New restaurants on the menu for Downtown
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The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Thursday, February 8, 2018 | Vol. XCIII, Issue 7 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
Snow Day Winter storm cancels bus routes, closes campus offices Sasha Hupka News Editor
Students waking up for their 8:30 a.m. classes on Wednesday were met with snow-covered streets and canceled classes. Binghamton University called a snow day on Feb. 7, canceling classes and closing offices early due to a storm system that the National Weather Service said dropped approximately 5 1/2 inches of snowfall on the area. At some points throughout the day, Broome County experienced snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. A winter storm warning remained in effect for the county until 10 p.m. Students received notifications regarding the cancellation just before 5:40 a.m, with many receiving multiple emails and text messages. There was an error in the subject of the initial email alert, which said that only early classes
SEE SNOW PAGE 3
The Binghamton area received approximately 5 1/2 inches of snowfall on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Kojo Senoo/Staff Photographer
SA holds town hall, discusses progress Meeting addresses OCCT contract, mental health Hannah Walters Pipe Dream News
With Student Association (SA) elections just six weeks away, this year’s Executive Board hosted a town hall meeting Monday to address the organization’s performance over the past semester. Around 70 attendees listened to SA President Jermel McClure, a senior majoring in political science, give his State of the Student Association address, where he unveiled the new SA mission statement, core values and goals in an effort to clarify the purpose and focus of the organization. “The Student Association is dedicated to providing undergraduate students with leadership opportunities, professional development, and exceptional services,” the revised mission statement reads. “The Student Association enriches the lives of undergraduate students in advance of their social, political and academic interests here at Binghamton University.” Additionally, McClure discussed the newly updated Off Campus College Transport (OCCT) website, which he said should be more userfriendly. McClure’s speech also touched on the new text alert system, where students can text “Follow @OCCT” to 40404 in order to get updates on any bus schedule delays or changes. Both of these reforms were part of McClure’s platform when running for office. McClure also remarked on the recent addition of West Side route buses during rush hours, and said it has been successful in reducing overcrowding. The SA plans to add even more buses to the fleet by this fall.
SEE SA PAGE 3
Heroin task force hears testimonies NYS Senate coordinates five panels on epidemic Jillian Forstadt & Ciara Gordon Pipe Dream News
In 2017, there were 479 opioidrelated overdoses in Broome County, according to Binghamton Police Chief Joe Zikuski. On Tuesday, community members explored potential solutions to the opioid crisis with New York state Sen. Fred Akshar and other state officials at a public forum held by the the state Senate’s Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction. Approximately 100 people gathered at Binghamton University’s Innovative Technologies Complex to tell their stories and listen to 22 oral testimonies addressing Akshar and two other co-chairs, Sen. George Amedore Jr., who represents Montgomery and Greene counties, and Sen. Chris Jacobs, who represents parts of Buffalo and Towanda. The three represented the Senate task force, which was created in 2014 to address the increase of heroin and opioid use across New York state.
The public forum is part of the task force’s tour across the state, in which they invite constituents to suggest policies and solutions. “It’s incredibly important that my colleagues and I hear from the community at the ground level, from people who are dealing with this issue every single day,” Akshar said. “While we may work our hardest in Albany or at home to deal with this issue, we’re not on the front lines like you.” The testimonies were split into five panels centered on advocacy, prevention and recovery, treatment, law enforcement and the business community. Many of the speakers work in the health care field, nonprofits and rehabilitation centers or had dealt with substance use disorders themselves. Jack Seman, the director of the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse, shared his own struggles with addiction and recovery. Seman said he survived multiple overdoses and was admitted to an inpatient program while homeless and unemployed at 19. He emphasized services must be available for those re-entering their
Orla McCaffrey/Pipe Dream News The property at 50 Front St. was acquired by the Broome County Land Bank Corporation in 2014. It’s set to become a mixed-use complex by the end of the year, and will include 122 market-rate rental apartment units.
SEE HEROIN PAGE 2
SEE LAND PAGE 3
Land bank funding unsustainable The nonprofit has demolished 14 properties over two years
2011, inviting dereliction and the occasional vandal. But by the end of this year, a mixed-use facility is set to open on the spot, boasting 122 market-rent apartment units and office space. Orla McCaffrey But one of the main actors in this Pipe Dream News transformation from blight to business, the Broome County Land Bank Corporation, Just two years ago, 50 Front St. was one might not have the future funds to continue of the largest blighted properties in the city acquiring and redeveloping properties. The of Binghamton’s landscape. Once a hotel and land bank is a nonprofit corporation created nursing home, the building was abandoned in in 2013 under the New York Land Bank Act,
which allows municipalities to create land banks in their counties. It has operated largely off of funds provided through the Land Bank Community Revitalization Initiative, a program operated by the New York State Attorney General’s Office. In March 2017, the Broome County Land Bank received a $650,870 grant to further its redevelopment efforts, but that funding is set
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Annual Bhangra Fever event draws talent from all over the world,
Contributing columnist Jacob Hanna discusses the injustice of forcing students to attend college,
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Pipe Dream catches up with women’s basketball’s Alyssa James,
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bupipedream.com | February 8, 2018
State officials hear stories on local opioid crisis HEROIN FROM PAGE 1 communities after treatment. “I think more beds is incredibly important, I think that’s what started me in my journey,” Seman said. “However, it really wasn’t the end of the road. Beds at an inpatient facility are getting people on the bus, but I think there needs to be a plan for when they get off.” Of the overdoses in Broome County, 237 of them occurred in the city of Binghamton, according to Zikuski. Of those who overdosed, 216 were administered the drug naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids. Many of those present expressed the need for state legislation that mandates all emergency medical services to carry naloxone. Alexis Pleus, founder and executive director of Truth Pharm, sat on the panel of advocates for solutions to the
opioid epidemic. According to Pleus, approximately 7,000 New Yorkers have died from heroin- or opioid-related causes in the last three years. Truth Pharm, which works to navigate people into treatment, provide family support and raise awareness of substance use disorders, operates without state funding. Pleus urged the senators to direct state funding toward the nonprofit and others like it, as well as to hold medical care providers accountable for the treatment of those who have overdosed. “The families and the people of New York state rely on us, and we’re not sustainable without funding,” Pleus said. “If we go away, more people will die.” Other speakers urged the cochairs to support policies that advocate for harm-reduction measures, jail-based treatment, access to sober housing and
access to data. Jeremy Klemanski, president and CEO of Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare, said that in his experience, forums like this one are not usually as calm, with constituents stressing the urgency of the issue. “People are getting angry around the state because they’re tired of watching people die, especially when they believe that there are ideas that can save some of these people’s lives,” Klemanski said. “I think it’s good that everyone was polite because that’s the way that we should have good public discourse, but I want to make sure that if you haven’t felt or experienced that in other settings, that’s what I’m getting. People are angry.” Two other public forums will be held later this month at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York and Columbia-Greene Stephen Ruiz/Staff Photographer Community College in Hudson, State Sens. Chris Jacobs, Fred Akshar and George Amadore Jr. listen to oral testimonies given at a public forum on the New York. state’s heroin and opioid epidemic.
New York regulations shield transgender students Amid Title IX debate, state safeguards rights Sasha Hupka & McKenna Hage Pipe Dream News
College campuses across the country are struggling to determine how Title IX should be applied to transgender students under new federal guidelines. Under the Trump administration, the federal interpretation of Title IX has changed, allowing states to decide whether the protections apply to gender identity. Title IX has traditionally been used to prohibit discrimination based on sex within education programs receiving
federal funding. According to Andrew Baker, Binghamton University’s Title IX coordinator, that protection remains in place but protections for transgender students have been rescinded. “In 2011, the Department of Education, under the Obama administration, issued a what’s called a Dear Colleague Letter, meant to describe and clarify an institution’s responsibility under Title IX,” Baker wrote in an email. “In 2017, the Trump administration-led Department of Education released another Dear Colleague Letter that withdrew that same 2011 guidance.” Although federal protections are being withdrawn, New York state has added anti-discrimination
laws in recent years. In 2015, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued statewide regulations prohibiting harassment or discrimination based on gender identity throughout New York state, making him the first governor in the country to take such a measure. The state also passed “Enough is Enough” in 2015, sexual assault legislation that includes protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming students. In 2002, New York state passed the Sexual Orientation NonDiscrimination Act, which outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation in many public sectors, including education. According to Kelly Clark, director of BU’s Q Center, these
state regulations have protected students at the University from changes at the federal level. “We’re not really being hit hard,” Clark said. “We’re not one of the states that this whole thing has affected.” While the SUNY system does not have any specific policies protecting transgender students, Clark said the University is trying to support LGBTQ students beyond what the law requires. “We are moving forward, doing everything that we can possibly do to make sure that gender-expansive people are being treated in the manner in which they should be and deserve to be treated,” Clark said. Most of the cases dismissed
in other states have concerned a student’s right to use bathroom facilities and play on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity. The University offers students gender-neutral bathrooms and gender-inclusive housing, and the Q Center also provides resources for students who experience or express their sexual orientation or gender in ways that challenge normative assumptions. Last year, the Q Center started the Pronouns Matter campaign, which educated students, faculty and staff on the importance of using correct personal pronouns to create an inclusive and respectful environment. Currently, transgender and
gender-nonconforming students are striving to create a stronger community on campus. Transcend, created in January 2017, is a student-run social group that aims to helps students of varying gender identities connect with one another. According to Winter Clark, the director of Transcend and a senior double-majoring in philosophy and the individualized major program and the founder, the club was the first of its kind to focus specifically on transgender students and the issues they may face at BU. “We are trying to come together and figure out what [resources] are available to us on campus, and what can we do to improve those resources as a group,” Winter said.
Town hall sees low attendance Partnership program receives $215K grant
SA FROM PAGE 1 Currently, the SA and OCCT are still in the process of negotiating a new three-year contract, but McClure assured the audience that even with New York state’s minimum wage hike, bus driving will still remain the highest-paid job on campus. Mental health was also a central focus of the speech, including a proposal to rebrand the High Hopes Helpline, the University’s peer-to-peer support line, so more people know they can call the number for any issue they may be facing, from anxiety to career worries. “This is super important because there are a lot of misconceptions about what High Hopes Helpline is and how it can be used on campus,” McClure said. “With rebranding, we want to get rid of some of those old misconceptions and make sure everyone understands how the service is supposed to be used.” The SA is considering adding a text-chat service component where students can type to a trained volunteer if they feel uncomfortable talking on the phone. People who volunteer to respond to students undergo training by the University Counseling Center (UCC) and may now receive two internship credits for their service. In his initial platform, McClure also hoped to work with the UCC on diversity initiatives in staff hiring, but said little headway has been made, as the right applicants have not been available. In addition, McClure addressed the SA’s success in adding more counseling hours on campus, as well as enforcing the University policy that says no professor can administer an exam during the last week of class. Pipe Dream reported in December that professors have continued to violate the policy. Some of the SA E-Board’s campaign promises that were brought to fruition during the past year were mentioned in the speech, including decreasing the wait time for reimbursement vouchers by three to seven days and trying to hire
Award extends BC HEARS' funding until January 2020 Allison Detzel Pipe Dream News
Courtney Mitchell/Staff Photographer Student Association (SA) President Jermel McClure, a senior majoring in political science, gave his State of the Student Association address on Monday evening at the SA Town Hall.
more diverse faculty. Nevertheless, other goals have yet to be achieved, such as making the University more handicapped-accessible. After the address, the e-board sat to answer student inquiries. All questions were required to fall within four overarching topics: dining services, mental health, parking and diversity, equity and inclusion. Rebecca Ho, the SA vice president for finance and a senior majoring in business administration, said these topics were chosen because they seemed to be the most contentious issues among the SA Student Congress and affect a large percentage of the student body. Students raised a variety of concerns, such as food options at the University Downtown Center, lowering the price of parking passes, hiring more diverse faculty and making feminine hygiene products more accessible to students. Members of the SA E-Board emphasized that they want to hear more student input, either by a direct email to them or by speaking to a
Student Congress representative, so they can better respond to student needs. Ho said that often, rhetoric from the SA and University administration gets convoluted and she wants to be able to get messages out more clearly. “I think miscommunication is the No. 1 issue,” Ho said. “We need to keep trying to bring and invite the everyday student body representative to come in and speak rather than just those who have highly controversial views.” Bianca Amanini, a sophomore majoring in psychology, went to the town hall and said she was disappointed there was not a higher turnout, considering the amount of people who knew about the event and are affected by these issues. “These are things are I want to see changes in,” Amanini said. “I am involved in campus and I like to be involved in the political side as well. People have a lot of opinions, but when it comes to showing up, there are not that many people here.”
For Binghamton University and Broome Community College (BCC) students following unique pathways to graduation, grant money is coming, just in time to avoid program shutdowns. A $215,000 grant was awarded to Broome County Higher Education Access, Retention and Success (BC HEARS), extending the program’s funding, which was scheduled to end in July 2018, until 2020. The grant will ensure students not following traditional paths to graduation continue to receive education assistance. BC HEARS assists students who never completed their undergraduate education, or those looking to enroll who fall under the category of a nontraditional student, which, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, includes students who have delayed their enrollment, attend college part time, work full time, have dependents other than a spouse or do not have a high school diploma. Elizabeth Carter, former assistant vice president for student development at BU, former director of BC HEARS and current president of Catholic Schools of Broome County, put in the original proposal for the grant, funding the program until July 2018. In order to extend the grant, BC HEARS staff members attended meetings in Albany last August. The $215,000 Performance Improvement Fund Grant was ultimately awarded to the program and will fund staff salaries and programming costs through January 2020. The grant is part of the SUNY Excels Grant Fund Program, which supports programs affiliated with SUNY schools that promise a commitment to continuous improvement in five key areas: access, completion, success, inquiry and engagement. BC HEARS is a part of the Division of Student Affairs and began in July 2016 as a partnership between BU, BCC and Broome County Promise Zone, an organization geared toward improving learning environments in local schools.
Cory Rusin, a student success coordinator for BC HEARS, wrote in an email that the program offers a variety of assistance to students, depending on their specific needs. “[We] help create an academic plan that works for the student by learning about their goals and connecting them to valuable resources,” Rusin wrote. “Some students need assistance with determining what paperwork is needed to re-enroll, others need application or financial aid assistance, others need to determine what their options are for distance learning as they no longer live in the area. Our program connects the dots and provides a onestop-shop for students to get their questions answered in regards to completing their degree.” BC HEARS also offers students one-on-one tutoring from BU and BCC students as well as computer literacy classes, summer reading events, open computer hours and adult reading roundtable events at The Mansion, a community center located on Walnut Street in the city of Binghamton. In less than two years, BC HEARS has helped 133 BU and BCC students graduate with their associate’s or bachelor’s degrees and has supported the enrollment or re-enrollment of 69 students into programs of study. The program has received nationwide attention and was selected as the 2018 national recipient of an award for student affairs administrators in higher education at the annual conference for National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. Students do not have to apply to be involved with the program and are either referred by community partners or contacted by a BC HEARS coordinator. Rusin said he speaks with former BU students and informs them of the resources available to them. “I received lists from each of the different colleges of students that had stopped out in the last 5 years and were within a year of completing their coursework,” Rusin wrote. “There is no selection process other than the student wishing to return.” BC HEARS offers opportunities for BU students to volunteer, tutor and intern for the program. Rusin encouraged interested students to contact hears@binghamton.edu to learn how they could get involved.
O PINIONS FFUN PAGE UN III Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October February October April 3,2,5, 8, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2018 2017
Land bank acquires vacant properties
aDDress: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 phone: 607-777-2515 fax: 607-777-2600
Do you wanna build a snowman?
LAND FROM PAGE 1
land bank was established. Broome County’s land bank is to dry up after 2018. one of 23 in the state. Most of the “It’s not a very sustainable format newer banks are in the Southern because what we expend is more Tier, Scarinzi said. than what we get in,” said Margaret With Community Revitalization Scarinzi, the land bank’s executive Initiative funding set to expire by director, at the presentation of the the end of this year, the land bank is Land Bank Corporation’s annual considering other options, including report Tuesday afternoon. the Greater Binghamton Fund. The land bank’s biggest project The fund aims to reward projects of 2017 was the sale of 50 Front St. with funding if they meet certain to 50 Front Street Associates, part of objectives, like improving the city’s the Newman Development Group. “urban core.” The addition of market-rate rentals, Another idea is creating which aren’t restricted by affordable allocations in the state budget housing laws, could help address a specifically for land banks. lack of apartment units in Broome “The New York State Land Bank County. Over 90 percent of available Association has been advocating market-rate rental housing units for funding to become start of the Kojo Senoo/Staff Photographer in Broome County are occupied, state budget for 2019, but there’s no Students build a snowman in Mountainview College on Feb. 7, when the University canceled classes because of a winter storm. and their rents have seen a steady guarantee,” Scarinzi said. increase in recent years, according Although the nonprofit’s to a report published last fall by financial future is unclear, the land The Agency, the county’s economic bank has no plans to cease operating. development organization. “Discussions will continue into In 2017, the land bank 2018 on how to secure sustainable demolished six blighted properties; funding so, throughout the State, SNOW FROM PAGE 1 ensure the message is received.” BU President Harvey Stenger, Dave the year before, eight were land banks can continue to combat Despite the class cancellations, Hubeny, director of emergency torn down. blight, revitalize neighborhoods and were canceled. The body of the the rest of campus remained open, management at BU and Tim “One of the biggest advantages support community and economic email stated that all classes had although some offices and dining Faughnan, chief of Binghamton’s of the Broome County Land Bank development,” the Land Bank been canceled. options closed early. In a Dateline New York State University Police. is that it will be able to take a longer Corporation’s 2017 report reads. According to Ryan Yarosh, announcement, employees were Last year, the University cancelled view into the future, and work The Broome County Land director of media and public instructed to report to work as two full days of classes after toward a creative redevelopment of Bank Corporation meets on the relations at BU, the University usual, but to use caution. Winter Storm Stella dropped these significant sites,” said Frank fourth Tuesday of each month at usually communicates with Off Campus College Transport over 30 inches of snow on the Evangelisti, director of the Broome the Broome County Public Library. students, faculty and staff (OCCT) buses canceled service all Binghamton area. in more than one way while day Wednesday. Buses are expected It costs the University roughly County Planning Division, when the Meetings are open to the public. trying to disperse safety to return to their normal schedule $2 million each time classes information quickly. on Thursday, Feb. 8, according are canceled, according to a “We use multiple methods to the OCCT website. Broome BingUNews post. of communication to reach County Transit stopped service “This is not a decision we all students, faculty and staff, on some of its routes, including take lightly and in this case the Late Nite Binghamton Presents including B-Alert, B-Line, Dateline, Route 16, which runs express overwhelming information that electronic message boards, the from Downtown Binghamton a major snowfall would occur web and even a voice recording,” to campus. throughout the day today helped Yarosh wrote in an email. “When According to Yarosh, the us decide that canceling classes safety is an underlying issue, we decision to cancel classes is made was in everyone’s best interest,” choose to select multiple modes to by a team of 12 people including Yarosh wrote.
Snow cancels class, buses
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UU Undergrounds
Police Watch
WESTSIDE RENTAL
The following accounts were provided by Investigator Patrick Reilly of Binghamton’s New York State University Police.
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Slightly over the limit SATURDAY, Feb. 3, 4:44 a.m. — An officer driving westbound on West Drive noticed a vehicle ahead of him driving over the yellow line and failing to stay in its lane. The officer stopped the vehicle, and identified the driver as a 20-year-old male. The officer smelled alcohol on the driver, and noticed that he had bloodshot, glassy eyes. When the officer asked the driver if he had been drinking alcohol, the driver said he had not. The officer performed a field sobriety test, which the driver did not pass. The driver was placed under arrest and was transported to the police station, where a breath test was conducted. The test indicated that the driver had a blood alcohol content level of 0.09, and the driver was given a ticket for driving while intoxicated and failing to keep right on a two-lane road.
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Wait, is this Hillside? SUNDAY, Feb. 4, 2:46 a.m. — A taxi driver flagged down an officer near the University Union bus stop and said his passengers left without paying the fare. The driver, a 43-year-old male, said he had driven three passengers back to campus, one male and two 20-year-old females, and gave officers descriptions of the students. According to the driver, the male had walked toward Oneida Hall of College-in-the-Woods, and the female students had walked the opposite direction, toward the University Union and the Admissions Center. The officer was able to locate the two female students inside the University Union, but was unable to locate the male. According to the females, the taxi driver was supposed to drop them off at Hillside Community, but had failed to do so. The students insisted they had given the driver $8 after being dropped off, even though they had not received the service they wanted. The officer bought the females back to the driver and made an agreement that the females would pay the driver $8, and the driver would take them to Hillside Community.
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Pipe Dream is published by the Pipe Dream Executive Board, which has sole and final discretion over the newspaper’s content and personnel. Positions seated on the executive board are denoted by an asterisk. Pipe Dream is published Mondays and Thursdays while classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters, except during finals weeks and academic breaks. The content on the Opinions page with bylines represent the views of those authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Pipe Dream Executive Board. The content of advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views of the Pipe Dream Executive Board. We reserve the right to reject ads for any reason. All letters submitted for publication must include the author's name, year and major. Please limit letters to the editor to 400 words and guest columns to 750 words. Pipe Dream reserves the right to edit submissions, and does not guarantee publication. All submissions become property of Pipe Dream. Guest column submissions may be emailed to the opinions editor at opinions@bupipedream.com, and all letters to the editor may be sent to editor@bupipedream.com. © Pipe Dream 2018
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bupipedream.com | February 8, 2018
Binghamton University establishes Human Rights Institute Research groups examine human trafficking, religion Karen Benitez Contributing Writer
At the start of the semester, the Binghamton University Human Rights Institute opened its doors to students and faculty looking to examine issues such as human trafficking, capitalism and religion. The institute was created by the Citizenship, Rights and Cultural Belonging Transdisciplinary Area of Excellence (TAE), a new method of hiring faculty and supporting research initiated by the University in 2013. The process applies the perspectives of faculty from different disciplines to a specific topic. The proposal for the institute was submitted last semester and was approved by the Office of Academic Affairs. Provost Donald Nieman said the proposal was well-written and included faculty from different disciplines. “It was a strong proposal that drew on the expertise of outstanding faculty from a half dozen departments, promised to facilitate collaboration among these faculty, and enhance Binghamton University’s reputation in
an important area,” Nieman wrote in an email. The institute aims to develop University-based research, teaching and community engagement in international human rights issues. The projects are led by David Cingranelli, the founding director of the institute and a professor of political science, and Alexandra Moore, the associate director and a professor of English. “[The institute’s] goal is to promote faculty research in human rights, to develop ways to bring faculty research to bear on public policy and to create opportunities for students,” Moore said. According to Nieman, funding for the institute comes from the TAE, which will provide a small budget for research and speakers. Nieman also anticipates that the institute will garner support from foundations and other funding organizations as it grows. Currently, the institute has six working groups, or research teams, stemming from proposals by BU faculty and comprised of faculty and graduate students. This semester’s groups include an Anti-Trafficking Project, Human Rights Pedagogies and Capitalism and Human Rights. For undergraduates and other members of the community, the
institute also offers a series of lectures by professors from other universities to showcase their work in human rights fields. Some lectures offer discussions on their work and conversations for educators on how to teach human rights. In the future, new programs may include a human rights minor and a freshman immersion program. If it is approved by Harpur College, the human rights minor could be available as early as fall 2018. The immersion program, modeled after the current Freshman Research Immersion program, will introduce a social science stream for first- and second-year undergraduate students pursuing a variety of majors. If approved, students in the program would take a core human rights course and then start assisting work groups with research. “[The streams] only exist right now in the STEM disciplines,” Cingranelli said. “If approved, it would be the first in the University that is not in STEM.” The institute also collaborates with student organizations including Democracy Matters, Partners in Health and Peace Action. These groups are invited to all functions, including the work groups, and will have access to internships along with the rest of the
Sidney Slon/Contributing Photographer Elizabeth Anker, associate professor of English at Cornell University, spoke to faculty and graduate students at a pedagogy workshop hosted by the Human Rights Institute on Monday.
student body. According to Moore, the institute plans to partner with more student groups to sponsor future events. The institute will be holding their First Annual Human Rights Institute Conference on Monday, Apr. 9 from 9:30
a.m. to 6 p.m at Columbia University. The conference will include keynote speaker Larry Siems, chief of staff at the Knight First Amendment Institute and a writer, who will speak about accountability in human rights.
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ARTS & CULTURE Bhangra Fever returns with global field
Binghamton Bhangra's annual event features eight teams competing in Punjabi dance style Patricia Nieberg Staff Writer
Dancers from Singapore, Canada and across the United States are traveling to Binghamton University this weekend to compete in Bhangra Fever, an internationally recognized competition. The event was first held in February 2009 and will celebrate its eighth year on Saturday, Feb. 10 in the Osterhout Concert Theater of the Anderson Center. Bhangra is a type of folk dance from Punjab, a region of northwestern India and northeastern Pakistan, that is traditionally performed as a harvest dance. Jaspinder Ratth, director of Bhangra Fever and a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, said the style of dance has become more popular in Western culture over the last two decades — especially in the United States and Canada. Pipe Dream Archives “Over the years the University this photo from 2017, a team competes in Bhangra Fever, an annual event that celebrates and showcases the Punjabi dance style. The event, hosted by has seen themselves [that] In Binghamton Bhangra, will be held this year on Feb. 10. Bhangra Fever has actually made a name for itself,” he said. “Last Fever,” Ratth said. “At the time, Tornabene, head of public is truly a bonding experience competed in over 40 Bhangra year’s Bhangra Fever was actually they didn’t have much funding, relations for Binghamton Bhangra for our team and a spectacular competitions; Hardeep Sahota very very successful — there so it was really important and a senior double-majoring event for our audience.” from Vancouver, British Columbia, [are] celebrities that actually had for them to really push hard in psychology and sociology. This year, the event a founder of the Royal Academy of videos that they retweeted from to go get sponsorships and “Everyone really puts their committee received 30 entries Bhangra; and Prabh Saini from this competition. So it kind of get donations and whatnot, heart and soul into making this and narrowed the field to eight Toronto, Ontario, a member of put Binghamton on the map.” just to start something up to event the best it can be, from my teams. These teams will compete Shaan Punjab Dee, the team The competition was dreamed show what they’re capable of.” PR committee making Fever’s for cash and trophy prizes. that won Bhangra Fever in 2017. up by members of Binghamton While the team doesn’t name pop all over campus and When it came to choosing the Ratth also noted that the Bhangra, a coed dance team at BU. participate in the competition, the internet, to the dancers competition judges, the event event has become a weekendlong “They wanted to, in a sense, they do perform an exhibition practicing three hours a day, to committee selected dancers extravaganza. On Friday night, showcase their culture so they dance at the end of the show. our new members making their widely known in the Bhangra the competition committee hosts really wanted to bring forth a Their real work happens behind mark on the way the event’s world: Gurpreet Dhaliwal from a mixer with all of the teams in the competition named Bhangra the scenes, according to Nicki run,” Tornabene said. “Fever San Diego, California, who has Mandela Room in the University
Union. They play icebreaker games, eat dinner and meet the different teams and judges. On Saturday, they hit the stage. According to Ratth, one of his most memorable Bhangra Fever moments was a 6-yearold’s performance. According to him, the young girl stole the show with the same skill level and intensity as her team members. “It just goes to show that dance, no matter what your age is, it’s just how much heart and passion you put into it,” he said. “She was all over YouTube, she had over 200,000 views on Instagram so she really went viral and helped put our competition on the map.” Because Bhangra Fever wasn’t held in 2016, the committee found it difficult last year to get newer students interested in attending a show they didn’t know much about. But this year, ticket sales have improved, Ratth said. “Overall I really think that events like these actually help [BU] because the University is not in a really big town,” he said. “But it’s surprising that people know what Binghamton is, especially through [Bhangra Fever] because it has a really big name. That’s great to know that we can help the school.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase from any member of Binghamton Bhangra, or at the Anderson Center Box Office. Tickets are $8 for students, and $10 for the public if bought in advance. They can also be purchased at the door, at $10 for students and $14 for the public.
Active Minds and WHRW votes to keep streaming SHADES team up DJs will be required to track and share all songs played
'Body & Sex Positivity Carnival' to promote self-love, openness Katy Wong Arts & Culture This Valentine’s Day season, SHADES and Active Minds want you to be your own valentine at the inaugural “Love Yourself: Body & Sex Positivity Carnival.” The event, which will be held in Old Union Hall in the University Union at 7 p.m. on Saturday, aims to integrate themes of self-love and openness. Louis LaSpina, a public relations intern for Active Minds and a junior double-majoring in psychology and human development, said that the missions of both SHADES and Active Minds are to connect students of different backgrounds, personalities and interests, and to promote the idea of being comfortable in your own body. “Body positivity is incredibly important because our minds are so powerful that they can literally distort the way we view ourselves,” LaSpina said. “In severe enough cases, these distortions can be recognized as a symptom of an eating disorder or even result in mental illnesses focused on self-image like body dysmorphic disorder.” According to LaSpina, normal physical quirks like stretch marks, body hair and pimples are often seen as negative traits due to an obsession with perfection. Western beauty ideals also tend to praise fair skin over darker skin tones. “Many people believe that beauty is found in extremely limited Eurocentric standards,” LaSpina said. “SHADES and Active Minds hope to debunk these stereotypes by encouraging self-love and body positivity for everyone.” The main attractions at the carnival are the interactive games and activities that students can
play for a chance to win a variety of prizes, which range from a 5-pound arm-length sex toy to a $2,300 Kaplan scholarship. LaSpina said that over a dozen student groups and campus and community resources will be joining together to host the activities. The more activities and games students play, the more tickets they can acquire to win the prize of their choice. There will be also group fitness activities, including Zumba taught by Sarah Strupp-Levitsky, a fitness instructor at the East Gym and a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience. Eddie Wang, a junior majoring in systems science and industrial engineering, said that the ideas behind the carnival are important ones. “Most people think of Valentine’s Day as just a holiday of celebrating your significant other by showering them with heart-shaped candy and expensive gifts,” Wang said. “The most important thing is to appreciate and accept yourself and your friends everyday.” Aside from the interactive entertainment and unique prizes, the ultimate goal of the Body & Sex Positivity Carnival is to create an open environment for students to discuss taboo topics relating to sex, LaSpina said. “Because Valentine’s Day promotes love through a limited lens, we believe it’s imperative to engage community members in an event that supports self-love,” LaSpina said. “We want people to walk away from our event feeling like a whole person and being reminded that they are worthy of love and happiness.” SHADES and Active Minds’ “Love Yourself: Body & Sex Positivity Carnival” will take place on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. in Old Union Hall in the University Union.
Georgia Westbrook Arts & Culture Editor
WHRW, Binghamton University’s campus radio station, will continue online streaming officially and “for good.” The decision was announced on Feb. 7 in an email from Jeffrey Goldberg, general manager for WHRW and a senior majoring in geography, to the station body. Members of the station voted in a poll distributed via email, and then station board members used those results to inform the ultimate decision,
according to Goldberg’s email. “85% of respondents who voted in the referendum have voted for the stream to continue, and following those results, the WHRW board has voted unanimously to adopt the new rules officially and continue the live stream for good,” Goldberg wrote. WHRW’s streaming challenges began in October, when the station was contacted by SoundExchange, a nonprofit organization that works to collect and allocate royalties for sound recording copyright owners. As a result, the station’s board suspended streaming. As of Jan. 1, the
station had resumed streaming on a probationary basis, with a plan to ask members to vote on permanent streaming. Many members feared that the new rules associated with streaming would dampen the free-format nature the station is known for. The major change to the station’s broadcasting, however, is designed to prevent that and to keep DJs in control. DJs will be required to track the songs they play on a song tracker, which Goldberg wrote is still under development. He also wrote that the station will continue to investigate ways to
broadcast albums or shows that currently violate copyright rules. “I understand that this will be a disappointment to some of you who play full albums, tribute shows, etc., but rest assured, we will continue to look into how other stations get away with these so that, maybe one day, everything can proceed back to normal,” Goldberg wrote. “I want to thank everyone for their patience and support on the matter over the last few months. This was a turbulent, difficult, and distracting process, and I am glad it is behind us.”
Slider resturant slides Downtown Owners of Social on State to open Craft in March Nikkolette Sather Arts & Culture Intern Downtown Binghamton is about to get crafty with a new restaurant set to open in the beginning of March. Craft Bar and Kitchen, from the partners behind Social on State, will be the new face of 135 Washington St., right next to Strange Brew. “We’re excited to get the restaurant open,” said Jay Pisculli, the head chef at Social at State. “We have been working on it for a while so now we are ready to get it going and show people what we can do.” Craft looks to bring a trendy, contemporary vibe to the city and contribute to the revival of Downtown Binghamton. Craft is one of several new restaurants
that have opened or will open soon Downtown. The owners of The Colonial also announced on Feb. 6 that they will be opening a new Mexican restaurant, Dos Rios Cantina, in the coming weeks. One day when Pisculli was cooking at Social on State, one of his business partners, co-owner Adam Tuttle, came up to the the chef’s window and told him about a new concept for a restaurant that focuses on craft beers, craft sandwiches and cocktails. “I have always wanted to name a restaurant Craft, and it played into the handcrafted idea and the fact we’ll have 24 craft beer lines,” Pisculli said. Everything from the menu items to the decor has been hand-selected, according to Pisculli. “We designed the tables
ourselves, they’re unique and will be handmade,” he said. “Everything has our touch on it.” Pisculli said they plan to offer bar staples like loaded fries, tater tots and slider sandwiches. “The idea of the sliders is so you don’t have to be committed to one burger,” Pisculli said. “You can try one of the small burgers and one of the tuna sliders for all under $10. You can mix and match and create more of your own thing.” He said they’re also working to develop healthier vegetarian options, like customizable chopped salads. The team at Craft, according to Pisculli, is looking at the menu as an opportunity to develop new kinds of recipes, since Social on State turned out to be more like a bar and less like
the cocktail lounge it was planned to be. There will be a full bar consisting of wine, handcrafted cocktails and two dozen craft beers. They also plan on serving a special drink that will “set them apart from every other restaurant in Downtown [Binghamton],” Pisculli said. The special drink will be revealed when they open. Craft will be open seven days a week, Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. On Sundays, they also plan to serve brunch. Pisculli said they’re hoping to cater not only to college students looking for a party atmosphere, but also to people who are going out for lunch in the middle of a work day.
OPINIONS Thursday, February 8, 2018
It's unjust to force students to go to college Laws that require post-high school plans are a method of class warfare Jacob Hanna
Contributing Columnist
Annabeth Sloan/Editorial Artist
EAT YOUR HEART OUT
Binghamton University seniors probably remember a time when the Lost Dog Cafe was one of the few places to eat in Downtown Binghamton, but walking in the area today, there are many more options to choose from — and there are even more to come. 205 Dry, a restaurant and bar modeled after a 1920s speakeasy, opened on State Street last month and is owned by Alise Willerton, who also owns Uncorked Wine and Chocolate Loft on State Street. The owners of The Colonial are also double dipping in the local restaurant scene, opening a Mexican restaurant called Dos Rios Cantina in the coming months. The owners of Social on State are introducing a new restaurant, Craft Bar and Kitchen, set to open at the beginning of March on Washington Street. It will specialize in craft beer, craft sandwiches and cocktails. Finally, Strange Brew, a Washington Street staple,
recently added a second location on Court Street. The vibrant restaurant culture in Downtown Binghamton is a recent development, and the new spots prove it’s a successful place to do business. The restaurants are a highlight of the area and make it feel like an up-and-coming city — a vibe that’s appealing to college students looking for new hangout spots. Between BU students and area natives, it seems like everyone enjoys an extensive selection of eateries. The buildings these dining options occupy are often historic, and their adaptive re-use is also something to be celebrated. New eateries in the area
also means more options for Restaurant Week, which helps stimulate the economy every fall and spring and bridges the gap between the University and the community. It’s a good incentive for BU students to explore new spots Downtown, aside from the bars on State Street, and to engage with the local area in a different way. Events like Restaurant Week, the Martini Walk and Mac and Cheese Fest also draw out-of-towners to the Binghamton area. It’s important to note that the people launching these new restaurants own other businesses as well. This speaks to the success of their current businesses — successful enough that
they chose to take on new ventures and open venues within a few blocks of their first businesses. Additionally, many business owners in the area are BU alumni, which also proves that it is possible to stay in the city of Binghamton after graduation and find glowing success. While the Editorial Board is happy to see so much growth in the area, it’s unclear how many restaurants the area can sustain and for how long this growth can last. Ideally, we would love to see an affordable grocery store Downtown as well. For now, however, we’re glad to have some new spots where we can continue eating our hearts out.
Views expressed in the opinion pages represent the opinions of the columnists. The only piece which represents the views of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the Staff Editorial, above. The Editorial Board is composed of the Editor-in-Chief, News Editor, Opinions Editor, Sports Editor and Arts & Culture Editor.
It was a foregone conclusion that before I graduated high school, I chose to go to university. This was the choice that was right for me; I was interested in economics and I wanted to further my studies, earn an advanced degree and get a decent job that would hopefully align with my core beliefs and values. This is the route that many people who are reading this have taken, and all of these cases are unique in some way. As these cases are unique and up to each individual, so are the cases in which students graduating high school choose not to attend university, but instead enter the workforce, take a gap year or enter into an internship, among other things. It is alarming that there exists a trend of legislation seeking to do away with that freedom to choose. Both the city of Chicago and the state of New Mexico have proposed legislation that would force high school students to come up with a post-graduation plan before receiving their diploma. Common choices among the two pieces of legislation include attending college or university, entering into an internship or enlisting in the military. Their supposed “goal” is to increase the high school graduation rate — New Mexico in particular has the second-lowest rate in the country. But if that is indeed the supposed goal, it’s extremely questionable whether it is the right solution to this problem. Outright forcing kids to go to college may raise eyebrows on its own, but with the growing cost of attendance, textbooks, room and board and all of the other expenses, it is simply ridiculous. Per the College Board’s Annual Survey of Colleges, the average tuition and fees of two- and four-year public colleges and private nonprofit colleges have steadily risen, with four-year public schools in particular tripling from $3,190 in the 1987-88 academic year to $9,970 in the 2017-18 academic year,
and private nonprofit tuition and fees more than doubling from $15,160 to $34,740 in the same period. As a result, college enrollment in the United States has been dropping every year since 2010. This makes it clear that college is rapidly becoming out of reach for marginalized communities. With the number of unpaid internships rising, this requirement is no better, especially since they do not result in job offers. However, the most onerous option is military enlistment. It seems to have been stuck in there as the method of last resort for the person who cannot afford college or get into an internship program as a way to bolster the militaryindustrial complex. The fact that this option exists at a time when this country is tired of endless hegemonic war — the person’s own opinions about the military, the country or the war be damned — is ludicrous. If passed, I see this being one of the only options available to marginalized communities who aren’t served in both educational and political systems to begin with. This isn’t a good-faith measure to build plans for these people — it is a method of conscription and class warfare. Mandatory post-graduation plans will fail spectacularly — a sentiment that is increasingly damning when one realizes there are other methods of increasing graduation rates, namely funding all school districts uniformly instead of tying funding to property taxes. This would ensure that all students in all areas receive a baseline of better quality education and that a student’s ZIP code will not determine their future for them. If these plans have to go through, they will fail without untying school funding to taxes, making public colleges and universities tuition-free and feesubsidized, removing the “option” of conscription and demanding paid internships; hopefully, though, these plans will be stopped, and this point will be moot. — Jacob Hanna is a sophomore majoring in economics.
Why shouldn't we study what we love? Response to Brian Deinstadt's Jan. 31 column Wei Xiao
Guest Columnist
Why does one study what one loves? It has been frequently argued that it is the only pathway to thrive in a field, or it is the right choice along which wealth, love and good results would come. However, a bitter taste appears to some undergraduate students who study in conventional liberal arts majors. We present ourselves at career fairs and astonishingly find ourselves with a lack of choice. Perhaps from a compassionate
observation of this kind of frustration, Brian Deinstadt, in his Jan. 31 column, advocated that it is important to consider the market demand of a choosing major, which I agree with partly. However, it is my concern that the reasons for students’ frustration — why students are frustrated and where it comes from — had not been more carefully studied before reaching this conclusion. Pressure from the external environment doesn’t necessarily suggest that following one’s passion is insufficient. This guidance prevails as, presumably, the most effective approach to uncover one’s genuine desire, which benefits a continuous possession of demanded skills.
Aside from career uncertainty, a part of the frustration might come from an inaccurate expectation of a major. Some academic fields, by nature, render fewer demanded skills at an undergraduate level. Whether to reform their curricula — those often embrace splendid potentials and the learning of which only invisibly expands one’s value — is beyond the scope here. However, feeling pressure may be beneficial to students. Through it, one has the chance to reassess the design of their major and accordingly adjust one’s goal. Only when mutual expectations are reconciled can one safely resolve mental pressure. Asserting
that studying what one loves is “largely unhelpful,” simply because of mere dissatisfaction that could result from various factors, is inappropriate. Undergraduate students often struggle with the uncertainty of their future. But perhaps this is exactly why someone could benefit from studying what they love. Through both grief and excitement from the experience, they may quickly identify what they value the most in life, and any necessary change could be welcomed, though never effortlessly. Studying what one loves might be the easiest way to discover or to develop who we are and what we want, after which one can purposefully seek demanded
skills with unremitting efforts. This determination will grow stronger and stronger once one’s goal has been firmly established. For this reason, the crucial value of the guidance should not be diminished, especially at an early stage of undergraduate study. If a student wills immediate financial rewards, then choosing sociology or anthropology, for example, may not be wise. If someone commits to academic research, then they should pursue it until a point when they feel safe to re-evaluate both expectation and reality. But, to those including myself who are uncertain about the future, there may be no better alternatives than to study what makes us
most curious, albeit finding an end is by no means instantaneous or easy. This ought to be more important to new undergraduate students. The prevailing preference of certain marketable traits and skills implicitly determines other characters to be less valuable. Any responsible student should bear that in mind, but it may also be indispensable to relentlessly improve both ourselves and the external environment by studying what we love while finding what we want and who we are. — Wei Xiao is a senior doublemajoring in economics and philosophy, politics and law.
DEAR JESSICA Dear Jessica, I’ve always thought of myself as a “relationship person.” I had a boyfriend for three years back in high school, but we mutually ended things my freshman year. Since coming to Binghamton University, all of the guys I’ve come across seem to just be looking for hookups. It’s exhausting! When I tell them that’s not what I’m looking for, they run in the opposite direction. Where can I find a
nice guy who doesn’t want just it doesn’t mean you never will. If you go into a date or a relationship a hookup? with weighty expectations, it will I think it’s important to meet always disappoint you. With that in in the middle. While it’s good mind, don’t put too much pressure to make it clear that you’re on yourself, either. You describe not there just for a hookup, I yourself as a “relationship person,” wouldn’t immediately say that and this may be true, but don’t you’re looking for a long-term hold yourself off from having new relationship, either. Don’t put experiences because you are trying too much pressure on anything. to fit yourself into that box. It’s Keep in mind that college is not okay to be a “relationship person” the be-all and end-all of romance. and have a hookup every once in If you don’t meet someone now, a while. Your person is out there.
Dear Jessica, Do you have any advice for budgeting meal plan money? I always start out doing well at the beginning of the semester, but then the stress kicks in and I’m constantly eating at the Marketplace and drinking at least two coffees a day. My parents are annoyed that they always have to add money to my meal plan toward the end of the semester. How do I make the money last?
One thing that has been helpful for me is knowing how much is allotted in my meal plan for each day, and paying attention as my meal is being totaled. This way I begin to learn exactly how much each item costs, and can have the more expensive items less often. As far as avoiding expensive Marketplace meals, I always keep a snack in my backpack, whether it be a granola bar or some trail mix, so that if I’m hungry but don’t have time
to get to a dining hall, I have something to hold me over until I’m back in my dorm. Also, I get snacks from Target or Walmart, not the dining halls, where packaged foods are often more expensive and can’t be bought in bulk to save money. I know it’s hard, but try cutting down on the coffee. Maybe substitute one cup with some Lipton tea, which is less than 20 cents in the dining halls.
OPINIONS FFUN UN Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October February October April 3,2,5, 8, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2018 2017
Nate Walker Sleep Tight
Snow Way Out
Snow Daze
Annabeth Sloan
Daniel Eisenhower
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Level: 1 2 3 4 Solution to the Thursday's puzzle
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2/8/18
FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 8, 2018
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THE Daily Commuter Puzzle
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by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Monday’s Puzzle Solved
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@PipeDreamSports FOR LIVE COVERAGE Thursday, February 8, 2018
Players struggle from the line Foul shots have become a lost art in NBA and college Julian Guevara
Pipe Dream Sports
The foul shot is the most underrated facet of the game of basketball and should never be phased out. When it comes down to it, the game is made into an individual sport for one, two or three shots at a time following a foul. This is where the sport becomes mental. If you’re on the visiting team, you’re up against a crowd of boos. If you’re on the home team, then the crowd will be completely silent, which can be just as much of a mental block. The foul shot should be seen as free points, but as time advances, fewer and fewer players are focusing on it. Most notable is the Philadelphia 76ers, which selected point guard Markelle Fultz first overall in the 2017 NBA draft. The dynamic scorer was a one-and-done player at Washington, entering the draft after just one season. Fultz was just a 64 percent shooter from the line in his 25 games at Washington. The talented guard’s shooting abilities, however, have significantly devolved upon entering the NBA. But injuries have sidelined him and now, in the latter half of his rookie season, he has only four games under his belt, totaling just 19 minutes. This is quite the change of pace for someone who played 892 minutes just a season ago. Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond was in a similar predicament, as he too played just one year in college and made a debut in the NBA at 19. The 7-foot center is not relied upon for his scoring, but still received flak for his inability to shoot over 40 percent from the line. Drummond took the extra time and developed his foul shot over the years and is currently above 60 percent from the line this season. This realization came after Drummond found himself aver-
aging seven foul shots per game, but converting on merely 35 percent two years ago during a season in which he was still selected to play in the All-Star Game. This is where a young player such as Fultz, who will eventually be relied upon for his scoring abilities, needs to take out the notepad. Granted, Fultz is currently dealing with an injury to his right shoulder, but his decline in shooting ability since he was drafted is a popular topic of discussion when it comes to the current state of the 76ers. The fact that closely contested games more often than not come down to free throws is often forgotten. Most recently, the No. 10 Kansas Jayhawks had the opportunity to take down one of the best teams in the nation, No. 17 Oklahoma Sooners. The experienced Sooners’ coaching staff used the “Hack-a-Doke” game plan late in the game against Kansas’ sophomore center, Udoka Azubuike, who shoots just over 40 percent from the charity stripe. Jayhawks head coach Bill Self left the talented young 7-footer in the game despite realizing the Sooners’ plan strategy. He went one-for-eight from the line, as the Sooners won the game, 85-80. One college coach’s decision doesn’t necessarily reveal an overall trend in the sport, but if players like Fultz are given playing time moving forward without improving their foul shots, their respective teams will suffer. With only 10 players on the hardwood at any given time, the basketball players who are relied on for scoring must be proficient from the free-throw line. This includes driving in the paint, forcing 3-point plays, and converting the third point should be automatic for a first-overall pick in the NBA draft. Whether it be spending more time on practicing foul shots, or finding a way to deal with the pressure, these young scorers need to adapt.
BU downs Seawolves to secure third place in AE Jonathan Flores/Pipe Dream Photographer Senior guard Imani Watkins reached 226 career 3-point field goals, which broke the program record of 224 set by Erica Carter in 2010. Watkins also reached double figures in scoring for the 24th game in a row, tying the all-time program record set by Rachel Laws during the 2004 season.
Watkins' record-breaking night fuels Binghamton's victory Grace Palumbo Assistant Sports Editor
Coming off a loss at home against Maine on Saturday, the Binghamton women’s basketball team traveled to Stony Brook on Monday eager to capture a victory. The Bearcats (16-8, 7-4 America East) were led by senior guard Imani Watkins’ offensive prowess in a 69-64 win over the Seawolves (13-11, 5-6 AE). The showdown started off with a tone-setting 3-point shot from Watkins, who left the game just five points shy of 2,000 career points. She broke Binghamton’s program record for career 3-point field goal with a total of 226. “[Watkins] is a special player and today she did it on both ends,” said BU head coach Linda Cimino. “She really defended very well
today, and it may not have shown up in the box score, but she did a good job. I’m really proud of her, I know she beat the all-time 3-point record for the school today and [is] closing in on 2,000. Her No. 1 goal this year is to win a championship, and those individual accolades will come with some team success.” The first half featured strong play from both sides of the court. BU surrendered the advantage to the Seawolves only once, but Stony Brook kept itself within only a few points of the Bearcats’ squad. Toward the end of the first half, Binghamton was able to pull away somewhat, ending the second quarter with a ninepoint advantage and leading the Seawolves 34-25 at halftime. “I think against this team it’s important to get stops,” Cimino said. “You have to convert, not even
turnovers, but just defensive stops in the points because last time we got killed on the boards and it just took us out of our rhythm … So we got stops and we got points and it really opened up a lot of things for us. We had a pretty comfortable lead going into halftime.” In the third quarter, the Bearcats added to their lead with solid defensive play, maintaining a double-digit point margin for the majority of the quarter. Toward the end of the fourth quarter, as regulation play was drawing to a close, the Seawolves looked to make up the difference. They were able to get within four points of Binghamton, but with four converted free throws from Watkins, the Bearcats verified their position as the winner. Watkins was Binghamton’s top scorer in Monday night’s game,
with 25 points, while sophomore guard Kai Moon trailed behind her with 17 points. Both of the players’ offensive capabilities and efficient 3-point shooting helped keep BU in control for most of the game. “Kai Moon is tough. She’s a tough player and she most certainly played tough today and knocked down some huge free throws for us,” Cimino said. The Bearcats are scheduled for a rematch against UMBC, a team they beat previously, 81-51. “[UMBC] is going to be tough,” Cimino said. “They’re going to look for revenge against us and we know it’s coming and we’ve got to defend if we want to win.” Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday night from the UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
James continues to thrive in final season as a Bearcat Senior center propels playoff-bound women's basketball through rim protecting and rebounding
Rebecca Kiss/Assistant Photo Editor Capturing both the America East Conference and program record for career blocks in less than three seasons of play, senior center Alyssa James has been a cornerstone of women’s basketball success for several years.
Evan Cole Assistant Sports Editor
Now in her senior season, center Alyssa James has made her mark as one of the most dominant players in the history of the Binghamton women’s
basketball team. Owning both the America East Confernce and program record for career blocks in less than three seasons of play, James’ prowess at defending the paint has made her one of the main catalysts for the Bearcats’ success in recent
years. Despite transferring to Binghamton after spending her freshman season at Division II Caldwell University, James’ connection to the Bearcats was formed in her senior year of high school. “[Binghamton women’s
basketball] has helped me a lot — especially having coach [Linda Cimino] here,” James said. “I’ve known who she was as a person, as a coach since she was recruiting me my senior year in high school, and she has not changed any of her principles or the way that she disciplines us … she holds us all to the same standard.” The niece of NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, James’ elite play at the Division I level may not surprise many. However, having such a strong presence of the sport around her, James initially wanted to stand out by doing something different. “When I was younger, I didn’t actually want to play basketball, mainly because all of my cousins were doing it,” James said. “I used to dance. I danced for eight years … I actually tried out for performing arts schools like Frank Sinatra [School of the Arts] and LaGuardia [High School].” Ultimately, James’ height led her to being recruited to
join a local CYO team in middle school. Initially unwilling to play, James rapidly became one of the best players in her grade by learning the game at its most fundamental level. “At first I was reluctant, but eventually I started playing, and I was terrible,” James said. “[I would] throw the basketball the wrong way, going down the wrong end of the court, scoring on the wrong basket, stuff you do as an unskilled kid. I started getting better [toward] eighth grade and high school and I started really getting into it. I joined the [Amateur Athletic Union] my sophomore summer of high school and it was just up from there.” Off the court, James earned a bachelor’s degree in geography last spring, and is now working toward earning her master’s in the same field. Once a math major, James was swayed to geography by a class that focused on immigrant life in her hometown of Queens, New York. “I just started my graduate degree last semester … I’m
just interested in seeing what other graduate students in my program are accomplishing and I’m excited for what I could accomplish in this program,” James said. “I’m just starting to get into research. I am doing research, but more like how can I interpret the research and how can I put it together toward a thesis proposal? And that’s where I’m at right now. I’m actually thinking about doing something based on food insecurity in the Binghamton area, because there’s a lot of food deserts in the area.” While her career as a Bearcat may be coming to an end this season, James has no intentions of ending her playing career. “I would love to play overseas,” James said. “I’m focusing on that right now, but if not, I know that what I’m doing in the geography front is definitely gonna get me a job wherever I want to. I’m thinking about [playing in] Spain and Portugal, in that area. Italy, France maybe. I haven’t really locked in on anything yet.”