The Statesman 02-03-20 by The Statesman

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 8

Men's Basketball gets meaningful win. MORE ON PAGE 12

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China upped to Level 4: Do Not Travel Market “flexible” for students Continued from page 1 or ceased routes to and from China. American Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Delta Airlines are among the companies reducing flights to China, according to a list compiled by Business Insider. The Department of State requested in the travel advisory that all non-essential U.S. government personnel put off travel to China. The department ordered the departure of government employees and their families from Wuhan, China — the epicenter of the outbreak — on Jan. 23. A Stony Brook professor was evacuated from Wuhan earlier this week, landing in Southern California on Wednesday. The Chinese government is also tightening travel restrictions around the country, making it difficult for some Stony Brook students to make it back in time for classes. Approximately 40 international students that are still in China contacted the university as of Feb. 2 to request late arrival accommodations or leaves of absences, according to the university Media Relations Office. The CDC has also issued a level three travel notice advising against all nonessential travel to China.

The White House, in a press briefing on Friday, outlined the Trump Administration's new restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus for travelers, including a mandatory quarantine for those traveling from the center of the outbreak. The restrictions went into effect on Sunday at 5 p.m. “Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in Hubei Province in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine to ensure they are they are provided proper medical care and health screening,” National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) Director, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said in the briefing. The CDC, in conjunction with the Illinois State Department of Health, has confirmed the first U.S. case of human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus between a husband and wife, in a telebriefing on Thursday. “This is not spreading widely in communities, and the general public is believed to be at low risk,” Dr. Ngozi O. Ezike, the director of the Illinois State Department of Public Health said in the telebriefing.

There have been eight confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States as of Feb 2. There are currently no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in New York. The state has sent samples from 12 individuals to the CDC for testing. Eleven results have come back negative and one is still pending. Governor Andrew Cuomo pointed out in a press release on Thursday that the flu presents a more significant risk, as the number of confirmed flu cases and hospitalizations climb every week. A little more than 2,000 patients were hospitalized with the flu last week, 8% more than the previous week. Stony Brook University personnel who plan to travel to China using research foundation funds must submit an electronic foreign travel request for approval, according to the email. Faculty or staff traveling on non research funds must apply for approval by submitting an International Travel Policy form to the president’s office. The provost’s office referred readers to a webpage dedicated to information about the coronavirus and added in the email that the university “will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as appropriate.”

was ready to be completed. As soon as he was able, he brought what had been a concept for four years to life. “This process should really only have taken a year, year and a half,” Stolarik said. The uniforms arrived only a few weeks after the purchase was made. The pants were all black, the jackets red, with a white front and a large “SB” logo painted across it. In the words of sophomore engineering chemistry major and baritone player, Brian McElroy, “It looked less generic, more Stony Brook.” Although she never wore one, Conley considers the new uniforms “a really big win for the band.” Junior electrical engineering major and tenor saxophonist, Michael Charumaneeroj, is

grateful that “they are adjustable length-wise,” while Stony Brook graduate and former band president, Alexander Peck, likes that the large logo is “recognizable from a distance.” Clarinetist and junior biology and psychology double major, Chris Mayer, on the other hand, was thrilled to have pockets, making it easier to carry reeds or valve oil. Band members believe the uniforms have led to a heightened sense of pride on campus, which was what former President Kenny wanted when the band was created. “I am so proud of the band and all it has accomplished,” she said. “They have become a part of what makes students want to be at Stony Brook. It’s come a long way since that first year when it was 17 members strong.”

Budget issues impede new uniform process Continued from page 1

dent, Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny, who started the band. However, thanks to a significant budget deficit in recent years, rules imposed in an effort to avoid risky spending made the funds practically untouchable. The board believed it best to purchase 300 uniforms to cover the magnitude of members seen each year, making the price tag around $120,000. State procedure dictates that a purchase of this scale requires at least three quotes or a price justification and a contract advertisement to make it a reality. Two band director changes during the process only added confusion. By the time Stolarik was appointed in 2018, the deliberations were over and the purchase

Continued from page 1 The SBU Marketplace section includes an international food bar, frozen dessert freezer, SBU Sweets display and more.

ALEK LEWIS / THE STATESMAN

A student ordering from the Argo Tea Café located in the new SAC Market. It opened on Jan. 26. The international food bar, which is priced at $8.95 per pound, offers nine different hot food options and two soup options. The options are in constant rotation; some include Rigatoni Bolognese, Chipotle Lime Rotisserie Chicken and Shrimp and Cauliflower Rice “Risotto.” “A lot of thought went into it to have options that students could customize that they can enjoy,” Agnello said. “Because this is a diverse campus, that's why you wanted to have a rotating menu in that hot food bar with all those different global flavors. We really want students to be excited about that.”

“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.” -Amanda Alicea

FSA Business Development Manager

EMMA HARRIS / THE STATESMAN

The Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band performing at a football game last fall. They recently received new uniforms after wearing the older versions for 14 years.

new international food station. She enjoyed the food and thought the price was reasonable. “I grew up in the city, so I'm used to paying $50 for like two pieces of potatoes and some corn,” she joked. “So $6, that's

Agnello said that the SBU Marketplace at the SAC wanted to invoke the “look and feel of a Whole Foods” with its fresh ingredients. Brianna Blagrove, a sophomore biology major, ate at the

fine, but I know $9 a pound isn't reasonable for everybody on campus.” The SBU Marketplace at the SAC includes a display from SBU Sweets, which houses homemade cupcakes, pies and cookies by campus baker Jacquie Greene, Agnello said. Craft Salads and Bowls, where students order through kiosks, offers eight different specialized salads, as well as an option to build your own salad. They also offer two different hot food bowls per day, which changes daily. “[The kiosks] are made for speed of service,” Alicea said. “So you kind of go in, either select from a curated menu or have the option to customize. And so we know that students do our market research are really into being able to choose their own options.” Michael Stiso, a junior business management major, said that the SAC Market’s look felt “fresh and inviting” and that the atmosphere is reminiscent of a Starbucks. He enjoyed his Santa Fe Chicken Salad from Craft Salads and Bowls, which he used the kiosk to order. Placing his order on the kiosk was an experience that he preferred. “I like that they are pushing healthy with the bowls and everything,” Stiso said. “It’s just a lot of different flavors and stuff that I wouldn't think I would try otherwise.” The SAC Market will have an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 21 from 2-3 p.m. The grand opening will include free food samples. “We're really looking for the campus to join us and be excited about a space that we built for them,” Agnello said. “We really feel that campus deserves new and exciting options and variety. And so we're excited to bring this to campus.”

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ARTS & CULTURE

USG is offering a diverse array of Broadway trips for students By Lajiere Blake

Assistant Arts and Culture Editor

During winter break the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) announced a flurry of surprises for returning Stony Brook students, including discounted trips to see hit Broadway plays. With a fee of $50 students get to see shows like the critically acclaimed “Lion King” during the spring semester. With the release of the Broadway trips, people speculated that they were to replace Brookfest. Upon hearing this supposed rumor of replacement, Chief of Staff for USG and political science major, Carlos Cobo, was quick to debunk the idea. “By no means would Brookfest be replaced with Broadway shows, as Brookfest is not only a major anticipation following spring break, it is a Stony Brook University tradition.” According to Cobo, the budget the university gives USG is big enough for both the Broadway trips and Brookfest, so the decision to cancel one for the other is completely unnecessary. The chance to see Broadway shows isn’t new to Stony Brook students as last semester USG took students to see “Aladdin.” The average ticket price to see “Aladdin” as of Jan. 26 is $108.36. When travel is taken into consideration, the $50 price tag USG is offered doesn’t seem

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A trip to see “Wicked” offered by Student Activities and Engagment, will take place on Feb. 9. USG took students to “The Lion King” on Feb. 1. bad at all. Cobo attended the “Aladdin” trip and revealed that students had the opportunity to tour the New Amsterdam Theater as well. “I would absolutely recommend this trip to students,” Cobo said. USG’s attempt to provide Stony Brook students with entertain-

ment has succeeded so far. Only one trip has been announced by the organization, “The Lion King” on Feb. 1 on social media, SB Engaged and the Campus Connect emails. Tickets to see “Wicked” have also been advertised but these trips are hosted by Student Activities and Engagement.

In an email, Treasurer of USG and senior computer engineering major, Adrian Ortega, explains the importance of giving students the chance to see Broadway plays. “We want students to have the opportunity to experience as many things as they could while they are in college. Hopeful-

ly, the students who participate will either develop a passion for something new or continue to appreciate what they love to do.” It seems that each Broadway trip will be announced as the date draws near. The USG’s official website is barren except for a few names and positions of those who make up the organization. This makes it difficult to find updates about the events they have, but USG seems to utilize their social media pages, especially Instagram, for most of their updates. The Corq app or SB Engaged are two other reliable sources for students to stay up-to-date about any events being held on or off campus by USG. With the need to satisfy a diverse set of students, the decision to pick which Broadway show can be daunting. “The Broadway shows were decided based on availability of the tickets and dates. There are a lot of events being planned in the spring semester, so we had to make sure that no one week is over-saturated with events. We did our best to target the more popular shows,” Ortega said. But with musicals like “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” under their belt, USG has yet to disappoint. Tickets to see “The Lion King” are sold out and tickets to see “Wicked” on Feb. 9, hosted by Student Activities and Engagement, are also sold out.

Billie Eilish wins big as Grammys honor Kobe Bryant after tragedy

By Rabia Gursoy

Assistant Multimedia Editor

During a week full of suspicion and heartbreak, the 2020 Grammys was a bittersweet, emotional rollercoaster that united everyone in spite of grief and controversy. The 62nd annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Staples Center — the same day of legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant’s death. Throughout the night, many artists paid tribute to Bryant, including the host, Alicia Keys. “We’re all feeling crazy sadness right now because earlier today Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero,” Keys said. “And we’re literally standing here, heartbroken, in the house that Kobe Bryant built. Right now, Kobe and his daughter Gianna and all those who have been tragically lost today are in our spirits our hearts, our prayers. They’re in this building … We never imagined in a million years we’d have to start the show like this." Keys, with her down to earth personality, soothed the audience and made the stadium feel like a safe home. “Tonight we must unite in spite of all the news we are seeing,” Keys sang during the opening of the Grammys. She performed “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” with Boyz II Men, as the camera zoomed on a close up of Bryant's Lakers jerseys hanging in the rafters.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

The award presented to winners at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards which took place on Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. His iconic golden and purple Lakers jerseys — 8 and 24 — shimmered over “the house that Kobe Bryant built,” as it was labeled by Keys. Aerosmith, alongside Lil Nas X, paid homage to Byrant by making his jerseys a focal point of their performance. The biggest night in music was packed with incredible performances from 2019’s most listened to artists and the 2020 nominees. One of the most memorable performances of the night was by Demi Lovato who returned to the

stage after a year of rehab. Lovato sang “Anyone,” a song with personal lyrics asking for someone to listen and help her. Overcome by emotion, she restarted her song as a single tear ran down her cheek. According to her interview with Zane Lowe from Beats 1, she mentioned writing the song the day after she was hospitalized in 2018 due to a drug overdose. Lovato was met with a standing ovation at the end of her performance. The rest of the night hosted performances by Lil Nas X, BTS, Billy

Ray Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Jonas Brothers, Lizzo and many more. Artist Billie Eilish was the shining star of the night, sweeping up awards in five categories. Eilish received Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Song of the Year and Best New Artist. While receiving the award for Album of the Year along with her brother, songwriter Finneas O'Connell, Eilish said, “Can I just say that I think Ariana deserves

this. ‘thank u, next’ got me through some s- - -,” and was immediately censored. Grande responded by saying “no no” from the crowd. Eilish and O’Connell explained that they had not prepared a speech because they weren’t expecting the award. The pair said “Thank you” right before their time was up. Grande fans were upset that she went home empty-handed. “I’m still a little suspicious about the singers who won. I mean Ariana should’ve gotten at least one reward. Her songs were on Billboard Hot 100 Songs for weeks,” said 13-year-old Grande fan, Betül Büyükbayraktar. CEO Deborah Dugan accused the Grammys of being rigged after the Recording Academy announced that she had been put on administrative leave for misconduct. These allegations only fueled fans' suspicions. Academy Chief Awards Officer, Bill Freimuth, fired back and denied the claims in a statement sent to Variety magazine saying that the allegation is “false, misleading and wrong. This process is strictly enforced with everyone involved and has no exceptions.” The night came to an end with Keys’ last words, “Thank you so much for speaking our language to all the amazing artists in here tonight all night long. We got a lot to change, we got a lot to do. Keep speaking the truth. Peace and love. We love you so much. God bless Kobe’s family. We love you.”

The Statesman

Arts & Culture

Monday, February 3, 2020

Director Jérémy Clapin impresses with animated film “I Lost My Body” By Claudia Motley Contributing Writer

Jérémy Clapin’s critically acclaimed animated feature, “I Lost My Body,” premiered in theaters Nov. 15. This French story is about a severed hand that travels across Paris to reunite with its owner, who has become a carpenter, in the hopes of winning the heart of a girl he met as a pizza delivery man. It is a rather abstract film designed for those in need of nuance thrillers and super satisfying visuals. Clapin achieves this single-handedly — pun intended — in a classic yet avant-garde fashion that will render even the most hard-hearted speechless. It’s no wonder the film took the Nesspresso Grand Prize at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and is now one of Netflix’s two nominations to run in this year’s Oscars race. The beginning sequence is gruesome: we’re introduced to a severed hand in a pool of blood. Your ears itch at the sound of a buzzing fly. Sound plays a major role in Clapin’s storytelling, particularly in the main character’s, Naoufel, childhood. We are pulled into a flashback, symbolized by a switch from crisp coloration to a greyscale scene in which a young Naoufel is with his father. This opening montage, during which the credits are also revealed, is pure cinematic novelty: sharp transitioning, contrast and the creative use of sound

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“I Lost My Body” premiered both in theaters and on Netflix on Nov. 15 and Nov. 29, respectively.

to add deep emotion to the provided imagery. Throughout the movie’s entirety, we watch Naoufel as a victim of a dull, thrill-less, meaningless life as he works as a lethargic pizza delivery man living with what the audience assumes to be some distant relatives. His aspirations as a child to be both a pianist and an astronaut become nothing more than distant memories. As his severed hand journeys to find him, we are shown the days leading up to the moment where the hand gets severed in the first place. Much of the story is told not as Naoufel losing his hand, but as his hand losing him. Much of the journey and self-reflection is conducted by the hand, while we also watch Naoufel’s life leading up to the moment his hand is lost. Tension holds steady for much of the movie as we not only wonder about how the incident had happened but rather what will happen when Naoufel and his hand finally reunite. It is, admittedly, a confusing film with a complex storyline. Fortunately, Netflix provides its English-speaking audience with an English dub. For those who prefer a more organic experience, however, subtitles are also available. Aside from abstract storytelling, however, Clapin succeeds in providing clear imagery and stunning cinematography. I’d say the animation’s only downfall would be in some character designs, which sometimes

feel displaced and disproportionate, although this could simply boil down to artistic preference. Coming from a love of various animated marvels from the international stage, I’d say some of the aspects fall just a pen stroke short of spectacular. Yet when it came to much of the landscape design, it was easy to forget many of these shortfalls.

“Aside from abstract storytelling, however, Clapin succeeds in providing clear imagery and stunning cinematography.” “I Lost My Body” was an exceptional piece. It stands as proof that streaming services such as Netflix are not only platforms designed for bingeing finished television series, but are now a stage for the experimental, especially when it comes to foreign and independent films. Where theatres fail in featuring the avant-garde, Netflix succeeds, providing films such as Clapin’s work the audience that it deserves.

OPINIONS Editor-in-Chief..................Gary Ghayrat Managing Editor..............Karina Gerry Managing Editor..........Chris Parkinson News Editor..............................................................Brianne Ledda Arts & Culture Editor..............................................Melissa Azofeifa Multimedia Editor........................................................Sara Ruberg Opinions Editor...........................................................Cindy Mizaku Sports Editor.................................................................Ryan Pavich Copy Chief..........................................................Alexa Anderwkavich Assistant News Editor..................................................Maya Brown Assistant News Editor....................................................Alek Lewis Assistant News Editor......................................Samantha Robinson Assistant Arts & Culture Editor..........................Alexander Bakirdan Assistant Arts & Culture Editor.................................Lajiere Blake Assistant Multimedia Editor.....................................Rabia Gursoy Assistant Multimedia Editor.....................................Emma Harris Assistant Opinions Editor.............................................Fanni Frankl Assistant Opinions Editor.............................................Sam Lauria Assistant Sports Editor................................................Ross O’Keefe Assistant Sports Editor..................................................Ethan Tam Assistant Copy Editor..............................................Donovan Alexis Assistant Copy Editor.....................................................Karla Rios Assistant Copy Editor..............................................Michelle Wong Advertising Manager ............................................. Kaylee McAllister

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Pride parade on June 30, 2019 in New York City. The LGBTQ* Center at SBU provides students with opportunities to raise awareness about gender and sexuality.

Coming to terms with my bisexual identity By Mike Gaisser Contributing Writer

Mike Gaisser is a junior journalism major and a political science minor. It was a cool, October day at the King Parks Psychiatric Center, a now abandoned psychiatric hospital on Long Island, NY. A friend and I had driven there to take some pictures for a new album he was working on. After we took the pictures he wanted, we took a walk through the center of the abandoned hospital grounds, passing by the creepy, graffiti-filled buildings with no one else around us. As we were talking, there was something very heavy weighing on me that I needed to tell him. Something that I had kept secret for many years and told no one about. We sat down on the grass and I unloaded my biggest baggage. “I’m attracted to more than just women,” I said, as I nervously fiddled with the grass. I knew I was romantically attracted to women, but physically attracted to men. Therefore, I came out as bisexual. I knew I was physically attracted to the same gender probably since sixth grade and there was no mistaking it. As I got older, certain physical physiques of guys would “turn me on” (for lack of a better term). I never felt that way about girls or women, unlike the other boys I was surrounded by. I grew up and went to public school in the small hamlet of Commack, Long Island. I always felt different than the other boys and never clicked with one particular group. There wasn't much diversity in my hometown, but I knew LGBTQ+ people existed. However, I didn’t know any personally until I graduated high school.

Corrections

I never had anyone telling me being gay or bisexual was okay and no big deal. I remember having several crushes on girls and always wanting to have a girlfriend, but that never materialized. And throughout middle and high school, I never told anyone about my true sexuality. I was also asked about my sexuality in different ways. For example, I remember lying to a physician about being physically attracted to the opposite gender when asked. In all these instances, I lied about being straight. I graduated high school and entered college in 2016 as a journalism major. I slowly began to grow sick of the lying and denying. In recent years, I preached acceptance and tolerance of the LGBTQ+ community and I even wrote an article on how several U.S. colleges support the community’s rising numbers. Yet I was still denying my own sexuality. I perceived myself as a hypocrite. My physical attraction to the same gender never changed or disappeared. I didn’t want to accept my sexuality because I felt like I needed to be straight in a heteronormative world. But I finally hit my breaking point in October 2019 after National Coming Out Day, just a few months short of my 22nd birthday. I wasn’t being honest with myself for so many years and just had enough. At that point, it felt more dirty to lie and deny my sexuality, than to just accept it as part of me. I told myself, “Mike, it’s literally just the same gender. It’s not a big deal. Just say it and be done with it!” So I did, and there was no turning back. After I came out, I felt a huge sense of relief. The shame had finally gone away. For the first time, I began feeling happy with myself because I was finally okay

with my attraction towards the same gender. I felt like I came out rather late, but I did it when I was ready and I knew for sure that I was bisexual. It was a slow process, going from full denial to total acceptance. I wouldn’t have been able to handle being outed earlier even though I had developed a “don’t give a s - - -” attitude. It’s worth stressing that someone’s sexual orientation is their own personal business. Every person has the right to decide who they want to share it with, when and how. I struggled with the decision to put my sexuality out there like this, but the reason I wanted to was so that I could speak to anyone still struggling. If you’re still not accepting your sexuality, you will have to stop that one day! It doesn’t feel good to lie to yourself about it. You will hit a breaking point because you’re never going to be able to change it. From my experience, accepting and admitting it will make you happier with yourself. But this is a personal, internal process that will take time. Anyone who would take issue with your sexuality isn't worth keeping in your life. Human sexuality is completely natural. As college students, we may not talk about it much, but with the exception of asexuals, we all feel physical attraction. No one should feel embarrassed or ashamed about it and we have no choice in what gender we are attracted towards. I don’t know where my bisexuality will take me or how it will affect my life because I’m open dating either gender. The result of living in denial was the worst feeling and I don’t wish that on anybody. Accepting myself was something I felt like I needed to do to move forward.

No corrections were made to the last issue (Volume LXIII, Issue 16) of the paper. Readers can send an email to editors@sbstatesman.com regarding any errors made in articles.

Opinions

The Statesman

Monday, February 3, 2020

SBU needs to reinforce the guest policy to ensure housing safety

SHAH ALI HAIDER SHANTO / THE STATESMAN

Kelly Quad at SBU during early Spring 2020. SBU's housing policy states that students must show valid ID when entering the main campus after 11 p.m. By Xenia Gonikberg Staff Writer

Xenia Gonikberg is a freshman journalism major. Over the course of the last three months, I have been looking into an issue that needs to be brought up as it affects many students at Stony Brook University (SBU): the guest policy. After asking some of my peers, I felt that the school isn’t doing enough to ensure students’ safety and comfort. Maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for students

living on campus can have an impact on academics and social life, so it is important that all housing policies are followed. The policy regarding housing as listed on the Campus Residences’ web page states, “It is essential that the Division provide facilities which are clean, safe, comfortable and affordable, and which are managed effectively and efficiently.” More specifically, the housing policy maintains that “guests must be escorted by their hosts at all times. Students must show a valid Stony Brook University

ID when attempting to enter the main campus after 11:00 p.m.” In this year’s Terms of Occupancy agreement, “no individual may be a late night/overnight guest for more than three (3) nights in any seven (7) day period, and a maximum of six (6) nights in any thirty (30) day period.” However, after speaking to several students, it has become clear that the sentiments echoed in Campus Residences’ mission statement and the Terms of Occupancy have been ignored, especially with regards to students’ needs and safety.

Sophomore anthropology major, Hailey Abate, has experienced firsthand problems with housing on campus. “The guest policy enforcement needs to change because there is a lack of security on campus due to the fact that if you don’t enter through the front door of the building, you don’t need to sign in,” she said. It is easy for people to abuse the guest policy unknowingly or intentionally, and it is even easier to get away with it since dorm rooms aren’t constantly being monitored. Abate was also initially reluctant to come forward because she was afraid that her complaints wouldn’t be heard by the housing department, since that has been an issue she has faced in the past. After coming forward with numerous bad experiences in the dorms regarding disagreements with roommates, Abate is frustrated with the way that the housing department and Resident Assistants (RAs) have handled things. Freshman psychology major, Afia Haque, also agrees that there is a lack of security on campus. While working on her Leadership and Service 101 final project, which was to find a solution to a campus issue that impacts student life, Haque and her group uncovered problems with safety and security on campus. In both of these cases, the residence halls were the places where this problem was the most prevalent. “There’s so many ways to get in so casually, and you want to feel safe because it’s where you’re sleeping and spending your time,”

Haque said. After multiple attempts to mediate these conflicts on her own, she has come to the conclusion that in order for her to solve her problem, she has to go through multiple channels of authority — from the RAs to the Assistant Resident Hall Director to the Resident Hall Director of her dorm. Students should not have to repeatedly go through contacting resident authorities when they have an issue in their dorms, especially when it involves conflicts between roommates and their guests. When it comes to prohibited items like candles, there is no problem with enforcing them. But when it comes to enforcing other rules like the guest policy, it isn’t taken seriously until the situation escalates or is deemed an emergency. Waiting until an emergency might be too late. It is important for the university to act as quickly and efficiently as possible so that the security problem is resolved. One important way to better address this housing conflict is to effectively enforce the guest policy in the same way that banned items are. This will ensure that everyone understands and obeys the rules. Therefore, the university can certify that the students know the rules when it comes to inviting guests. It is important for an institution like SBU to care about the wellbeing of their students, and to guarantee that the rules concerning the guest policy are being followed.

Comics & Crosswords

The Statesman

ANSWERS ACROSS 1. Shell 6. Stag 10. SUNY 14. Eerie 15. Urdu 16. Area 17. Professionalism 20. Test 21. Tho 22. Scants 23. Tai 24. Smiles 25. Boater 29. Slid 30. Error 31. Clot 32. VISA 36. Accomplishments 39. Task 40. Oath 41. Endup 42. Miss 43. Batons 44. Cabins 47. Sun 48. Safest 49. Eer 50. Tofu 54. Printing presses 57. Ogre 58. Neat 59. False 60. Toes 61. Gods 62. Trots

By Owen Lewars DOWN 1. Sept 2. Here 3. Eros 4. Lift 5. Lee 6. Sushi 7. Trio 8. Ado 9. Gunsmith 10. Salal 11. Urine 12. Nests 13. Yams 18. Star 19. Acid 23. Term 24. Slosh 25. Beat 26. Orca 27. Arcs 28. Took 29. Slid 31. Clot 32. Vent 33. Indo 34. Stun 35. Asps 37. Pointing 38. Mean 42. Mist 43. Burr 44. Cargo 45. Afire 46. Benes 47. Septs 48. Spot

49. Egad 50. Tofu 51. Oslo 52. Fest

Monday, February 3, 2020

The answer key for last week's crossword.

53. Uses 55. Neo 56. Eft