Volume LXIII, Issue 17
sbstatesman.com
Monday, February 3, 2020
SBU stops all universitysponsored trips to China
By Alek Lewis and Brianne Ledda
Assistant News Editor and News Editor
ETHAN TAM / THE STATESMAN
Redshirt-junior forward Andrew Garcia goes for a layup during Saturday's game against UMBC at Island Federal Arena. Garcia had 12 points in the Seawolves' 74-63 win over the Retrievers.
Marching band sees new uniforms after 4-year process
By Sean Gribbin Contributing Writer
Shannon Conley, a french horn player who graduated last May, labored day in and out to procure the new marching band uniforms she was promised, yet never got the chance to wear herself. Former band director Shayna Stahl started the process to purchase new uniforms for The Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band in 2015, but numerous hurdles — including committee approvals and downsized budgets — drew it out. According to the current band director, Dr. Justin R. Stolarik, “no one that
was in on the design process is wearing them.” The band finally brandished the fresh garb this past November. Until then, the band wore the original stock uniforms — often compared to The Nutcracker or toy soldiers — used since the band’s inception in 2006. According to Stolarik and Interim Associate Dean, Jeffrey Barnett, who also worked on the uniforms, the shelf life for a typical band uniform is between seven and 10 years. Stony Brook’s uniforms were worn for more than 14. Conley said that seeing the new uniforms “was a major relief.” She had served on the com-
mittee tasked with purchasing the new attire since conversations had started in 2015. However, before discussions about financing for the uniforms could even begin, the design needed to be finalized. The process began with various companies submitting their own visions for the new uniforms. Barnett noted that part of the decision-making was figuring out “what do we want?” Ideas ranged from traditional, military fashions to more modern styles similar to the one that would eventually be chosen. Director Emeritus John Leddy claimed that “there must
have been five or eight designs” that were considered. One of the frontrunners was completely black, with only small accents of red. Any proposed layout required approval from the Office of Marketing and Communications, as well as organizations like The Division of Student Life. Once the design was finalized, the marching band executive board was ready to move on to purchasing and procurement procedures. There was no need to fundraise since the money had already been earmarked by former Stony Brook presiContinued on page 4
Food market opens at the Student Activities Center
By Alek Lewis
Assistant News Editor
The SAC Market — which opened its doors on Jan. 26 in the Student Activities Center (SAC) — is split up into three sections: the Argo Tea Café, Craft Salads and Bowls and the SBU Marketplace at the SAC. The SAC Market includes tables and chairs where students can eat and relax, complete with outlets to charge devices. Amanda Alicea, the Faculty Student Association (FSA)
business development manager, said that the SAC Market was designed to be as “flexible” as possible for the student body. “We really wanted to make sure that we focused on bringing craveable sustainable, authentic options with plenty of variety focused on the grab-and-go aspect,” Alicea said. “We really wanted to also build a space so that if you do have some time, you can plug in your computer, spend some time with friends or work on a project.”
The popular Chicago based tea company and franchise, Argo Tea Café, offers a wide selection of beverages, including different flavored tea, coffee, espresso, bubble tea, tea squeeze and teapuccinos. “It's cool. It's trendy. It's a lot more than just tea, although they have about a dozen different teas on tap,” Angela Agnello, FSA director of marketing2 communications, said. “It also has things like vegan muffins and a breakfast program that has a lot
News
Arts & Culture
The marching band had the old uniforms for 14 years.
Shows like "Aladdin" and "Lion King" are offered.
Marching band gets new uniforms.
MORE ON PAGE 4
Stony Brook University is establishing “a mandatory pre-approval requirement” for university-sponsored travel to China, at the advice of the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the wake of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), according to a campus-wide email sent by the provost’s office on Thursday. “Faculty, staff and students are urged to give serious evaluation before requesting travel to China as it will require pre-approval and only be granted for essential travel,” the email wrote. “Travel to China is considered high risk and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk.”
“Faculty, staff and students are urged to give serious evaluation before requesting travel to China as it will require pre-approval ...” -Stony Brook University
of pastries and things like that. So there's a lot more to it.” Idalia Borzone, a sophomore chemistry major, enjoyed the hibiscus lemonade she bought from the Argo Tea Café, however, thought the price was steep. “It’s about the same price as Starbucks and Starbucks is overpriced,” she said. “Four dollars for a small lemonade? A little bit of a rip off to be honest. But it was good.”
The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory on Thursday — upping China to a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” — after the World Health Organization labeled the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The advisory noted that travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions “to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.” Commercial airline carriers have already minimized
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Opinions
Sports
At some point, you need to embrace your sexuality.
Seawolves beat UMBC on Children's Hospital Night.
USG offers Broadway ticket discounts
Accepting my bisexuality.
MORE ON PAGE 6
MORE ON PAGE 8
Men's Basketball gets meaningful win. MORE ON PAGE 12