 See 16-Across 12 Protected at sea 13 Three feet 19 Banana leftovers 22 Royal Botanic Gardens locale 25 Build 26 Wall-mounted light fixtures 30 Ural River city 31 Hybrid green veggie with small florets 32 Slippery 33 “__ the night before ... ” 04/30/18

By Victor Barocas ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

05/03/18

TWITTER

@PipeDreamSports FOR LIVE COVERAGE Thursday, May 3, 2018

Women’s lacrosse to debut in first AE tournament BU prepares for playoff match against Albany Samantha Marsh Contributing Writer

The Binghamton women’s lacrosse team has had a season of firsts. Freshman attack Paige Volkmann received her first America East (AE) conference weekly accolade when she was named AE Women’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Week. Binghamton lost to Niagara for the first time in eight matchups and played both the No. 2 and No. 1 teams in the nation in the same season for the first time. Goalies sophomore Taylor Passuello and senior Emma Jehle both received their first AE Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week award. The Bearcats met with Hartford for the first time and Binghamton defeated New Hampshire for the first time in program history. Considerably the most impressive first, however, is that Binghamton (88, 5-2 AE) has reached the AE Tournament for the first time in program history and has clinched the third seed. The team is now set to take on second-seeded Albany later this week while the conference-leading Seawolves and UNH make up the other side of the bracket.

While Binghamton has collected all of these firsts, the Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team has been collecting the top seed in the AE Tournament for six straight seasons and has landed

itself the No. 1 spot in the nation.

Stony Brook (17-0, 7-0 AE) has dominated the tournament, and with its undefeated record this season, things are looking on the bright side for the Seawolves.

In order to face the No. 1 team in the nation, however, Binghamton must overpower Albany (8-8, 6-1 AE). The Bearcats were defeated by Albany earlier in the season, but only lost by two (12-10). This is the sixth straight year that Albany has secured the No. 2 spot in the tournament, falling to Stony Brook in the championship game each year.

“I think for us it’s about stringing together two halves,” said BU head coach Stephanie Allen. “We started out really strong against [Albany] and got off to a great start in that game and then had a couple moments of lapse out there. I think it’s just about making sure we keep up the energy, manage the game on the offensive end especially and make sure that we’re really communicating on the defensive end for consistent two halves.”

The Bearcats were eliminated from postseason contention last season with an 11-6 loss against UNH, but redeemed themselves with a 13-7 victory against UNH in the regular season finale.

Along with the win came a record for senior midfielder Jacqueline Kennedy, who broke the career record of 74 caused turnovers set by Allie Rodgers, ‘16. Fortyeight of Kennedy’s 77 caused turnovers have come from this season alone.

“Certainly last year didn’t

Rebecca Kiss Assistant Photo Editor Redshirt senior attack Jocelyn Penteck to wrap up her Bearcat career with an appearance in the America East Tournament.

end the way we wanted with a loss against UNH,” Allen said. “[The difference] has been the hard work and consistency since the fall. It’s been the veteran leadership that we have on our juniors and our seniors and our redshirts, and I think it’s the daily fight that the team brings

to the field.”

A three seed in the Women’s Lacrosse AE Tournament has never captured the championship game, but BU is prepared to take on the challenge, primarily focusing its efforts on trying to overtake the Great Danes.

“We know that this year we

can hang with [Albany] and give them a really good run, especially in a semifinal game,” said redshirt senior attack Jocelyn Penteck.

“Having [assistant coach Sierra McIver] on the coaching staff [who used to play for Albany] definitely lights a fire under us, and we want to go out there and

show them that she looks better in green than she does purple.”

Binghamton’s semifinal matchup with Albany is scheduled for Friday, May 4 in Stony Brook, New York. The opening draw control from Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Softball falls to Great Danes Bearcats drop close game in extra innings Michael Steinberg Pipe Dream Sports

Ariel Kachuro Pipe Dream Photographer Senior infielder Luke Tevlin drove in the game-winning run for the Bearcats in the top of the fifth of Tuesday’s contest at St. Bonaventure.

Baseball records two wins Binghamton defeats Bonnies, Big Red Evan Cole

Assistant Sports Editor

Looking to round into form for the season’s final stretch, the Binghamton baseball team returned to nonconference play this week. In what has been a mostly disappointing season, the Bearcats (13-25-1, 7-11 America East) picked up some momentum with victories against St. Bonaventure and Cornell. Timely hitting from senior infielder Luke Tevlin and freshman outfielder Andrew Eng helped propel BU to its wins. Binghamton now heads into a pivotal series against Maine on a three-game winning streak.

The Bearcats got off to a quick start against the Bonnies (9-25, 5-11 Atlantic 10), putting up two runs in the top of the first. Senior outfielder CJ Krowiak set the tone for BU with a triple to lead off the game. Krowiak later scored on a sacrifice fly from senior catcher Jason Agresti. Tevlin later ripped a double to leftcenter to cap off BU’s scoring for the inning.

St. Bonaventure responded swiftly with a three-run inning in the second. Doubles from

junior outfielder Sam Fuller and classmate infielder Mike Magnanti plated two of the Bonnies’ three runs in a twoout rally. St. Bonaventure’s offense was subsequently shut down following this inning, as sophomore infielder Greg Satriale and senior pitcher Joe Orlando combined to throw seven shutout innings in relief.

Binghamton tallied the game’s tying and go-ahead runs in the top of the fifth inning. After junior outfielder Anthony Meduri tied the game at three on a passed ball, Tevlin drove in his second run of the day on a single to the opposite field in right. BU’s dominant relief pitching ensured that the Bearcats held on to win, 4-3.

The Bearcats’ strong play continued as they blew out Cornell (11-19-1, 6-9 Ivy) at home on Wednesday night.

Eng kicked off the Bearcats’ offensive attack with a home run that cleared the rightfield bullpen in the bottom of the second. After Cornell responded immediately with a run in the top of the third, Binghamton employed most of its offensive attack during the game’s fourth and fifth innings, a stretch in which it logged nine more runs. Eng added two more RBIs with two well-placed singles during the stretch. Binghamton cruised

following the fifth inning, winning 11-1.

Leading the Bearcats offensively was Eng, who batted 3-for-3 and drove in three runs.

Binghamton exclusively used its bullpen on the mound, as six pitchers combined to allow only one run. Sophomore pitcher Ben Anderson got the start for BU, striking out four batters in two innings pitched.

Coming off three consecutive wins, the Bearcats now head into an important three-game series with Maine (12-28, 6-9 AE), which should play a large role in determining BU’s playoff chances. Six teams qualify for the AE Tournament, and Binghamton is currently seventh in the conference, sitting just half a game behind the Black Bears. Adding to the importance of this series is the fact that Binghamton has a bye during the final weekend of conference play; the Bearcats have already played three more games than Maine to this point. BU has won the AE’s regular season championship in four of its past five seasons, so this is unfamiliar territory for Binghamton.

The Bearcats return to action on Saturday to take on Maine in a three-game set at Mahaney Diamond in Orono, Maine. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for noon.

It was the bottom of the seventh in the last half-inning of the game.

The Bearcats were losing to the Great Danes by two after they had engineered a five-run comeback earlier in the game. Senior infielder Kate Richard — Binghamton’s home run leader with six — came to the plate. She smacked home run number seven over the outfield wall, but the game was still stuck at 7-6. That is, until freshman infielder Makayla Alvarez launched the tying run out of the park. After back-toback home runs, the Bearcats (1323, 6-9 America East) suddenly tied it up for the second time in the game, sending the match to extra innings.

Even the miraculous comebacks could not help Binghamton pull off the win as it fell to Albany (25-13, 10-4 AE), 8-7, in the 10th inning due to an unearned run that came home as a result of a single and an error.

“Obviously we would have liked a different outcome, but I like the fight that they showed later on during the game,” said BU head coach Michelle Johnston.

The last time these teams met, the Bearcats split a doubleheader

with the Great Danes, dropping the first game 10-0 before edging Albany 6-5 in round two game. Freshman pitcher Chelsea Howard recorded the win in the second game behind strong efforts from senior center fielder Jessica Rutherford, who batted .429 in the doubleheader, and sophomore first baseman Kassidy Seary, who recorded a double and a homer.

On Wednesday, Albany jumped to an early three-run advantage in the top of the first, pulling ahead to a 5-0 advantage in the third. Just as the game seemed to be moving away from the Bearcats, Alvarez started off a three-run inning with an RBI single. Then, sophomore pitcher Rozlyn Price, who started the game for the Bearcats, smashed a home run over the center-field fence to bring the game to 5-3.

The Bearcats soon tied up the game at five in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore catcher Sara Herskowitz recorded a double just past the center fielder’s reach. The lead did not last long, however, as Albany responded with a two-run triple in the following inning. Then came the heroic back-to-back home runs from Richard and Alvarez to tie it up before multiple errors by BU in the tenth allowed an unearned run to score. Alvarez ended the game going 2-for-5 with two RBIs, three runs and the home run that tied the game.

Terrell Julien Contributing Photographer Sophomore starting pitcher Rozlyn Price scored twice and drove in two runs in the Bearcats’ losing effort at home against Albany.

The first game played at the Bearcats’ new home field was definitely a thriller, but Johnston was not happy with the way her team started the game.

“I thought we came out and we weren’t really working with our at-bats,” Johnston said. “We were swinging at pitches out of the zone and not being disciplined … I think we had lots of opportunities. I think they know this game could have easily gone the other way. So, we’re not gonna bury our heads by any means. We’re gonna come back, we’re gonna practice a little out here tomorrow and gonna get ready for Friday.”

One favorable sign for the Bearcats as the postseason looms is the pitching of sophomore Rayn Gibson. After ranking second in the conference with a 3.37 ERA, Gibson’s numbers have dropped. Her ERA rose to 4.44 before today and her record now stands at 5-12. Despite the poor performances, Gibson pitched solidly down the stretch for the Bearcats.

She tossed four innings, striking out three batters while allowing only three hits and one unearned run.

“I thought [Gibson] came in ready to go,” Johnston said. “Right from the start she set a good tone and I really liked the way she was able to pick up after [Howard].”

This was not Binghamton’s first huge seventh-inning comeback surge this season. It had just come back from a 4-2 deficit against Maine in the seventh before also becoming overpowered in that game. Despite the losses, Johnston is confident in her team’s ability to fight back as it nears the playoffs.

“I think they feel confident that no matter what the score is … they’re gonna be able to come back and we just want to make sure that we’re doing what we can early on, too,” Johnston said.

Despite being second to last in the AE conference, BU has taken two of its last four games against AE teams and lost the other two matchups by only one run each.

Binghamton looks to continue improving in a three-game series against Hartford starting Friday, May 4. First pitch of the Friday doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. from the Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, New York.