Summer 2019 | Vol. XCVI | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
ORIENTATION ISSUE 2019
PAGE II Summer 2019 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 3,2,5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
ADDRESS: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 PHONE: 607-777-2515 FAX: 607-777-2600 WEB: bupipedream.com
SUMMER 2019
Pipe Dream’s Words of Wisdom It can be confusing and difficult to be a new student at Binghamton University, or be new to college altogether. Our staff compiled some advice to help you through your first year on campus, from making friends and joining clubs to avoiding mental breakdowns during midterms and taking advantage of campus resources. We’ve been through a few semesters and we are on track to graduate alive, so take it from us!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF* Sasha Hupka editor@bupipedream.com
Sasha Hupka, Editor-in-Chief: “Get out of your comfort zone. It’s alright to join a million student organizations right off the bat and drop half of them later — just try something new, even if you’re not sure you’re going to stick with it. You might surprise yourself with what groups you end up enjoying!”
MANAGING EDITOR* Katy Wong manager@bupipedream.com
NEWS EDITOR* Jake Kerr news@bupipedream.com
Katy Wong, Managing Editor: “Try not to just stick with your roommate or suitemates 24/7 during the first few weeks. Although being close with your roommates is nice, definitely get out of your comfort zone and meet a lot of new people while you can.”
ASST. NEWS EDITORS Valerie Puma Leora Schwadron Jeremy Rubino
OPINIONS EDITOR* Evan Moravansky opinions@bupipedream.com
Justin Zion, Sports Editor: “Take advantage of the early weeks and spend some time outside, while the weather is warm and the workload is still light.”
ASST. OPINIONS EDITOR Elizabeth Short
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR* Gabriela Iacovano arts@bupipedream.com
Jacob Kerr, News Editor: “Always leave your door open when you’re in the room and spend time in the common rooms. You’re gonna be stuck with these people regardless, so you might as well try to bond with them.”
ASST. ARTS & CULTURE EDITORS Calendra Scahill Patrick Earns SPORTS EDITOR* Justin Zion sports@bupipedream.com
Gabriela Iacovano, Arts & Culture Editor: “Make your own sunshine! The weather might not be great, but this city has so much to offer. Support local organizations and explore Binghamton beyond State Street.”
ASST. SPORTS EDITORS Edward Aaron Samantha Marsh PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR* Ariel Kachuro photo@bupipedream.com
Ariel Kachuro, Photography Editor: “Your time is precious, don’t waste it on toxic people.”
ASST. PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Sidney Slon
FUN EDITOR* Annabeth Sloan fun@bupipedream.com
Kade Estelle, Design Manager: “Join a club that suits your interests as soon as possible!”
DESIGN MANAGER* Kade Estelle design@bupipedream.com DESIGN ASSTS. Mikayel Harutyunyan Kailtlyn Scanlon
Michelle Tan, Newsroom Technology Manager: “While grades are still important, it’s good to take time for mental health and self-care. A little bit more sleep every day can prevent a meltdown during midterms.”
COPY DESK CHIEF* Lia Berger copy@bupipedream.com ASST. COPY DESK CHIEF Cherie Litvin
Annabeth Sloan, Fun Editor: “Always jump on an opportunity when it’s presented to you. It can have a huge impact on your college career.”
DIGITAL EDITOR* Kimberly Gonzalez digital@bupipedream.com NEWSROOM TECHNOLOGY MANAGER* Michelle Tan tech@bupipedream.com
Kimberly Gonzalez, Digital Editor: “Join clubs, go to office hours and live life. Whatever you do, make sure you’re happy and thriving.”
ART DIRECTOR
Max Samson
BUSINESS MANAGER* Maryam Soomro business@bupipedream.com
Lia Berger, Copy Desk Chief: “It’s OK to have no clue what you’re doing. No one does when they first start college. It takes time to acclimate and find your place, but once you do, you’ll look back at the time when you were figuring things out and be proud of how far you’ve come.”
BUSINESS ASSISTANT Samantha Agnoli businessassistant@bupipedream. DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Preston Hill distribution@bupipedream.com
Pipe Dream is published by the Pipe Dream Executive Board, which has sole and final discretion over the newspaper’s content and personnel. Positions seated on the executive board are denoted by an asterisk. Pipe Dream is published Mondays and Thursdays while classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters, except during finals weeks and academic breaks. 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
stabilizing:west side story
editorial:destabilizing
Evan Moravansky, Opinions Editor: “There’s a lot of charm to the Binghamton area if you’re willing to explore. Don’t be afraid to make a few friends in the local antique stores!”
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NEWS
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Learn about your living community College-in-the-Woods Dining Hall
Appalachian Collegiate Center
Located across the street from the University Union and in front of College-in-the-Woods, this dining hall has partnered with Binghamton Acres, an on-campus compost and gardening demonstration project, to offer vegetarian and vegan options at the Gifts from the Garden vegan station, prepared with produce grown on campus. College-in-the-Woods Dining Hall also offers local grass-fed burgers at the Boar’s Head deli, personal-sized pasta dishes, breakfast options throughout the day and a “My Zone” area that offers a variety of items made without gluten or nuts, available on request.
Located within Mountainview College, this dining hall offers allergen-friendly Simple Servings station, a Mediterranean station, Boar’s Head sandwiches, personal-sized pizzas, freshly made pasta and a Mexican-style food station named La Montaña with made-to-order burritos and quesadillas.
Newing College Simone Finkelstein, a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience Highs: “I love the corridor style, it’s close to the gym and it’s updated.” Lows: “It seems like other communities have funkier vibes and are more united. Also, I personally like the location, but people can argue that it is further than most.”
College-in-the-Woods Noah Brown, a sophomore majoring in economics High: “College-in-the-Woods has a very central and accessible location on campus.” Low: “Besides Mohawk, College-in-the-Woods needs updated buildings.”
Dickinson Community William Kennedy, a sophomore majoring in computer science High: “[The suite-style rooms] made it much easier to meet people as an incoming freshman, and it gave me an immediate circle of friends that I could spend time with.” Low: “Sometimes I’d find myself walking for 20 minutes to get to my math classes in the Classroom Wing.”
Hinman College Dining Hall Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4)
Beginning in September, there will be a complete renovation of Hinman College Dining Hall, and it will be taken offline. Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2020.
Located between Newing College and Dickinson Community, this dining hall is the largest of the campus dining halls and offers a large range of foods, including allergen-friendly Simple Servings station, “My Zone” gluten and nut-free options, Boar’s Head sandwiches, the Kosher Korner station, Halal offerings and the Expeditions station, which features a different menu each day.
Mountainview College Amanda Sanger, a senior double-majoring in history and political science High: “Definitely the rooms’ style of suites because I really like having my common room right outside my bedroom, where I can hang out with my friends, chill or do work.” Low: “Definitely the hike to get there — but once you’ve walked up a bunch [of times], you get used to it.”
Hinman College High: “The community and being able to find people who will accept you for who you are.” Low: “The elevators.”
Union, Hinman Dining Hall to undergo renovations Construction to begin this summer, end fall 2020 Jake Kerr
news editor
The Binghamton University campus will see several construction and renovation projects this coming fall, including two major projects in the University Union basement and Hinman College. The Student Association E-board announced at the annual State of the SA address, held in November 2018, that
the $2 million University Union basement renovation will begin in summer 2019, continuing into the fall semester. Aspects of the project include replacing some walls with sliding glass walls, opening space in the bowling area and combining the billiards room, table tennis room and hallway. Private study spaces will be implemented amid the social scene, with new furniture that was voted on by students in November 2018. Overall, the goal of the renovation is to make the space more student-friendly, according to Jerry Toussaint, the
2018-19 SA president. “The basement project looks to change the dungeon-like feel of the University Union basement,” Toussaint said. “To create more of a see-and-be-seen space for students, similar to the Marketplace and University Unions at other universities.” Another upcoming project is the Hinman College Dining Hall and Cleveland Hall resident building reconstruction. Both buildings will be out of commission for the entirety of the 2019-20 academic year. According to the Physical Facilities page on the official
BU website, plans for the project include adding a three-floored, 26,500-square-foot addition to the dining hall and a complete redesign of the interior. For Cleveland Hall, new floors will be installed, as well as new elevators and air conditioning — a first for all Hinman College resident buildings. Initial Hinman College renovation plans also included Hughes Hall, but because of persistent housing space problems and an unexpected increase in project costs, the University decided to cancel the plans for Hughes Hall and keep it open for the
academic year. The Physical Facilities page also listed 20 other current and upcoming construction projects on campus, some of which include repaving roads and parking lots, installing new exterior panels on the Engineering Building and replacing windows in the Science II tower, which will require scaffolding. Outside of BU’s main campus, there is also construction happening on the Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City. The campus already welcomed the construction of
the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in July 2018, and now will be seeing the construction of the Decker School of Nursing. While the pharmacy school is a new addition to BU, the pre-existing Decker School of Nursing will be relocating from its current location on the main campus to a factory at 48 Corliss Ave. by fall 2020. The factory used to host the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, but will now be renovated with the help of $51 million in funding rewards received from the Southern Tier Upstate Revitalization Initiative.
Six places to know on campus
provided by binghamton university
Decker Student Health Services Center
Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development
University Libraries
Afraid of catching the dreaded freshman plague? Head over to the Decker Student Health Services Center to get the care you need. Decker Student Health Services Center aims to promote the health and wellness of all BU students by providing educational instruction and treatment. The Center offers several services, including women’s health services, travel medicine, psychiatric consultation, HIV/STD testing, immunizations and laboratory services. Decker Student Health Services Center provides walk-in services from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and scheduled appointments from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center is located behind Johnson Hall of Dickinson Community.
Students looking for a job or internship should take a walk to the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. and information to assist with professional opportunities. With multiple job and internship fairs tailored to a variety of fields, students have the opportunity to meet with potential recruiters from a variety of corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Additionally, students can refer to the “Passport to Career Success” pamphlet that highlights important activities to check out each year to prepare for post-graduate success. The Center also offers résumé reviews and interview practice. It is located on the ground floor of the University Union and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays for all walk-in services.
With more than 16,000 students, BU has multiple libraries to accommodate the student population. The primary library, Glenn G. Bartle Library, has resources for graduate students, undergraduates, alumni and the surrounding community. The library offers services such as the Information Technology Services (ITS) Help Desk, Newcomb Reading Room and the Research Help Desk. Students are also able to use the Zurack Family High-Technology Collaboration Center which features interactive technology for videoconferencing. In Bartle Library, individual and group study rooms are available for use. The Science Library, located between the Science I and Science II buildings, also provides resources such as the Science Library Reader Services Desk and Research and Reference Help Desk. Additionally, students have access to the University Downtown Center (UDC) Library which can be reached by taking the UDC, WS and DCL routes on the Off Campus College Transport (OCCT) blue buses, which is available for students to travel to Downtown Binghamton.
Discovery Centers If you have loads of academic questions but are not sure who to ask, the Discovery Centers on campus have staff that can help. The Discovery Program aims to provide academic support and opportunities for students to fulfill their potential during their undergraduate experience. Discovery helps students by giving them the chance to work with professional staff, graduate student assistants and peer advisors, also known as Discovery Advisors, all of which gives students access to academic support. Staff can help answer questions about a specific major or how to create a student schedule, among other academic topics. The administrative offices can be found in Appalachian Collegiate Center in Mountainview College, the College-in-the-Woods Library in College-inthe-Woods, the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4) and the Hinman Library in Hinman College.
Q Center BU’s LGBTQ center is a home away from home for students looking for a safe environment that is inclusive and supportive of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. The Q Center works to provide resources, opportunities and social justice initiatives that empower and educate students. The Q Center hosts events such as lectures, workshops, film discussions and field trips aimed at learning and understanding more about sexual and gender diversity. The Center also hosts an annual Lavender Graduation that celebrates the success of students who may have felt invisible during their college years. Located in room Library South Ground 549 along with the MRC, the Q Center is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
University Counseling Center The University Counseling Center (UCC) gives students the opportunity to reach out to professional counselors for clinical and referral services. The goal of the UCC is to deliver services for undergraduate and graduate students with the hopes of improving their psychological well-being. The center provides services such as individual or group counseling, tele-counseling and Skype sessions with current providers. The UCC is located in Old O’Connor Hall of Old Dickinson Community, room 264. You can schedule an appointment Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling (607) 777-2772.
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NEWS
bupipedream.com | Summer 2019
People to know at BU Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger — As BU’s seventh president, Stenger is tasked with fostering University growth with a focus on academic and operational distinction. The New York native earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to taking office in 2012, Stenger was the interim provost and dean of SUNY Buffalo’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Stenger is responsible for leading the campus community while overseeing and implementing efforts he believes will improve the University. President Stenger can be reached at (607) 777-2131, or at president@binghamton.edu. Mayor Rich David — David has been mayor of Binghamton since 2014. The Republican earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and moved to Binghamton in 1998 to work as a reporter for WBNG-TV. He was introduced to public service after meeting former Binghamton mayor Richard A. Bucci. In 2000, Bucci appointed David as director of community relations. While working at City Hall, David earned his master’s in public administration from BU in 2002. He lost the 2009 mayoral campaign to incumbent Matthew Ryan. David then won in 2013 and was reelected in 2017. The Mayor’s office can be reached at (607) 772-7001. Chief of Police John Pelletier — Pelletier was appointed as Binghamton’s New York State University Police’s (UPD) new Chief of Police in 2018. He succeeded former chief of police Timothy Faughnan, who became associate vice president for emergency services. Pelletier joined UPD after retiring from the U.S. Army in 2004. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18 years old, earning his first leadership position, direct line supervisor, at 19 years old. Pelletier served for 21 years. He has been an officer with UPD for 12 years. Pelletier can be reached at (607) 777-4725, or at jpelleti@binghamton.edu. Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) Director Nicole Sirju-Johnson — Sirju-Johnson has served as both the associate chief diversity officer and director of the MRC at BU. She has been director since 2008. She earned her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport in 1997. She attended BU for graduate school, where she earned a master’s in public administration in 1999 and a doctorate in political science in 2011. She currently serves as the primary cultural competency trainer and is a founding advisor for the BU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She can be reached at njohnson@ binghamton.edu.
Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose — Rose oversees the administration of the Division of Student Affairs at BU. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and earned a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center. His research interests include legal issues in higher education and higher education administration. He is responsible for the development of policies to ensure a safe and nurturing campus environment. Rose can be reached at (607) 777-4788, or at studentaffairs@binghamton.edu. Interim Dean of Students Randall Edouard — Edouard is tasked with overseeing a variety of areas impacting students and their families to enhance their experience. Edouard supervises campus activities, fraternity and sorority life, TRiO programs and programs for students, families and veterans. He also oversees off-campus programs and acts as cochair of the Town-Gown Advisory Board. Edouard can be reached at (607) 777-2804, or at redouard@binghamton.edu. BU Council Student Representative Franklin Richards — Richards was elected as BU Council student representative for the 2019-20 academic year in March. He is a secondyear graduate student studying public administration. During the election, he pledged to improve upon on-campus accessibility for all students, advocate various sustainable initiatives and work with Harpur Advising officials in revamping and restructuring Harpur’s online information system. Richards can be reached through his student email at Student Association (SA) President Emma Ross — Ross is the leader of BU’s SA, the University’s undergraduate student government. She was voted into office for the 2019-20 academic year in March. Her platform focused on four initiatives for the student body: providing equal access to education, prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion, improving BU’s sexual assault prevention efforts and expanding mental health resources on campus. Ross is a senior double-majoring in political science and psychology. She can be reached at president@binghamtonsa.org.
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Save the date for fall events
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Move-in day On Sunday, Aug. 18, new students will begin moving into their residence halls and kick off their college careers. For returning students living on campus, move-in day will be held a day later on Monday, Aug. 19. Although classes don’t start for another couple of days, the earlier move-in date is designed to give incoming students a little time to settle in and check out everything Binghamton University has to offer. For students who may need to move in earlier than the official dates,
applications to do so will open in early summer. First day of classes This year, classes start on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Although there isn’t much time between move-in day and the first day of classes, professors primarily spend the first couple of days easing into the semester by reviewing the syllabus, which includes going over course policies, important deadlines and general expectations for the class. University Fest At the end of August, the Peace Quad will be packed with rides,
food and music for this year’s University Fest. Although an exact date has yet to be announced, the event will feature tabling by University departments, clubs and other student organizations, with services provided by local vendors. Homecoming weekend This year’s Homecoming weekend will be held from Sept. 20 to Sept. 22, featuring tailgating and numerous anniversary events. This year, the Decker School of Nursing and women’s athletics will be celebrating their 50th anniversary, while Harpur
College will be celebrating its 70th anniversary. All alumni, their families and families of current students are invited. Family weekend From Oct. 11 to Oct. 13, families of students are invited to spend the weekend with their student and enjoy activities sponsored by the University. Families can pay a registration fee and go to open houses, faculty lectures and tours with food and refreshments. Registration opens in the early summer and families are advised to book hotel and travel accommodations early on.
Word on the Street What is one thing incoming students should know about eating on campus?
“Budget your money, because if you don’t pay attention, that runs out really quickly.”
“App is the best dining hall out of the communities and [Nite Owl] is always fun on weekends.”
Rachel Russo, a junior double-majoring in systems science and industrial engineering and theatre
Ninci Mathew, a sophomore majoring in business administration
“I would definitely recommend App if you can make the walk up there; there is a view there to enjoy while eating and the food is generally better quality.”
“Know what time the dining halls close because sometimes dining halls close early on weekends and you don’t realize.”
James Hong, a freshman majoring in economics
“The burgers at CIW are really good, and so are the milkshakes at C4.” William Fleming, a junior majoring in electrical engineering
Jovannah Gerisma, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience
“Don’t just eat at your own dining hall, try to balance them out throughout the week. Eating at the same one can get pretty repetitive, try new things.” Sarah Cahlstadt, an undeclared freshman
COMIC CLUB
A place For Everything Comics! everyone is welcome! comicclub@binghamtonsa.org
SA CHARTERED
OPINIONS Summer 2019
JUST A TASTE OF WHAT’S TO COME Feeling disoriented during orientation? Don’t worry, everyone is.
jo myers editorial artist
College orientation is a fastpaced, action-packed adventure full of laughter and anxiety for all, but it’s important to remember that it isn’t the whole college experience. It takes time to establish yourself at college, and you can’t possibly do that in the span of two days. In the mad rush from activity to activity, you may find yourself feeling isolated and insecure from orientation’s
sampler of college life. All those feelings are perfectly normal when you’re one of thousands feeling that way (even if everyone tries to play it cool). The icebreakers may be brutal at first, but you’ll soon find that they make orientation a communal endeavor, love it or hate it. It’s good to familiarize yourself with the faces you see in your brief visit, as you might just find a few of them again when you return in the fall.
If there’s anything that orientation does well, it’s how it shows the best of being a college student. There are so many options for discovering what you enjoy and, more importantly, who you are, that it may be daunting, but that’s the beauty of being where you are. Don’t feel pressured to suddenly become aware of what you want to do and who you want to be, because it’s not going to happen overnight, as
nice as that might sound. It’s a slow and steady process that begins with orientation, even if you leave with more questions than answers. At the very least, you should take orientation as an opportunity to probe the paths you might take when you return in a few short weeks, be it in academics or personal development. The Editorial Board wishes to impart some wisdom about orientation from people who’ve
lived to tell the tale. Scheduling, if you haven’t already heard, might not be the most pleasant experience of your life. Use it as an opportunity to bond, because you’ll come to find that scheduling is always less than pleasant. Be open to socializing, but know you might not make friends for life out of the first people you meet. Those friends will come in due time. Don’t be afraid to ask your orientation adviser
about any clubs you may be interested in — they might know how to guide you to your new family. Lastly, don’t be afraid to explore. It won’t be long before the campus you walk upon today feels more like home than home does. All in all, orientation is a scary and confusing time for everyone, but don’t forget that it doesn’t define the college experience. It’s just a taste of things to come.
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.
How to make college unique to you You are the deciding factor in your college experience Elizabeth Short Assistant Opinions Editor
First things first, congrats on getting into Binghamton University! I’ll admit BU may have been one of my top choices, but it wasn’t exactly my dream school. I had originally planned on attending Tisch School of the Arts at New York University to study acting and directing, but when life took me in a different direction, I b e c a m e determined to make the most out of BU. And as someone who’s dealt with all the mental health issues that more often than not coincide with college, I hate to be that person who just parrots “It’s all about your attitude,” but that statement isn’t entirely wrong. You get out of college what you put into it. I’m in the pretty unique position of being a living example that you can make so much more work for you in college than you think. I’m a doublemajor (hopefully dual degree come next year) in diametrically opposed disciplines, I’m involved in a little too much on campus and I have still somewhat managed to do well (enough) in my classes. Have I overworked myself at times? Yes. Had that inevitable breakdown come finals week? Absolutely. Faced
unnecessary drama? Of course. Would I change a thing about my life as of now? Nope. I’m beyond busy, but going out of my way to find joy in what I do is what keeps me sane. I think college can perpetuate a culture of suffering with too much work. If you’re not spending hours in the library cramming, you’re lazy. If you’re consistently happy, you’re clearly doing something wrong. There’s this strange superiority those with more “traditionally hard” majors feel toward those
things that disappoint you. Apply for opportunities that you feel unqualified for! Try to build a bridge with that established professor who intimidates you! Sit in on a class that you think is cool! Take a break from studying to see friends! Fear is so temporary and even if things don’t work out, that’s one more thing you can cross off your list. College is a time for risks and mistakes; you wouldn’t believe the stories you’ll make by doing what makes you happy. My other big piece of advice: Don’t be scared of being a pain in the ass. Be persistent! I know you might be scared of annoying people, but calling an office about a job opportunity or reminding a professor you admire about research will be something less painful to look back on than a missed chance. So don’t be scared of being busy, and definitely don’t be scared of prioritizing your happiness in college. My mom always says, “Sometimes you need to look at all your options, determine which is the most selfish and then do it.” This is your time to try and shape a path for yourself, so don’t be scared of the power you have over your own life — it’s greater than you think. College has the potential to be whatever you want to make it, and you’re the person who can make it great. — Elizabeth Short is a sophomore double-majoring in biology and English.
“I think college can perpetuate a
Hottest takes of 2018-19 In the 2018-19 academic year, we were served a smorgasbord of opinions — from a critique on marijuana policies to a celebration of local businesses, the Binghamton University student body spilled their hearts as they spilled their ink. Our contributors and guest columnists dished out much food for thought, engaging in conversations around feminism, gun violence, racism, education and local politics, just to name a few. Here are some of the hottest takes we put in print:
“High school and college teachers always warn against citing Wikipedia in papers, and here is a prime example: On the upstate New York Wikipedia page, it says, ‘Upstate New York is the portion of the American state of New York lying north of the New York metropolitan area.’ Clearly, someone from the metropolitan area has hacked Wikipedia to display false information.” — From Contributing Columnist Nicholas Walker’s “Binghamton is not part of upstate New York”
culture of suffering with too much
work. If you’re not spending hours in the library cramming, you’re lazy. If
you’re consistently happy, you’re clearly
“It is absolutely correct that victims and their families need better support from communities. We can provide that support without stripping millions of their rights.” — From Guest Columnist Nadiya Al-Noor’s “Stricter gun legislation is not the answer to gun violence”
doing something wrong. There’s this strange superiority those with more
‘traditionally hard’ majors feel toward those considered ‘easy.’ That’s all beyond wrong.” considered “easy.” That’s all beyond wrong. Being away from your family and dealing with this newfound independence is terrifying, but it also means you are in charge of your experiences. Choose your field of study not just based on what’ll make you money down the line, but based on what makes you feel whole as a person. Choose your activities the same way, even if they’re completely opposite to your major. Design your schedule based on what makes you happy, and walk away from
“As human rights advocates, we cannot simply deny one large population within our society. We must stand up for those who need it while having an open heart and mind.” — From Contributing Columnist Tiffany Dun’s “Continuing the fight for transgender people’s rights”
“Environmentalist movements today are often met with such strong resistance that the fight can become exhausting and demoralizing. But I urge you, millennials, to keep in mind what exactly we are fighting for: our lives and the survival of humanity.” — From Columnist Georgia Kerkezis’ “Maybe the environment is not as doomed as we think”
“Sometimes it takes looking at our country from the outside in to appreciate its flaws and idiosyncrasies. I’ve come to appreciate our country for what it is — a loud, boisterous, noisy, colorful democracy, its divisions a feature of our system, not a bug.” — From Columnist Aaron Bondar’s “Embracing America’s tension between unity and diversity”
Survive freshman year with these do’s and don’ts Tips for your first year as a student at BU Katy Wong & Gabriela Iacovano arts & culture
As a brand-new freshman, transitioning into the “adult” lifestyle of college is a seemingly daunting task. From nervous small talk with your floor mates to accidentally habitually skipping classes (because let’s face it, one free skip probably turned into three), freshman year can seem like a series of awkward yet unavoidable moments. To make the adjustment easier, follow Pipe Dream’s tips on navigating freshman year’s dos and don’ts. Don’t: Wear a lanyard around your neck. Nothing screams freshman more than wearing a long, Pantone 342-colored lanyard around your neck while walking around campus. Extra points if there’s a clear ID holder attached to the string. Imagine this: You’re running across the Spine with your lanyard and keys dangling around your neck because you woke up late for your 8:30 a.m. lecture. To lessen the chance of being immediately pointed out as a new student, keep your ID
in a zippered pocket or your backpack. Do: Keep your ID safe. If a pocket or backpack isn’t enough maximum security for you, purchase a silicone pocket for the back of your phone instead. Not only do these pockets easily store your ID and credit cards, but they’re also sold as cheap as $0.40. Lighten your load and skip the lanyards, especially since one at the University Bookstore can cost between $10 and $20. Don’t: Skip your morning classes. While the idea of staying in bed may sound more attractive than an 8 a.m. mathematics lecture, skipping class can quickly become a habit. Don’t end up trying to teach yourself the textbook right before your midterm. Attend class regularly and take good notes. Your GPA will appreciate it, not to mention your bank account, as college tuition is not cheap. Do: Develop a daily routine. Whether you start your school days with a morning hike or a plate of chocolate chip pancakes at your favorite dining hall, a daily routine will keep you energized and motivated. College will grant you a lot more freedom than you probably had in high school, so make sure
you’re optimizing your time outside of class. Don’t: Rely solely on ridesharing apps for transportation every weekend. Uber and Lyft fares add up, especially during syllabus week. To save money, take advantage of BU’s Late Night Off Campus College Transport bus schedule. If you plan your trip ahead of time and screenshot the bus schedules you’ll need later on in the night, it’ll be easy to find them even after a few drinks. If you’ve never needed to master a bus system before, college is the perfect time to learn. Do: Download Uber or Lyft before moving in. As you learn to use the buses, you’re bound to screw up occasionally. When you find yourself stumbling around an unfamiliar area after your first frat party, you’ll be glad you can summon a ride home with the press of a button. Don’t: Wait until the end of the year to bring all of your belongings home. Whether your dorm fills with textbooks or green Parade Day paraphernalia, your freshman year will probably yield more excess stuff than you ever would have expected. When it’s time to move out, you don’t want to be stuck with more
clutter than you started with at the beginning of the year, so keep this in mind and bring unnecessary items home during breaks if you can. You can also send items home with family or friends if they come to visit. Do: Bring a winter coat, gloves and snow boots when you first arrive in August. You’ll need them sooner than you think. Don’t: Go home before Thanksgiving break. The first few months of college are crucial to forming bonds that may last all four years of your undergraduate life. Don’t stress if your first few weekends are boring or lonely — it can take months to hit your stride socially. Challenge yourself to stick it out and explore new social circles instead of rushing home when you’re feeling frustrated. Do: Keep in touch with family. Your transition into college life is probably just as scary for the people who are missing you as it is for you, and a few FaceTime calls per week will ease the nerves on both sides. Whether your family back home consists of blood relatives or a chosen family of close friends, remember to lean on the people who matter most.
A playlist for life in Binghamton Songs to introduce you to campus Makoto Toyoda
contributing writer
Welcome to Binghamton University, new freshmen. You’re starting the next chapter of your life as a college student, and the first step is orientation. It can be overwhelming and a bit hectic; you’ll probably be busy running around trying to follow your schedule instead of getting a feel for the campus. Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled some songs that showcase your new home and some of its notable features. Here’s a playlist to get you acquainted with Binghamton’s many quirks:
It Will Rain — Bruno Mars
Empire State of Mind — Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
EDM remix of How to Save a Life — The Fray
Magnolia — Playboi Carti
The Hat — Ingrid Michaelson
How could we not start off this playlist with a song about rain? Binghamton is one of the cloudiest cities in the country. Like it or not, you’ll be experiencing rain and its various frozen forms for the majority of your time here. At least you’ll have this song to listen to in your dorm while you lament your woes. Bruno Mars will help remind you how you took summer’s warm weather for granted. “What [you] used to have,” you definitely “don’t have it anymore.” You better be prepared, because “there’ll be no sunlight,” “there’ll be no clear skies” and “every day it will rain.” For a long, long time.
If you ask any international student why they came to Binghamton, this song describes what they’ll probably tell you they had imagined before getting here. Unfortunately, Binghamton students are not surrounded by Brooklyn or Tribeca, nor can they go off campus to see a Nets or Yankees game. However, they can definitely see the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Downtown or hit up the bars on State Street. Fortunately, the international students can pull up to Lost Dog Cafe nearby in their “off white Lexus,” like Jay-Z, to make up for their mistake.
A Binghamton classic, you will hear this song at least once in your four years while out on a Friday night. Coming off your adrenaline high after moshing to Mo Bamba in a sweaty living room, you expect the DJ to follow up with a song that is just as exciting. You’ll hear the intro to what sounds like an EDM song, and then it hits you: “Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend.” You’ll look around, see all of the other people at the frat house fist-pumping to The Fray, and be genuinely confused. Who on earth made an EDM remix to this depressing song? Why does this exist? Feeling uneasy, you’ll just go along with it, and then talk about how bad the music was with your friends after leaving. Nobody knows why they keep playing this song — it’s a real Binghamton mystery.
Playboi Carti was the headliner for this year’s Spring Fling, leaving the audience with quite a memorable performance. He closed his setlist with his most popular hit, “Magnolia,” making the student crowd go wild as they shouted along to the iconic line “in New York, I Milly Rock.” Until next year, when a new artist takes the stage, this song will be circulating around frat houses, bars and all your friends’ pregame playlists.
Finishing off our playlist is a song by a famous alum, Ingrid Michaelson. Michaelson graduated from BU in 2001 with a degree in theatre, performing in the a cappella group Binghamtonics and the improv group Pappy Parker Players in her free time. She released a love song reflecting on her time at BU called “The Hat” in her second album, “Girls and Boys.” The song includes fun references like “I knitted you a hat all blue and gold / To keep your ears warm from the Binghamton cold.” Not many schools can say they have a song written about them, but the premier public Ivy can.
provided by binghamton university facebook page Survive your freshman year with Pipe Dream’s tips.
Paving your way as a BU transfer Tips to get acclimated as you start a new chapter Patrick Earns
assistant arts & culture editor
During the first week of the fall semester at Binghamton University, countless incoming freshmen will unpack their belongings in the dorm room where they’ll begin the rest of their life, starting a four-year journey of trials and triumphs in pursuit of walking the stage in their cap and gown. But it’s easy to forget that they aren’t the only students coming to BU for the first time. Transfer students make up roughly 25 percent of the undergraduate student body, and they face unique challenges when it comes to making friends and getting involved on campus. I transferred here in my sophomore year, and my experience taught me a lot about how to make the University your home away from home. If you’re an incoming transfer, I hope my advice can help you make the most of your BU experience. Go to every general interest meeting (GIM) that looks interesting This is really hard if you’re shy, but it’s worth it. One of my biggest mistakes in my first year was not getting involved in clubs because I was too afraid to put myself out there. Don’t repeat my mistake. When the semester gets difficult, it’s easy to bury yourself in your work and avoid socializing, but that’s no way to go through college. Clubs can offer a break from the stress of your coursework as well as a great opportunity to make new friends. You don’t have to join every club you check out, but going to GIMs is a great way to figure out what’s worth your time going forward. Make use of the career center You’re a little closer to graduation than the first-year students, and if you haven’t started thinking about internships or job opportunities, you’re in danger of falling behind. Your college degree might get an employer to keep your résumé out of the trash, but most companies care far more
about your practical experience in the field than they do about how high your GPA was. Luckily, BU’s career center can help. Between job fairs, mock interviews and one-on-one sessions with qualified career consultants, the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development is an invaluable resource in setting yourself up for the postgraduation job search. Don’t wait until senior year to think about your future. Consider a fraternity or sorority Fraternities and sororities are not for everyone, and they’re not necessary to build a social circle you can count on. But if you’re struggling to meet people, Greek life can help you make lifelong friends and ease your transition to BU. It’s important to find the fraternity or sorority that’s right for you, especially at a school with over 50 choices. There’s typically a week where all of the chapters on campus hold social events so prospective pledges can meet with brothers and sisters and see if they’re a match. If you’re not interested in the party scene, there are nontraditional fraternities that focus on things such as community service or arts and literature. Don’t beat yourself up over grades For me, this was the toughest one. I was a perfectionist before I transferred because I wanted my application to be as strong as possible, and any grade lower than an A was an unacceptable failure. But if you’re like me, this is something you have to get out of your system. BU is a challenging school and the transition can be rough, especially if you’re coming from a community college. You’ll probably struggle in your first semester, and that’s not a personal failure. It’s easy to start believing you’re not cut out for the school, but remember that you got in for a reason. The more time you spend regretting the past, the less time you spend working toward the future. If you’re not happy with your grades, pick yourself up and learn from your mistakes. Look toward the future and become the student that you want to be.
F UN
Summer 2019 Thursday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, September October October April 3,2,5, 2017 28, 2017 2017 2017
Swim
Annabeth Sloan
Summertime loving
Sudoku
By The Mepham Group
Daniel Eisenhower
Level: 1 2 3 4 Solution to last issue's puzzle
Learning time
Ashley Sánchez
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Release Date: Thursday, May 23, 2019
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
Summer-y of Binghamton
I’m not kidding
Daniel Eisenhower
Annabeth Sloan
ACROSS 1 Old Russian ruler 5 Landlocked African nation 9 Wedding registry category 14 Famous final question 15 “Ducky” Mallard’s alma mater, on “NCIS” 16 Support people 17 Prefix in juice names 18 Tends to the lawn 19 ’50s four-wheeled failure 20 Particular 23 Kitchen counter? 24 “__ thought” 25 Place to unwind 28 Hospital bigwig 31 Gig gear 34 Lessen 35 Tweak, as text 36 Some trucks 38 The North Pole, for Santa 41 Opposite of endo42 Flat-bottomed vessel 43 Daisy Ridley’s “The Last Jedi” role 44 Formally accuse of wrongdoing 49 Blue Jays’ home: Abbr. 50 Mimicked 51 Small lizard 54 Game played on a floor or table, and a hint to this puzzle’s circled letters 57 Fluffy-eared “bear” 60 Hair-removal brand 61 Vintage ski lift 62 Arouse, as wrath 63 Basic French verb 64 Theta follower 65 Tank fish 66 “Keep it __” 67 Provide job support for?
DOWN 1 __ support 2 Classic Fender guitar, for short 3 Arcade pioneer 4 “Walk This Way” rap trio 5 Many a D.C. landmark 6 Perched on 7 Good-for-nothing 8 Mini-maps 9 14-Across speaker 10 Go underground 11 Cards checked at the door 12 French word in bios 13 Syst. for the hearing-impaired 21 Giggle 22 Sun Devils’ sch. 25 Passover feast 26 Self-assurance 27 On pins and needles 29 Curvy letter 30 Berlin’s home: Abbr. 31 Showing mastery
32 Prefix with brewery 33 Rocker Frampton 37 Scrubbing brand 38 Unlike this ans. 39 Technically flawed comic poetry 40 Nerdy sort 42 Tragic end 45 Much of North Africa 46 PC brain
47 Noted bunny lover 48 Nova __ 52 Skewered meat 53 Give a political speech 54 Put-down 55 Turkey bacon? 56 “Well, shoot” 57 Modeling convenience 58 Tip jar bill 59 Perform
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
By Bryant Shain ©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
02/27/19
05/23 /19
@PipeDreamSports FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS
Summer 2019
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
sidney slon pipe dream photographer Rising sophomore guard Sam Sessoms was named America East Rookie of the Year after a strong freshman campaign that saw him finish third in the America East conference in scoring.
provided by bruce dudek Freshman Aziza Chigatayeva won the 3,000-meter steeplechase three times throughout a dominant track and field season, preceded by a strong showing for the cross country team in the fall.
Sam Sessoms breaks BU freshman scoring record
Aziza Chigatayeva dominates steeplechase
‘Not out there for myself ’ ‘I knew I had the potential’ Samantha Marsh
assistant sports editor
The list of accolades in rising sophomore Sam Sessoms’ college basketball career is so long that most would think the standout guard is a senior. Sessoms ended his first season on the Binghamton men’s basketball team with 588 points, 109 rebounds and 37 steals. He earned the America East Rookie of the Week award seven times (the most in BU history) and was named America East Rookie of the Year. These are just a few of Sessoms’ many accomplishments, earning him Pipe Dream’s pick for Male Athlete of the Year. “During the season, I didn’t really care about the awards too much, but looking back on it, it just lets me know I’m doing the right thing as far as working every day and getting toward my goals,” Sessoms said. Sessoms credits the awards he won during the 2018-19 campaign to the support and dedication of his teammates. “I love my teammates,” Sessoms said. “[They’re] like my brothers. Being with them every day, you just build a relationship.
[They’re] a group of good guys, so yeah, we’re cool.” Before Sessoms, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native, became a star basketball player for BU, he began playing basketball in his neighborhood when he was young, then put in four impressive years at the Shipley School. Sessoms earned team MVP honors three times, scoring a school record of 2,091 career points over his four years. Being one of the stars of his high school team, Sessoms had a difficult decision to make when choosing colleges. Sessoms said that he ultimately decided to come to Binghamton because of its high academic standing, its facilities and the vision of the coaches. “I love the coaching staff,” Sessoms said. “We have a real good relationship. I have a good relationship with everybody on the coaching staff. They’re good men. They stand on their word, honest, truthful. They push everybody to the best they can be.” While Sessoms has won several individual awards, such as tying the single-game school record of 34 points, being selected for third-team allconference and being ranked fifth in the NCAA for freshman
scoring, his favorite memory from this season is one that he shared with the team. “My favorite memory was knocking off Stony Brook in the semifinals because we were like the underdogs,” Sessoms said. “Nobody expected us to win.” With the Stony Brook win, Sessoms is optimistic for the future of Binghamton men’s basketball. After meeting the new recruits and playing with returning team members, Sessoms said if the team puts in effort in the weight room and on the basketball court, and listens to the coaches’ messages, the team will be in good hands. “My goal is to have a winning season, get my team closer to the NCAA tournament, if not inside of it,” Sessoms said. “I just wanna do whatever I can to help the team win and be successful.” After scoring 20 or more points in 12 games, 30 or more twice and setting new BU freshman records for points, assists, steals and 3-pointers, Sessoms is doing more than enough to propel the Bearcats to new heights. Sessoms, however, said everything he leaves on the court is for the team. “I’m not out there for myself,” Sessoms said. “It’s for other people.”
Justin Zion
sports editor
Nine months ago, Aziza Chigatayeva was a freshman at the very start of her college career. She was brand new to Binghamton University and brand new to the track and field and cross country teams, although she had some high school running experience with a few accolades. Now, Chigatayeva has completed several top finishes for the women’s cross country team and owns a program record in track and field, earning her Pipe Dream’s Female Athlete of the Year award. Chigatayeva isn’t completely new to track and field success, as she won the 2018 New York State Federation 2,000 steeplechase title and placed fourth at the 2018 New Balance National Meet in the same event in high school. Still, not many people expected her to achieve this level of success so early in her collegiate career, least of all her. “I knew I had the potential, but whether or not I would do [track and field] was up in the air,” Chigatayeva said. “I definitely worked on a lot of fixing and toning, the things I didn’t do in high school.”
It certainly isn’t up in the air anymore. Chigatayeva competed in all five cross country meets this season back in the fall. In the women’s Brown Race at Lehigh University, Chigatayeva was the top Bearcat finisher, placing in 31st out of 362 runners. At the very next meet in Princeton, New Jersey, Chigatayeva improved on her standing, this time coming in 26th place in the 6K run. Her best performance of the cross country season came at the America East Championships, where she claimed third place in the 5K run, tying the highest-ever finish by a Bearcat at the AE Championships at that event (Katie Razdik, 2005). These performances earned her the 2018 AE Most Outstanding Women’s Rookie. It was during the women’s track and field season, however, that Chigatayeva began to shine in earnest. All of her major accomplishments in the track and field season of spring 2019 stemmed from a single event: the 3,000 steeplechase. Chigatayeva won that event at three separate meets this season, breaking the BU program record twice along the way. Chigatayeva first smashed the record by a whopping 22 seconds at the Colonial Relays in April, then broke her own record
five weeks later at the ECAC/ IC4A meet (10:22.76), with an AE Championships win in the event sandwiched in between. She was named the Most Outstanding Women’s Rookie in the AE for track and field, winning that award for the second sport this year. Many athletes who find success at their sport, both at the collegiate and the professional level, have been practicing their chosen sport since their early childhood days, but Chigatayeva only began her distance running career in high school at the suggestion of a friend. “In high school, one of my friends was on the team, and I needed something to do basically,” Chigatayeva said. “I joined late into the season, and I ended up really liking it. It’s crazy that it only happened four years ago, when I had no idea what I was getting into. It’s nice to look back, and I’m so glad that I joined.” Chigatayeva has been on a roll ever since, and she has no plans of slowing down in the three years she has left at BU. Though her season can definitely be described as a personal triumph, Chigatayeva still has lofty goals she wishes to achieve in the coming seasons, both for herself and the program. “The ultimate goal is to compete at the national level, which is extremely hard to do,” Chigatayeva said. “If I could get there that would be great, and putting our program on the map would be great, because it shows that little schools can produce great runners.”
provided by kathleen helman
sidney slon pipe dream photographer
Rising sophomore Aziza Chigatayeva was named Most Outstanding Women’s Rookie at the America East Outdoor Championships on May 4.
Rising sophomore Sam Sessoms ranked fifth in Division I basketball in freshman scoring during the 2018-19 season.
BU student-athletes discuss summer plans, training Wick, Moon talk offseason workout regimen Edward Aaron
assistant aports editor
As Binghamton University students head home for summer break, they can look forward to a swift getaway from school activities for the three-month period. For Binghamton’s student-athletes, however, the summer is a busy time. With the season beginning immediately in the semester for Binghamton’s fall teams, the academic year starts early for many athletes. BU’s soccer and volleyball teams arrive in town in early August to begin their preseason. But the preseason is not the only form of training done by student-athletes throughout the summer. Prior to arriving on campus, members of Binghamton’s women’s soccer team play soccer for a different team throughout the summer. “Everyone’s required to play in some sort of summer league;
usually within your area there’s a ton of girls that play club together that play in college,” said midfielder Abby Wick, a rising senior. “I play with a girl from UMBC that I know from high school, and a lot of the Long Island girls play on teams together.” The work isn’t limited to just playing in a summer league — there are also expectations placed on athletes by the BU coaching staff to stay in shape during their time away. “Our coaches give us a fitness packet and a strength packet,” Wick said. “So, three days a week we’re supposed to do some sort of lift routine, and three or four days a week we’re supposed to do some sort of fitness activity. They give us different ideas.” Wick said student-athletes are also expected to hone their soccer skills throughout the offseason. Each player is given specific aspects of their game to work on. “We have end-of-the-year individual meetings with our coaches and they give us certain technical things they want us to work on,” Wick said. “I think
ariel kachuro assistant photography editor Rising senior midfielder Abby Wick will spend her summer preparing to lead the Bearcats in 2019 as a team captain.
I’m focusing on long passes and my strike.” In her time off this summer, Wick, a native of Yardley, Pennsylvania, said she plans to spend time at her family’s beach house on the Jersey Shore, and hopes to visit her Bearcat teammates on Long Island. Just before the fall teams arrive, during the Summer II
session, Binghamton’s winter teams are in town from early July to early August, preparing for their upcoming seasons. “We have our entire team, including our incoming freshmen and transfers, all here for summer semester two,” said BU wrestling head coach Kyle Borshoff. “They’re all on campus. Many of them take classes, and they’re
typically wrestling and lifting four to five days a week.” Although the season doesn’t begin until November, members of Binghamton’s basketball and wrestling teams use time over the summer to develop their skills and maintain strong conditioning. “The offseason is typically the biggest opportunity for personal development for players, but also this is where we do probably our most intense workouts, just because the season is so far away,” said guard Kai Moon, a rising senior. “This way you try to become stronger, lifting heavier weights and doing more reps, and you can kinda push your body a little bit more to prepare for the season.” Moon said the summer practice session also provides an excellent opportunity for incoming freshmen to adjust to the experience of being a student-athlete. “I think that’s probably what prepares them the most and gets them acclimated the best in terms of what college basketball will be like,” Moon said. “They’re thrown into the fire a little bit when they
first get here, but they’re not thrown into it right as the season is about to start.” With the basketball season spanning both semesters, players are often unable to go home during the Thanksgiving and winter breaks. Even with team activities, there is still time off, and Moon said she looks forward to spending time with her friends and family in Bolingbrook, Illinois and taking a family vacation to Seattle. Borshoff believes that while it isn’t easy for student-athletes to give up parts of the summer to focus on team activities, the benefits can pay off when the season begins. He said having team activities during the summer can be a strong attribute to the BU wrestling program’s success. “During the summer, it’s usually us and the basketball programs with pretty much our full teams on campus,” Borshoff said. “It gives us a good chance to bridge the gap between us and some of the bigger universities that may not have their teams doing the same things.”