Spring 2023 Issue 30-31

Stenger delivers State of the University address

“Happy” was the theme as Stenger discussed new funding, a new BAP program and more.

Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger gave his annual State of the University address on Tuesday.

The theme of Stenger’s speech was “happy.” Highlights included an announcement of the largest scholarship gift in BU history, an expansion of the Binghamton Advantage Program (BAP), the usage of federal and state funding for increased hiring, progress on existing and conceived infrastructure projects and the impact of the new SUNY chancellor, John B. King Jr.

The new scholarships, funded by an anonymous family and totaling $37.5 million, will be divided into a $25 million endowment for undergraduate students and a $12.5 million endowment for graduate students in the arts. Stenger hailed it as “a good day for [BU].” The undergraduate scholarship will be implemented gradually, with 25 incoming freshmen receiving funds until “the program reaches a steady state of 100 scholarships awarded per year,” according to the press release.

Of the 25 students, 20 will receive $10,000 per year for four years, while five will receive approximately

$30,000 per year for four years, both requiring the maintenance of a minimum GPA. The graduate scholarship will cover the full tuition for 15 incoming graduate students “with exceptional skills in the performing, writing and visual arts until the program reaches a steady state of 30 scholarships per year.”

Stenger also provided details about the gradual integration with SUNY Broome Community College (BCC), emphasizing that it will not be a merger, but rather an expansion of the BAP program that currently allows students to live at BU and attend classes at BCC.

“[BAP transfer students] are the highest graduating cohort of students on campus,” Stenger said. “What if we were to admit students into a BAP 2.0, where instead of living here, they live [at BCC], take their courses there and enjoy all their student activities [at BU].”

Stenger stressed the impact federal and state funding would have on University operations. BU will receive $6.5 million from SUNY to hire faculty to grow external research, which will add to the 55 tenure-track faculty that joined the campus community last fall.

In addition, BU will receive $63.7 million from the federal government and $50 million from New York State to establish a national hub for lithium-ion battery manufacturing, development and production in Endicott, NY. Distinguished Chemistry Professor M. Stanley

Whittingham, a Nobel Prize winner, will lead the project. An update on BU’s “EXCELERATE: Moving at the Speed of Binghamton” campaign, which launched in April 2022 with a goal of raising $220 million, was

also provided. Priorities of the initiative include greater investing in scholarships to “make the exceptional accessible,” expanding faculty research and programs with national implications and “ensuring an exceptional education” through

internships and hands-on learning. The campaign has raised $160 million in received or committed funds, not including the new donation by the anonymous family.

Men’s basketball cruises past Bulldogs at home ‘Empresses in the Palace’ showcases traditions

BU returns to second in AE with 84-67 victory, ends two-game losing streak.

The Binghamton men’s basketball team hosted Bryant on

Saturday afternoon, looking to get back into the win column after losing its previous two games to Maine and Vermont, respectively. After establishing its offensive prowess early and playing shutdown defense for 40 minutes, the Bearcats broke their winless streak, soundly defeating the Bulldogs 84-67 in

front of packed stands.

“It was night and day from our last two games,” said Binghamton head coach Levell Sanders. “We were able to come out today and do all of the things that we spoke about … Guys were able to execute the game plan.”

The festival blends the beauty of Chinese traditions and modernity.

Last Sunday, the Mandela Room was decked out with red and gold decorations for the Spring Festival Event: “Empresses in the Palace.”

Set on the first day of the lunar calendar, this event was a collaboration between Binghamton University’s Chinese Scholar and Students Association (CSSA) and Chinascope. The event created a space for students of Chinese descent to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Erika Ji, publicity chair of CSSA and a junior majoring in psychology, wrote about the long and difficult journey behind the event’s organization, which started during the fall 2022 semester.

“It’s hard to organize the meeting time for winter break, especially since some of our E-Board members travel to foreign countries with different time zones,” Ji said. “Due to the effect of [COVID-19] … most of our members have never experienced this event.”

This lack of direction led the CSSA E-Board to revolutionize the event, eventually landing on the theme “Empresses in the Palace,” which was based on an internationally famous TV series

set in the Qing Dynasty with the same title. The theme was expressed through the traditional Qing Dynasty clothing worn by CSSA staff, and guests were encouraged to wear their own garments from any time period.

Apart from the typical catered food, activity stations for cultural experience were set up around the room, such as paper-cutting for window decoration, couplet writing and fortune telling, where attendees flocked to try their luck for the year of the Rabbit.

The opening performance was a jihong dance performed by Xutong Shi, a junior majoring in theatre. In her flowy pastel outfit, Shi captured the audience’s attention immediately with just a short number. She then performed an intricate and graceful solo dance named “Remembering Old Friends.”

BU’s Kung Fu Club was the next performer, bringing their crowd pleaser, the lion dance, amid the energetic beats of drums and cymbals that projected throughout the whole hall. The two black-andwhite beasts interacted with the audience like real animals, letting people pet their heads and getting down like dogs. With their moving eyelids, floppy ears and moving mouths, it is as if they were actual animals despite the obvious people puppeteering them.

Kilmer Mansion shows off local artists, On-campus pizzas ranked from worst to best,

Contributing columnist Kathryn Lee raises concerns about the “dupe” trend,

Swimming and diving teams claim victory on senior day,

Binghamton wrestling loses close match against Navy,

Brandon Ng news intern

Johnny Yang sports intern

Jamie H. Nguyen assistant arts & culture editor

provided by jonathan cohen/university communications & marketing Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger delivered his annual address on Tuesday.

megan patterson staff photgrapher

Senior guard Dan Petcash scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds during Binghamton’s 84-67 win over Bryant on Saturday.

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Word on the Street

Sean Tripp

a freshman majoring in environmental science

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this semester?

A: “I play rugby, so I am excited for the rugby season to pick back up.”

Q: With the snow this week, what was something you did?

A: “It started snowing right when I got back from practice at 10:30, and I found my friend outside and we built a snowman.”

Christopher Wells

a junior majoring in economics

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this semester?

A: “This semester I am definitely looking forward to playing frisbee. I am on the Ultimate frisbee team. I love to flick some plate as they say, as the young kids say. Looking forward to doing that.”

Q: With the snow this week, what was something you did?

A: “Unfortunately I am missing the snow. I am heading down to Virginia in like 2 hours to go play in a frisbee tournament. But yeah we did have a snowball fight, and it was awesome.”

Jada Mccann a senior majoring in english with a minor is education

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this semester?

A: “I am really looking forward to my internship. I am going to be working with people from high school, so I am really excited about that.”

Q: With the snow this week, what was something you did?

A: “I didn’t really have any time to do anything fun, so I drank hot chocolate.”

Jack Verderber

a senior majoring in psychology

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this semester?

A: “I am looking forward to finding those little quiet spots on campus to kind of spend time, you know, getting textbooks and applying for graduate school.”

Q: With the snow this week, what was something you did?

A: “I went skiing up at Greek Peak, took advantage of the college deals with a couple of friends.”

Rachel Ross

a junior majoring in history

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this semester?

A: “I am looking forward to getting through my seminar and keeping up with my clubs. I am the Secretary of SUNY kids so we take foster kids in the Binghamton area on trips. I am also part of the school’s radio station.”

Q: With the snow this week, what was something you did?

A: “When it snows, I like to stay indoors and be cozy and get some extra sleep.”

Garrett Barth

a junior majoring in business administration

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this semester?

A: “Oh man, I am looking forward to going skiing. I scheduled my classes, so I only have Tuesday, Thursday and I know Greek Peak is only $24 on monday, so I brought my skis up, so hopefully I can find my way out there.”

Q: With the snow this week, what was something you did?

A: “Yeah we had a huge snowball fight at one of the parks near where we live. I live on the Westside, and we had a huge snowball fight at Rec Park.”

Shivani Patel a senior majoring in english

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this semester?

A: “I am hoping to pass all my classes.”

Q: With the snow this week, what was something you did?

A: “I got enough sleep.”

Brian Ly a senior majoring in electrical engineering

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this semester?

A: “Well it’s my last semester, so I am really hoping to make lasting memories with my friends.”

Q: With the snow this week, what was something you did?

A: “Mostly staying in with my friends and like chilling.”

Stenger announces new scholarships, programs

Stenger continued by describing the progress of existing infrastructure construction, as well as plans for future projects, including new facilities and the expansion of current buildings. This includes the completion of the thirdfloor renovation of the Glenn G. Bartle Library by fall 2024, a remodeled Old

Rafuse Hall by August 2023, the new welcome center by the main entrance finished by spring 2024 and a new lecture hall currently in design.

Stenger reflected on the future of BU under new SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr.

“Somebody with the government and political skills [is] the leader that

SUNY needs right now,” Stenger said. “[King] is working really hard on the most positive budget proposal that came out of the Governor’s State of the State address. It is a onedollar match for every two dollars of endowment gift that we get.”

The event ended with recognition of recent electoral achievements by

BU alumni. They include Hakeem Jeffries, ‘92, elected to minority leader of the US House of Representatives, Lea Webb, ‘04, elected to the State Senate and Donna Lupardo, ‘90, reelected to the State Assembly.

Christopher Wen ‘07, a third-year graduate student pursuing dual master’s degrees in sustainable communities and public

administration, provided his thoughts about the announced initiatives to expand scholarship access.

“These scholarships can make a world of difference in the lives of students and their families,” Wen said.

“This is fantastic news. I’m glad more students will get the opportunity to pursue their passions through higher education.”

Earl Tampus, an undeclared freshman, said he felt larger scholarship endowments would have an impact on prospective students.

“College is expensive, no matter your income level,” Tampus said. “I think that it will help people from lowerincome families believe that institutions can help them attend school.”

Heavy snow leads to canceled morning classes

On Monday, BU classes were canceled until noon due to snow.

On Monday morning, classes were canceled at Binghamton University until noon due to excessive snowfall.

At 5:21 a.m., BU students received a B-ALERT notifying them of the cancellation of classes on Monday. Binghamton experienced four to six inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service, accumulating overnight and persisting lightly throughout the morning, prompting unsafe travel. The B-ALERT stated that faculty would notify students if they were to be holding classes remotely throughout the morning. OCCT buses were set to begin running at 10 a.m.

Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations at BU, shared the steps that had been taken before making the decision to cancel classes.

“It’s a team process, as representatives from about a dozen departments, including [the New York

State] University Police and Physical Facilities, gathered to assess conditions and also consider detailed National Weather Service forecast information,” Yarosh wrote in an email.

Classes were canceled until noon, but snow continued to impact campus throughout the rest of the day. A power outage at the East Gym caused an early closing at 4 p.m., reopening on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Ground crews continued to work throughout the day to make sure walkways on campus were safe for students and staff. According to BingUNews, BU still utilizes certain services during snowfall that are crucial for students and maintenance of buildings, or services that support necessary research programs.

Yarosh said safety was of “top priority” for the University as it responded to the weather.

“The ground crews took action immediately, plowing and clearing roads and sidewalks,” Yarosh wrote in an email.

Many students were seen making the most of the partial snow day. An Instagram post from the University featured a pair of students skiing and snowboarding down

the hills of Mountainview College, while other students reported seeing a statue of Karl Marx outside of Hughes Hall in Hinman College.

Serena Chan, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience, said she enjoyed the time off and credited the cancellation to students that commute to campus.

“Classes were canceled till 12 [p.m.], and I had

one Zoom class, so I just stayed in bed listening to it,” Chan said. “I’m pretty glad that they canceled classes because it was a nice surprise to wake up in the morning and see the email. I think they did it because a lot of people live off campus. I live in Hillside and the hill to walk downward is dangerous, and I remember the first day of classes when it was icy, a lot of people were falling.”

Others, like Samin Rahman, a junior majoring in biochemistry, had classes after noon. Rahman said he still enjoyed being able to head to campus later than he typically would.

“That gave me more time to prepare for my classes that were later on in the day,” Rahman said. “I would say it was generally beneficial considering I live off campus and there was a lot of snow. It was a positive

decision in regard to offcampus students coming on campus for classes.”

Over the rest of this week, it is expected that Binghamton will get about 9.58 inches of snow, as predicted by Weather 25. According to the Weather 25 website, a total of 22 snowy days will have occurred throughout January by the end of the month.

John B. King Jr. appointed as SUNY Chancellor

King Jr. was appointed in December by the Board of Trustees.

In December 2022, John

B. King, Jr. was appointed as 15th SUNY Chancellor by the Board of Trustees. King has previous experience in education, most recently serving as the Secretary of Education under former President Barack Obama. King, a New York City native, also helped to implement

Common Core Standards and Regents examinations as the New York Commissioner of Education from 2011 to 2014.

After his appointment in December, King pledged to visit all 64 campuses in the SUNY System. On Jan. 17, 2023, he visited Binghamton University and spoke with President Harvey Stenger.

“The University is a hub for battery technology innovation, which will help move the nation toward a more sustainable future,” King wrote in an email.

“During my visit to campus, I was also impressed with the Decker School of Nursing. We need nurses across our state, and [BU] has been growing this school to help supply a new generation of health care heroes.”

Going into the role, King outlined his vision to make SUNY “the best system of public education in the nation.” To realize this, he plans to focus on three distinct priorities.

“First and foremost is student success, as well as research and scholarship — much like the battery research being conducted by Nobel Prize winner [and BU professor] M. Stanley Whittingham,” King wrote. “We must also ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do at SUNY. And that all leads to my [final] priority — economic development and upward mobility for every student and our state as a whole.”

Members of the BU community offered words of encouragement for King, and reinforced the importance of the relationship between SUNY and BU.

Stenger was a member of the search committee that was tasked with replacing

interim Chancellor Deborah Stanley, who served for the entirety of 2022 following Jim Malatras’ resignation at the end of 2021. Stenger discussed the opportunity to work with Chancellor King going forward.

“Chancellor King brings with him an abundance of experience in higher ed and the ability to help SUNY continue on a positive trajectory as it provides an accessible education for [New York state] residents,” Stenger wrote in an email. “I’m looking forward to working with him on SUNY’s next chapter of success.”

Nia Johnson, president of the Student Association (SA) and a senior majoring in human development, emphasized the value of the University’s campus and services to the rest of the state.

“What makes BU unique and important to the SUNY system is that [SUNY] utilizes BU as a hub of innovation, and uses many of our services that we provide,” Johnson wrote in an email. “For instance, at the height of the pandemic, [New York state] utilized Harpur’s Ferry as their backup EMT service in order to transport Binghamton residents — not only students — to hospitals in the area. In terms of innovation, [BU] is unique in a sense that we have our Koffman Southern Tier Incubator and Start-up Suite Facilities.”

Johnson also commented on the SA’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The SA works with SUNY leadership to address these issues through the SUNY SA, which features representatives from each school in the system.

“We’ve been advocating for basic needs for students with disabilities, so for instance not all of the handicap buttons on campus work,” Johnson wrote. “The [Vice President for Student Success] office is going around campus and reporting non-functional buttons to admin and the DEI office. We have also done our due diligence in advertising the SA to BIPOC students, so they can run for these positions and use these positions to uplift the BIPOC community and their voices.“

Some undergraduate students also offered suggestions for improvement in the SUNY system, specifically at BU. Coral Braverman, a junior majoring in biochemistry, expressed frustration with financial aid options for students.

“I would like to see them offer more choices for lowincome students [at BU],” Braverman wrote in an email. “Currently, the way financial aid is set up is hard to navigate and very timeconsuming. Hopefully, they can make a system that not only works for [BU], but every school in SUNY.”

A new chancellor has been selected by the SUNY Board of Trustees.

With classes cancelled until noon, students pursued various snow-based activities on campus.

Ella Connors news intern

Adam Shemesh news contributor

Hochul suggests SUNYwide tuition increase

The suggested increase would be by 3 percent across all schools.

Hallie Milligan news intern

Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a 3 percent raise in SUNY and CUNY tuition.

The proposal is included in Hochul’s 2023 State of the State book, titled “Achieving the New York Dream” — which is a document of proposals written annually by the governor of New York state. If instated, the suggested 3 percent tuition increase will occur alongside a 6 percent in-state tuition increase each year for five years. According to Hochul’s proposal, the increase-rate is based on the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), which measures the inflation rate of higher-learning institutions such as Binghamton University, the University at Buffalo, Stony Brook University and the University at Albany.

Hochul proposed that the extra funds secured from the tuition increase would be used to “[ensure] academic excellence” for SUNY and CUNY schools.

Hochul plans to accomplish this while continuing to

grant aid to lower-income students.

“To ensure that institutions of higher learning at both [SUNY] and [CUNY] can reliably invest in their long-term futures as costs rise, while prioritizing the evolving needs of students, ensuring academic excellence and continuing to maintain low-cost and stable tuition rates for in-state residents,” Hochul’s proposal reads.

John B. King, Jr., the recently-appointed SUNY Chancellor, elaborated on the aid available for students — which includes the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), a grant which provides up to $5,665, the Excelsior Scholarship, which covers tuition for families with household incomes up to $125,000 and the Pell grant. King said 53 percent of SUNY undergraduate students attend tuition-free because of these programs.

“There is no system in the country where you can get a better quality degree more affordably than at SUNY,” King wrote in an email. “We would like to see further expansion of TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship.”

BU’s Admissions Office also expressed a belief that the extra funds can

contribute to the growth of the University.

Krista MediontePhillips, the director of undergraduate admissions, said Hochul’s plan will help supplement faculty and resources for the growth of enrollment, which has increased by 23 percent over the past 10 years.

“Last year, Governor Hochul provided funding for new faculty and additional operating funds for all SUNY campuses, which had not been provided in more than a decade,” Medionte-Phillips wrote in an email. “Now, [BU] and SUNY need tuition increases that are reasonable, predictable and don’t impact students who cannot afford them.”

SUNY awaits the governor’s executive budget proposal for further information, according to King.

Sarai Rodriguez, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience, said the tuition increase is “frustrating” and should be used toward student needs, such as the University Counseling Center (UCC) and on-campus living.

According to Rodriguez, the showers in the Roosevelt dorms of Hinman College have mold and “students have to catch perfect times

to shower” due to water heating inconsistencies.

Rodriguez said she “would be okay with paying a little bit more if that means the quality of living on campus is improved,” but otherwise is not pleased with the proposed increase.

“It’s kind of frustrating considering the fact that SUNY and CUNY like to advertise themselves as a very affordable option,” Rodriguez said. “So making it less accessible and less affordable, it makes it less accessible to students who are already facing financial

hardship and may not be getting financial aid.”

Ziye Wang, a sophomore majoring in biology, also focused on dorm issues such as the lighting in Hinman College, Hillside Community and CollegeIn-The-Woods (CIW), which she said do not have light fixtures. Wang suggested the tuition increase would make school more difficult for lower-income students, especially for those who live on campus.

“Many people who go to SUNYs and CUNYs are low or middle class,

so even if they have the better option of going to like [New York University] or Columbia [University] they can’t do that because of financial issues,” Wang said. “So if you are going to increase [tuition] and [students] rely on [the Free Application for Federal Student Aid] most of the time for tuition, you’re gonna make it harder for us to pay so we’re gonna struggle just like if we went to a private school, so [the increase] isn’t gonna help us at all.”

sourced by syracuse.com

The proposed increase is included in NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2023 State of the State book.

CSSA celebrates Chinese New Year in festival

cssa from page 1

Intersecting with the performances were participation games. Anything from Kahoot quizzes about Spring Festival to “Drawing Guessing” — similar to charades — guessing the songs and a raffle to tie up the night. The prizes were red envelopes with money inside, typically given to children by older relatives to wish them to grow up smart and strong. Although lacking the same cultural value, the raffle prizes were won in monetary value with a 4K Samsung TV so big it had to be shipped to the winner.

Other performances included a solo song of “The Wind Keeps Blowing,” originally sung by the late and great Leslie Cheung, carried out by performer Lianghui Huang, a Ph.D. candidate in comparative literature. A slow, emotional and chill performance, it is a perfect homage to anyone who grew up with it. Following this was a flute and piano duet by performers Naomi Pan, a junior majoring in business administration, and Huanmu

Xu, a junior double-majoring in psychology and sociology.

The most anticipated performances were perhaps the Traditional Chinese Clothes Show and the traditional Beijing Opera. The clothing show was similar to a fashion catwalk, with each model presenting different silhouettes, accessories and props. Linghui Tu, professor and Chinese director of the Confucius Institute Chinese Opera at BU, brought the final performance. She performed an excerpt named “The Drunken Beauty,” which included both sophisticated choreography and powerful singing, in full opera gear and make-up. It was a great sendoff for the night.

Zuer Wu, president of Chinascope and a junior majoring in biochemistry, shared her thoughts after the event.

“It has been more than four years since we had our last Spring Festival Gala,” Wu said. “It not only helps Chinese international students to alleviate the nostalgic feeling but also introduces Chinese New Year to local students.”

Kilmer Mansion hosts ‘Winter Wonderbands’

As we near the month of February — surely to bring more cold weather and snow days — the Friends of the Kilmer Mansion hosted “Winter Wonderbands” on Saturday, an eventful community showcase right on Riverside Drive.

The event housed catered food, local smallbusiness vendors and seven local bands to perform in the mansion’s impressive events hall. L’bonti, Kipani and Tom Jolu were just some of the bands who

showcased their music and stage skills to the students and community members who attended in support of Kilmer Mansion’s preservation. According to Crystal Sackett, Kilmer Mansion’s events manager, this year is the second time the fundraiser has been held at the mansion.

“The money that we raise goes directly into the restoration of the mansion,” Sackett said. “I think that is the number one goal.”

Tiffany Simonik, owner of The Parlor City Soapery, tabled at the event with her products. Simonik thought the fundraiser was a good way to gather people from the community, especially local small-business owners

struggling to reach a large demographic of people.

“People sit and enjoy the music and, in between breaks, customers will come over and check out the products,” Simonik said. “Essentially like a porchfest for winter.”

The Parlor City Soapery was not the only local business offering its products, however. Homemade jewelry, wood art and Kilmer Mansion merchandise were all also available. In addition, Johnson City’s Grapevine Café brought a delectable selection of foods — like vegetarian tacos — next to another table selling $5 quality draft beers.

As for the music, all the

bands put on show-stopping sets — including Kipani’s pop-rock sound — sprinkled with an impressive display of performance art from the band’s keyboardist and lead singer, Tiffany Jhingoor. However, not only was she lighting up the stage, but Jhingoor also had a large hand in the creation and organization of the event, according to Sackett.

“She wanted to come together and bring the community together to celebrate the mansion, as well as give local musicians a space in the winter to play,” Sackett said. Along with access to the mansion’s large and beautifully decorated events hall, patrons could also

walk into the mansion itself and marvel at the beauty of the historic building, which Sackett describes as “a hidden gem.” There was even a smaller and more intimate stage in the mansion itself, a favorite of Binghamton University student Nina Pietrangeli, a junior majoring in biology. Pietrangeli explained how local music and house shows are intrinsic to the Binghamton experience, and said it was enjoyable to support local history and music at the same time.

“The whole event has such an awesome aura, with the mansion’s beauty and the most talented local musicians, business owners and community leaders

pulling off such a fun and beneficial experience,” Pietrangeli said. “I just love stuff like this, and I would tell anyone who hasn’t gone to house shows or events like these, ‘What are you waiting for?’”

Sackett is hopeful for another rendition of the event next year, but wants people to know that anybody can rent out the Kilmer Mansion for any event throughout the year. More information about the Kilmer Mansion can be found at kilmermansion. org or Kilmer Mansion on Facebook.

The fundraiser featured local bands and businesses.

Emily Vega arts & culture contributor

caspar carson photo intern

The Chinese Scholar and Students Association and Chinascope co-organized their first Spring Festival Event in several years.

joceyln phipps staff photographer

Last Saturday, the Kilmer Mansion hosted “Winter Wonderbands,” an event that featured bands and small businesses from the local community.

A ranking of Binghamton’s best spiedies

nor was the bun anything really special. Spiedies are a relatively simple sandwich, and yet Nirchi’s failed to make a sandwich truly worthy of the title.

4. Spiedie & Rib Pit

Rochester has the Garbage Plate, Montreal has poutine and Binghamton has our iconic and beloved chicken spiedie. A culinary staple throughout Binghamton University’s surrounding community, there are no shortage of options for someone looking to indulge in a spiedie. Yet, with such a wide array of offerings, one must ponder where the best spiedie in Binghamton can be found. To uncover the answer to this mystery, we visited five local spiedie spots to see which one is best.

5. Nirchi’s

Nirchi’s may be considered a local pizza institution by most Bearcats, but this reputation does not extend itself to the restaurant’s spiedie offerings. Compared to other stops on the trip, Nirchi’s featured one of the longest wait times encountered, and the end result was far from worth the wait. The chicken was not particularly flavorful or moist,

Located on Upper Front Street, Spiedie & Rib Pit has been going strong in Binghamton for 30 years. They owe their longevity to their tasty and tender chicken spiedies. For only $6.12 for a six-inch and $10.25 for a twelve-inch, you get decently cooked chicken within a nicely warmed roll. With a cool, modern cabin-like interior design and different spiedie varieties, such as the caprese, chipotle and buffalo, Spiedie & Rib Pit is one of the best options out there despite not being the juiciest chicken offering.

3. Binghamton Hots

Binghamton Hots is a classic late-night spot, open until 3:30 a.m. on weekends and 1 a.m. during the week. Classic American fare is served such as burgers, chicken tenders, fries and the ultimate Binghamton novelty — spiedies. Their spiedies are pretty good with lots of tang and color to the flavor. A downside of ordering a spiedie at this establishment,

however, is that it comes with a side of fries, increasing the price to $11.95. For fries that are not too unique or memorable, this upcharge hurts the value of the meal. Binghamton Hots offers quality spiedies for late-night convenience, and even though it is not the best bang for your buck, the high quality of the spiedie easily makes up for it.

2. Pudgies When one thinks of quality

food in the Binghamton area, Pudgies is far from the first option that might come across someone’s mind. Yet their spiedie sandwich offering was extremely flavorful and worth the trip. Made fresh to order, the chicken was well seasoned and warm alongside a nicely baked roll. With each bite, I became more and more convinced that Pudgies is a serious player in the spiedie space. A very impressive and

underrated option for all.

1. Lupo’s Char-Pit

After an unfortunate closing of their Binghamton location, Lupo’s still survives in Endicott as the highest quality spiedie restaurant in the area. For the amazing price of $5.89 for a sandwich and $8.99 for a twelve-inch sub, you receive a brilliant bite of delectable chicken and divinely baked bread. Additionally, you can buy their

marinade in different flavors like BBQ or lemon garlic, and you can make the spiedies for yourself. Lupo’s presentation and menu are extremely simplistic, including burgers, salads and cold subs, but the combination of flavors is a worthy dining experience for Binghamton’s household name — the spiedie.

All on-campus pizza, a definitive ranking

CopperTop might have the best pure slice, its price is costly in determining its ranking.

3. College-in-the-Woods Dining Center

The pizza at Collegein-the-Woods Dining Center might be the most unique pizza to be found on Binghamton’s campus, as it features a thicker crust than any other dining option. There is not much to say about College-inthe Woods Dining Center pizza, other than that it is incredibly reliable and a solid slice sold for a solid price. Cheese slices are sold for $0.90, well worth the slight increase from C4. College-in-the Woods also often has good specialty slices as well, from sausage to broccoli cheddar.

2. Appalachian Collegiate Center

seasoning blend atop the cheese that sets it apart from other on-campus pizzas. The price is another advantage for Appalachian Collegiate Center pizza, as cheese slices cost $0.90, the same as College-inthe Woods Dining Center. Unfortunately, Appalachian Collegiate Center only offers cheese and pepperoni pizza, while every other dining hall and CopperTop have specialty options as well.

1. Hinman Dining Center

From classic Italian Neapolitan pizza to New York-style thin crust, pizza is a staple of American cuisine, for better or worse. Binghamton University capitalizes on this craze

as every residential dining hall and the Marketplace offers pizza in some way or another. Here is one way to rank all of the on-campus pizza, with respect to taste, appearance, availability and value. To be consistent, only the plain cheese pizza will be considered.

5. Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4)

C4 has a lot to offer, from the Kosher Korner to Royal Indian, but unfortunately, pizza is not its strong suit.

The pizza suffers from often being burnt, dry and oversauced. The crust also is much too thin as neither the sauce nor cheese are strong enough to carry the pizza. The only saving grace of C4 pizza is that it is the cheapest option at $0.73 a slice of cheese.

4. CopperTop Pizzeria

As the only pizza option at the Marketplace, CopperTop pizza is a solid option for any pizza lover. The true highlight of CopperTop

is their variety, as they offer a wide assortment of slices, including chicken parmesan and mac & cheese pizza. Their pizza is a vast improvement over C4 with much higher quality crust, sauce and cheese that actually makes for an enjoyable eating experience. However, CopperTop finds itself toward the bottom of the list because a cheese slice costs $3.39, over three times as much as any other option on this list. While

Although Appalachian Collegiate Center does not have pizza during any of its regular lunch or dinner times, they roll out pizza as a part of their Nite Owl offerings from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The exclusivity of Appalachian Collegiate Center pizza works in its favor as it makes the pizza all the more appealing. The quality of the Appalachian Collegiate Center pizza is very high with a great ratio of crust to cheese, not too much sauce and a nice

The best spot for pizza on campus is undeniably Hinman Dining Center, as their pizza has a certain charm and professionalism that tops every pizza at BU. What sets Hinman Dining Center pizza apart is the cheese, as their oven achieves the perfect browning conditions for pizza cheese, creating a satisfying melt with delicious brown spots. Furthermore, Hinman Dining Center pizza is sold for $0.90 a slice for cheese slices, a steal compared to CopperTop’s price. If you are not convinced by now that Hinman Dining Center deserves a spot at the top of the list, you also have to take into account that Hinman Dining Center has the only vegan pizza option on demand on campus.

Sampling one of Binghamton’s most prized food offerings.

Sam Lillianthal & Jacob Knipes arts & culture editor and new

BU offers five different pizza options, but which is the best?

Eli Engler assistant arts & culture editor

sourced by people

Here are the top five spiedie spots in the Binghamton area.

eli engler assistant arts and culture editor

Here are the places on campus to get pizza, ranked from worst to best.

For many, the scene in the video, recorded on State Street on Jan. 1, is evocative of similar instances of police brutality — most notably the scene of George Floyd’s death. Not only did the actions of the police officer appear to be excessively violent, but activists have argued that the officer violated the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act.

The outrage that this video has caused adds to a larger movement demanding police reform in Broome County, which has gone unmet. We hope that Officer Kaczynski is held accountable for his actions, and that the BPD responds to the demands of Broome County residents to pursue long-term,

significant reform. Over the past few years, BPD has allegedly been involved in multiple cases of abuse. BPD were accused of using excessive force on a black woman at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) during a domestic dispute in 2018. In 2022, a case regarding a 2011 no-knock raid that ended with an innocent community member, Jesus Ferreira, being shot by a BPD officer, reached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Further, the John F. Finn Institute for Public Safety Institute reported that — between 2017 and 2019 — the BPD used force 342 times on Black individuals versus 305 times on white individuals. The disparity becomes much

BPD REFORM EFFORTS CANNOT FALL SHORT ANY LONGER

more stark when considering the demographic breakdown of Binghamton, which is about 13 percent Black compared to about 70 percent white.

Police reform in Broome County has been minimal to nonexistent, despite the efforts of local community members and organizations. In fall 2020, community members and Binghamton University students voiced their concerns about police reform in a forum hosted by Divestment, Accountability and Reinvestment in Our Community (DAROC). In response to New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order No. 203 — which mandated localities submit a police reform plan by April

1, 2021 to remain eligible for state funding — a general and non-substantive reform plan was prompted by the City of Binghamton. Despite protests from local and student organizers, and community activist organizations like Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier (JUST), Citizen Action and Truth Pharm, the city’s plan was passed.

Around the same time as these demands for reform, BPD received $481,285 from the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), illustrating the disconnect between the community and

the police. As a county with one of the highest incarceration rates in New York state, there are clearly issues within Broome County’s criminal legal system.

The incident that occurred on Jan. 1 is a shocking and painful reminder of the urgency of police reform in Broome County and in the United States, but it also specifically highlights the importance of de-escalation training. BPD has claimed that Waddell was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after his involvement in a multiperson fight, which is when the officer appeared to kneel on his neck. The police should subdue violence, not escalate it. Studies have found that deescalation training can reduce

injuries among civilians and law enforcement officers. As of 2021, 29 states, including New York, required de-escalation training for police officers. However, the culture of police departments is insular, and training and standards likely vary across departments. Police officers across districts must be held to strict standards of conduct and treat community members humanely. We are shocked and saddened by scenes that unfolded on Jan. 1, and urgently await police accountability and reform.

The recent “dupe” trend, in which TikTok users compare highend products to similar drugstore products, has taken over the platform. Just about everything has been “duped” — basic white socks, perfumes and shoes. But by far, the most enduring product category that’s been “duped” is makeup. Influencers have “duped” every high-end cult classic, such as Clinique’s Black Honey Almost Lipstick, which was “duped” by the e.l.f. Hydrating Core Lip Shine in Ecstatic and Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Light Wand by the Revolution Pro Hydra Bright Cream Blush.

Buying “dupes” offers a low-cost way for makeup enthusiasts to build the ideal face without overspending. Even companies dedicated to informing consumers of makeup “dupes,” like Brandefy, have folded. But the “dupe” trend also offers two troubling conclusions — that makeup is largely the same across price points and that even cheap makeup contributes to global overconsumption.

Unlike designer bags or clothing, which may have idiosyncratic patterns — like Coach’s interlocking letter C’s — a brand of makeup is almost impossible

to discern once the product is applied. This is part of the reason why “dupes” have become so popular — anecdotal side-by-side comparisons of cheap and expensive products yield few noticeable differences apart from application.

Writer Kelly Dougher noted that her cheaper eyeshadow was less pigmented than her more expensive palette, requiring more layers to achieve the same effect. But products at every price point struggle with deficiencies, and, as Dougher concludes at the end of her makeup comparison, “In the end, it mostly comes down to personal preferences and priorities.”

The futility of buying a higher-end product when there are available “dupes” is even more obvious when considering base products, such as primer, foundation, concealer and setting powder. These products are intended to match a person’s skin tone, so makeup companies do not have much flexibility in introducing new shades, unlike the process of creating new blush or eyeshadow shades. However, for those who require darker foundation shades, splurging on products from high-end brands like Fenty Beauty might be necessary if the shade range at drugstores is not inclusive.

Moreover, makeup is not as durable as clothing or accessories. While luxury handbags can be expected to

be made of better material than a cheaper handbag, both handbags will largely function the same way. With makeup, much of it depends on the formulation of the product and the user’s unique skin and aesthetic concerns. For an acneprone user, a comedogenic high-end foundation will be difficult to use, while a noncomedogenic drugstore foundation will be more ideal. Measurements for makeup are also similar industry-wide, minimizing variations in a product’s lifespan. Foundations, for instance, are typically one fluid ounce — both the Maybelline drugstore foundation Fit Me Matte and Poreless and the higher-end Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Liquid Foundation are one fluid ounce.

The “dupe” trend, along with questioning the efficacy of higher-end makeup products, has also underscored the markup of makeup products.

According to Money Talks News, cosmetics are subject to an average markup of 78 percent — “… thanks to anti-aging claims and celebrity-endorsed marketing, shoppers have been breaking the bank to look younger and more beautiful for years.” Meg Pryde, founder of Brandefy, claims that when she was a graduate student, she discovered that “identical formulations would often be priced up under another

brand name and updated packaging.” Likewise, the flood of articles and social media posts advertising makeup that is “worth the splurge” implies that luxury makeup is not worth the price in general, so consumers must be economical with their purchases.

Despite the economic benefits, the “dupe” trend does not exclude its benefactors from contributing to the overconsumption of makeup. Buying “dupes” may be beneficial on an individual level, but both “dupes” and higher-end products are involved in the beauty industry’s waste.

Writer Hasina Khatib claims that “The accelerated consumption cycle can lead many to overlook the virtues and suitability of individual items in the race toward amassing a [sizable] volume of products … an exhaustive survey by beauty e-tailer SkinStore revealed that women use an average of 16 products simply before leaving the house in the morning …” The overconsumption of cosmetics is particularly evident when considering makeup users who have multiple tubes of foundation in the same color, or racks of blush in 30 different shades — impossible to use all at once. Arnaud Plas, CEO of the hair care company Prose, claims that 20 to 40 percent of beauty products are thrown away. Makeup

hauls — whether cheap or luxury — substantially contribute to global waste. According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, much of the beauty industry’s waste feeds into the already egregious overproduction and under-recycling of plastic worldwide, producing more than 120 billion units of packaging globally each year.

The difficulty of recycling makeup packaging also contributes to the plastic problem. Stephen Clarke, the head of communications at the recycling company Terracycle, notes that “small containers are hard to clean, multi-compositional packages need separating at the material level, [colored] and opaque plastics have low demand in the recyclables market, and the small size of the caps, pots, wands and trays of makeup and skin care fall through the cracks at recycling facilities.”

Advocates Millie Kendall and Ashley Piper suggest two main ways to cut down on overconsumption. The first is that beauty brands should reconsider the rapid pace of their product releases, and the second is that consumers should just shop less. Brands that focus on “dupes,” such as e.l.f., released 128 new products in 2017, which is an increase of 40 percent from 2016. The new products were notably similar to the trendiest products at the time. A slower production cycle with less focus on

releasing ephemerally popular products would decrease waste. From a buyer’s perspective, consumers should consciously consider their needs rather than joining the trend cycle. Just as fast fashion is unsustainable because consumers cannot wear all the clothing they own, “fast beauty” is unsustainable because consumers cannot wear all the makeup products they have. And while drugstore alternatives to more expensive makeup can seem like a panacea for overspending, they also act as a slippery slope into overconsumption. The solution to fast beauty must come from both the producers and the consumers.

Buying makeup shouldn’t feel like a splurge or a sink, nor should it feel like more is better. There is a way to more consciously consume makeup, and it starts with becoming invulnerable to the trend cycle — whether it’s an echo chamber promoting “dupes” or an influencer urging their audience to buy the trendiest highend product. We should become more content with the most effective, simplest solutions.

Kathryn Lee is a sophomore doublemajoring in English and economics.

‘Dupe’ trend contributes to makeup overconsumption Dupes fuel the makeup trend cycle that encourages uneccessary consumption

Recently, investigation has begun into an incident where a Binghamton Police Department (BPD) officer, Brad Kaczynski, appeared to kneel on the neck of Hamail Waddell, a Black-Asian community member.

bella daidone design manager

A collage of Binghamton protests against police brutality in recent years

University Student’s Horoscopes

by Kyla Dowdy

What will your February look like?

Aries

Career and Finance: You will make great profits this month, as long as you don’t spend too many dining dollars. Keep your head in the game, it is a great time for you to start new projects and meet your goals, this month.

Health: Health is looking good, maybe take a walk along the snowy nature preserve for exercise!

Relationships: Keep in touch with your family this month, communication may be difficult, and there may be a chance of misunderstanding. It’s a good time to talk to someone new in one of your classes, you never know what could happen.

Taurus

Career and Finance: Careerwise, there will be some gains.

Health: Gym-wise, there will also be some gains. Remember to eat healthy, though.

Relationships: You and your fam are feeling the love this month, but this might make you emotional being that you’re away from home. Therefore, don’t be mean to them because you’re stressed.

Gemini Career and Finance: Don’t stop until you achieve your goals, this month. But also don’t rush it. You can’t rush success.

Health: You should feel energetic this month, just don’t let that energy become unnecessary stress.

Relationships: Think before you speak, you might be a little too blunt this month if you don’t. Romance is looking good this month, keep an eye out for February 14th.

Cancer

Career and Finance: Don’t stop until you achieve your goals, this month. But also don’t rush it. You can’t rush success.

Health: You should feel energetic this month, just don’t let that energy become unnecessary stress.

Relationships: Think before you speak, you might be a little too blunt this month if you don’t. Romance is looking good this month, keep an eye out for February 14th.

Leo Career and Finance: Keep a positive attitude, this will assist you in achieving your goals. Group work this month will be smooth sailing, so don’t fret over it.

Health: The Binghamton cold may get to you.

Relationships: Disagreements may arise between you and your friends/partner. You may feel lonely this month, but know that it’s not just you, it’s a rough month for all the signs.

Virgo Career and Finance: You will be the center of attention this month, but don’t let the fame get to you.

Health: Not letting the Binghamton snow get to you this month is important, you need to take care of your body this month. Don’t forget to build snowmen!

Relationships: Relationships are going well with family members, but your love life may be messed with by an old flame.

Libra Career and Finance: You may be overreacting in the workplace, be easy on your colleagues. Don’t be opposed to change.

Health: Your body is a temple this month. Don’t overwork yourself, maybe try meditation.

Relationships: You are extremely emotional this month, don’t let this affect your current relationships. Stay calm, and stay quiet. Trust.

Scorpio Career and Finance: The first half of the month will be favorable for you. Good opportunities will come your way, don’t be afraid to take these chances. Accept as many jobs as you can.

Health: You may be anxious this month. Get into a good routine with yoga and meditation.

Relationships: Relationships will be like a rollercoaster this month. Don’t wait on others, wait on yourself. Date yourself, you deserve it.

Sagittarius

Career and Finance: Mental anxieties this month, but with it, comes resilience and hard work. This hard work will come with a reward.

Health: Focus on your mental health, and focus on the positive aspects of your life. This will be important.

Relationships: Don’t forget to communicate with the people you love because there may be misunderstandings with family.

But, good news, you may meet your soulmate this month. Keep your eyes open, Bearcat.

Capricorn

Career and Finance: This might be a tough month for you, and you may feel like you’re not enough. Don’t give up, good things will come eventually. You are smart, use that gift wisely.

Health: Balance is key, listen to your body and give it what it needs. Be intuitive.

Relationships: Give space in your relationships. This month is for you to recharge who you are. This is not a good month for you for romance, because you need to learn to love yourself first.

Aquarius

Career and Finance: You are so hardworking, but this month has some important lessons for you. Be patient, and flow with the change that comes your way.

Health: Continuous exercise is important. Try something new, like skiing!

Relationships: Keep your eyes out for the ones you love, it is important to be there for them this month. Be patient with them, and with yourself.

Pisces

Career and Finance: Your aggression is elevated this month. Don’t argue with the people that are supposed to be your teammates. Stay as positive as you can with these people. Health: Date yourself, and continue to exercise. This is an important focus this month.

Relationships: Think before you speak. Don’t lure people into something that you’re not ready for. You need to take a step back and realize how you have been treating your loved ones, or you can never move on.

Laney Bonora

Laney Bonora

Binghamton

Wrestling falls short at Navy

Bearcats lose 19-18 on final bout.

By Michael Carbone assistant sports editor

The Binghamton wrestling team traveled to Maryland on Sunday to take on Navy in an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) match. Although BU grabbed an early lead over the hosts, the Midshipmen stormed back as the dual meet was decided by the winner of the final heavyweight bout. Redshirt junior Cory Day dropped the 285-pound matchup as the Bearcats fell to Navy 19-18.

“Our team wrestled well in the dual meet,” said Binghamton head coach Kyle Borshoff. “We made two mistakes as a team and if we could’ve had back three seconds from two different matches, the dual meet would’ve been a landslide victory.”

BU (4-10, 3-3 EIWA) jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after sophomore Micah Roes earned a pin over his opponent in just 38 seconds during the 125-pound bout. Navy (3-5, 2-1 EIWA), however, was able to grab the next two matchups of the meet to knot the dual up at 6-6. The Bearcats retook their lead during the 149-pound bout, where

graduate student Michael Zarif put Binghamton back ahead after he earned an 8-3 decision over his Midshipman opponent.

“It was great to have [Roes] get a pin out there,” Borshoff said. “We had some other good things that we can build off of. The middle of our lineup is starting to wrestle a bit better, and that’s gonna be important as we move towards the end of the season.”

Following Zarif’s win, sophomores Conner Decker and Brevin Cassella earned consecutive victories and expanded the BU advantage to 15-6. Decker earned a 4-0 decision victory during his 157-pound matchup and Cassella followed shortly after with a 5-2 decision in the 165-pound bout. Both Bearcats managed two pins during their respective frays.

“Overall we wrestled hard,” Borshoff said. “Navy has a team just like us where they don’t have a great dual record, but the teams they’ve lost to this season are all very good, so that’s a bit deceiving. They have five or six guys that are nationally ranked in their lineup. Definitely a tough team, it was a tough loss.”

Despite Binghamton holding a nine-point advantage over the hosts, Navy would go on to win three of the final four bouts of

the match. The Midshipmen earned six points during the following 174-pound bout and closed their deficit to 1512. No. 19 ranked redshirt junior Jacob Nolan regrew the BU lead to 18-12 after a 4-0 decision victory in the 184-pound match.

“The goal is to get guys through to nationals, and that’s the goal every year,” Borshoff said. “The more

guys that we can put into the NCAA championship, the more opportunity we have to finish with All-Americans. That’s pretty much entirely determined by one week in March.”

Despite their lead, the Bearcats lost the meet’s final two bouts as Navy secured a narrow one-point victory in the end. Freshman Cayden Bevis was defeated in his

197-pound match via major decision and the Midshipmen trailed 18-16 heading into the heavyweight. The meet would be decided by the 285-pound bout, where No. 18 ranked Day could not secure a victory for the visitors.

“[Day] understands the situation — If you win the match, you win the dual, and if he doesn’t we lose,”

Borshoff said. “It’s the pressure that comes with being a heavyweight. A lot of duals start at 125 and a lot of times it comes down to heavyweight.”

Binghamton will travel back home for its next conference dual meet against Princeton on Saturday, Feb. 4. First bout is set for 5 p.m. at the Events Center in Vestal, New York.

Swimming and diving sweeps Marist on senior day

Webster achieves three individual victories

Aidan

Jennings

assistant sports editor

The Binghamton swimming and diving teams honored its 11 members of the 2023 graduating class on Saturday afternoon for senior day. The Bearcats hosted Marist in their final dual meet before the America East (AE) Championships. The hosts were able to achieve their most robust dual meet performance of the season, as the men overcame their opponents 186.5-113.5 and the women 195-105.

“I thought there was a lot of great things,” said Binghamton head coach Jerry Cummiskey. “Our

team responded, they came out ready to go and kind of set the tone early on. Going one-two on the women’s side in the medley relay, winning on the men’s side — it set us up for a good day.”

The standout performer in the women’s team performance was freshman Celia Webster, taking home three individual events in the 200 back (2:08.68), the 50 fly (27.38) and the 100 IM (1:03.05). She was joined in collecting gold by freshman Olivia Philbrick, who won the 50 back (27.79), as well as juniors Courtney Moane in the 50 breast (30.88) and Molly Greeley in the 50 free (25.30). The Bearcat quartet also took the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:48.91.

To round out the women’s bracket, junior

Maddie Hoover took the 200 free (1:57.89) and sophomore Lauren Kuzma was the victor in the 200 breast (2:25.36). Additionally, Greeley and Hoover joined freshman Maria Pignatelli and junior Marley Zimmerman in their 400-relay win, clocking a time of 3:42.11.

“I think we just had a lot of people contribute and it came together as probably our best team win in the four years that I’ve been here,” Cummiskey said. “Everyone contributed, we went 1-2-3 in five events, so excited to see some different people contributing and helping us get that win today.”

The men also finished their day with a plethora of wins, notably having two double-event winners in freshman Liam Preston and

sophomore Elijah Lanfear. Preston grabbed the 200 free (1:40.25) and the 500 free (4:39.34), while Lanfear was the winner of the 50 free (21.14) and the 100 free (46.96). Other individual winners included juniors Lewis Lin in the 50 breast (26.92), Jake Vecchio in the 200 fly (1:53.77), Eric Kroon in the 200 breast (2:05.19) and Sandon Karinsky in the 50 fly (22.94). Freshman David Ponce completed Binghamton’s list of individual winners, taking the 100 back (1:53.93), as senior Ryan Cohn secured gold in the one-meter diving event with a score of 284.02.

The most significant win for the men, however, came in the very last event of the day, as Lanfear and Preston joined junior

Henry Shemet and senior Justin Meyn in the 400 free relay race. The four Bearcats achieved a time of 3:01.74, breaking the 14year standing pool record of 3:05.99 and capping off a successful home closer for Binghamton.

“That was certainly exciting,” Cummiskey said. “I think when you have the opportunity to swim fast and break a pool record and have that kind of goal there, they get excited to do that. I thought we had a chance. We tried to do it last year and just missed it. I wouldn’t have guessed we were five seconds under, but that was a great swim.”

The celebrations for BU began even before the first race, as 11 graduating Bearcats were honored on the team’s annual senior

day. Among the senior honorees were Meyn, Cohn, Ryan Maierle, Matthew Palguta, Brandon Berger, Zachary Ciriaco, Jackson Homan, Annalise Pepper, Meadow Perez, Chloe Peterson and Alyssa Martin.

“It gives us a lot of confidence,” Meyn said. “We want to be at our best, especially the meet right before championships. So now we just grind it out for the next three weeks and get after it at champs and try to take that chip back.”

The Binghamton swimming and diving teams will take a month off before heading to the America East Conference Championships on Feb. 22 to close out the 2022-2023 season. First race is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Worcester, Massachusetts.

provided by micah roes\binghamton athletics

Sophomore Micah Roes earned a 38-second pin in the 125-pound bout during Binghamton’s loss to Navy on Sunday.

provided by johnathan cohen

Senior Justin Meyn swam on the first-place 400 relay team that shattered the pool record with a time of 3:01.74 in BU’s victory over Marist on Saturday.

January 31, 2023

Tuesday,

Women’s basketball overcomes Bryant on the road

Bowman, Wanzer score 18 apiece in 62-51 win.

Peter Schortemeyer sports contributor

On Saturday afternoon, the Binghamton women’s basketball team traveled to Smithfield, Rhode Island, looking to get back into the win column. After losing its previous three America East (AE) matchups to Albany, Maine and Vermont, respectively, BU finally prevailed. Despite trailing at halftime, the Bearcats ramped things up in the second half to propel themselves to a 62-51 win over the Bulldogs.

“We played a great team effort,” said Binghamton head coach Bethann Shapiro Ord. “People stepped up

basketball from page 1

After Bryant (13-8, 4-4 America East [AE]) won the opening tipoff and quickly scored the first basket of the game, BU (9-12, 5-3 AE) responded immediately, scoring six points in a row, courtesy of baskets from senior guard Jacob Falko and graduate student forward Miles Gibson. The Bearcats built on their hot start as they continued to distribute the ball and score at will. They continued their run on the fast-break when senior guard Dan Petcash lobbed a pass up to senior forward Taveion White for a slam that electrified the crowd of 3,394. Shortly after, Petcash drilled two three-pointers in a row

when they needed to.”

Bryant (7-15, 1-8 AE) got the scoring started with a jumper, but Binghamton (11-11, 4-5 AE) responded after senior guard Clare Traeger was fouled and sent to the free throw line. The Bearcats and the Bulldogs would then go back-andforth, exchanging baskets for the majority of the first period. However, BU fell slightly behind as it began to miss several opportunities and turn the ball over. Bryant capitalized, holding a 17-13 advantage going into the second period.

“It was a team effort, we had to play really tough team defense,” Shapiro Ord said. “It was great team defense, it was a lot of work and needed to be a team effort.”

to push Binghamton to a 17-7 lead. The Bulldogs struggled to find their groove on offense and got in foul trouble early with 14 fouls in the first half, giving BU multiple opportunities at the line and helping to cushion its lead.

“We had 11 assists in the first half,” Sanders said. “The one alley-oop [White] caught really energized the crowd.”

Bryant continued to struggle, shooting 13-31 from the field in the first half of play while BU shot 15-26, including 5-10 from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs were streaky and unable to stop the Bearcat offense. Following a threepointer from graduate

Binghamton’s shooting woes continued into the second quarter, with the visitors struggling to get consistent scoring. Despite a few baskets from freshman guard Anna Long and sophomore forward Genevieve Coleman, BU failed to string together a significant run as it shot only 3-13 from the field in the period. The Bearcats were unable to cut into the deficit, and the Bulldogs closed out the half on a 7-4 run. Going into halftime, the Bearcats found themselves down 32-25. Senior guard Denai Bowman led all BU scorers in the first half with eight points.

“[Bowman] added another level of scoring,” Shapiro Ord said. “I asked

her before the game to step it up and she did … She was tremendous. Not only just the scoring, but we asked her to guard [Bryant’s] top people, and her six assists to no turnovers … She made some big-time plays at the end.”

Binghamton came out of the gate hot in the second half, going on a 7-0 run to start the third period, which tied the score at 32. After trading baskets for a few minutes, the Bearcats went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter with contributions from redshirt freshmen guards Ella Wanzer and Jadyn Weltz. BU outscored Bryant 17-6 in the third quarter, allowing it to hold a slight 42-38 advantage going into the final frame.

“[Wanzer] had 18 points

going 6-for-10 from three,” Shapiro Ord said. “We were getting her some really good looks and really moving the ball to get the defense to work.”

The Bearcats carried the momentum from the end of the third quarter into the final period as their offense continued to fire on all cylinders.

Binghamton quickly pulled away as Bryant was unable to stop the visitors’ offense. BU outscored the hosts 20-13 in the final quarter, and Bowman put the game out of reach after scoring a layup with just over 30 seconds left to go, up by 11. When the final buzzer sounded, the Bearcats found themselves on top 62-51.

Binghamton was also able to apply more defensive

student guard Christian Hinckson — which made the score 32-14 — Petcash continued his hot shooting with another three-pointer of his own on the next possession. The Bearcats would continue to maintain their lead as they went into halftime leading 49-36.

“[Petcash] had a really good game, not just on the offensive end, but I thought he did a really good job on [Bryant junior guard Earl Timberlake], who’s a little bit bigger than him,” Sanders said. “He rebounded the ball really well … It’s hard to take him out of the game because he does so many things well.”

Falko got the scoring started for Binghamton in

the second half after driving down the lane and kissing the ball off the glass and into the basket. Both teams would go back and forth in the half’s opening minutes, with the visitors cutting the Bearcats’ lead to as little as eight points. However, Bryant failed to make a significant dent in the hosts’ lead, with stagnant offense letting BU continue its scoring barrage, leading by as much as 19 points. The Bulldogs made a few baskets but failed to go on any significant runs. Binghamton would cruise for the rest of the half, closing out the game 84-67.

“We’ve got to keep it going,” Sanders said. “I really hope that we can keep

the energy going because it was really great.”

As a unit, BU shot an efficient 53.1 percent from the field, while holding Bryant to just a 39.3 percent shooting clip. The Bearcats also tallied 16 assists during the win, compared to the Bulldogs’ seven. “We had a ton of guys that came in and contributed … that’s what we need,” Sanders said. “I thought defensively we were really good … we did a good job guarding and making it tough for them.”

Four Bearcats finished in double digits, including Petcash, who led all scorers with a season-high 24 points while shooting 5-7 from beyond the arc. He also

pressure to the Bryant team, causing them to shoot under 21 percent in the second half. This defensive pressure was shown on the perimeter as well, with the Bulldogs only able to hit six threes for the entire game.

“They had some really good shooters,” Shapiro Ord said. “We had to make sure that we were X-ing out and take care of business. It’s gonna be the second half of the season, we gotta bring it. We gotta dig deep and work together.”

Binghamton will return back home on Wednesday, Feb. 1 to face UMBC. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center in Vestal, New York.

grabbed eight rebounds. Additionally, Falko, Gibson and junior guard Armon Harried finished with 17, 15 and 11 points, respectively, in the winning effort.

“We got off to a great start today,” Petcash said. “The emphasis was definitely to share the ball and to make the right play. Sometimes you can get a good shot against them, but you can get an even better shot if you make the extra pass.”

mason brody-lewis assistant photo editor

Senior guard Denai Bowman scored 18 points and grabbed four steals in BU’s win over Bryant on Saturday.