The Hudsonian Fall15 Issue2

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OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Thehudsonian.org

Volume 68, Issue 2

September 8th, 2015

Semester starts off with inaugural five-day celebration First-ever collaborative effort considered a success by Student Senate after attracting students across campus

By: Tyler McNeil Managing Editor New and returning students from across campus filled up their stomachs, club sign-up sheets, and the campus lawn for the first-ever five-day celebration of Welcome Week.

“They should keep doing this every day for the rest of eternity,” said freshman Jackie Spang, standing in line for free hot dogs and hamburgers.

“It’s an excuse to get to know one another,” said marketing student James Fitzgerald.

Each day of the Welcome Week celebration carried a theme such as “Arts, Science & Technology Tuesday” or “Sports College Thursday.”

This year’s week-long event incorporated clubs along with its festivities. “It gives publicity for us and also gives more school spirit,” said Taylor Delisle, captain of the Cheerleading Club, which was one of many clubs to set up tables across

campus looking to recruit new members.

On Thursday, the Table Tennis Club set up an outdoor table next to Guenther for the event. “It’s really hard to play outside sometimes. The wind just takes the ball and you can’t even play sometimes,” said Vice President of Table Tennis Club Josh Beddell. Despite the wind, the club collected ten signatures within the first 30 minutes of the event.

According to the Student Senate, events were scattered around campus, instead of being clustered near the McDonough Sports Complex like last year’s Welcome Back Barbecue, in an effort to introduce students to different areas of the campus.

“I like the fact that they’ve done this around different areas of the campus, because it exposes people to know the campus,” said Vice President of Finance Michael Green.

Student Activities estimat-

ed that Welcome Week cost $35,000 to $40,000. Food was the greatest expense for the five-day experience. “I kind of have to go to my classes and I’m like ‘Damn, there’s still food,’” said business administration student Mackenzie

Otten.

In the past, Chartwells often catered only cookies and coffee all week, only serving a full meal at the Welcome Back Barbecue. “This year has been a little bit of a challenge with the additional events,

Hudson Valley to host series of civil rights events this fall

Hudson Valley organizational structure changes this fall By: Durgin McCue News Editor

By: Tyler McNeil Managing Editor Congressman Paul Tonko (D-20) stopped by the Marvin Library last week to take a walk through civil rights history.

“When we see this [exhibit], it’s a walk down the path of history, and our history informs us, challenges us and inspires us if we allow it to reach us,” said Tonko, who represents Hudson Valley’s congressional Matt Whalen THE HUDSONIAN district, including TEC-SMART. Congressman Paul Tonko takes a tour with Marvin is one of 50 libraries in the Hudson Valley President, Drew Matonak of nation to display the National Endowment the exhibit. of Humanities (NEH)-funded “Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963” but delayed 30 minutes, Tonko told him, exhibit.

“This is great, because it provides us with The congressman’s trip to the library an opportunity for all of our students who exhibit is one of many visits Tonko has haven’t experienced any of this to really get made to the college recently, mostly to a sense for what our history was and how the TEC-SMART campus in Malta. “Paul important it was.”

Tonko is everywhere in this district sup“We know about the loss of lives that porting all of the efforts that we have go- people witnessed for this cause. We know ing on [at Hudson Valley],” said President about the struggle and the hardship that Drew Matonak. these men and women faced,” said Tonko.

According to Matonak, prior to the Continued on page 3 event, originally scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Continued on page 4

Michael Bryant THE HUDSONIAN

Students flock to get free food at Welcome Week near the Campus Center.

Congressman Paul Tonko visits campus civil rights display

but we’ve been able to work through it and feed a whole bunch of people every single day,” said John Poole, director of Dining Services.

Some notable changes to Hudson Valley’s administration will take effect this fall. The college will have a Vice President for Technology, Institutional Assessment and Planning, as well as a handful of new deans.

Dr. Michael Green, formerly Executive to the

President for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, will now be Vice President for Technology, Institutional Assessment and Planning. In a statement, President Drew Matonak’s office said the change reflected an increasing focus on assessment and the use of technology to improve the college’s administrative functions and learning environment.

Courtesy of Hudson Valley Carol Bosco, former nursing department chair and new interim dean of health sciences, at Albany Medical Center (Right).

“[Green] will be overseeing anything involving information technologies as well as assessments,” said Dennis Kennedy. “We go through a variety of assessment activities to ensure that we reach the standards we set out for ourselves, as well as the standards set forth by accrediting agencies.”

Dr. Margaret Geehan will assist Green as the Dean of Institutional Assessment. According to the statement from Matonak’s office, “[Geehan] will oversee the implementation of recommendations recently provided by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and ongoing assessment activities.”

Continued on page 3

Inside News

Inside Features

Inside Sports

Marco Silvestri

Fall fashion

Soccer

Hudson Valley leaders remember the former interm president.

Page 4

Students weigh in on fashion tips around campus.

Page 9

Men’s and Women’s teams triumph this weekend.

Page 10

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September 8th, 2015

NEWS

The Hudsonian Hudson Valley Community College 80 Vandenburgh Ave. Troy, NY 12180 Phone: 518-629-7568 Email: hudsonian@hvcc.edu Editor-in-Chief Matt Whalen

Power outages aimed to be reduced by new system By: Rebecca Jordan Staff Writer

Managing Editor Tyler McNeil News Editor Durgin McCue Creative Editor Jefri Nazri Sports Editor John C. Longton III Photo Editor Marison Topinio Copy Editor Andrea Currie Business Manager Pat Gareau Staff Writers Ceora Gibson Rebecca Jordan Jenny Caulfield Sam Kobylar Shakeema Hill Shadeh Din Staff Photographers Michael Bryant Steffanie Saddlemire Thomas Brown Faculty Advisor Rachel Bornn Letters to the Editor Letters can be delivered to CTR 291 or emailed to hudsonian@hvcc. edu. Readers may have their letters published anonymously as long as their identity can be verified. Letters will be edited for grammar, style, libel and length.

Editorial Policy All views expressed in this paper are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the The Hudsonian or the College.

currently powered by the CoGen plant, the only exception being the Science Center, which is powered by National Grid. The CoGen plant was completed in 2004 and originally run by five generators: one powered by diesel, three by natural gas, and one with methane gas from the Troy landfill adjacent to the property. Although a sixth generator was added in 2005 to help reduce the power outages experienced around campus, it did not completely eliminate the problem.

Though the campus has essentially been off-grid since the construction of the CoGen plant, the administration decided that allowing National Grid to take on more of the campus’s power needs will be beneficial for students, faculty, and the campus equipment.

Edwards is optimistic that allowing National Grid to provide more of the campus’s power will drastically reduce the number of blackouts experienced. He said, “When the load on the generators rises too quickly, blackouts occur, and tying back into National Grid will help to stabilize the power.”

This news is definitely what students want to hear. “[During] the first class I was supposed to be in, we actually had to leave class because it was a computer class, and we had no power,” said Josh

Power outages that have been darkening campus as recently as this past Tuesday, are in the process of being resolved due to a more than $1 million increase in funds dedicated to making Hudson Valley more energy efficient.

In October 2014, the Board of Trustees approved $1 million to be used to enhance the college’s energy management system, a computer-based system that controls the boiler, air conditioning, and other temperature-regulating systems around campus. In June 2015, an additional $700,000 was appropriated toward the same cause.

According to Richard Edwards, director of the Physical Plant, these funds are not being used to upgrade the computer system itself, but are going toward two projects related to managing energy. The money will be used to tie the campus back into National Grid’s power system in order to stabilize the power supply to campus buildings. Plans have also been made to build a system to recycle heat emitted from the liquid-cooling unit and channel the otherwise wasted energy back into powering Hudson Valley.

The majority of campus is

Carman, a freshman, about the most recent power outage, which occurred Tuesday. “If there’s no power, I can’t go to class, and I’m losing out on the education I’m paying for.”

Rubin Varghese, a third-year student at Hudson Valley, had a similar opinion. “Everyone loses a lot of study time, computer classes specifically,” said Varghese.

Edwards and his team recognize that this problem must be resolved as soon as possible.

He said, “It is hard to put a dollar amount to what tying back into National Grid will save the college, but it is even harder to put a cost on what the blackouts are costing the college in reputation.

Incoming freshman experienced a power outage on their second day of school, and we want our reputation to be one of having consistent power.”

He said that the heating loop system cost about half a million dollars and is expected to produce a four- to five-year payback.

“The heating project should be done by mid-October, and the electric work by February, 2016,” Edwards said in an email. “This won’t cure every ill, but it should keep the power outages to a minimum.”

The Hudsonian is the exclusive student newspaper of Hudson Valley Community College. It is published every week. To join The Hudsonian, attend our weekly meeting on Mondays at 2 p.m. in CTR 294.

Calendar of Events September

Tue 8

Fall 2015 Evening on-campus classes begin

Fri 11

9/11 Memorial and Reflection 11 am - 4 pm Siek Campus Center and Veterans’ Memorial Monument (quad area)

Country Folk Art Craft Show 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm McDonough Sports Complex, Field House

Sat 12

Country Folk Art Craft Show 10:00 am - 5:00 pm McDonough Sports Complex, Field House

Sun 13

Country Folk Art Craft Show 10:00 am - 4:00 pm McDonough Sports Complex, Field House

Weather TUESDAY High/Low 93/69 WEDNESDAY High/Low 93/69 THURSDAY High/Low 83/64 FRIDAY High/Low 79/59 SATURDAY High/Low 79/57 SUNDAY High/Low 78/55

The CoGen plant, located next to the softball field.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Marison Topinio THE HUDSONIAN

Hudson Valley Community College Pavilion

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Race Away

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Help “Race Away” HUDSONIAN.ORG the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

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Mon 14

Fall 2015 classes begin off-campus

September 8th, 2015

NEWS

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From Page 1

From Page 1

Paul Tonko

Position shifts

This isn’t the first time Tonko’s connections to the Civil Rights movement and to Hudson Valley have overlapped. In February, the congressman attended the Selma 50th anniversary celebration at Empire State Plaza, where college alumna Nell Stokes-Holmes received a congressional medal for protecting civil rights.

This year, the congressman walked down the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma for the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March. “Too much effort went into this to allow for slippage,” said Tonko about preserving the legacy of the Civil Rights movement.

Tonko also touched on the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision declaring Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, meaning that states could now change their voting laws without procedural protections in place.

“Today, I get worried that at times, we’re disenfranchising voters, disempowering [voters] and not providing equal opportunity for people,” said Tonko.

Library director Brenda Hazard said that Hudson Valley applied to host the “Changing America” exhibit over a year ago.

“It’s an opportunity to see how individuals can change an entire society,” she said.

A series of “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle” film screenings and presentations themed around the exhibit will begin next Tuesday, Sept. 15, with the presentation “The Four Horsemen of Structural Racism” at 1 p.m. in the BTC Auditorium.

SUNY Buffalo professor Henry Louis Taylor Jr. will present modern cases of racial injustice, highlighting the nation’s most recent debacles in powder kegs of racial unrest such as Ferguson and Baltimore. Taylor will analyze these events through what he terms “the four horsemen” of structural racism: “unequal distribution of wealth, metropolitan city building, the neoliberal housing market and individual white racism.”

“There’s two sides to every problem. Either you’re going to separate yourself from it or you’re going to entertain it,” said Nasir Cissie, accounting student, about racial tensions in the nation’s history.

The next library exhibit, “Pride of Our Nation,” which will honor veterans, is expected to open in November, nearly a month after the “Changing America” exhibit closes on Oct. 2.

Geehan’s former position of Dean of Liberal Arts and Health Sciences will be divided into two new dean positions, one for Liberal Arts and one for Health Sciences. According to Kennedy, the school used a two-dean system in the past, with Dean Phillip White overseeing the School of Business and the School of Engineering and Industrial Technologies and Dr. Geehan overseeing the School of Health Sciences and the school of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Starting this academic year, the school will be using a three-dean system.

“Dr. Carol Bosco was the department chair for nursing. She’s now the interim dean of health sciences,” said Kennedy. “We are currently searching for the other dean.”

Along with the other changes Liberal Arts and Individuals studies are now two separate departments. According to the statement from Matonak’s office Brian Vlieg will head a department that consists of special programs, Health Science Certificates, and Individual Studies.

“That was a big change for the college,” said Kennedy. “Those two departments house the most students.”

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September 8th, 2015

NEWS

Remembering Marco Silvestri, Interim President and long-time Hudson Valley advocate By: Tyler McNeil Managing Editor Staff and faculty at the college are remembering the legacy of former President Marco Silvestri, who died last month at the age of 71.

“He was iconic. He had the best interests of Hudson Valley Community College in mind all of the time,” said Louis Coplin, director of student life, who started as a temporary services employee for the college 29 years ago. At that time, Silvestri was Vice President of Administration.

Coplin said that his interaction with Silvestri was limited until he became Interim Vice President for Student Services, the same year Silvestri become Interim President of the college. “[He was] passionate about higher education and passionate about Hudson Valley Community College being the best and making

the place the best it could posdid their jobs well,” said FSA sibly be without being satisfied Executive Director Ann Carwith any of it,” said Coplin. rozza. “He’s probably the perThe college reached an enson that I’ve learned the most rollment of 12,000 students for from.” the first time in history during After graduating with a Silvestri’s time as Interim Presdoctorate from the University ident, which lasted from Jan. 1, of Buffalo, Silvestri worked at 2004, until Apr. 18, 2005, when Niagara County Community current President Drew MatonCollege as the dean for Acaak took office. demic Affairs and, later, the During Silvestri’s time as vice president for Academic Interim President, Hudson ValAdministration. ley also started using its own After working for Niagacogeneration plant and received ra, Silvestri arrived at Hudson reaffirmation of its accrediValley in 1984 as Vice Presitation from the Commission dent of Administration. In his on Higher Education of the tenure at the college, Silvestri Middle States Association. “I worked under Presidents Joam extremely grateful for his Courtesy of Brendesefuneralhome.com seph Bulmer, Stephen Curtis long-time commitment to the and John Buono. college and recognize that he Association Board of Directors Silvestri rejected multiple positioned the college very well and served as a liaison to Rensse- offers for higher-paying adminfor the future,” said Matonak in a laer County until he assumed the istrative positions at other comstatement. role of Interim President. munity colleges during his time Along with being Vice Pres“He just had extremely high as Vice President for Administraident of Administration, Silvestri standards but also recognized tion. According to Vice President worked on the Faculty Student when people did their jobs and of Administration James Lagatta,

when outgoing President John Buono asked for Silvestri to be his replacement, despite unanimous support from colleagues, Silvestri did not believe he was a worthy candidate to stay in the presidency. “I don’t believe his confidence equaled his ability,” he said.

Lagatta, a close friend of Silvestri, visited the former Interim President during his last days.

“I’ve been here for 47 years. I know a good person when I see one. He was good for the school and he was a good man. At the end of the day, all you want to be remembered for is being a good man,” he said.

The Silvestri name lives on at the college with Silvestri’s son Jacob Silvestri, an assistant professor in the health, physical education and exercise studies department, and with the Marco J. Silvestri Award, given to Academic Senate members who demonstrate exceptional leadership and service.

Unpopular touchscreen vending machines replaced after less than a year By: Shakeema Hill Staff Writer

screen machines had visual displays that cycled through potential snack selections, rather than showing all available items at once.

Biological sciences major Alaynah Harlow said that she wasn’t aware that the vending machines had changed.

“To be honest, I don’t use vending machines. Too much junk food for me,” she said, adding that the change must have been for the best and that she trusted the college’s decision.

Rhea Weber, another biological science major, said, “I didn’t recognize the change, but if there are healthier snacks, then yes, it would be an improvement.”

The vending machines could annually generate between $88,000 and $130,000 for the FSA. The funds will be used to improve facilities on campus such as the science building and the daycare center. The FSA also funds campus events such as orientation and Welcome Week.

Less than a year after two touchscreen vending machines were installed on the ground floor of the Siek Campus Center, they were replaced by new machines without touchscreens.

The replacement machines were installed during the beginning of summer classes May 18 by Fraas Services II. Ann Carrozza, executive director of the Faculty-Student Association (FSA), explained that she and Fraas Services II agreed on reverting back to the older-style machines to make the process of buying snacks faster and more efficient for students on the go.

Carrozza said, “The machines are usually well maintained. The vending machine company came to me and said, ‘Do you mind if we switch the vending machines out with the regular machines because they aren’t making what we should?’” The touchscreen vending machines just weren’t popular enough to generate funds.

Some users of the touchscreen vending machines reported having trouble using the screen to correctly select the item they wanted.

Kaitlyn Henry, a childhood education major, said, “I noticed a few machines were new, and I think change was a good improvement.”

“I have noticed there has been a change with the vending machines,” said liberal arts student Ligeia Person. She said, “Either way, having a vending machine is great, but it is always great to have the full visual of all the snacks it has to offer, rather than having to wait for the screen to twist.” The touchA student presses code for snacks at one of the new vending machines in the Campus Center.

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Marison Topinio THE HUDSONIAN

September 8th, 2015

NEWS

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Animal Outreach Club “much more than just cats and dogs” By: Ceora Gibson Staff Writer Over the last ten years, the animal rights movement has become more and more mainstream. Celebrities are chiming in on the injustices that animals face on a daily basis, and awareness of such issues is becoming much more prevalent. Right here on campus, there is a club that has received a great deal of attention

from many notable figures for its mission to raise awareness and educate people on animal cruelty.

The Animal Outreach Club was founded after the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The club sought to help animals that were displaced or injured by the storm and its aftermath.

“There was a national concern to help these animals, but no organized effort to help them,” said Dr. Valerie Lang Waldin, advisor of the Animal Outreach Club.

The level of concern and unrest among students led to the official formation of the club. The club promotes protection of more than just household pets. It also

deals with a wide range of animal welfare issues both locally and globally.

“We are much more than just cats and dogs,” Waldin said. “We work to help animals in entertainment, puppy mills, factory farming, and even the dogs in Asia because they’re considered food there. We care about all of it.”

“There is a good quote by anthropologist Margaret Mead that goes, ‘Never doubt that a small, committed group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ One animal at a time,” said Waldin.

“A n i -

mals deserve respect, but it’s not like we are trying to have animals running for office,” Waldin said.

“It’s just that animals are sentient beings that feel pain and fear.”

The Animal Outreach Club has hosted many notable speakers, including Dr. Randall Lockwood, the Senior Vice President for the ASPCA, and Rebecca Huss, the lawyer who represented Michael Vick’s fighting dogs. The club has also hosted many veterinarians, police officers, and district attorneys.

The club continues to educate community members by holding events to raise money to assist organizations that support animal welfare. “We have helped support Soi Dog, the Rensselaer County Humane Society, the Berkshire Bird Paradise, and Animal Defenders International,” Waldin said.

But their support starts here on campus. Soon, club members will cover the campus in plastic bins marked “Empties for Animals.” The empty cans that students place in these bins

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will raise money for the club and its efforts to protect animals. The club helps run animal adoption events as well as spay-and-neuter clinics to help fight animal overpopulation.

For students who are interested in finding a job in animal advocacy, the club makes it well known that there are many options for passionate individuals.

“Years ago it was all about being a vet if you wanted to help animals, but now there are many different options. There are animal control jobs, law enforcement jobs, humane education--you can even be an animal lawyer now.

When I was in law school, that was unheard of. You don’t just have to be a vet anymore,” said Waldin.

The first Animal Outreach Club meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m. in Brahan 108. At 6:30 p.m. that same evening, the club will be sponsoring the movie “Unity” at the Spectrum 8 Movie Theatres in Albany. All who are interested are welcome to attend.

Courtesy of animal outreach club

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Welcom

From Page 1

Welcome Week The conception of Welcome Week started as early as the LEAD party campaign of last year and planning started after the election. “We didn’t think the one day at the beginning was living up to what we should’ve been doing,” said Kirk.

Student Senate Treasurer Josiah Dillon said that during the summer planning process for Welcome Week, the executive board was nervous that, with an understaffed Student Senate, volunteers for the events would be limited.

Instead, they had an unexpected crew. “People that I didn’t even know, I saw in those green shirts the next day volunteering their time,” he said. In exchange for volunteering at

Welcome Week, students were offered free movie tickets.

“It’s been hard,” said Helen Schneider, student volunteer, about refraining from eating the cotton candy she was serving. Along with resisting free food, volunteers worked in temperatures reaching highs of 89 degrees.

“Everybody’s got a good attitude about it. They’re sweating for us to make us feel welcome,” said automotive technology student Jason Belanger.

Other areas of the college also pitched in for the events. The Cultural Affairs department provided music ranging from salsa to rockabilly during the five-day celebration. The athletic department staffed some of the games

and competitions.

Despite campuswide collaboration, Dillon said, executive officers failed to market certain events, like the Thursday night movie showing of “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

“There was only 16 people there. There could’ve been a zero added to that, easily,” Dillon said. The screening was originally planned to be outdoors, but that idea was rejected due to its high cost.

According to Dillon, the next-biggest event will likely be Pumpkin Palooza. “It’s not only a huge hit on campus but with the community as well,” he said.

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Michael Bryant THE HUDSONIAN

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September 8th, 2015

FEATURES

Investing time in promoting student engagement An inside look at one of the most involved students on campus, Brody O’Connor By: Matt Whalen Editor-in-Chief “We want to keep focusing on student interactions. Last year’s senate and before them have done a great job of putting on events, but not enough people know about them to get involved, so that’s the big thing we want to push,” said O’Connor, who is also a member of the Investment Club, the Entrepreneurs Club, and the Board of Trustees.

As the Student Senate secretary, O’Connor works to improve the social aspect of the school to get more students involved.

O’Connor works with Josiah Dillon, whom he has known since fourth grade. O’Connor gives Dillon credit for being a valuable connection coming into this year.

“We feed off each other’s energy and motivate each other to do better,” said O’Connor.

He believes that Dillon and Student Senate Vice President Bryce Kirk are a dynamic duo.

“Bryce can be very creative, and Josiah wants to get right to work.

You can have the creativity and then put the work to it, and it turns out really well,” said O’Connor.

O’Connor said this year’s senators’ mutual friendship will positively impact the organiza-

tion’s decisions. “We agree for the most part. We want to set a foundation to allow other clubs to run effectively by themselves. We don’t want to be too involved, but we want to help them so they can run without any problems,” said O’Connor.

Coming to Hudson Valley was not O’Connor’s first choice, but he said that it’s a pathway to his dream school, Dartmouth College. “I didn’t do all that well in high school. I came here because I wanted a fresh start and [to] think about what I wanted to do with my life before I decided where I want to go to a four-year school,” said O’Connor.

On the side, O’Connor volunteers at AARP as a tax aide, helping low-income families and senior citizens who can’t afford tax prep. He is also a member of Hudson Valley’s Investment Club.

“Finance has always been my big interest and the field I want to go into, so it was natural to join the Investment Club when I came here,” he said.

As student trustee, O’Connor hopes to make the school more student-centered. “They want to know more about student life and what students want, so being on the senate, I know what’s going on around campus and can relay it to the Board of Trustees,” he said.

Konrad Odhiambo THE HUDSONIAN Brody O’Connor, Student Senate Secretary

Sharing the fun, wild and absurd side of summer By: Jenny Caulfield Staff Writer Although most of us spent our summer sitting around eating and watching Netflix, some people actually made productive strides with their time, or, at the least, had a little fun. There are of course your usual trips to camps and vacations, but some students had extraordinary experiences during their time off.

Sneezing on late-night talk show hosts “I sneezed on Jimmy Fallon!” said Woody Miller, who accidentally sneezed on the comedian at a live recording of his show in New York City. Miller said that Fallon came out to the crowd after the show to give rounds of high fives, and as Fallon reached his seat, Miller sneezed on his arm.

Stage diving at Upstate Concert Hall “I did my first stage dive this summer,” said first-year student Brittany Troy. Troy attended a pop-punk show by the Capital Region’s own State Champs at Upstate Concert Hall in July. During one of their songs, Troy crowdsurfed to the front of the venue, climbed up onto the stage, and flung herself into the hands of the crowd.

Heading across the pond First-year student Ryan Smith went on a trip to Europe organized by his high school.

Smith traveled with some members of his senior class. He said, “In Rome, I went to the catacombs and the coliseum where the gladiators fought. In Greece, I went to Athens, the first-ever Olympic stadium, and I went on a cruise through all of the Greek islands.”

Pizz-ersize Student Jon Delong ran nine miles in a row. And, he said, “I ate a whole pizza.” Somehow more impressive than his running, he

Tyler McNeil THE HUDSONIAN

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Tyler McNeil THE HUDSONIAN

ate an entire 12-cut pizza on his own, in one sitting.

Cliff jumping Second-year student Tierney Carey and first-year student Jerry Angelo Torres both went cliff

jumping. “I had to use a rope to get up to [the cliff],” said Torres, who went cliff jumping in the Catskills. “I was scared because it felt like forever, but it was fun in the end.”

September 8th, 2015

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Togo-born student works beyond language barriers Shina Okunoye continues to fight to start a new life 5,000 miles away from home By: Tyler McNeil Managing Editor Two years ago, less than two months after traveling more than 5,000 miles from his home in Togo, Shina Okunoye began studying at Hudson Valley while still struggling to understand his fourth language to date, English.

“When I first came to this country. I went through hell, man,” he said.

Okunoye didn’t receive a warm welcome to campus when he started in fall 2013. Often, he wouldn’t understand what professors were saying during lecture, so after work, he had to figure out what the lecture was about on his own.

“I can’t really express my feelings or say what I want. It’s stepby-step [and] day after day,” said Okunoye. The 23-year-old student biology student, who is also fluent in French, Yoruba and Ewe, still struggles with English, which creates obstacles in day-to-day activity. To avoid becoming angry from barriers in communication, he avoids places like fast-food restaurants, where employees have a difficult time understanding his orders.

While juggling school and work at the Hannaford in Lansingburgh, Okunoye is sometimes left with less than four hours of sleep at night. He often uses his breaks at work to catch up on rest and sleep. “I tell them, ‘If I don’t show up in 31 or 32 minutes, just get me from the break room.’

They know that I’m crazy about

that stuff,” he said.

Although his schedule has made it difficult to continue rituals from back home, such as morning worship, Okunoye pushes to keep faith a priority every Sunday. “Even if they need someone to cover [a shift], if they call me on Sunday, I’m not going to be around,” said Okunoye.

Every Sunday, along with praying, Okunoye is playing the guitar at church. His passion to play the guitar was first produced by hormones. In his mid-teens, he learned to play the guitar to impress the guitar-slinging brother

of a girl he was interested in. “[Her family] would think I would just come over to play the guitar, but, oh no,” he said.

He often associates with other immigrants from the African diaspora, mostly from the First Redeemer Church in Albany, but rarely interacts with his American friends outside of work. Growing up in a Baptist community around much of his family, Okunoye said his Christian upbringing molded his values. “If you missed church, you were in trouble. Your parents don’t joke with God,” he said.

While his parents still take

a large role in guiding Okunoye’s path, they also promote financial dependence and work ethic.

Okunoye pays for himself, living under the biblical aphorism, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

He said that credit cards are not present in his downtown Troy household because his parents “don’t like owing people money.”

“They teach me to be hard-working, but I’m young and I have to get what I want to build my life here,” he said. This semester, Okunoye hopes to be the first in his immediate family to own a

Tyler McNeil THE HUDSONIAN Shina Okunoye came to Hudson Valley in fall 2013 less than two months after coming to the United States.

credit card.

Much of his tuition is covered by financial aid and a scholarship from RPI, where his father works as a gardener. When Okunoye arrived in America with his mother, his father had already been in the country for about a decade, living in places ranging from Texas to New York City, trying to get a work visa.

Okunoye’s older sister, back home in Togo, often contacts him, but he rarely has time to get ahold of her on his own. “She already made her life, so I have to make mine too. So I always concentrate on what I’m doing, but I’m always thinking about her,” he said.

During last year’s ebola outbreak in West Africa, although there was never a confirmed case of the the virus in Togo, Okunoye’s mind was over 5,000 miles away, fearing for family members living in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone.

“I was afraid. People were dying all around my family,” said Okunoye. He added that no one was victim to the virus in his family.

He hopes to travel back to Togo next year. Along with travelling across borders, he hopes to eventually travel across the world, working for Doctors Without Borders or the United Nations after attending UAlbany if he doesn’t settle down with a family in this country.

“I will do what I have to do, work and go to school. Then, I will see what God has reserved for me in the future,” said Okunoye.

How to dress around your class schedule By: Shadeh Din Staff Writer The start of school brings new styles and new people.

Anything can affect your wardrobe throughout the day. Especially if you have 7 a.m. classes. Planning your outfit for the next day can be a great way to save time and still look good.

“Generally, the first three days of school I pre-plan my outfits, but after that I get lazy,” said Safiyyah Stewart, an individual studies major. Those who are late sleepers know the struggle to get out of bed in the morning.

One thing to take into account is the weather. “It depends on the weather. I don’t want to be too hot or too cold.” said fine arts major Renee Riley.

Changing buildings between classes can affect the decision of what to wear. The weather can bother some people more than others, and in some buildings, where the air conditioning doesn’t function properly, the day can get horribly sweaty. “There are times if it’s 90 degrees, and I’m wearing a layering outfit, then I get hot. Overall my schedule doesn’t affect my outfit. If I look good, the whole day I will look good,” said radiologic technology major Yasmeen Din. There are brave ones out there who can bear the heat.

It is possible to be comfortable and still look good, whether that be in the summer heat or staying warm in crisp fall. “I would wear skinny jeans to be comfortable, because with skinny jeans, you can dress it up or dress it down,” said Stewart.

“It doesn’t matter what you wear, it’s how you put your outfit together. Let’s say you wear a T-shirt and jeans. You can add a jean jacket or any accessories. Make it look like you are fully awake and ready for the day,” Din said.

Once you get used to your schedule, you’ll know not to wear a pair of heels on the day that you have four classes in a row. You will be a master at knowing how to dress around your schedule.

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September 8th, 2015

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SOCCER

The Vikings finish the weekend perfect Both the men and women’s team start off the season strong By: Sam Kobylar Staff Writer It has been a while since Hudson Valley soccer had a successful season, as the women’s team hasn’t won a conference championship since 1992. However, it has been even longer for the men’s team: their last conference championship occurred over 50 years ago, in 1963. Even though it has been a long drought for both teams, so far in the 2015 season they have showed signs of breaking out of this slump, as each team has won 3 of their first 4 games.

For the first two games of the regular season, each team participated in the Northeast Cup in the final weekend of August. Both the men’s and women’s teams had successful trips. The men’s team split the two games in the cup, dropping the first game to Brookdale 2-1 and then bouncing back, winning the second game in tournament against Holyoke, 4-0.

“I feel a little bad about that first one [loss]. We dropped to a team in New Jersey, but I think they ended up in the national rankings now and we could have got them too, we could have beaten them,” said men’s soccer coach Travis Cooke about splitting the two games in the Northeast Cup. The women’s team was a step ahead in the Northeast Cup. They won both games they played, defeating Cayuga in the first game 4-1 and defeating Tompkins Cortland Community College in the second game 1-0.

“It feels pretty good. We got our two powerhouses up top [teammates Danielle Sloan and Elisabeth Morehouse] and we really utilized their speed and endurance,” said second-year midfielder Renee Casey on getting off to a good start.

After playing their first two regular season games in the Northeast Cup, both teams have played two more games up to this point, one on the road and one at home. In a doubleheader last Wednesday in Finger Lakes, the women’s team dropped their first game to Finger Lakes 3-0, while the men’s team won their second game in a row by defeating Finger Lakes 5-2 to put both Hudson Valley teams’ records at 2-1.

“Even the game that we lost, we could have won, so we feel pretty confident,” said sophomore defender Emily Mitchell.

After the games at Finger Lakes came Hudson Valley’s first home doubleheader, last Saturday afternoon against Corning.

The women’s team started off the day on a very good note, as they defeated Corning 8-2 after falling behind 2-0 early in the game.

“Those two goals should not have happened. So we kind of put our heads up, looked at each other and [were] like, What is going on?

Realized that this isn’t the team we know we are, and played like we should,” said Casey on coming back from an early 2-0 deficit.

Hudson Valley scored eight unanswered goals on Corning.

Five of them came from freshman forward Elisabeth Morehouse, and the other three came from another freshman forward, Danielle Sloan.

“We work well together. Dani and I have that connection, and we are good buddies,” said Morehouse on the hat tricks by her and teammate Danielle Sloan.

Morehouse and Sloan have each been coming up big for the Vikings so far this season, as Morehouse already has eight goals in just four games while her good buddy Sloan has five goals.

These two freshmen have combined to score all 13 goals for the Vikings women’s soccer team so far this season, which is a huge reason why this team has won 3 of their first 4 games.

The men’s soccer team also had a good day last Saturday, defeating Corning with a final score of 5-1 after the Vikings fell behind 1-0 early. It was a very good day for Hudson Valley goalie Joshua Rasmussen, as he allowed no goals after letting one get in within the first ten minutes of the game.

“The goalie Josh Rasmussen has been a key player for us so far,” said men’s coach Cooke.

While Rasmussen was making saves in the net, his teammates gave him a lead to work with after trailing 1-0 early. Freshman forward Adam Kaarstad scored two goals during the afternoon, giving him four goals over the first four games of the season. Teammates Nicholas Petschko, Elidon Bardhollari and Roodley Dorce each had one goal in the game, giving the Vikings a 5-1 victory and a 3-1 overall record.

“We are still learning our identity here. It’s a brand new team basically every other year, so we are really trying to see how guys fit in. [There are] some small-school guys, some clubheavy-based guys, so everybody’s just trying to fit in together, and we are doing it, too,” said Cooke on the first four games of the season.

Overall, it has been a strong first four games for both the men’s and women’s soccer teams, and they look to build on this solid start throughout the remainder of the season.

Matt Whalen THE HUDSONIAN Danielle Sloan scores a hat-trick Saturday afternoon to add to her season total for goals.

Stephanie Saddlemire THE HUDSONIAN The men defeat Corning Community College with a strong offensive performance.

Stephanie Saddlemire THE HUDSONIAN

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September 8th, 2015

THE HUDSONIAN

SPORTS

NFL PICKS

11

WEEK 1 PICKS BY JOHN C. LONGTON III / SPORTS EDITOR

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Now that the dust has settled from Deflategate, it’s time to get started with the season. The Steelers travel to Foxborough to take on the Pats for the first game of the season. This game has the potential to have an arena score, since both teams have suspect defenses. Tom Brady has a chip on his shoulder and is looking for redemption. Look for this game to be decided late in the fourth with the Pats coming out on top. Patriots 34 Steelers 30

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This has been a heated rivalry in past years, with the Bears edging out the Pack 93-91-6. Look for the Packers to tie that record by the end of the season. Aaron Rodgers is primed for another Super Bowl run, even though his receiving corps is a little nicked up. Bears won’t put up a fight at Soldier Field. Packers 27 Bears 17

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Hard Knocks has the nation believing that the Texans can be a contender. The reality is that they don’t have a quarterback and their All-Star running back seems to get hurt while sneezing. On the other hand, Alex Smith didn’t throw a touchdown pass to a WR in the 2014 season. Adding Jeremy Maclin might correct that problem. Chiefs 23 Texans 20

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If you’re into no scoring and a lot of defense, this is the game for you. These two teams have defenses that have the potential to be in the top five of the league. The offenses, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. Both the Browns and the Jets have new starters in Josh McCown and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Flip a coin for the outcome. Jets 17 Browns 10

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Rex Ryan has joined the Bills and left a situation where he had a great defense, a good running game, and no quarterback. He enters a situation with the Bills where he has a great defense, a good running game, and no quarterback. Look for a similar outcome as they get off to a rough start hosting the Super Bowl-bound Colts. Colts 28 Bills 17

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The Washington Redskins need to win games this year for all of their negative publicity to go away. Problem is, they’re not. They host a Dolphins team that has made a huge splash in free agency the past couple years that needs to pay off now, or heads will roll. Look for Ryan Tannehill to show the league that he’s well worth the Phins’ investment.

Dolphins 33 Redskins 13

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The Jaguars have a culture that is shifting from being bottom-of-the-league to a possible mediocre team with a nice young nucleus. Carolina has a great defense and a one-man band on offense. This game could be a sneaky good matchup and possibly could go down to the wire. Look for Cam Newton to secure the deal late. Panthers 24 Jaguars 20

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Nick Foles could be the shot in the arm that this Rams team needs to turn the corner. They are a couple of pieces away from being a playoff contender, but have the ability to go toe-to-toe with any other team. Week one, they play that team.

Russell Wilson has a new weapon in Jimmy Graham. Look for them to get off to a good start.

Seahawks 27 Rams 20

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Last year the Cardinals had a team that was riddled with injuries. This year, everyone is back, and they look to make the playoffs push under veteran quarterback Carson Palmer. The Saints are a team that want to show the league that last year was a fluke. Look for the Cardinals to wrap this game up by the start of the fourth quarter. Cardinals 33 Saints 24

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These two teams are going to be fighting for a wild-card spot at the end of the season, and both need to get off to a fast start. The Lions are missing two major anchors in their defense, losing both of their starting DTs. Watch out for the Chargers to exploit that and own the time of possession. Chargers 24 Lions 20

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Let the Jameis-Marcus rivalry begin. The number-one pick in the 2015 NFL draft is hosting the second overall pick in a game where both of these kids will be getting their first starts. Some say Jameis Winston is more NFL-ready from playing in a pro-style offense at Florida State vs his counterpart, who played in a spread offense. Look for the Bucs to show they made the right decision. Buccaneers 27 Titans 17

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The Bengals have lost in the first round of the playoff the last four years in a row. The Raiders look like they’re putting together a nice young corps of players to change their losing culture. Cincinnati will win this game, but it’s going to be a lot closer than most people think. Look for Derek Carr to have a chance to win this game late. Bengals 28 Raiders 23

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This game has some playoff foreshadowing elements and could be one to watch. Peyton Manning has decided to come back for what looks to be his last season. Both these teams have Pro Bowl quarterbacks, but both will also rely on their defenses to control the tempo and win this game. There will be a lot less scoring than people think.

Broncos 23 Ravens 20

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The Cowboys host a Giants team that have been underperforming and have looked abysmal the past few year. Ben McAdoo is now in his second year working with Eli and the Giants’ offense. They got better towards the end of last year and should have a good season. Too bad they face a good Cowboys team week one. Cowboys 30 Giants 28

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The Eagles have the potential to have the most dynamic offense in the league, and they will face a good test in a decent rebuilt Falcon defense. The Falcons could either go 7-9 or 11-5. It all depends on what team comes out to play on Sundays. Look for Chip Kelly to look like a genius as the Eagles coast to a prime-time win. Eagles 33 Falcons 20

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This game is a tale of two teams that are heading in completely opposite directions. The Vikings are on the rise and have gotten their RB stud Adrian Peterson back for the season. The Niners, on the other hand, are transitioning to a new coaching staff and also have an aging roster. Talent-wise, both teams match up pretty well. Momentum-wise, the Vikings win and press on to a surprising season. Vikings 27 49ers 20

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SPORTS

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Vikings Scoreboard Men’s Soccer

WIN

Sept. 5 HVCC v.

Corning 5-1

WIN

Sept. 6 HVCC v.

Jamestown 5-0

Women’s Soccer

WIN

Sept. 5 HVCC v.

Corning 8-2

WIN

Sept. 6 HVCC v.

Jamestown 2-0

Men’s Football

WIN

Sept. 6 HVCC v.

Utica JV 58-13

ValleyCats win Stedler Division for 4th consecutive year By: John C. Longton III Sports Editor While we were away on break this summer, the Tri-City ValleyCats moved back into Joe Bruno Stadium and have made this campus their home. They’ve established a winning tradition and have kept that going this past season with a team full of newcomers lead by third-year manager Ed Romero.

The ValleyCats have now won the Stedler Division four years in a row and won the New York-Penn League championship in 2013 and 2010. The playoffs start this Thursday at “The Joe,” and it’s still unclear who their opponent will be as the regular season is still wrapping up. The Cats have played well at home this season with a 23-12 record and have taken full advantage of a packed ballpark virtually every game.

The successful season has been headlined by rookies on the team stepping up, making the transition from amateurs to the professional ranks. Rookies like third baseman Bobby Warnes, who is leading the New YorkPenn League in batting average at .354, have propelled the Cats into first place.

“I think this team is blending

in real well,” said Romero. Every year, the ValleyCats have a different look, as most of the team members are rookies.

This year’s leadoff hitter, Johnny Sewald, a first-year player from Las Vegas, is hitting .296 and is third in the New York-Penn League in on-base percentage.

When he gets on base, Sewald has the green light to steal second more times than not, and he leads the league in stolen bases.

Talking about his leadoff spot in the lineup, Sewald said, “It’s kind of nice to know I’m going to be in there pretty much every game.” Sewald was given that leadoff spot early on in the season and hasn’t relinquished it.

Another hot bat in the ValleyCats lineup is Dexture McCall, a second-year first baseman, who’s hitting .295 with four home runs and is leading the team with 37 RBIs. McCall was selected to play in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game, along with three other ValleyCats, and was voted the MVP of the game. McCall had a two-RBI double in that game that ended up being the deciding factor.

On the other side of things, first-year pitcher Scott Weathersby was also selected to the Penn League All-Star Game. He has a

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3-1 record on the season with a 2.48 ERA and 39 strikeouts on the season. The Tri-City pitching staff as a whole are first in the league in strikeouts, with 622.

This team is putting it together on all fronts and is primed to make a playoff surge. Come out to “The Joe” and get a chance to watch professional baseball right

here in our backyard. We have a chance to see major-league baseball players play right here at Hudson Valley. 37 ValleyCats have already reached the majors, and this year’s team looks like it can add to that total.

Marison Topinio THE HUDSONIAN The Valleycats celebrate their division win as they get set for the playoffs.