SLAM! poetry Student poets share work at Cyber Cafe West,
Thursday, May 9, 2019 | Vol. XCV, Issue 26 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
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The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Pro-Palestine student activists met with aggression Group captures video of harassment while tabling Sasha Hupka editor-in-chief
A male student was captured on video harassing two members of Binghamton University’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group as they tabled in the Glenn G. |Bartle Library. The video, which was posted to Facebook by SJP on Tuesday evening, showed the male ripping up the organization’s poster board. According to a statement from SJP posted with the video, the male also tore SJP flyers, threw them at the members and yelled insults, shouting that “Palestine [and] Arab values are in contradiction to Western ‘progressive’ values.” Tousif Khan, president of SJP and a freshman double-majoring in classical and Near Eastern studies and physics, said he asked the male to leave during the incident, but the male refused and continued to yell at the members. “He said a few racist things,” Khan said. “What made me mad was the person who was with me was visibly shaken by his actions. This was her first time ever experiencing something like that, and he said, ‘What, you gonna cry about it?’ and
that was just terrible.” According to Khan, the incident is not the first time SJP has faced verbal attacks. In the statement posted by SJP, the group wrote that they were insulted and harassed at several other points throughout the day while tabling. “Criticizing Israel, on any college campus, we expect people to come to us and argue, but this guy went too far with the stuff he did,” Khan said. “We had more opposition than usual that day. Other people that are Zionists came, and they were arguing to further silence us … I think people that agree with [that student] sought us out. Even when it was happening there were students nodding in agreement, and it was really disheartening when he was acting in such a manner and no one was coming to our defense.” The group also wrote that the incident highlights the tension between group members and the Jewish and Zionist organizations and individuals on campus. According to Hillel at Binghamton, the University’s student body is roughly 30 percent Jewish, the highest percentage of Jewish students at any public university in the United States. “This assault and destruction of our property was uncalled for
“Criticizing Israel, on any college campus, we expect people to come to us and argue, but this guy went too far with the stuff he did. We had more opposition than usual that day. Other people that are Zionists came, and they were arguing to further silence us … I think people that agree with [that student] sought us out. Even when it was happening there were students nodding in agreement, and it was really disheartening when he was acting in such a manner and no one was coming to our defense.” — Tousif Khan, president of SJP and a freshman double-majoring in classical and Near Eastern studies and physics
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Pride and Joy Families closes campus office Quarterly LGBTQ+ family planning nonprofit loses state funding Nicole Kaufman
contributing writer
The Binghamton University chapter of Pride and Joy Families, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ families and helping members of the LGBTQ community achieve personal goals, is pledging to maintain an online presence after closing on April 30, when
it lost its funding from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Pride and Joy Families was founded in April 2000 with a $43,000 grant award for LGBTQ Health and Human Services from NYSDOH. For the past 19 years, the organization has provided trainings, educational programs, information and referral services, a directory of LGBTQinclusive services and support for LGBTQ families and prospective parents. Although the organization was denied funding, their application was approved by NYSDOH and they will continue to
exist as a local nonprofit organization in the Binghamton community, according to Claudia Stallman, project director of the Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project. “What the New York State Health Department told us is that this time around more organizations applied, and they made the decision to award some of our competitors this time around rather than us,” Stallman said. “Pride and Joy still exists, but we’ve been enjoying healthy support from the New York State Health Department for
19 years running. We’ve had to lay off our staff and we have closed our office in women, gender and sexuality studies on campus.” Stallman said staff were disappointed when their funding was not renewed because they felt that their application had grown stronger over the course of the past five years, despite the increasing competition within the application pool. “Rather than being under the rubric of the research foundation on campus,
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SUNY SA passes resolution on body cameras BU unsure whether UPD officers will use technology David Julien
contributing writer
The Student Assembly of the State University of New York (SUNY SA) delegate body passed a resolution at this year’s spring conference, calling for university police officers to wear body cameras throughout the SUNY system. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether Binghamton University will implement this change. In the SUNY system, there are currently seven SUNY university police departments that employ body cameras, with SUNY Oswego being the latest to adopt the policy. The cameras are mainly used to document traffic stops and other police encounters and act as a deterrent against any potential conflicts at the point of contact or in court, according to a statement issued by SUNY Oswego. Body cameras were first introduced to the SUNY SA by the SUNY Oswego SA President, Omar van Reenen, a senior double-majoring in political science and biochemistry. In his time as Oswego SA President, van Reenen has pushed for security changes at SUNY Oswego and sought to see the same changes
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rose coschignano pipe dream photographer Despite a recent SUNY SA resolution on body cameras for police officers, it is unclear whether Binghamton’s New York State University Police Department will adopt the technology.
ARTS & CULTURE
OPINIONS
report talks hiring exemptions Hiring freeze began in December 2018 due to financial difficulties Lia Berger
copy desk chief
With state-implemented salary increases for faculty members contributing to a budgetary crisis at Binghamton University, President Harvey Stenger announced a hiring hold in December to combat the financial issue — and an exemption process for departments to petition for hires. The University has released information about the number of people who have been hired as a result of the exemption process during the first few months of the hiring freeze. In a quarterly report issued in late March, Stenger reported that approximately 345 hiring hold exemptions were granted from Dec. 1, 2018 to March 28, 2019, with the majority coming from student employee and staff exemptions. According to Stenger, the exemptions have enabled the University to continue its progress despite the financial challenges. “These numbers represent a significant reduction in hiring compared to past winter months, and I appreciate the effort that department chairs and divisional leaders have given to helping the campus meet the current financial challenges,” Stenger wrote. The salary increases causing BU’s budgetary difficulties come as a result of contract negotiations between the State University of New York (SUNY) and United University Professions (UUP), a higher education union for faculty,
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SPORTS
Tips for a smooth and painless move out,
Learn how to travel around the world on a budget,
The Editorial Board examines the issues with Spring Fling’s ticket fiasco,
Softball avoids elimination at the America East Tournament,
Student-athletes are honored at the 72nd-Annual Varsity Awards Banquet,
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PAGE II Thursday, May 3, 9,2, 2019 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
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SPRING 2019
eDitor-in-Chief* Sasha Hupka editor@bupipedream.com MAnAging eDitor* Katy Wong manager@bupipedream.com
news eDitor* Jacob Kerr news@bupipedream.com Asst. news eDitors Valerie Puma Leora Schwadron Jeremy Rubino
opinions eDitor* Evan Moravansky opinions@bupipedream.com Asst. opinions eDitor Elizabeth Short
Arts & Culture eDitor* Gabriela Iacovano arts@bupipedream.com Asst. Arts & Culture eDitors Calendra Scahill Patrick Earns sports eDitor* Justin Zion sports@bupipedream.com
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Students perform at the Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert on Tuesday night in the Anderson Center. Asst. sports eDitors Edward Aaron Samantha Marsh photogrAphy eDitor* Ariel Kachuro photo@bupipedream.com
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LOCAL NEWS fun eDitor* Annabeth Sloan fun@bupipedream.com
Design MAnAger* Kade Estelle design@bupipedream.com Design Assts. Mikayel Harutyunyan Kaitlyn Scanlon Copy Desk Chief* Lia Berger copy@bupipedream.com Asst. Copy Desk Chief Cherie Litvin
Stabbing incident leads to two arrests Following a stabbing incident on Friday, the Endicott Police Department has charged two residents with assault in the second degree, according to FOX 40 News. Multiple officers responded to an Endicott apartment at 220 Odell Ave. on Friday after reports of several people with injuries came in. An investigation into the scene revealed that two individuals involved in a domestic relationship were engaged in a physical argument during which the perpetrator was brandishing a knife. After several other subjects responded
to the residence in order to aid the victim, a fight broke out and three subjects sustained knife wounds. Christopher L. Camacho, 31, of Endicott, and Jahlil C. Ellis, 26, of Endicott was charged during the investigation.
Brent Dodge, investigators believe the remains may have been there for a few weeks. Dodge said there is no reason to believe foul play is involved, but the death is currently being investigated. STATE NEWS
Human remains found in Johnson City A police investigation is underway in Johnson City after human remains were found in a wooded area on Wednesday morning, according to WBNG. Johnson City Public Works employees noticed the remains in a wooded area near Columbia Drive while filling potholes and called the police. According to Johnson City Police Chief
Man charged for anthrax threats to government officials A man currently serving prison time for threatening to kill former President Barack Obama was charged with five more crimes, including threatening to kill President Donald Trump with anthrax, according to NewYorkUpstate. com. Jared Marc Brown, 23, of Lockport, was indicted on five
counts by a federal grand jury, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced on Wednesday. According to the indictment, in March, Brown sent a letter to a U.S. Secret Service special agent stating, “I’m gonna kill Donald Trump with Anthrax when I get out.” Brown also threatened to murder a U.S. judge, his spouse and a U.S. Secret Service special agent. He now faces a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. NATIONAL NEWS
Donald Trump Jr. subpoenaed to testify to Senate on Russia contacts The Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee subpoenaed
Donald Trump Jr. on Wednesday in relation to the continuing congressional investigations into Russia’s 2016 election interference, according to The New York Times. Trump Jr. was one of President Donald Trump’s close advisors during the presidential election, and the committee is particularly interested in his account of the events surrounding the Trump Tower meeting that played a role in the Mueller report. After two years of investigations, the committee is moving toward a conclusion to eventually release to the public. Part of the process includes bringing back several key witnesses to be questioned again by the entire panel.
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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 2019
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This Day in History May 9, 1926 American pioneer aviator Floyd Bennett pilots navigator-explorer Richard E. Byrd on the first successful flight over the North Pole, earning them both the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor.
Police Watch The following accounts were provided by Investigator Mark Silverio of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. Red Roof Inn SATURDAY, May 4, 2:00 a.m. — A 19-year-old male walked to UPD at 4:32 a.m. to report an incident that happened two hours prior. He said he received a Snapchat friend request from a girl named Rebecca, and after adding her, she called him and asked him to come to a Red Roof Inn in Johnson City, where she said she would perform oral sex on him. She told the male to leave the lights in the room off. The male’s friend recorded the entire call, which was on speakerphone. The male did not go to the hotel because he feared he might be robbed or harmed. After reporting the incident to officers, the male blocked Rebecca on Snapchat. No bathrooms in sight SATURDAY, May 4, 8:21 p.m. — Police officers assigned to patrol the floor of the Events Center during the Spring Fling concert noticed two 23-year-old males under the bleachers. Upon seeing the officers, the males walked away, leaving two puddles of liquid. The males stopped when the officers called for them to come back and said they did not know where the bathrooms were so they urinated under the bleachers. The males offered to clean up the mess and were removed from the concert after doing so.
Christine DeRosa Pipe Dream News
No shirt, no concert SATURDAY, May 4, 9:43 p.m. — Officers assigned to patrol the floor of the Spring Fling concert observed a 19-year-old male jump the barricade separating general admission and the floor section. He started to run around while waving his shirt and officers chased him. Upon being caught and removed from the concert, the male told investigators that his friends encouraged him to run around. He was issued an appearance ticket for Vestal Town Court. Got to get to Denny’s SUNDAY, May 5, 4:18 a.m. — Officers assigned to open the gate on Bunn Hill Road found it already ajar and discovered that the chain and lock that usually secured the gate were missing. Upon reviewing camera footage, officers saw a 19-year-old male in a blue T-shirt park and exit a vehicle before swinging the gate violently until the chain broke off. He took the chain and lock before getting into the vehicle and driving to the Denny’s parking lot. Officers located the vehicle at Denny’s and found both the lock and chain in the vehicle. They entered Denny’s and found the suspect, who initially said he found the lock and chain on the ground. Officers informed him that they saw him break open the gate on camera, and he admitted to damaging the gate to impress his friends. He was issued an appearance ticket for Vestal Town Court.
bupipedream.com | May 9, 2019
NEWS
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LGBTQ family program to keep community connection office from page 1
The Pride and Joy Families office, located in Library North 2408, will be moving off campus.
tyler gorman staff photographer
there’s a small, local New York state-incorporated nonprofit in the community called the Center for Gender, Art and Culture,” Stallman said. “Our program will come under that local community-based nonprofit, so we’ll maintain our nonprofit status. We have an advisory board of community members who will be trying to keep up the presence for Pride and Joy and seek other funding.” Stallman said Pride and Joy Families feels members of the University community, such as families and preprofessional students, have benefited from the oncampus services Pride and Joy Families has offered. Specifically, Stallman said, the LGBTQ Cultural Competency Training includes educating their audiences on appropriate terms to expand their knowledge on the basics of sexual and gender diversity, helping to recreate intake forms that are affirmative and LGBTQ-inclusive. Stallman said being on campus has allowed Pride
and Joy Families to add a research element to their work, specifically with the help from psychology, human development and social work professors. “Having scholars on our advisory board helped us with that social science piece of writing questionnaires, asking effective questions and really doing measurements to see how effective our programs were,” Stallman said. “That’s something that the New York State Health Department requires, that you get feedback from your audience and then take that feedback and improve your programming next time. We actually thought the move to campus would make us more eligible for future funding and would be giving the Department of Health more of what they wanted, but they seem to want something else.” Stallman said Pride and Joy Families will continue to co-sponsor provider trainings and will work to maintain the connections they have made during their time on campus.
Stenger announces about 345 exemptions to hiring hold hiring from page 1 professional staff, contingent employees and retirees of the SUNY system. It mandated that SUNY staff will be granted a two-percent pay increase lasting retroactively from the 2016-17 academic year until July 2022. Despite the state-issued increase, New York state declined to provide coverage for the costs, leaving it to the University and other SUNY schools to manage the deficits.
The University has approached the financial challenges in a number of ways, including the hiring hold. In his report, Stenger thanked the faculty and staff who have been managing the effects of the hiring freeze. “I recognize that this has put a burden on our departments and divisions, and I commend the faculty and staff who have stepped up to fill the holes that have resulted,” Stenger wrote. Among the affected faculty
members is Colleen Marshall, assistant to the chair of the history department, who was forced to cover a job vacancy for another department after the hold was put in place. “I would say that mostly it’s affected us because we’ve had to fill in for another department who lost an employee due to first a maternity leave, then she decided not to come back,” Marshall said. “She wanted to stay home with the newborn child, and we’ve covered for that
department since October due to the loss of that position and not being able to fill it until now. So they’re just now in the process.” Marshall said she is also concerned about the hiring hold’s future effect on the history department. “I am concerned about what might happen to us when we do or do not get any lines or positions going forward, because I think it can really affect our enrollment, especially because there was this whole push for
the 20,000 students by 2020, so we are faced more and more with creating 100 and 200-level seats for incoming freshmen,” Marshall said. “If we don’t get the hires that we need, our enrollment is not going to be able to take care of the students that we have coming in the fall.” Matthew Hollis, an adjunct lecturer of history and undergraduate advising assistant for the history department, said he is worried about the University’s ability
to hire a sufficient number of teaching assistants for large lower-level courses. “Are we getting affected by [the hiring hold]? I’m sure we are,” Hollis said. “We’ve always struggled with maintaining a balance between student demand and student seating and teaching assistants. But I also think that’s sort of a general trend in the humanities [obviously], but I have no doubt the hiring freeze has made it a little more difficult.”
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isaiah king-cruz contributing photographer An Education 411: Mental Health in Education student presents her research project about the effects of caffeine on mental health at Wednesday’s Mental Health Exposition in the University Union.
Mental Health Exposition showcases student research Education-based projects focus on mental health Phariha Rahman pipe dream news
Mental health and its relationship to education was the focus of the Mental Health Exposition held on Wednesday afternoon in the University Union. The event featured the research of students in Education 411: Mental Health in Education and was sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega, a coed service fraternity. According to Tracy Lyman, a lecturer of teaching, learning and educational leadership, students in the class chose a topic related to mental health and education, then looked at past research on that topic and collected their own data and information, either through surveys or speaking to education professionals. The exposition, which happens at the end of every semester, showcased the students’ findings.
“We like to raise awareness and it provides an opportunity for students to share and present their information and just get the community talking more about mental health and hopefully break some stigma as well,” Lyman said. Research topics included the effects of creative expression, recess and social media on students and their learning. Mental Health Outreach Peer Educators (M-HOPE) and SEEK, formerly known as the High Hopes Helpline, were also present at the event. Sabrina Jorge, a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, researched Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS), an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, which creates a multitiered approach to social, behavioral and emotional support. Tier one is preventative and creates a reward system to teach appropriate behavior to all students. Tier two aims
to identify students who need additional behavioral support. Tier three is for kids who may need teachers’ aides. According to Jorge, PBIS involves many simple practices, such as checking in with children about how they feel. Jorge said she believes the PBIS model has many benefits. “I think it would boost the graduation rate of not just all kids but special education students,“ Jorge said. “I think it would just benefit the kids. It boosts their confidence, teaches them how to seek the help they need — and they’re succeeding.” According to Jorge, about 20,000 to 30,000 schools nationwide implement PBIS. Although it is used in few schools, she said knowledge of the initiative and funding to implement it could help expand the program. “I think maybe they just don’t know about it,” Jorge said. “Also, I read an article and in a lot of places there isn’t enough funding for programs like these.”
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NEWS
bupipedream.com | May 9, 2019
rose coschignano pipe dream photographer
BU Bees is planning to build pollination boxes in the Binghamton University Nature Preserve in an effort to protect the bee population.
BU Bees to install pollinator boxes in Nature Preserve Club seeks to protect bee population on campus Kelly Coyne
pipe dream news
During finals week, Binghamton University Bees is planning to take advantage of the warmer weather to install pollinator boxes throughout the Nature Preserve. The boxes, which will serve as shelter for a variety of species, will also aim to educate visitors on local conservation efforts. BU Bees, which was formed in spring 2018, has previously focused on educational outreach and maintaining a honeybee apiary in Nuthatch Hollow in the Nature Preserve by Bunn
Hill Road. Members now hope to create a safer environment for the abundance of native pollinators on BU’s campus. According to Dylan Gavin, treasurer for BU Bees and a junior majoring in psychology, the club was formed after students voiced concerns about declining bee populations, which have been hindered largely by agriculture and the homogenization of landscapes. “I understood the issues facing the bee population and wanted to join to help combat some of the situations bees are facing as well as educate the rest of the student body,” Gavin wrote in an email. The boxes were constructed by Dylan Horvath, steward of natural areas at BU. Horvath
wrote in an email that their installation will allow for a more balanced and diverse ecosystem. “The bee boxes give solitary bees a place to reproduce that may be closer to their food sources and in turn keep flowers reproducing,” Horvath wrote. “Many flowering plants produce food for other animals in the form of fruit or seeds, so pollinators help other life.” Native pollinators are hindered because they often live in the ground or low-lying plants, where they can be more easily disturbed by land usage, visitors or an overabundance of other species. The overpopulation of deer has been a concern for the Nature Preserve in recent years, as they disrupt balance in the ecosystem by consuming large
quantities of these plants. Sage Daughton, a junior majoring in environmental studies, said he has observed the detrimental effects of overpopulated deer, which consume large quantities of low-lying plants firsthand, while volunteering in the Nature Preserve. “I think with the increasingly abundant deer populations, the undergrowth of the preserve has been vastly destroyed, and ground-nesting pollinators are disadvantaged,” Daughton said. “The boxes would be advantageous because pollinators propagate plant species and allow flora and fauna to flourish.” Native plant species, which bees utilize to forage for food,
can be lost due to the mowing and manicuring of campus lawns. According to Molly Heit, outreach officer for BU Bees and a junior doublemajoring in biochemistry and integrative neuroscience, future projects include creating small pollinator gardens in unmaintained areas near the Nature Preserve. In conjunction with Physical Facilities’ lowmow plan, which would require less frequent mowing of certain campus areas, greater areas for food foraging could help maintain or increase healthy pollinator populations. “These habitats might not be the main habitats of the native pollinators in the Nature Preserve, but they’ll be available resting grounds,” Heit wrote
in an email. “When pollinators are surrounded by available forage, they will be more apt to stick around and pollinate the ecosystems around them.” In addition to these projects, BU Bees plans to create signage to place in the Nature Preserve that will educate visitors on actions they can take to protecting pollinators at home. “These solutions range from taking care to prioritize and protect native pollinators, to eating locally and sustainably and planting pollinator gardens,” Heit wrote. “The fine details of how those things get done is the block between knowing and making the difference. So our club is here to start putting some of that knowledge into action.”
Stenger responds Seven SUNY campuses have to Bartle incident implemented body camera rules video from page 1 and a representation of the relationship between Zionists and Palestinian activists on Binghamton campus,” the statement read. “Unable to engage in civil discussion or find any way to justify the ongoing occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinians they resort racist violence to silence us.” In response to the incident, Hillel and the Binghamton University Zionist Organization (BUZO) posted statements on Facebook condemning the attack. “Although we support Zionism and see it is an imperative, we also support and encourage discourse and dialogue,” BUZO’s statement read. “BUZO does not by any means condone intimidation, aggression and violence in any form. We do not consider those who choose to engage in these inexcusable behaviors as part of our community … We hope that those who felt attacked today know that we are here to lend our support to them.” The incident, which is currently being investigated by Binghamton’s New York State University Police Department (UPD) and the Dean of Students office, was met with concern from students on social media and prompted a statement from the University released on B-Line on Wednesday afternoon. “The University deplores all acts of racism and any action that limits the expression of ideas,” the statement read. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the core mission of the University; academic inquiry and the exchange of ideas rest on the
principle that all have a right to express their beliefs. We strongly condemn any acts that impede the expression of those beliefs and caution anyone who attempts to inhibit another’s free speech.” The University also wrote that “swift and decisive action” will be taken against the male once the investigation concludes. However, Khan said the University’s statement was not adequate, calling it “vague.” “[There was] no mention of SJP or Palestine or the core point that Palestinians are allowed to voice their concerns without having to face racist insults and aggressiveness,” Khan said. “The attack on the poster was a racist attack on Palestinian voices to shut them down, and the statement in no way recognizes that or consoles those groups affected by it.” According to Khan, he and other group members are open to respectful discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and he said although SJP opposes Israel’s actions in Palestine, the group is not antiJewish, listing anti-Semitism as an offense in its constitution. “I respect people who come to us generally wanting to have a conversation about the conflict, even if they’re from the other side,” Khan said. “People who can do that, respectfully, even while also listening to us and showing they’re here to converse rather than to silence us or argue with us — those people are who I have respect for.” Valerie Puma and Jeremy Rubino contributed reporting to this article.
cameras from page 1 implemented SUNY-wide. Despite the recommendation of the resolution, Harry Bittker, BU Council student representative and a senior majoring in political science, wrote in an email that there are currently not any efforts to implement body cameras at BU. “I have not heard anything about this being in the process of being implemented,” Bittker wrote. “The resolution is [nonbinding] and merely expresses to decision makers the opinion of the delegate body on behalf of SUNY students.” In the city of Binghamton, body cameras have been in effect for police officers since late 2015, when Mayor Rich David signed an executive order calling for the technology to be implemented. John Pelletier, chief of police at BU, wrote in an email that UPD
took notice of that change, but although the possibility of body cameras being implemented has been discussed, the topic has not progressed to the next phase. “There has been some discussion at system administration about whether body [cameras] should be deployed in police departments system-wide, but it is still in the discussion phase,” Pelletier wrote. “Ultimately, we will take our direction from system administration.” Some students feel body cameras should be implemented sooner rather than later, such as Anjali Abraham, a senior majoring in mathematics. “Implementing body cameras would a good idea, especially on a campus that is so diverse,” Abraham said. “This is a very conservative area so I think this would be a good way to keep cops accountable. There
really isn’t a downside.” Nationally, police body cameras has been met controversy, primarily concerning the possible invasion of privacy that can emerge as a result of the peripheral footage. Eamonn Hussie-Taylor, a junior majoring in psychology, said he recognizes this issue, but believes that if they are utilized properly, body cameras can be an asset to campus. “On one hand, I have heard of instances of discrimination where body cams could be helpful, but increased
surveillance is always a bit risky,” Hussie-Taylor said. “Overall, I do think it is a good idea if they are implemented properly.” Adrian Doherty, a senior majoring in economics, said the benefits of body cameras outweigh the potential costs. “I think I would be okay with them being implemented because if a ‘he said, she said’ situation occurred there would be evidence to show the truth of the matter,” Doherty said. “It wouldn’t be too much of a breach of privacy and would be beneficial to the overall greater good.”
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OPINIONS Thursday, May 3, 9,2, 2019 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
OUT OF LINE Spring Fling is one of, if not the most, anticipated Student Association (SA)-sponsored events on campus every spring semester.
max samson art director
Annually, the SA hosts a myriad of activities from carnival food to rides to a free concert at the day’s end. While this year’s Spring Fling remained a success for all involved, there’s one issue that took away from many students’ ability to enjoy the day: the ticket line. Lines are to be expected, especially when free things are being distributed. The problem is that the ticket line for Playboi Carti’s concert was obtrusive, destructive and, most importantly, a serious hazard. On Thursday night, the Student Association Planning Board (SAPB) decided it was best to relocate the concert indoors because of impending weather and sent an email to all BU students with a link to reserve tickets online. The link went live at 9:30 p.m., three
hours after the email was sent, allowing students to reserve more than one ticket if they so desired. An easy solution to a simple problem. With the possibility of rain, it isn’t exactly a surprise that the main concert would be moved indoors. This happened at Spring Fling two years ago, when students stormed the West Gym to see Mac Miller perform — a serious hazard that warranted better crowd-control policies. But despite multiple examples of the need for a rainy weather backup plan, the line for this year’s Playboi Carti concert demonstrated that the SA has not learned from their past mistakes. Despite the ease that could have been provided with digital tickets, the SA directed students to pick up physical copies
from the SA Ink office during Spring Fling — located in the already stuffy University Union basement. It began as a small trickle — a quick in-and-out. But as the day went on, the line devolved into something between disorder and chaos. Within two hours, the line stretched as far back as the Fleishman Center and necessitated both a physical barricade and the presence of three Binghamton’s New York State University Police (UPD) officers to maintain the semblance of organization. Students who did not get their ticket early into Spring Fling were subjected to crowding, high temperatures and humidity, and a wait that was well over an hour. For many students, this stole a great deal of time away from the Spring Fling that they’d normally have
many hours to enjoy. Some even took advantage of that wait time, selling tickets for $30 and higher to people who wanted to go to the concert, but couldn’t or wouldn’t stand in line to do so. It’s hard to argue nothing went wrong if free tickets can be sold so easily. The line also became a serious obstacle to organizations whose offices line that very hallway. Students heading to the mailroom and members of WHRW 90.5 FM, Free Press, the Binghamton Review, PULSE and Pipe Dream were all blocked from accessing their offices by a considerable number of bodies — a problem when organizations are trying to pick up and drop off supplies for tabling. The line’s effect didn’t stop after it was gone, either. Bulletin boards were damaged
and trash and spilled liquids left the hallway in dismal condition. In addition, the line posed a safety hazard to students. If someone in the line had a medical emergency, it would have been extremely difficult for first responders to get to them and give them adequate medical attention. If a fire alarm had gone off, the already disorganized line would be transformed into a slow-moving stampede out of the building, risking someone getting injured. All of this leads the Editorial Board to ask: Why could the tickets not have been digital? Why could the distribution of tickets not take place outside? Why did UPD show up after the line became hectic and uncontrolled, and weren’t notified in advance about the need for crowd-control services
by the SA? There are too many questions and not enough answers. Multiple SA officers did not respond to requests for comment, and Michelle Dao, executive vice president of the SA, refused to answer any questions about the situation or the SA’s considerations when planning ticket pickup. The Editorial Board would like to recognize the efforts of the SA in creating a needed day of fun and relaxation, as well as UPD’s contribution to maintaining order where order was not had. Nevertheless, there is always room to improve, and when it comes to the safety of BU students, this improvement cannot wait. We’ve seen what ill-planned crowd control has done before — let’s do better for the next Spring Fling. Students deserve it.
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.
Senior Column: BU was the right choice
Senior Column: I’m the only one of me
Choosing the public ivy was the best decision I could’ve made
Trying new things can help you discover more about yourself
Emily Houston Opinions Columnist
I never wanted to go to Binghamton University. From the very first time I made the list of colleges I wanted to apply to for undergrad, I made sure to keep BU off of it. It’s not that I didn’t think it was a good university — even four years ago the reputation of the “public ivy” was pretty well-known — I just didn’t see myself going to a SUNY. NYU, University of Vermont, The New School —all of those sounded more my speed. Looking back, I can admit what 17-year-old Emily couldn’t: I thought I was too good to go to a state school. Thank God my parents forcibly put it on my list. Though I got into all those other colleges, my parents were convinced BU was a better fit for me (and their wallets), so it was only begrudgingly that I agreed to push that accept button at 11:58 p.m. on May 1, 2015, securing my four years as a Bearcat. If only I had known what I was accepting when I pressed that button, it wouldn’t have been done it so begrudgingly. I thought that BU was a school just for smart people. I thought the only people who went here were ones who insisted on getting straight A’s, putting extracurriculars on their résumés, pulling all-
nighters in the library every night and showing up for class every single morning. If that sounds like a single one of you, we most certainly haven’t met. Here’s what BU really was: It was Kiera convincing me to skip my 200-plus pages of reading in favor of getting kicked out of the Big Sean concert because Lauren couldn’t keep her hands to herself. It was being carried to a cab on State Street by Ashley after some boy snapped my ankle in JT’s. (Honestly, I deserved that just for ever agreeing to step foot in JT’s.) College was hosting a roast for Dan in our Marcy Hall suite in Mountainview College, squeezing 25 people’s beds into that common room for Parade Day, then being dared to kiss TJ as he slept on that couch after he’d momentarily collapsed on our bathroom floor. BU was drinking in the College-in-the-Woods Dining Hall with Danielle the second she stepped out of her car to visit me at 2 p.m. It was Halloweekend 2016, the most absurd weekend of my life that involved a hospitalization, an (unrelated) arrest and a pair of lost glasses. (I don’t think I should name names on that one, but you know who you are.) It was Sophia and I stealing so many floor tiles from Tom’s to race our turtles on that they actually had to replace the entire floor. (Sorry, Larry.) It was smoking with Devin’s dad — not Devin — on Mario’s balcony and taking shots with
Sophia and our landlord at the Rat. In case my parents are reading this, please know that your tuition dollars did actually fund some learning. Between nights on State Street, there were in fact some all-nighters pulled in Glenn G. Bartle Library struggling to write the most complex, frustrating and rewarding political science papers I’ve ever constructed. Even if I was a little — let’s be real, very — hungover, I would still be sitting in my Shakespeare discussions every Friday morning debating just how much of a misogynist prick our most famous playwright is. And even though I might have put more hours in at the Theta Chi house than writing at my desk, I’ve still made it through four years as a Pipe Dream Opinions writer. I could not be more proud to be graduating from BU — a public, SUNY university. I’m so grateful to live in a state with such an extensive public school system, and when I’m busy applying to law schools in the fall, public colleges are exactly where I’ll be turning to. BU turned out to be the most perfect combination of days spent learning and nights of pure obscenity. I know I said I never wanted to go here, and I really meant it at the time. Now I’d do anything to not have to leave. — Emily Houston is a senior double-majoring in political science and English.
Katherine Scott Staff Photographer
I was a spring admit to Binghamton University in 2016. By the time I got here, I had spent a semester at another SUNY. It was a discombobulated time in my life. I moved in days before the regular students came back from winter break and spent days alone in my new dorm room. Not a great start for me. However, my brother, James, and my other two friends from home, Joe and Mariel, were there for me during my rather difficult adjustment period. James told me about Pipe Dream and WHRW 90.5 FM — the two clubs that would define my college experience. At Pipe Dream’s general interest meeting (GIM), I had originally only come to sign up for the Arts & Culture section. On a whim, I signed up for Photography as well. I barely knew how to adjust the settings on a camera and had minimal experience with a DSLR camera. I was also incredibly intimidated by the photo editor at the time because of my own meekness and his high expectations. I quickly started doing sports coverage. I was given a camera that was worth more than my entire life savings. I soon began figuring out how to do basic setting changes on the fly during softball games, learning what ISO, white
balance, aperture and other functions meant. It was insane to not ask for a tutorial before taking a professional camera with a lens the size of my arm onto an athletic field, where I was in the line of fire of various sports balls, but I figured it out. And I absolutely loved it. At BU, I’ve had the highest highs and the lowest lows. I have struggled with confidence and my value in this world. I have learned that telling white lies to make the people around me worry less doesn’t work, especially when I eventually crack from the pressures I constantly put myself under. To my brother James: Thank you for encouraging me to join Pipe Dream (and WHRW Binghamton). I have no idea who I would have been without these organizations. Also, thank you for always being my guide. I don’t know where I’d be without you. I love you. To Mariel and Joe: Thank you for letting your friends be my friends. In the beginning at BU, I was alone. Well, I thought I was alone. The two of you always welcomed me to hang out with your friends without feeling like a burden. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and your wonderful friends for taking care of me my freshman year (and the rest of my time here). To all my closest friends (you know who you are): Thank you for sticking around. I love you all more than you even know. Thank you for valuing me.
To WHRW Binghamton: We’ve been through it together. We are in each other’s space and business most days of the week — it’s a mystery how we’ve lasted. To be real, there were difficult times. But make no mistake, I am definitely a WHRW kid and I will miss that dirty lobby. You have given me some of my closest friends in life. Keep it lit. To She’s the First: You girls swooped in when I felt so low. I was only a part of you for two years, but in that time I managed to become president. You’re all wonderful ladies with such big hearts. Thank you. To my parents: You have held me up my whole life, even when I’ve made it so difficult. Thank you both for always being there when I make hysterical phone calls about small problems that feel so big. I love you both. And of course, to Pipe Dream: I have always felt like I belonged, even in the times when I disappeared because I was too busy to come to meetings and take jobs. I was always welcomed back with open arms; thank you all for that. To all the photo editors and assistant photo editors I’ve ever had: Thank you for never forcing me to do Weekend Warriors. I kid, but thank you for all the encouragement and love. — Katherine Scott is a senior double-majoring in art and design and political science.
bupipedream.com | May 09, 2019
OPINIONS
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Senior Column: Know yourself, know your worth College is the place to discover yourself Theo Mason Staff Photographer
I remember when I got my acceptance email from Binghamton University — March 28, 2015 — I was so ecstatic, and my family was so proud of me. Growing up in New York City, my one goal was to make it to college and graduate. Now, I’d like to take some time to look back on where I’ve been. So much has changed since freshman year — like being an integrative neuroscience major, and everyone you met was an integrative neuroscience major, but now you’re a senior and no one’s an integrative neuroscience major because they all got nuked
by Chemistry 231: Organic Chemistry I. I remember when the Marketplace was the only place on campus to get Starbucks, or that we used to actually get two reading days for finals rather than just the weekend. I remember when it was extremely easy to steal from dining halls. All things change, and change is inevitable in life, but how we react to the change is what we’re measured by. The lyrics “Know yourself, know your worth” from Drake’s song “0 to 100” is the realest thing he has ever said in his career, and it’s something that I try to embody every day. I mean, no one else can be you as well as you can (I know, very cliché statements). In my pursuit of living out this quote to its fullest, I had to learn a few things. First, no one gives a shit about how weird you are; there’s always going to be someone
weirder than you and it’s better to find people who like you for you rather than the you you’re trying to be. Second, college students really do have crappy attention
I personally wasn’t too involved on campus, just a few organizations and clubs here and there, but eventually I joined the Bert Mitchell Minority
“It was here that I found the friends that I would know for the rest of my life.” spans, myself included. Lastly, everyone struggles, even though it might not seem like it. Staying true to myself and my values is what kept me going even when I wanted to quit.
Management Organization as their historian and then their public relations coordinator. It was here that I found the friends that I would know for the rest of my life; and I’m talking the real type of
friends, the ones you can call day or night and they’d be there for you; or if you just need to shotgun a beer, they’d bring a six-pack. I got into photography just by taking photos of friends and family, and always enjoyed it. I started to get good at it, even to the point that people wanted to pay me to take their photos. I so relished in my experience taking photos that I decided to join a photography club on campus, but realized that this wasn’t what I was looking for and stumbled upon Pipe Dream Photography. It was here that I learned about different forms of photography and gained more technical skills that I was able to take away for my freelancing. I’ve been on the paper for two years now, and it’s been one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. Just as fast as it came is as fast as it’s gone. I am going to
miss a few things once I leave BU, though: Pulling all-nighters in Glenn G. Bartle Library with friends trying to finish things that we procrastinated on. Faking being drunk to get a seat on the last bus to campus from State Street. Throwing TVs off roofs, drinking just because you’re bored and most of all, the Tully’s lady with the loudest voice in the Marketplace — “What kind of dipping sauce?” You always hear “Your college days are going to be the best years of your life,” and honestly, if you’re not a senior and you’re reading this, I hope that you make the most out of the time that you have left here because trust me, you’ll never have the chance to do anything like this again. Like, ever. — Theo Mason is a senior majoring in integrative neuroscience.
Senior Column: Binghamton is a surrogate home Being a student is a chance to leave a mark on the community Hannah Gulko Pipe Dream News Contributor
It is easy to complain, and believe the complaints, about Binghamton. Every town has its flaws, and they are even more obvious when the weather is below freezing for more than half the year. It is common to hear, often from those who come from upper-middle class homogenous suburbs like mine, that Binghamton is a “run-down ghetto.” However, Binghamton is not a dump, a slum or a ghetto. Those terms, which already carry a racially charged connotation, are things I hear too often to describe this temporary hometown of ours, simply because people misunderstand the area and are unwilling to learn. Binghamton is a diverse city
filled with neighbors who invite you to barbecues, strangers who will help dig your car out of the snow, activists who are working endlessly to create change and students who provide different and important perspectives. Binghamton has its problems. We have a jail that disproportionately incriminates black and brown residents; a jail in which we have documented eight deaths since 2011. We have government officials who are not efficiently responding to the opioid crisis, schools that contribute to the prison pipeline and developers who are gentrifying the area, which displaces low-income residents. These are facts about Binghamton, but these problems don’t make Binghamton a bad city, or a bad place to live. Instead, these problems should motivate students to fight — fight for equality, justice and care for all. As students, we hold a unique position of privilege
“Binghamton is a diverse city filled with neighbors who invite you to barbecues... and students who provide different and important perspectives.” in this community. We should use it to our advantage, forcing a resurrection of the town and our relationship with it so there is a greater focus on creating opportunities for Binghamton
residents. Binghamton has potential, but we must educate ourselves and work together in order to fully reach it. Like I said before, this city is misunderstood. We
must start trying to understand it. I have been lucky to have met and been supported by a tremendous amount of incredible people during my past four years here at Binghamton University and in this city. To Mom, Dad, Kyle and Lela — Thank you for always being there for me on this journey, and all the journeys to come. To Tom’s — Thanks for the good times. Couldn’t have done it without you. To Pipe Dream — Thank you for teaching me about this wonderful community we live in, and for reminding me to always keep my eyes open. To Truth Pharm and JUST — Keep kicking ass. It’s an honor to work alongside you. To my Oak Folk — Thank you for keeping me entertained and laughing, and for providing me with ridiculous stories I can tell people so they’ll (somehow, hopefully) think I’m cool. You
have made our house a home. To Kaitlin, Julia, Aly and Becca — Thank you for accepting and loving me for all my weirdness. I am so lucky to have each of you in my life. To my Jillian — Thank you for understanding me better than almost anyone. Thank you for answering my incessant phone calls, making me smile and bringing me peace of mind. I am always so proud of you. To Jacob, Sara, Megan, Rachael, Megan and Regan — You guys are my everything. You have been there every step of the way and I can’t wait to see where your next steps take you. You are the family I choose, all days and every day. Thank you endlessly, for all that I am. And to the city of Binghamton — Thank you for providing the perfect backdrop for these past four years. Thanks for it all. A piece of my heart will remain with you forever. — Hannah Walter is a senior majoring in sociology.
Senior Column: The world is a beautiful place I am no longer afraid to graduate Kojo Senoo Staff Photographer
The impending demise of humanity on this planet is becoming a lot to deal with. There are a ton of reasons to be depressed and anxious, but the fact that over the course of just a few hundred years, an incredibly small minority of people who have controlled capital and the means of production have driven humanity to the brink of climate destruction definitely takes the cake. Adding to all of the stressors that exist in our current lives, a culture of grind that emphasizes studying over sleep and working to the point of exhaustion, is that all of this will figuratively and literally wash away. The predatory schemes of student loans will also leave most of us unable to go into the workforce without massive
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amounts of debt or opportunity to purchase valuable property on the soon-to-be Pittsburgh oceanfront. This all sounds very bleak, and it is. We live in a mixed-up, muddled-up, shaken-up world. Things do suck. However, in spite of all of that, this is also a time of optimism. My time here at Binghamton University has been emblematic of that. For how easy it is to be pessimistic because of what we know, there is always the ability to be an optimist because of will — the will to make the most of what we have. Even at the premier public ivy of the NorthEast-Mid-Atlantic-SouthernTier-of-New York, there is constantly a need to fight for what is right and what is just. Few things have satisfied that optimistic will more than the organizing I’ve been able to do in Binghamton, mostly by way of the College Progressives and Frances Beal Society. I have only
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“Even at the premier public ivy of the NorthEast-Mid-AtlanticSouthern-Tier-of-New York, there is constantly a need to fight for what is right and what is just.” love and appreciation for those I’ve worked with, as well as love and appreciation for all that we have won. I’ve also begun to appreciate and make peace with the fact that many of us
won’t stop fighting for justice anytime soon. To explain what this fight means, there isn’t a better phrasing of it than Buenaventura Durruti’s following words: “We
Guest Column A full-length column that argues a particular point of view Can be a response to previously-printed columns 500-650 words in length Accompanied by a headshot portrait (taken by our photography staff)
have always lived in slums and holes in the wall. We will know how to accommodate ourselves for a while. For you must not forget that we can also build. It is we who built these palaces and cities, here in Spain and America and everywhere. We, the workers. We can build others to take their places. And better ones. We are not in the least afraid of ruins. We are going to inherit the earth; there is not the slightest doubt about that. The bourgeoisie might blast and ruin its own world before it leaves the stage of history. We carry a new world here, in our hearts. That world is growing in this minute.” That love extends to how I’ve been able to indulge into the third-biggest component of my personality after cuffing denim and liking Wes Anderson films — music. My time on WHRW 90.5 FM and Binghamton Underground Music Presents has been one full of joy and the
constant validation from people I love that the music I like both slaps and bops. That appreciation extends to how I’ve been able to grow as a photojournalist here at Pipe Dream, and how I’ve become certain that it’s what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. There’s a lot to be said with how I’ve been able to cover some truly amazing events and experiences here at BU, but I won’t say much here as I figure my photos can speak for themselves. Neither my love nor appreciation for those things will end here at BU. For all the misery and suffering there is in this world, there is also an immense amount of beauty that surrounds us. That beauty is always something worth fighting for, from how it manifests on the grand scale of existence to the mundane everyday realities of life. — Kojo Senoo is a senior triple-majoring in philosophy, political science and sociology.
Letter to the Editor A response to any of the content in Pipe Dream, including opinions columns, editorials, news, arts and culture and sports stories Should end with a signature (e.g. From, Your Name) 200-500 words in length
Students take the stage at Cyber Cafe West open mic Slam Poetry Club members perform May 7 Patrick Earns
assistant arts & culture editor
Looking out at a crowd of about 20 people, members of Binghamton-based acoustic duo Johnny Unheimlich waited for the sound crew to give them the signal to start. The singer, Nick Ransom, held his guitar in one hand and a craft beer in the other. When he was asked to play for sound check, he strumed one string repeatedly with his free hand and laughed when the operator told him to set his drink down and play a chord instead. “It’s priorities, man,” Ransom said. “It’s priorities.” Johnny Unheimlich performed at Cyber Cafe West’s monthly open mic on Tuesday, May 7. The cafe, located on Main Street, holds an open mic on the first Tuesday of every month, giving Binghamton University students and community members an opportunity to show off their talents in a 15-minute time block if they can get their name on the sign-up sheet quickly enough. The show went from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and brought a wide variety of musical and spoken word performances. This particular open mic served as an opportunity for
A Slam Poetry Club member performs at Cyber Cafe West’s monthly open mic on Tuesday.
members of Slam Poetry Club, the University’s spoken word poetry club, to get off campus and perform in the broader Binghamton community. Aspen Rust, president of Slam Poetry Club and a senior majoring in psychology, said as a slam poet, it’s especially important to get experience performing with a crowd. “Slam poetry’s a little bit
different than normal poetry — we’re meant to read it out loud instead of on paper, so that’s kind of what we focus on,” Rust said. “But we also want people to be able to be comfortable stepping onto a stage and expressing themselves and getting used to their own voice.” Rust said the group decides what material to perform at each event in the moment rather than
isaiah king contributing photographer
preparing beforehand. Poets bring their entire notebook on stage with them, allowing for flexibility to adapt their set list based on reactions from the crowd. “I usually read the room, so you have to [be able to] tell what people would be okay with listening to and what they won’t be,” they said. “A lot of slam poetry can be pretty heavy.
That’s basically how I decide what I perform.” Rust also said the event helps connect student performers with other poetry groups in the area. “I think it’s important, because Slam Poetry’s such a small club on the University’s campus, and a lot of people don’t know who we are,” they said. “But if we can get out in the community and get other
community groups involved, especially poetry groups, we can show people that we really aren’t just sitting in a room by ourselves talking to ourselves.” Jaden Nogee, treasurer of Slam Poetry Club and a sophomore majoring in accounting, also performed at the event, but with music rather than slam poetry. Nogee said music is her other major creative hobby and she aims to balance it with her passion for slam poetry. “I am both a poet and a musician, so in the slam poetry workshops I try and do as much poetry as I can, just to force myself to use my creative outlet,” she said. “But during open mic nights and stuff, I tend to perform music instead, just because it’s a good opportunity to do that.” According to Nogee, the unique ability to perform slam poetry has helped her work through personal difficulties and confront trauma in an emotionally healthy way. “The biggest thing is gaining that sense of community from your problems,” Nogee said. “I think that’s very important to kind of get that validation, almost, and show that everything you’re feeling is valid — other people are feeling it too. It really kind of brings together everyone. Misery likes company is kind of the best way to put it.”
Use these apps, strategies to Tips for a less stressful explore world on a budget end-of-semester move out Cut travel costs by house sitting or working abroad
Stay organized to ease the transition into break
Tiffany Dun
Michael Mongelluzzo
If you’re like the majority of college students, you probably don’t have a lot of spare cash for adventures, but you don’t have to let that get in the way of exploring the world by traveling abroad. Last summer, I spent eight weeks traveling around Europe, barely spending any money beyond my plane tickets and a few souvenirs. If you’re willing to put in the time, you can save money by finding free food and housing. Here’s how I did it, and a few extra ways you can do it yourself: Au Pair If you like kids, this is a good option for you. Families all across the world search for nannies, or “au pairs,” to come and act as a live-in brother or sister. You can find these opportunities by looking online for openings in the country you plan to visit. This past summer, I spent six weeks traveling around Italy and Switzerland with an Italian family of four. If you put in the time to look, you can au pair anywhere in the world, with the arrangement lasting anywhere from a couple weeks to a year. My main job was to hang out with their two kids, taking them to the beach and on bike rides all while helping them practice their English. As a forewarning, if you’re thinking of heading somewhere where English is not the primary language, having a basic understanding of the language will definitely help. Some families will pay for you to enroll in a language course, but this isn’t guaranteed. As a rule, nannying abroad provides you your own room and bathroom, three meals per day and a small weekly allowance for leisure. Depending on the family, they may even pay for your flight or train ticket. If you “match” with a family, you can set up a video call with them to see if you’re a fit for their situation. If you think you’re up for it, the key is to be flexible. Your family may give you certain hours to work, or they may be less formal and treat you more like a member of the family.
The most stressful week of the semester is here and moving out is probably the furthest thing from your mind. Luckily, we thought ahead and compiled a list of tips to make the ordeal easier. Consider your storage options For those who don’t live close by or can’t move all their stuff home for the summer, there are many storage companies within a few miles of campus. Heritage Self Storage off of Glendale Drive is a 17-minute drive from campus and Five Star Store It in Johnson City is only four minutes away. Five Star Store It offers a 20-squarefoot space for $38 a month and Heritage offers a 25-square-foot space for $75 a month. Similarly, if you’re moving into an apartment or house, know your lease dates and consider moving some belongings into your apartment at the end of this semester. If you are unable to do that, ask a friend if they would be willing to store some of your stuff for the summer.
contributing writer
contributing writer
george rudy shutterstock Students looking to travel the world without financial burden can explore several options to avoid paying for much besides plane tickets.
Workaway Workaway is a deal between travelers and locals where travelers provide a few hours of manual labor a day in exchange for free housing and, usually, food. While this may seem like a pretty extreme way to travel the planet, you only have to spend a few hours working before you’re free to spend the rest of your time exploring your destination. When in Italy, I spent two weeks volunteering at a hostel on the island of Ischia in exchange for a free room and dinner each night. Not only did I get to meet a ton of other volunteers and guests, but I got to explore the island like a local, immediately becoming immersed in the local culture. Workaway is ultimately a worthwhile trade if you’d like to find a group of other travelers to explore with, and you’ll often discover cool hidden gems instead of spending all your time at the “tourist destinations.” Couchsurfing I haven’t tried this one, but I heard about it through another traveler. Couchsurfing is an app that helps travelers in need of housing connect with locals who are willing to let them crash on their couch. You can message locals and hopefully set up a plan for your stay. Payment is not required or recommended, but it doesn’t hurt to show your appreciation for their hospitality by cooking a meal or offering a gift you brought from home. Make sure to read a person’s
reviews, trust your instincts and always have a backup plan if it doesn’t work out. House sitting If you have an open calendar for the summer and you love pets, you could try house sitting. While I’ve never tried it, websites such as MindMyHouse allow you to meet people looking for someone to maintain their home while they’re off on their own adventures, usually looking after their dogs or cats. Basically, you can score free accommodation and live like a local. Like Workaway or Couchsurfing, making a profile will take some time, but it’s worth it if you can find a match. A good tip is to record a video of yourself so that homeowners can feel safe knowing who will be taking care of their home. Travel local If none of the above sound like a good option to you, you’re not completely out of luck when it comes to adventure. Consider taking a look at the state parks nearby, which are great places for a day trip. Ithaca has countless free waterfalls and hikes to offer you this summer. You can check out Watkins Glen, Buttermilk Falls State Park, Taughannock Falls State Park and Tinker Falls. Not too far away, you can kayak at Skaneateles Lake or Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse. If you’ve got a weekend off, try Workaway or Couchsurf in Washington, Montreal, Boston or Toronto for a change of scenery.
Wash all your clothes The last thing you want to worry about after a long finals week is a pile of dirty laundry. Even though it can be hectic, do yourself a favor and get your laundry out of the way. It’s one less thing you have to do when you get home. Make piles of things to keep, things to discard and things to donate Throughout the year, you probably bought or otherwise picked up a lot of things you might not need. Whether it’s clothing, empty bottles or schools supplies you no longer need, make three distinct piles: things to keep, things to discard and things to donate. Goodwill is a four-minute drive from campus on Vestal Parkway East, and many residence halls set up donation boxes in the weeks before moveout day. Don’t put it off, do it in steps Finals week is stressful as it is, so there’s no reason to add to that by putting off packing until the very last minute. It may seem overwhelming, but taking it in steps is the best plan of attack. Using a study break to pack is always a good option, because sometimes you just need to clear your mind after you’ve been
studying for hours. Chipping away at the large list of things to pack feels a lot easier than trying to tackle it all at once. Pack as efficiently as possible As most of us live in pretty compact spaces, you probably know how to make the most out of your living space. This should extend to packing up as well. If you have storage crates, make sure you use every last inch of them, because they will make moving things out to your car much easier. Also, keep in mind any breakables you have and wrap those in clothes or plastic bags so they don’t break on your way home. Similarly, if you have a TV, make sure to put cardboard over the screen so it doesn’t get scratched. Follow your building’s guidelines Another thing you do not want to deal with after finals are fines for not properly following your building’s moving guidelines. If you live on campus, you should have recently received an email laying out rules for moving out. Remember to turn in your keys if your building uses them, remove all personal belongings from your room and clean up any major messes before checking out.
oleg voronische shutterstock By being proactive and organized, you can save time and stress when moving out.
Chicken Thursday, May 3, 9,2, 2019 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
Put a wing on it
Annabeth Sloan Horoscopes
Hannah Nathanson
THE SIGNS AS TYPES OF CHICKEN Aquarius: lemon poppy seed chicken Leo: chicken noodle soup Pisces: chicken parmesan Virgo: roasted chicken Aries: fried chicken Libra: chicken potpie Taurus: grilled chicken Scorpio: chicken alfredo Gemini: chicken wings Sagittarius: farm chicken Cancer: chicken fajitas Capricorn: chicken nuggets
Sudoku
By The Mepham Group
Level: 1 2 3 4 Solution to last issue's puzzle
Chicken potpi
Daniel Eisenhower
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Abbey coop
Dream girl
Sarah Tepper
Ashley Sánchez
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis ACROSS 1 Moment of remorse 5 Portrayer of a big scaredy-cat 9 One thing on top of another 14 Saucony rival 15 Resort town near Santa Barbara 16 Buffalo hockey player 17 *They’re for the dogs 19 French clerics 20 Make rough 22 __ tick: disease carrier 23 Open, as toothpaste 26 By any means 28 It may be proper 29 Start to mature? 32 Poll gathering 33 Lancelot and Mix-a-Lot 34 “La Cage __ Folles” 35 Bleak 38 Linguistic suffix 39 *Enter on the sly 41 Word before and after “oh” 42 Freshwater minnow 44 Chaps 45 2002-’03 viral outbreak, briefly 46 Together, so to speak 47 Droop 48 Plasm prefix 49 Followers of shots 52 Taj __ 53 Put the brakes on 54 Phantom 58 “Mental Illness” Grammy winner Mann 60 Jiffy Lube service, and a hint to the start of the answers to starred clues 64 Engagement ring centerpiece 65 Lackluster 66 Like some U.S. mail 67 Belarus capital 68 Start of a decision-making rhyme 69 Actor Miller of “Justice League”
DOWN 1 Bud 2 Park in NYC, e.g. 3 Long of “NCIS: Los Angeles” 4 Garage containers 5 “Copacabana” showgirl 6 Open a bit 7 Verbal hesitations 8 Reacts to yeast 9 ID issuer 10 Laptop alternatives 11 *Two-time women’s soccer Olympic gold medalist 12 Espresso foam 13 “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” novelist 18 Short trip 21 Dropping (off) 23 Indy racing family name 24 Din 25 *Gravlax 27 Key 29 They go for the gold 30 Feel remorse for 31 Finals, say 36 Major artery
37 Germ-killing brand 39 Triangle ratio 40 Hawaii’s Mauna __ 43 Buckles, as a seat belt 45 Yachting event, e.g. 49 Great divide 50 French-speaking Western Hemisphere country
51 Fine English china 52 “So-so” 55 Kerry locale 56 Extended family 57 Frozen dessert chain 59 “Yikes!” 61 Pince-__ glasses 62 Watchdog’s warning 63 ORD posting
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
By Susan Gelfand ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
5/09/19
5/09/19
PODCAST
Pipe Dream Bearcast FOR INTERVIEWS AND ANALYSIS
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Softball advances to second day of America East playoffs Bearcats fall to Stony Brook, take down Hawks Edward Aaron
assistant sports editor
After falling to a talented Stony Brook team 7-3 in its 2019 America East (AE) Championship opener, the Binghamton softball team remained calm, regrouped and took to the field immediately afterward to face off against tournament host Hartford in an elimination game. The Bearcats responded well, earning a 5-3 victory against the Hawks and advancing to day two of the tournament. “I’m happy with the way we responded after the first game,” said BU head coach Michelle Johnston. “We kinda just talked about working to play tomorrow. I feel like we’re in a good spot as far as the pitching we have right now and the depth of our staff that we can get through this.” Entering the tournament seeded sixth, the Bearcats (18-28, 7-13 AE) were set for a challenging first matchup against third-seeded Stony Brook. The Seawolves (3017, 12-7 AE) were led by the 2019 AE Player of the Year, junior pitcher Melissa Rahrich (17-11). This is Rahrich’s second consecutive year receiving this honor. Rahrich, in addition to being first team allconference as a pitcher, led the conference in home runs and RBIs. “You don’t find many players that can pitch and hit and do everything she does for their team,” Johnston said. “She’s got
Sophomore utility player Sarah Benn garnered two hits and drove in three runs in Binghamton’s playoff win over Hartford.
a great presence on the mound. I thought we did a much better job offensively off her today, but she stays composed and obviously what she can do offensively is just a huge asset for their team.” Perhaps the most notable storyline of game one for the Bearcats was the return of junior pitcher Rayn Gibson to the field. Gibson, the ace of the pitching staff, was injured following Binghamton’s April 14 matchup and hadn’t played since. Entering
the game, Johnston believed there was a slight chance Gibson would be back, and she was able to return and make the start. “Having her back is just adding to the staff that we have for the tournament,” Johnston said. “[Freshman pitcher Morgan Bienkowski] did a really good job in game two, so I think we feel really good about all of them.” Gibson struggled in her return, albeit against a strong opponent, and only lasted into the second
inning. She returned in the bottom of the sixth and finished the game, allowing one more run in Binghamton’s 7-3 loss. “Overall I though we hit the ball pretty well,” Johnston said. “We left a lot of runners on base and weren’t necessarily coming up with that clutch hit early on, in both games, early.” With just 40 minutes to prepare, Binghamton had to face off against tournament host Hartford (20-31, 6-14 AE) in an
kojo senoo staff photographer
elimination game. Bienkowski was on the mound, after being named to the AE all-rookie team the night before. The teams exchanged runs in the first inning, and the Hawks took the lead in the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the seventh, with Binghamton clinging to a one-run lead, sophomore utility player Sarah Benn was able to tally another RBI to give Binghamton an insurance run and a 5-3 lead. Bienkowski took down the first
three batters in the bottom of the seventh to give BU the win and advance the Bearcats to day two of the tournament. Not only did the Bearcats defeat the Hawks, but they also set a new record for hits in a playoff game. Their 14 hits broke the previous record of 13 set in 2015. “They stayed really composed,” Johnston said. “We were kinda in a tight game, and I thought they had a really good presence as far as how they were approaching both offense and defense. So I just liked how they stayed composed and thought they were trusting each other and trusting that they were going to be able to get some momentum at some point.” After advancing to day two of the tournament, the Bearcats will play another elimination game in the final game of the day. They will face the lower-seeded loser of the first two games of the day, potentially UMBC, Albany or a rematch against Stony Brook. While BU will play only one game today, its opponent will have to play two. “I don’t know if it necessarily gives us an advantage,” Johnston said. “I do think it helps us knowing that we only have to play one [Thursday].” Johnston has yet to decide who will be in the circle for the Bearcats and said a decision probably won’t be made until the opponent is known. First pitch of today’s game is set for 4 p.m. from the Hartford Softball Field in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Baseball defeats Siena BU holds 72nd-Annual in nonconference finale Athletics Awards Banquet Trenholm’s two-run blast powers BU past Saints Kyle Dunnigan
contributing writer
With the Binghamton baseball team leading 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, senior outfielder Sean Trenholm launched a two-run blast into left field, and Binghamton blew the game open, ultimately defeating Siena College 8-1 on Wednesday evening. The Bearcats (21-19, 10-6 America East) extended their win streak to three games with their victory over the Saints (1529, 9-9 MAAC). Starting for the Bearcats was sophomore pitcher Luke Dziados (1-3), who earned his first win of the season, tossing 44 pitches in four innings. Dziados allowed only two hits, struck out two batters and prevented Siena from getting on base until the fourth inning. Dziados was substituted out in the fifth inning after reaching his pitching limit for the game. “Substituting Dziados was planned,” said BU head coach Tim Sinicki. “Midweek games are different in baseball compared to other sports. [Dziados’] pitch count was 44, so we liked that he got there, but we had to bring in
other guys to touch the ball.” Following Dziados, five other pitchers took the mound, each pitching for one inning and collectively giving up three hits and one earned run. Charged with the loss was Siena freshman pitcher Arlo Marynczak (0-3), who threw for two innings, giving up one run and striking out three batters on 35 pitches. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when junior infielder Justin Drpich scored an unearned run following a throwing error by Marynczak to first base. It was his 18th run of the season. An inning later, the Bearcats scored again when redshirt junior infielder Alex Baratta scored on a line-drive RBI from Drpich for his 17th RBI on the season and 30th run of the year. The Bearcats broke the scoreboard open in the bottom of the fifth inning. Following a Siena score in the top of the inning on an RBI double, sophomore infielder Jake Evans reached home for his 19th run of the 2019 campaign. Shortly thereafter, Trenholm delivered his home run to left field, bringing in sophomore outfielder Shane Marshall. “We got off to a slow start, but as the game went on the guys
had good approaches and good at-bats,” Sinicki said. “They made things happen, especially getting multiple singles throughout the game.” The Bearcats scored once in the sixth inning when Evans drove in sophomore catcher Sam Freedman from third base after a Siena infielder mishandled the ball. The Bearcats were scoreless in the seventh inning until senior outfielder Anthony Meduri doubled to left center, bringing in Trenholm and freshman infielder Cavan Tully to take an 8-1 lead, a result that held until the end of the game. With the nonconference season now complete, the Bearcats look to finish the season strong against its AE opponents, as they are chasing the top seed in the conference tournament. “We’ll look to keep doing what we’ve been doing, like good at-bats and getting better opportunities,” Sinicki said. “We have two days of practice this week, so it’ll be a big chance to get ready for the next game.” The Bearcats will face the University at Albany in a threegame series this weekend. First pitch in the opening doubleheader is set for noon on Saturday, May 11 from the Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, New York.
isaiah king-cruz contributing photographer Senior outfielder Sean Trenholm launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning as Binghamton rolled past Siena.
Student-athletes honored at year-end ceremony Clare Mahoney
pipe dream sports
The Binghamton University Events Center was crowded with student-athletes on Monday night dressed in formal wear in honor of the 72nd-Annual Varsity Awards Banquet. The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of student-athletes, particularly the 83 graduating seniors who will be leaving BU and embarking on their post-collegiate endeavors. Four of these seniors, Alex Brion, Oyin Adewale, Ludovico Cestarollo and Gaby Alicea, were handpicked for the magnitude of their athletic and academic accomplishments. Brion earned the John Bilos Alumni Award for his career achievements as a standout sprinter for the men’s swimming and diving team. He was named the America East (AE) Men’s Swimmer of the Week three times over the course of his four years on the team and holds three Binghamton pool records, including the 50 free (20.90). He also led the team to two second-place finishes at the AE Championships, as a runner-up in the 50 and 100 free in 2018 and 2019, respectively. “Its been four years of 20 hours a week,” Brion said. “For it to be over is just a surreal feeling, and I’m proud of how close the men’s and women’s teams have become, especially this season.” Adewale said she was overcome by a similar sensation of surreal, bittersweet gratitude as she walked to the stage to accept the Jessie A. Godfrey Award, bestowed upon athletes for their athletic accomplishments and leadership initiative. As a thrower for the women’s track and field team, she was named the Women’s Most Outstanding Field Performer after capturing the weight-throw and shot put titles at the AE Indoor Championships last season. This year, she broke her own program record and placed third in shot put at the ECAC/IC4A Indoor Track
provided by the binghamton sports information office BU Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott joins major award winners Oyin Adewale, Alex Brion, Ludovico Cestarollo and Gaby Alicea at the annual athletics awards ceremony.
and Field Championships with a distance of 49-11.25. “I’ve definitely not only grown as an athlete but as an individual as well,” Adewale said. “My coaches pushed me every single day, my teammates pushed me every single day to become the best studentathlete I could be, so, Binghamton, I really can’t thank you enough.” Senior track and field and cross country distance runner Savoy Curry and Cestarollo of the men’s tennis team won the Academic Achievement Awards for earning the highest GPAs in the department (3.966 and 3.976, respectively). Cestarollo also earned the Jake Pitler Award for his athletic accomplishments and team leadership. The senior was a MAC Newcomer of the Year in 2016, first team all-conference selection in 2017 and was voted to the Mid-American Conference all-conference team this year. He accrued 15 single wins this season and created an app to improve team communication. “Its just been an amazing experience,” Cestarollo said. “I couldn’t imagine achieving this four years ago, coming to a new country … I didn’t know what to expect, and to achieve this award is such a great honor.” Outside hitter and female recipient of the John Bilos Alumni Award Alicea echoed these sentiments. “It’s honestly been a dream,”
Alicea said. “Ever since I was little I’ve wanted to play [Division I] volleyball — that’s what I saw on TV and that’s what I wanted to do, and being here and being with my team was honestly a dream come true.” Alicea has been an instrumental member of the volleyball team since her freshman year, registering 1,216 career kills, the third-most in program history. Alicea is just the second player in program history to be named to the AE all-conference first team four times; the first was Jacki Kane, ‘07. The senior was also one of the four female finalists for Athlete of the Year, alongside freshman track and field and cross country distance runner Aziza Chigatayeva, senior basketball player Rebecca Carmody and freshman diver Amanda McGraw. The male finalists included redshirt junior infielder Alex Baratta and junior pitcher Ben Anderson of baseball, redshirt freshman wrestler Lou DePrez and freshman basketball player Sam Sessoms. The Athlete of the Year award winners will be announced after the conclusion of the spring seasons. To close out the night, the banquet culminated with the showing of a highlight video that captured the spirit of the event and its mission: to recognize all of BU’s student-athletes for their hard work in the academic and athletic spheres.