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Hudsonian Hud.
OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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Volume 72, Issue 7
October 24, 2017
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Alumnus turned entrepreneur produces TookTimeCo.
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PHOTO BY JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN
By: Jacob Pitts Staff Writer A prominent news anchor, a distinguished congressman and an NFL football player. The sky is the limit for HVCC alumni, and that is especially true for up-andcoming fashion designer Trey Terry.
A former business major, Terry is the founder of TookTimeCo., a fast-growing clothing brand in the Capital District that specializes in streetwear and high fashion. TookTimeCo. was founded by Terry in November of 2016,
OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Hudsonian
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SEE TOOKTIME PAGE 11 COURTESY OF TOOKTIMECO.
The once bustling area has been blocked off indefinitely after Code of Conduct policies were allegedly violated.
Club Corner shut down By: Zoe Deno Staff Writer
Founded by alumnus Trey Terry, TookTimeCo. has successfully released their line of streetwear clothing for purchase on their online store.
Yellow caution tape ropes off a once-bustling area at Hudson Valley as the Club Corner is brought to a grinding halt. Director of Student Life Louis Coplin called Public Safety because students were reported to be yelling profanities. The loud and lewd behavior was attributed to a round of the newly-popular game, “Cards Against Humanity.” The sitting area is right next to the Student Activities office and Coplin alleged that these students were being disrespectful to people who were trying to work nearby.
Public safety director Fred Alberti opted to shut down the Club Corner until the school decides, at Coplin’s discretion, the best use of the area. “Everyone has a different definition of what respect is, but the definition on this campus is as the code of conduct reads,” Aliberti said. Section 5.3.2 of Hudson Valley’s Code of Conduct dictates that “Harassment” includes “the persistent use of abusive or offensive language,” and potentially justifies disciplinary action. “This is the campus center — it’s not like there are active classes that could be disturbed
by our noise,” said Matthew Provost, a computer science major. “[‘Cards Against Humanity’] is a card game that is expected to be a little vulgar. When someone said something funny we laughed.” Provost was unhappy about how workers at Student Activities talked to him and his friends. “I am paying to [go to school here] and they patronize us,” Provost said. “We are 19, 20, even 30 years old.” “The school’s policy is something for elementary schools and we are adults,” said Gerardo Salazar, an individual studies major.
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The Records and Activities fee: Where does your money go? By: Hunter Wallace News Editor The $150 Records and Activities Fee that every Hudson Valley student pays upon enrollment counts for more than meets the eye. This fee — $150 for full-time students and $12.50 per credit hour for part-time students — helps support “student activities, intramural and intercollegiate athletics, cultural affairs activities, student transcripts and graduation,” according to the official Hudson Valley website. “The Records and Activities fee was created in order to provide students with the resources for extracurricular activities,” said Student Senate Treasurer Max
Morand. “When paying for college at Hudson Valley — and any college for that matter — there is the cost of tuition and the fees that go along with it.” The fee covers several costs. Of the $150, $55 is allocated to Student Activities, $62 is distributed to athletics and the remaining $33 goes toward smaller items, such as graduation and transcript fees. “This fee benefits the students by providing them with the opportunity of many extracurricular activities,” Morand said. “Without this fee, no student clubs would be possible, athletics would not exist, the bus trips to New York City and Boston would not exist and the $5 movie tickets would not exist, among many others.”
INSIDE NEWS:
Guide to the Presidential candidates PAGE
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PHOTO BY DYLAN HAUGEN | HUDSONIAN
Student Activities spent $4,785 on Regal movie tickets this year alone, in addition to spending $1,020 on Welcome Week, $2,918.99 on Fall Fest and $1,180.23 on Homecoming. The overall cost for student events like these this academic year was $85,998.47. The total cost for student travel events, such as Boston, New York City, Salem, M.A. and Six Flag, New England Fright Fest was $24,474.55, according to the official 2017-2018 Student Activities budget. The fee helps the college keep tuition low, which directly supports educational purposes, Morand said. According to Executive Di-
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Ryan Mizener, business administration student, ponders where exactly his tuition money is allocated.
INSIDE CREATIVE:
Students describe life in the Suites PAGE
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INSIDE SPORTS: COURTESY OF VINCENT GIORDANO
COURTESY OF BIZJOURNALS.COM
Hall of Fame event honors newly inducted alumni
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October 24, 2017
NEWS
President Matonak set to retire in summer 2018
This Week’s Events
Tues 24
Transfer Advisor Visit: SUNY Potsdam 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Siek Campus Center, Room 290 Yoga 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Wellness Center, Siek Campus Center Suite 270
Wed 25
Thur 26
PHOTO BY DYLAN HAUGEN | HUDSONIAN
Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Guenther Board Room Freshmen Elections Contact: Student Activities Office, (518) 629-7348 Transfer Information Table: Southern Vermont College 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Siek Campus Center, first floor lobby Board of Trustees Special Meeting 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Bulmer Telecommunications Center Meeting Rooms Freshmen Elections Contact: Student Activities Office, (518) 629-7348 Transfer Advisor Visit: The Sage Colleges 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Siek Campus Center, Room 290 Mindfulness Meditation 11:00 am – 11:30 am Wellness Center, Siek Campus Center Suite 270 Pumpkin Palooza Student Festival 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Siek Campus Center, First Floor Lobby “Tangled Up in” Worms 11:00 am – 11:50 am Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium An Evening with Local Writers 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium
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the college. He first told us that he loved working individually with students to help prepare them for successful futures. “Every year, [students] have done a tremendous job and this year’s no different,” Matonak said. Matonak also shared that he hears an echoed sentiment, from students and faculty alike, that HVCC provides students with steadfast support and encouragement. “This college has more people that care about our students, and that’s really what makes Hudson Valley a special place,” Matonak said. Matonak also talked about the level of motivation he sees in students. “Sometimes students come here motivated, and sometimes they need someone to motivate them,” Matonak said. “We have the faculty and staff to help motivate them, and that’s what I value at this college.” With elections right around the corner, we asked President Matonak how involved he was with finding his replacement. While he said he “had an opportunity to have lunch with the candidates and answer questions for them,” he explained that he hasn’t been involved whatsoever with
the process. As far as life after Hudson Valley, Matonak plans to move to Myrtle Beach, S.C. but still intends to stay busy. “It’s time for a different challenge,” Matonak said. “I might do something in the community. I might volunteer. Knowing me, I’m going to want to be busy.” Matonak looks back on his tenure at HVCC with fondness and pride. “We’ve been able to accomplish a lot of things,” Matonak said. “I’ve been here for almost 13 years. It’s a good place. I’m [going to] miss the faculty and staff, the students and the community.” Matonak expressed that he will travel occasionally, but he wants to come back to visit the area often. We asked President Matonak if there was anything else he wanted the students of Hudson Valley to know before he left. “Well, it was the same thing that I wanted students to know when I [first] came [to Hudson Valley] — that they are the most important people here at this college,” Matonak said. “[The faculty is] all here to serve them and create the environment and opportunities that they need to have.” COURTESY OF HVCC.EDU
President Andrew Matonak has served for nearly 13 years.
By: Nick Fisk Staff Writer President Andrew Matonak, known to many simply as “Drew,” is retiring from his position after 13 years of working at the college, effective Aug. 2018. “The average tenure for a community college president is about five years, and I’ve been here for 13,” Matonak said. While Matonak has loved his time here, he feels it is the right time to leave. Matonak explained that he has both professional and personal reasons for choosing to retire at this point in his career. “We’ve had a number of vice presidents retiring,” Matonak said. “I felt it was good for the college to have new leadership. From
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The Hudsonian Hudson Valley Community College 80 Vandenburgh Ave. Troy, NY 12180 Phone: 518-629-7568 Email: hudsonian@hvcc.edu Editorial Policy All views expressed in this paper are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the The Hudsonian or the College.
Editor-in-Chief Julio Rodriguez Copy Editor Emmy Farstad Layout Editor Isabella Kokoszko News Editor Hunter Wallace Sports Editor Skylar Blankenship Photo Editor Dylan Haugen
a personal perspective, my wife and I were planning on retiring around this time, so the time was right for me.” There’s been a lot of recent development at Hudson Valley, including the completed construction of College Suites and the addition of new career programs. Matonak believes the combined efforts of the entire faculty have made these advancements possible. “I haven’t accomplished anything on my own,” Matonak said. “It’s really everybody here at the college focusing on what’s best for the students. He also stated that a great deal of work has gone on behindthe-scenes throughout his tenure. Matonak wished to share his most memorable experiences at
THURSDAY 10/26/17 High/Low 56/40 Staff Writers Tea’ Claus Amanda Cuerbo Richard Decker Brian Dengler Zoe Deno Nick Fisk Thomas Marra Trisha O’Connell Jacob Pitts Grace Sgambettera
Matonak and former student senate President, Emma Dillon, pose for a photo at the 63rd commencement ceremony.
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Staff Photographers Richard Decker Zoe Deno Thomas Marra Alana Mueller Grace Sgambettera Faculty Adviser Rachel Bornn
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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.
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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 ADM 107.
October 24, 2017
NEWS
Investment club prepares to visit New York Stock Exchange
By: Thomas Marra Staff Writer
Members of Hudson Valley’s investment club will have the privilege of visiting the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 27. Over 60 members of the club will have the opportunity to get a private tour of the floor, led by Peter Costa, one of the NYSE governors. The trip to the NYSE is a rare experience, according to club advisor Joseph Stenard. “Very few community college students have been allowed in since 9/11,” said Stenard. “To have our students to be able to go into the Stock Exchange itself where the center of the world’s finances passing through there, it’s really quite an opportunity.” This is only one of the many benefits of partaking in the investment club. “The investment club is a rare opportunity for students to not only learn about the field of finance and investing, but a way to practice it,” said club president
Kyle Hudson. It allows student to get involved and develop professional and life skills on campus and is a great experience for anyone studying or interested in business. Investment club is also host to a variety of guest speakers who provide valuable advice to club members. They regularly bring in guest speakers and professionals.“[They] talk about their background, how they got to where they are and the advice they best have for the young members of the club aspiring to get into this field of work or for their own personal gain,” said Hudson. “My favorite part about [investment club] is talking about how real political and nonpolitical issues drive the stock market up or down,” said club asset manager and treasurer Ezra Anderson. “I like keeping up with the times and analyzing what will drive the markets up or down.” Hudson Valley boasts a wide selection of clubs that help teach students valuable skills and provide them with opportunities.
It’s also a great way to meet other students who share a common interest. The club is 100 percent student-run. The agenda usually features a guest speaker who guides members into engaging conversations. These conversations often continue outside of the club through their Twitter page. The club also features exciting initiatives to involve students in a more tangible way. “We have a stock market challenge that’s coming up, so anyone that wants to participate in that can play the real stock market with fake money and make the decisions on what to buy and what to sell against some of their friends and other members of the club,” said Stenard. Stenard is a big proponent for club participation and feels that they teach students interactive skills. He also reminisced about some of his fond memories from investment club, especially the lasting friendships that were forged. “We’ve had some mar-
riages come out of the investment club, so it’s a great place,” Stenard said. “You might end up making some long-term investments.” By joining investment club, students can learn financial literacy as well as how to analyze financials. Anderson said the club is for “anyone interested in business,
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investing, money and retirement.” He strongly encourages anyone interested to join. For more information on the investment club, you can attend a club meeting on Wednesdays at 3:00p.m. in BRN 204 or you can contact advisor Joseph Stenard at j.stenard@hvcc.edu. PHOTO BY THOMAS MARRA | HUDSONIAN
Members of Investment club listen as President Kyle Hudson speaks about club initiatives.
New Vice President of Student Affairs uses past to promote change PHOTO BY ZOE DENO | HUDSONIAN
MaryAnn Janosik, newly instated Vice President of Student Affairs, brings with her years of educational experience to Hudson Valley.
By: Zoe Deno Staff Writer
“I like the idea of higher education — it encourages people to dream big and do what they want to do with their life,” said newly instated Vice President of Student Affairs MaryAnn Janosik.
Janosik shared this sentiment upon being named interim Vice President of Student Affairs for the 2017-2018 on Oct. 9. “I don’t know where else I would want to be, except maybe on the stage at Woodstock,” Janosik said. Janosik will hold the position
for one academic year as Hudson Valley conducts the search for a new president. “I’ve felt very strongly that the incoming president should be able to have a hand in selecting senior leadership,” said Hudson Valley’s current president Drew Matonak.
Janosik sees herself as more than a temporary employee of the college. “I don’t look at myself like a placeholder for a year,” Janosik said. “I am not going to just sit in an office and [leave Hudson Valley without changing anything]. I have specific tasks that the college wants me to address.” Her agenda includes examining the college’s current degree programs. She plans to investigate programs in new and emerging fields that could provide more opportunities for Hudson Valley students to broaden their horizons. “This is especially true about degrees pertaining to computer science and technology, where the need for that program changes quickly,” Janosik said. “You don’t want to be implementing a new program in three years if it will be outdated in five years.” Janosik believes that academics are key to students’ futures. “We don’t create obstacles for students, but rather we create a pathway for students to [find] success,” Janosik said. “I’m a bit biased here, but I believe the heart of an institution lies in academic affairs because everything we do follows you to the students and the community.” A history major, Janosik started her career as a high school teacher while simultaneously working on her doctorate in popular media. Initially, it was not
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her intention to become a faculty leader. When she received her doctorate, she realized there were certain topics she wanted to teach, but she was hindered by a high school setting. This was one factor that led to Janosik’s next step as an educator at the college level. At this point, she also started getting involved in administration in the college. “Then, I took what I call my ‘momentary lapse of reason,’” Janosik said. Janosik left higher education to work at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for two year as education director, helping design curriculum for colleges. Her time at the Rock and Roll hall of Fame also inspired her to write her book, “The Video Generation,” which explores the effect that the making of music videos had on popular culture in the 1980s. “There was a limited amount of things that I could do,” Janosik said. “I say it’s the best job I ever left because it was fun, but there wasn’t a lot [of room] to grow there.” She doesn’t regret her stint at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because she feels it has expanded her career opportunities. “[My time at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame] opened doors that weren’t open before and it made me think what I could do to be more creative with my career,” Janosik said.
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October 24, 2017
NEWS
Proposed $5 billion Amazon headquarters could thrive in Tech Valley
COURTESY OF AMAZON PROMENADE - CENTER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
By: Julio Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief The capital region could potentially be home to Amazon’s second planned headquarters, which would link newly-installed infrastructure between Rensselaer and Albany. On Oct. 19, The Center for Economic Growth submitted a proposal to Amazon’s public competition, titled HQ2. The proposal details a plan to develop a technological hub similar to Amazon’s Seattle headquarters. The proposal, titled Amazon Promenade, would install 2 million square feet of office space on a 25-acre site in Albany and an additional 6 million square feet on 75 acres directly across the Hudson in Rensselaer. “Amazon encourages its leaders to ‘think big,’ and here in New
Rensselaer’s Center for Economic Growth’s proposal has the potential to innovate and transform the capital region.
York’s Capital Region – the heart of Tech Valley – we’ve consistently put that principle to practice. Thinking big is in our blood and in our history, starting with Thomas Edison in Schenectady,” said chair of the CEG Board of Directors and the University of Albany’s vice president of health sciences Laura Schweitzer. CEG identified sites that satisfy requirements for the competition. If approved, the capital region would see 500,000 square feet of building space installed by 2019 and another 8 million square feet beyond 2027. “Amazon has an opportunity to establish a waterfront headquarters along the river that turned America into an international commercial power and in thriving downtown that offers the live-work-play options that its talented workforce love in Seattle,”
said CEG president and CEO Andrew Kennedy. The CEG’s bid promises to employ up to 50,000 full-time employees. The potential project could pull new minds from areas far outside of the eight-county reach of the capital region. However, the project will also attract and utilize workers already living and working in the capital region. The 15-county Tech Valley region has a population of 1,860,410 and a labor force of 920,393. The labor force is also well-educated in degree programs in high demand at Amazon. With nearly a third of the region’s adults 25 years and older, 31.4 percent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment positions in computer and information technology are projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to
2024, faster than the average for all occupations. These occupations are expected to add about 488,500 new jobs, from about 3.9 million jobs to about 4.4 million jobs, from 2014 to 2024. The increased popularity of the occupation is due to a greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data and the continued demand for mobile computing. The project could provide employment opportunities to Hudson Valley graduates, specifically students in the forthcoming operations management technology program. The program would be offered around the same time as the first phase of the Amazon Promenade’s projected completion in 2019. The program will be offered after the completion of the Gene
F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills, which is projected to be completed by summer 2019. Operations management technology will enable students to enter the workforce directly after completion of the program. The program will also aim to fill the shortage of skilled workers at manufacturing firms. CEG has prepared a bid in conjunction with local community partners. As a result, the partners have made pledges to improve and guarantee efficient collaboration between partners and Amazon. They also plan on establishing improved public transportation and seek to develop curriculum in Amazon’s target field of computer science and business with capital region institutions of higher learning.
COURTESY OF AMAZON PROMENADE - CENTER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
Amazon’s second headquarters between Albany and Rensselaer could bring with it an employment increase of up to 50,000 full-time jobs.
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October 24, 2017
NEWS
5 PHOTO BY ZOE DENO | HUDSONIAN
FROM PAGE ONE
CORNER
“A lot of groups on campus are just as loud as we are. If you go [to the first floor of the campus center], there is a group of kids who play ‘Magic [: The Gathering’] and are just as loud as us. Anywhere on campus where there isn’t a volume restriction, you should be able to be loud.” “Many of the kids who were in the group playing ‘Cards Against Humanity’ up there that day weren’t even a part of the regular group of people up there,” Provost said. “They just showed up because they liked the game. A few of them took it way too far.” Salazar said he felt bad for the students who were not playing “Cards Against Humanity” and now cannot use the space to study because the area is off-limits to every student.. “It’s unfair, not just...for the people hanging out and yelling, but it was more unfair to the quiet people who have been hanging out there for two or three years,” Salazar said. Human Services Major Maeve Uhalde said she had only been to the Club Corner a few times before it was shut down. She agreed students needed to be kicked out, but not permanently. The likelihood of the Club Corner being reopened as a place for the general student populace FROM PAGE ONE
FEES
rector of Communications and Marketing Dennis Kennedy, the Records and Activities Fee provides funding for the following: no-fee college admissions application, no-fee transcript requests, funding for college athletics (18 men’s and women’s sports), a variety of free or subsidized trips, student activities and events offered through the Student Senate, discounted movie tickets for
Students who regularly frequent the area to play ‘Cards Against Humanity’ will no longer be able to share the space.
to relax seems unlikely. This is not the first time that the Club Corner has been shut down for seemingly “bad” behavior. It was previously shut down in spring of 2015, and the offender
was reprimanded by administration for his language. “Keeping it the way it is won’t solve the problem,” Coplin said. “All it would be is a temporary solution until next semester rolls
around and a new generation of students [cause] the same problem.” Coplin wants to see a permanent solution and is considering sealing the Club Corner off and
making it an area that clubs can rent for a few hours by reservation. In the meantime, students must wait for the fate of the Club Corner to be decided.
students through the Student Activities office, support for student clubs and organizations, Cultural Affairs programming [and] events on campus, funding for all graduation expenses and CDTA unlimited ridership for students. “The total amount charged can fluctuate, based on students adding [or] dropping courses, but right now for the fall it is about $1.163 million” Kennedy said. The official breakdown of the 2017-2018 Records and Activities Fee is as follows: 44 percent
for athletics, 37 percent for activities, 4 percent for graduation activities, 7 percent for Cultural Affairs and events, 5 percent for transcripts and 3 percent for applications, Kennedy said. For more information on the Records and Activities Fee and what it covers, please contact Student Activities by phone at (518) 629-7348, email at studentactivities@hvcc.edu or in person at Siek Campus Center, Room 210.
“Without this fee, no student clubs would be possible, athletics would not exist.” -Max Morand, Student Senate Treasurer
PHOTO BY THOMAS MARRA | HUDSONIAN
PHOTO BY JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN
The Records and Activities fee pays for a number of resources, one being the free CDTA bus ridership.
The $150 Records and Activities fee, included in every student’s bill, pays for all club and student events on campus.
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October 24, 2017
NEWS
Students gain a glimpse of ‘Visión’
PHOTO BY GRACE SGAMBETTERA | HUDSONIAN
By: Grace Sgambettera Staff Writer “Visión: A Look At Life Behind the Scenes” is an annual photography exhibit showcasing the everyday lives of Latino immigrants working at the Saratoga Race Track. The exhibit is now on display in the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Atrium. “We hope everyone will come in to enjoy the work and consider it through whatever perspective they want — political, artistic or even educational,” said Library Director Brenda Hazard. The project and exhibit is run by the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council’s Latino Community Advocacy Program, where members of the Latino community are invited to participate in a series of photography workshops. Hudson Valley’s library is always looking to shed light on local issues in the exhibits they host, and Hazard feels that this exhibit in particular is very timely. “There’s tremendous discussion of immigrants right now, especially in Saratoga because of [the] track,” Hazard said.
Historically, Latino immigrants have been an integral part of the Saratoga Race Course’s workforce, but they often feel unwelcome in the community. During this past summer, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement cracked down on undocumented workers in Saratoga and arrested a total of 27 people. This photography project is designed to give the local Latino immigrant community a platform for their own commentary about life in Saratoga Springs. Some of the photographs are more stylized. There is a photo of a man’s bare back, with the words “Proud to be an Immigrant” painted on it, which was taken by Ana Karen Cruz. Others are more natural, including shots of the Saratoga Race Course or people simply living their lives. Participants of the Latino Community Advocacy Program are given the “opportunity to document their experiences of living and working in the Saratoga Springs area and provide unique insight into a world that is largely inaccessible to the greater community,” Hazard said. Before this year’s “Visión” exhibit was displayed at Hudson
Students ponder the ‘Life Behind the Scenes’ exhibit located in the Dwight Marvin Library Atrium.
Valley, the participants met once a week over the summer to develop their work, aided by the mentorship of a professional photographer. At the end of the workshop series, the participants chose their best photos and a team of photographers and art professionals judged their work and helped put the final exhibit together. The exhibit is revealed each
year at a fundraiser reception in Saratoga to benefit the Latino Community Advocacy Program, which provides services like ESL classes, interpreters, emergency help and cultural events to Saratoga’s Latino population. The photos then travel around the Capital Region for the year to raise awareness and share with other members of the community.
No matter how students interpret this exhibit, “everyone is welcome to leave their reflections,” Hazard said. “Visón: A Look At Life Behind the Scenes” will be on display in the library atrium during regular hours until Nov. 2. For more information visit: http:// www.hvcc.edu/learning-commons/atrium.html.
Faculty presentation prepares students for Constitutional Convention By: Richard Decker Staff Writer “Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amend the same?” This question, raised by the New York State Board of Elections, has engrossed the nation. On Wednesday, Oct. 18, professors Robert Whitaker and Alan Joseph presented “The New York State 2017 Constitutional Convention Question,” an original 50-minute lecture. The goal was to help inform students about this question, which will be included on New York State voters’ ballots in November. The presentation was divided in two parts. First, Alan discussed the importance of Constitutional Conventions, their history in New York State and the process in which the State had come to this vote. “The process begins on Nov. 7, and if you go to vote you will see a question on the ballot asking if you are in favor of calling a Constitutional Convention,” Whitaker said. In the second half, Whitaker discussed what will happen as of Nov. 7 and the possible outcomes and implications of a convention. The pair would later delve into arguments both for and against a
convention in New York. “Thomas Jefferson once wrote ‘an informed citizenry is at the heart of a dynamic democracy,’” Joseph said. “We are here today to learn about this issue of the New York Constitution and whether there should be a convention to amend it.” Joseph explained the importance of distinguishing that a state constitution cannot strip citizens of the rights guaranteed to them by the federal constitution. The arguments both for and against the convention involve the delegates voting and the potential effect on citizens’ rights. Both Alan and Whitaker discussed the process of the delegate selection, illustrating that a delegation consists of the top three vote-getters in each Senate district and 15 atlarge statewide delegates, for a total of 204. “[Some believe] this is going to be dominated by political insiders, elected officials and possibly seated state lawmakers,” stated Whitaker. Alan and Whitaker both considered the argument that a convention could strip New York citizens of their rights. Alan’s case study cited state conventions that occurred in the 19th century. “Not only once, but twice, state conventions first restricted and then completely took away
the rights of African-Americans in New York State,” Alan said. New York has had four Constitutions — 1777, 1821, 1846 and 1894. The Constitution of 1894 established a clause “requiring that every 20 years, this question appear on the statewide ballot,” Alan said. Whitaker then explained the multi-year process of the Constitutional Convention. If the state votes against the convention, as in 1977 and 1997, the process is over. However, if the ruling majority is in favor, the state will then begin a two-year process. Whitaker explained that process, saying “a year from now, Nov. 6, 2018, the voters will elect the delegates, or the people who will participate in the convention,” Whitaker said. The next step in the process will occur in April of 2018 when the elected delegates will convene in Albany to propose amendments to be sent to the ballot. “During this time, the legislature will pass laws appropriating funds for the convention,” Whitaker said. He also noted that the convention’s cost, another concern of critics, could range from $50 million-$350 million. On Nov. 5, 2019, voters will return to the ballot box to vote on the amendments or entirely new constitution proposed by the con-
PHOTO BY DYLAN HAUGEN | HUDSONIAN
Robert Whitaker discussed the arguments in support and against the upcoming Constitutional Convention.
vention. If the people of New York vote in favor of the amendments or new constitution, it will take effect in January of 2020, where the process will conclude. Any registered voter in New York State can vote for or against the Constitutional Convention at
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their local voting center on Nov. 7, 2017. The Viking Video Technologies recording is available to students, faculty, and staff via Blackboard and on the official Viking Video YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/V5H52xBkNW0.
October 24, 2017
NEWS
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DACA stirs up talk across the nation
GRAPHIC BY ALANA MUELLER | HUDSONIAN
By: Jacob Pitts Staff Writer The fates of nearly 800,000 undocumented young adults are at stake as President Trump announces his plans to rescind Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program that President Obama created in 2012 through executive order to protect young immigrants, also known as “Dreamers,” from deportation. In order for one to be eligible for DACA, they must have arrived in the United States before June 15, 2007. It also stipulates that individuals must have been 16 years of age or younger upon arrival. Records indicate that the average age of a qualifying immigrant at this time was three years old. Today, they are students, workers and veterans who face exile from the only country they’ve ever known. DACA provides Dreamers with a two-year period of deferred action, which delays deportation and allows them to stay in the U.S. legally. It also grants them a work visa. This enables them to
get driver’s licenses, jobs and college educations. Otherwise, these basic, yet crucial, opportunities would not be afforded to them. Although Trump made promises on the campaign trail to do away with DACA immediately, he waited until September to declare that he planned to end the program within the next six months. This announcement was made amidst legal pressure from state attorneys, who threatened to sue if he didn’t act soon. Trump has given Congress a six-month deadline to attempt to save DACA, but until then the futures of 800,000 young Dreamers are uncertain. If DACA is phased out, they risk being deported to countries that they don’t even remember. A great deal of Dreamers are college students, so naturally this news has struck an emotional chord with HVCC students whose peers could be affected by the ruling. Most were empathetic to the plight of their fellow college students who, as a result, may have to sacrifice their educational and career goals in the United States. Speech pathology major Jordan Rockwell said, “Trump’s decision to end DACA is heart-
President Donald Trump’s plan to remove the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals puts approximately 800,000 child or teenage immigrants at risk of deportation.
breaking. These individuals have [as much of a] right to be in this country as anyone else. Undocumented and unwelcome do not mean the same thing. Everyone deserves the right to live where they want.” Some have attributed Trump’s DACA move to racism. “His decision to shoot down DACA really says a lot about his views as a person and of the personhood of the children of immigrants, regardless of whether or not they were born in the U.S. or brought in,” said liberal arts student Caine Cunningham. “He gives no thought at all to the fact that a good majority
of them have no support network outside of the U.S. in the places that they would be deported to,” continued Cunningham. Some sympathize with the Dreamers and believe that those who were already protected by DACA should be able to stay, but think the program should be discontinued for new applicants. “They were under the pretense that they could live here. As long as you give people fair warning, like ‘After this date, this law is no longer in effect,’ so if you come here regardless of your age, you’re going to be deported if you’re here illegally,” said liberal arts major Gabriel Patterson.
Patterson continued, “I understand why people want to get rid of it, because it makes an age range of illegal immigrants legal, which doesn’t make any sense.” As young Americans wait for a decision from a president who is largely unpopular in their demographic, the gravity of the situation is overwhelming. The prevailing fear that Trump’s vision may be clouded is echoed by Cunningham. “It doesn’t matter to him if he’s separating families or sending people ‘back’ to countries that they don’t remember and haven’t been to in years or at all. It only matters to him that they’re not ‘American.’”
Report shows that campus safety comes first COURTESY OF HVCC.EDU
From verbal to physical violence, Public Safety’s number one priority is to ensure the well-being of every student and faculty member.
By: Amanda Cuerbo Staff Writer Hudson Valley’s Public Safety officers work tirelessly to ensure that every member of the community feels safe from the wee hours of the morning until long after night falls. Director of Public Safety Fred Aliberti, campus officers and local police departments all collaborate to create a safer campus community. Their collective goal is to educate all members of the Hudson Valley campus on criminal prevention and awareness. Aliberti and Louis Coplin, director of student activities, often run seminars throughout the semester that cover issues like sexual assault and domestic violence and provide tips about preventative measures students can take. Aliberti also sets aside time each year to speak in freshmen forum classes about sexual violence, safety on campus and how students can speak up if something doesn’t seem right. “Don’t be afraid to call someone and make use of the prevention measures,” Aliberti said. “If you see something, say something.” According to the 2017 Campus Security Report, there have been two instances of forcible sex offenses reported since 2015. “We made an arrest in 2016 for forcible touching, which occurred off campus,” Aliberti said.
“Due to the recent changes with Title 9, we are also holding students accountable for their actions off campus now.” These incidents, as well as three incidents of domestic violence that occurred off-campus in 2014, have motivated public safety to make sure students and the campus community have access to educational programs that address these issues. These programs are promoted through orientations, brochures, posters around campus and the event bulletin on the official Hudson Valley website. Beyond prevention, public safety also pushes for students to be aware of the best ways to react in the event of a sexual or domestic assault. The 2017 Campus Security Report provides a complete list of steps that a student or faculty member should take following a sex offense or domestic dispute. This includes how to leave the crime scene, who to contact and the best course of action that a person can take for him or herself. The public safety department at Hudson Valley continually strives to find new ways to spread awareness throughout campus. Recently, multiple scenarios of minor theft have been reported, such as that of a wallet or backpack. Two serious crimes of possession of weapons occurred in 2016, both taking place off-campus. One of these incidents resulted in an arrest. “Someone overheard that
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one of the students had some type of weapon,” Aliberti said. “[Public saftey] responded, as well as the Saratoga County Sheriff ’s Department. It turned out he had brass knuckles, as well as a knife.” Drug violations have been made, although the last reported incident was in 2015. Aliberti believes the recent decrease in drug-related violations is due to preventative measures taken on campus. “Prevention and our patrol are the primary reasons,” Aliberti said. “It’s also reporting from students, if they smell marijuana and report it. [The decrease] is a combination of different reasons.” According to Aliberti, the best way people can ensure their own safety on the Hudson Valley campus, or on any other, is to be aware of their surroundings. “People today are so focused on their phones and not paying attention,” Aliberti said. “Wherever you are, learn to be aware. This will add to crime prevention.” All educational programs are available to campus community members. Information on these events can be found on the events bulletin on the school website or through the Student Activity Center, located in the Siek Campus Center. To report any criminal or suspicious activity, or to make use of the escort and safety services on campus, please call Public Safety at (518) 629-7210.
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Guide to the Presid
Presidential candidates intr By: Richard Decker Staff Writer
The Hudson Valley Presidential Search Committee has narrowed its pursuit to three highly-qualified finalists who hope to replace President Drew Matonak after 13 years of leadership at the college. The college hired outside private consulting company Isaacson, Miller to aid in their search for our new president.. “The new president will work
with the campus community to envision an even healthier future for [Hudson Valley], building on the strengths of its faculty and staff and capitalizing on its location in the Capital Region,” stated an official press release. The three candidates are Dr. Ann Marie Murray (Associate Provost and Chief of Staff at University at Albany and former president of Herkimer County Community College), Dr. Roger Ramsammy (former president, West Campus, Miami Dade Com-
munity College) and Dr. Julie A. White (Senior Vice President of Student Engagement and Learning Support at Onondaga Community College). “We have three very strong and well-qualified candidates who are capable of successfully leading Hudson Valley into the future,” said Board of Trustees chair Neil Kelleher, who is heading up the presidential search. “The committee has been incredibly productive, respectful and cohesive, as they worked in the best interest of
the college to carefully deliberate and select our finalists.” The College hosted several forums from Oct. 10 to Oct. 17, during which the finalists presented their potential presidential plans to the campus community. After the presentations concluded, the floor was opened to questions from faculty, staff and students. Members of the audience asked questions about each finalists’ ability to connect on a personal level with all members of
the Hudson Valley community. Attendees were also curious about the candidates’ leadership styles, strategies for crisis management and perspective on encouraging diversity on campus. The college’s Board of Trustees, which includes one voting member from the student body, and the SUNY Board of Trustees will vote on the next college president after reviewing feedback from the community.
Dr. Julie White PHOTO BY RICHARD DECKER | HUDSONIAN
PHOTO BY RICHARD DECKER | HUDSONIAN
Dr. Julie White, current Vice President of Student Engagement and Learning Support at Suny Onondaga, insists that student equality is a major key to success in any college environment.
Dr. Julie White’s presentation focused more on student success with an emphasis on equity. She feels it is important to distinguish between equality and equity. “[A college president must] recognize the fact that individuals come with different capabilities, with different needs, with different strengths, and if we can tailor the supports to them, then we can make sure everybody can achieve their goal,” White said. Throughout her presentation, White discussed the importance of equity among students. She believes it could increase Hudson Valley’s graduation, re-
tention and enrollment rates. She also made a clear effort to connect with students and spent a considerable amount of time encouraging student engagement with the president’s office. “I would want the president’s office to be a place that, when students would feel like they didn’t know where to go or have somebody to help [them], they could come to my office,” White said. White described her leadership qualities as collaborative and versatile. She’s made it clear that she’s willing to adjust to ensure the common good of the college. “I would describe my lead-
ership style as collaborative [and] supportive,” White said. “My goal is to find the common interest and get us moving in the right direction. A big emphasis of mine is setting a vision people can get behind and removing obstacles so we can get behind that vision.” White went on to talk about campus diversity and what diversity should look like within the administration. “Students need to see people who look like them and see them in positions of authority,” White said. “Therefore, hiring a diverse faculty, staff and leadership team would be a high priority.”
Dr. White talked at her presidential open forum on Oct. 10 in the BTC Auditorium.
“I would want the president’s office to be a place that, when students would feel like they didn’t know where to go or have somebody to help [them], they could come to my office.” - Julie White THEHUDSONIAN.ORG
dential Candidates
roduced to the student body
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Dr. Roger Ramsammy
COURTESY OF HVCC.EDU
Dr. Roger Ramsammy’s presentation focused largely on the financial side of running a college. He believes the best track for the college is to find a solution through analyzing data. During his presentation, Ramsammy presented several graphs of enrollment and government performance-based funding. He also
illustrated his proposed economic solution that would aim to increase enrollment and bolster the overall growth of Hudson Valley. Ramsammy believes that a successful leadership team is born from hiring qualified individuals who can learn and grow within the team. He also places great value on increasing enrollment and
focusing on retention rates. “We need to ask ourselves why those students left in the first month,” Ramsammy said. “Why [is there] suddenly parking in the third or fourth week? We have already failed those students who left and need to stop it from happening in the first place.”
“We need to ask ourselves why those students left in the first month. We have already failed those students who left and need to stop it from happening in the first place.” - Roger Ramsammy Through data analysis, Dr. Roger Ramsammy believes understanding quality of life of both students and faculty is crucial to keep graduation rates rising.
Dr. Ann Murray PHOTO BY ZOE DENO | HUDSONIAN
“When an institution is well-run and has a vision people are attracted to it. Like a magnet, hard work never goes unnoticed.” - Ann Murray PHOTO BY THOMAS MARRA | HUDSONIAN
Dr. Ann Murray, former professor and department chair at HVCC, looks to evaluate college initiatives to ensure student success.
Dr. Ann Marie Murray began by talking about her life, sharing that she has worked since the age of 14 in order to afford higher education. Unlike the other finalists, Murray’s presentation did not include a visual aid, creating an atmosphere of closeness with the audience. She also tackled an issue the college faced within staff and faculty. “We need to look at [how] the processes the institution has established are holding us back,” Murray said. Murray’s solution would
work to challenge the college’s status quo and create a new level of excellence. “When an institution is wellrun and has a vision, people are attracted to it like a magnet,” Murray said. “Hard work never goes unnoticed.” Dr. Murray, who has served as both a teacher and department chair at Hudson Valley, feels that serving as president would provide her with new, but welcomed, challenges. “When you make the leap from educator to administrator,
the number of students you connect with decreases, while the number of students you influence increases,” Murray said. “For example, when I was teaching, I would work on a personal level with about 150 to 200 students. As a chair, I was interacting with maybe 60 students, but I was responsible for over 3,000 in the program.” Murray believes she would be able to uphold the same level of influence, and then some, as president.
With no visual presentation, Dr. Murray casted a sense of personality amongst attendees at her open forum last week.
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October 24, 2017
NEWS
Open carry on campus: A life threatening topic PHOTO BY DYLAN HAUGEN | HUDSONIAN
While Campus Safety is permitted to carry non-lethal firearms, the debate for students to carry hand held weapons is a controversial topic.
By: Tea’ Claus Staff Writer The topic of open and concealed carry on college campuses is becoming more relevant as tragic mass shootings continue to
take place across the country. “We do not permit any carrying of firearms or weapons on this campus. It’s not only our college policy, but it’s also a New York state law. New York law prohibits the carrying of firearms on our
campuses or high school campuses unless you have permission to do so for official business. For example, public safety or police,” said director of public safety Fred Aliberti. According to Abby Jackson and Skye Gould of Business Insider, there are 10 states that currently allow concealed carry on school campuses, including Oregon, Texas, Utah and Mississippi. There are an additional 16 states that have introduced bills to potentially expand campus carry laws. Public safety officers are allowed to carry tasers and pepper spray with them, but they are not allowed to carry firearms. Aliberti highlights the potential incident that could occur if students were allowed to carry firearms. Aliberti said, “If you have open carry and someone has a simple disagreement over whatever. For example, we had a disagreement earlier this year where a student got upset and threw a cup of coffee at someone. And so now, let’s say the student had a gun, got upset at this person and decides to shoot them over this simple dispute.”
“I would be concerned that some simple incident could escalate to a more serious incident. We would certainly need to be careful with that,” continued Aliberti. Logan Hicks, a digital media student, is strongly against open carry on campus. “I don’t think it’s appropriate because of recent shootings and tragic accidents related to guns in schools,” said Hicks. “I think that guns could be a grey area. [Regarding] knives, I feel that you can have them [on your person]. Guns, maybe leave them in the car if you need to bring them with you,” said business administration student Riley Shannon. Aliberti said he doesn’t think there will be a need to allow guns or other weapons on campus anytime soon. “In our part of the country, especially in New York State, we have appropriate controls as to who can carry firearms. People have to obtain permits to carry handguns. Obviously, hunters will buy longarms to go hunting and practice target shooting, but they also have to pass a background check. That’s a good balance of laws,” said Aliberti.
Justin Burke, a criminal justice student, believes the inclusion of weapons on campus could pose potential issues. Business administration student Kyle MacMillian believes carriers could cause life threatening problems on campus if open carry took effect. Adam Scott, a mechanical engineering technologies student, doesn’t think there is any real reason to carry a firearm on campus at Hudson Valley. He believes that there are other methods to defuse dangerous situations. William Newsom, a criminal justice major, said increasing security on campus with more public safety officers could help keep students safe without the use of weapons on campus. Aliberti said there are procedures in place that keep students safe on campus. “I think, in general, just basic day-to-day safety procedures and practices are the best way to do it. Walk with friends, don’t walk alone at night. If you’re concerned about safety, for example, you can call our office here and we’ll escort you to your car or to the bus stop. Take advantage of all safety precautions.”
The Suites aren’t as sweet as expected By: Zoe Deno Staff Writer Students living in the College Suites apartments are being dealt more difficulties than expected. The College Suites apartments stand within walking distance of Hudson Valley Campus. The apartments were designed to house up to 286 students in 72 apartments. They serve to help make Hudson Valley more accessible to students who aren’t able to commute. This is the first semester in which the dorms have been used, and students describe life in them as a mixed bag of both good and bad. Michael Torres, a business administration major, said he enjoys living at the suites but was disappointed by the quality of the building. “In my apartment, I noticed things would fall off and break easily. There were scratches on the wall before I even moved in and then they used pure white paint which is the easiest stuff to scratch and they charge you if you scuff the wall,” he said. Abbie Endres, an individual studies major, agreed. “It doesn’t seem like the building was put together correctly,” Endres said. “It seems like the construction was rushed.” Students also have an opportunity to work at the dorms. Raelyn Ireland, a social science major, was one of the first students who took advantage of this option. According to Ireland, there were issues with the water pipes
on the first floor initially. However, the problems were quickly addressed. The wifi is also very slow. Jessie Utarid, a criminal justice major, said that the students had been promised high speed wifi for up to 5 devices, but had received wifi that hardly worked for one device. “What happened with the wifi is that instead of being on network here there are actually 7 different networks,” said Ireland. “When they internet works the way it is supposed to, it is high speed. It does disconnect if you go to another place, because it is not aware that it was supposed to change to a different network,” continued Ireland. The suites are working on fixing the glitch in the wifi. “All good things come with minor [inconveniences],” said fitness education major Teraye Taylor. Students have come up with many other ways to spend their time in the dorms. Those who live at the suites often play building-wide games of Manhunt. It is also not uncommon for athletes to host fitness sessions in the apartment’s gym. “We have a boxing night, it’s usually one-on one between two people. We try to make sure those people are evenly matched and whoever wins gets street cred for that week,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of love going on, too, but we gotta keep that a secret,” he continued. “Life at the suite is too sweet.” The second floor has become
PHOTO BY DYLAN HAUGEN | HUDSONIAN
Business administration student Willie Gallager is fluctuant about the quality of living at the newly-installed College Suites.
notorious for loud, drunken gatherings of students, earning the floor the nickname “the project”, according to Jasmine Serrano, who is studying public administration at Hudson Valley. “There is so much drama [at College Suites], we need our own reality tv show,” said Taylor. According to Taylor, the security is lenient and understands what it is like to be a young adult. However, the students watch out for other tenants who become intoxicated, taking care of them before involving security. “We have a lot of people who can’t get out of the mindset of
high school,” said Serrano. “The banging of my door at night when people are drunk is frustrating. I am at the point where my friends have to text me to let me know they are coming to my apartment in order for me to open the door.” Torres said that the walls in the building are very thin in general. He says that he can even hear his roommates up late when they are both in their rooms. “I am a student athlete, I play football and I need sleep. My roommate, who is not a member of the football team, is staying up late and he has his tv on, and, because the walls are so thin, I am
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not getting any sleep,” said Torres. Torres continued, “[The noise] affects my sleeping and studying the most. There are times when I have to leave my room to get anything done because it gets so loud.”. “There are a few problems with the building, but I would expect that in any new building,” Ireland said. Despite the inconveniences, Serrano thinks the dorms are the best option for apartments in the area. “It has its ups and downs, like any place, but I would not want live anywhere else.”
October 24, 2017
TOOKTIME FROM PAGE ONE
and aims to provide consumers with the hippest styles and designs for both men and women that may one day reach trendsetter status. Terry has been interested in fashion and design ever since elementary school, and last year his dreams came to fruition when he finally launched his own business. As far as inspiration is concerned, Terry draws from different aspects of today’s culture. “I am very influenced by the world of hip hop and [I] plan to make an impact on the industry very soon,” said Terry. “I pay attention to most of the hottest brands, but the ones that I take major note of are Bape, Supreme, Popular Demand and Pacsun.” Terry describes the brand in three words: “simple, stylish and metaphorical.” He also says he focuses on blending comfort with style. TookTimeCo.’s online store currently showcases two main men’s collections, “Tokyo” and “New York.” The Tokyo collection is comprised mostly of black hoodies and tees embellished with shiny Japanese characters, which are available in red, orange
FEATURES and gold print. The New York collection contains black and white tees that feature red, gold or black text. Men’s sizes range from S to 3XL, but vary from piece to piece. Additionally, TookTimeCo. offers a line of women’s attire, consisting of glitter tees, crop tops and sweatshirts from the New York collection. The brand’s website describes the crop tops as the season’s trendiest garment. “This top is tight-fitting but still incredibly comfortable.” It also claims the sweatshirts are “cozy, soft, smooth, stylish and perfect for cooler evenings.” One of TookTime’s most well-loved items is a their graphic t-shirt featuring a kaleidoscopic elephant, which comes in eight different colors ranging from teal to cranberry. The catalog description claims they are sweatshop-free, resistant to fading and shrinking in the washing machine and, most impressively, “[they are] the smoothest and softest t-shirt you’ll ever wear.” Like most modern fashion companies and lifestyle brands, TookTimeCo. also uses social media sites to get the word out. Between its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, the brand boasts
11 COURTESY OF TOOKTIMECO.
a thousands of followers. The sites often depict models strutting through Troy while clad in TookTime apparel. Its website, powered by ecommerce software “Shopify”, also hosts weekly t-shirt giveaways which require only an email address to qualify. Terry is excited about the future of TookTimeCo., as this year’s Fall and Winter collections will soon be available in local stores throughout the area. The brand’s Instagram page offers a sneak peek of the upcoming Illuminati collection, with each item featuring the infamous Eye of Providence emblazoned on the right sleeve. Consisting of an eye atop a pyramid, the symbol was originally found in Freemason iconography, but has recently inspired many conspiracy theories, such as that of the Illuminati. Even given the brand’s meteoric success, Terry is proud that the name itself signifies how all meaningful endeavors are a labor of love. “Greatness takes dedication and time. Our slogan states that you have already taken the time to become great. Ask any successful person today and they will tell you that they had to have patience and believe in themselves in order to reach greatness.”
TookTimeCo. will soon release their fall and winter clothing line online.
COURTESY OF TOOKTIMECO.
COURTESY OF TOOKTIMECO.
A student models part of the collection.
Hip hop influenced clothing brand, TookTimeCo is set to release a series of various clothing.
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October 24, 2017
LGBTQ students have no fear: Albany is here and queer By: Trisha O’Connell Staff Writer The capital region is here and queer, but you may be surprised to learn that this is nothing new. Opening its doors in the early 1900s, the Capital District Gay & Lesbian Council and community pride center was the first gay and lesbian community center in the entire country. Some even more astounding not-so-new news? Albany was not just a frontrunner of gay and lesbian pride. In fact, in the ‘50s, it was also home to one of the nation’s first established Transgender groups. Although these organizations were inevitably plagued by prejudice, injustice and cruelty, Albany was undeniably at the helm of reform and equality. In 2014, Huffington Post, in accordance with the Vocativ’s Queer Index, named Albany the 7th most LGBT-friendly city in the United States. Many members of the LGBTQ community in Albany echo this sentiment. Liberal arts student Aisha Davis shares her experience as an out lesbian living in the capital region. (Her prefered pronouns are she and her). “I came out fully [during] my senior year,” said Davis. Da-
vis is a freshman this year,and is still developing her new-found pride publicly. Davis doesn’t feel that her coming out story is overly dramatic, stating that after she “announced it to the world,” she just wanted to be accepted. “I always knew I was gay,” she said. “I kinda just didn’t do anything about it.” Subsequently, Davis was the target of bullying as a newly-outed teenager in high school. “I was called a liar because I dated boys.” Davis laughed and recounted, “I was once called ‘a mockery of God’s creation!’” Despite her difficulties, she feels comfortable with herself and the people she chooses to love, adding that safety has never been a fear in her mind. Luckily for students like Davis, HVCC has its own Pride Alliance, which welcomes members of all sexual orientations who want to make friends, enact change and add positivity to our community . The capital region is also home to a plethora of LGBTQ-friendly bars, clubs and organizations. Some fan-favorites throughout Albany include Waterworks Pub, Rocks Nightclub and Oh Bar!, all located in the heart of Albany. The capital region also hosts
PHOTO BY JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN
The capital region’s Gay and Lesbian Council continues to thrive in making the area a more accepting environment for the LGBTQ community.
a wide variety of events, such as The Capital Region Pride Parade and Festival, the Black & Latino Gay Pride celebration and the Big Gay Cruise along the Hudson River. Hudson Valley students in-
terested in Pride Alliance can contact one or both of the following club advisors: Sue Proulx, room CTR 176, (518) 629-7211 and/or Amanda Miller-Kalbfliesh, room CTR 170, (518) 629-7210. Members of the general com-
munity looking for support, resources or information on events can visit https://www.albany.org/ about/lgbt-resources/ or stop by the Pride Center of the Capital Region at 332 Hudson Avenue in Albany. PHOTO BY JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN
Waterworks Pub is an open and accepting place for anyone within the LGBTQ community.
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October 24, 2017
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Sampson uses team-support to win at championships By: Julio Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief “My goals for the season were to become a better tennis player all around. Coach said, ‘We could make it to regionals.’ I didn’t actually believe I was going to make it to regionals and win,” said freshman liberal arts student Sarah Sampson. On Oct. 8, Sampson won the NJCAA Region III No.3 Singles Tennis Championship and was named to the First-Team All-Region team. Sampson became the seventh Hudson Valley student-athlete to earn First-Team All-Region honors since 2012 and the first since Kathleen Mai was named the Vikings No.2 singles player in 2015. Sampson has been playing since the age of five, but her tennis career has encountered some roadblocks on the way to Hudson Valley. “I’ve played since I was five. I stopped because it was too much for me. I got back into it when I was in ninth grade. I was playing tennis and basketball at the same time, but I wasn’t feeling basketball anymore. So, I focused my attention to tennis. That helped me realize I loved tennis more
than any other sport,” said Sampson. At the beginning of the season, Sampson’s only goal was to become a better tennis player. “It was my main goal to become a better player. My goals were reached. Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to win. I really didn’t. It was surreal when I won. I thought, ‘oh my god.’ I think I reached it, 100 percent,” said Sampson. In the process, Sampson has become very familiar with the stresses and pressures of balancing school work and athletics. “Well, you have to study incredibly [hard]. You have to make sure you organize your school work with your sports. So, say I had a match at 6:00p.m., I could study an hour or two before that match. Then, I could study right after on the bus ride home which is two hours.” “So, I always had time to do work. It was never too much of a mix up for me. It was hard sometimes, but you get used to it,” continued Sampson. For most of her high school career, Sampson typically played doubles. By switching it up and playing singles, she was able to utilize more of the court and be-
come better equipped to win. “It made me feel like I accomplished so much. When I played singles here, it was like, ‘Wow, I have the chance to just be myself on the court.’ I could open up and run around. It felt good to be playing singles,” continued Sampson. Sampson plans to continue playing tennis next year with the team. After that, she is considering SUNY Cortland for a double major in sports management and communications. “After graduating from Hudson Valley, I plan on playing at the four-year school I transfer to. I can’t stop here. I need to continue practicing year round. I plan on playing tennis until I can’t play anymore. I’m thinking about SUNY Cortland. That’s my top choice,” said Sampson. Sampson expressed her gratitude towards everyone who helped get her to championships, especially when it comes to her teammates and Coach Potenza. “I would like to give thanks to my teammates, coach and the athletic department for everything,” she said. “The uniforms, the travel, the equipment. I know that it was probably highly expensive for the Nike gear.”
PHOTO BY JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN
Sampson plans to continue playing for the HVCC Women’s tennis team next season.
Sampson continued, “I want to thank my coach for calmly talking to me and calming me down when I was incredibly nervous. She let me know it was go-
ing to be okay, no matter what. The entire time, she just believed in me and made me feel like I could do it.”
COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.HVCC.EDU
COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.HVCC.EDU
Sarah Sampson was recently named to the First-Team All-Region Team after winning the NJCAA Region III Tennis Championship.
Conto helped the team place second at the Suny Adirondack hosted conference meet.
Running proves to be a part of life for Conto PHOTO BY JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN
Conto has found that he is confident in his ability to improve for his next season with the Cross Country team.
By: Julio Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief “I would run as a kid with my dad. I never did running professionally on a team. Then I tried it out when I was a sophomore in high school and I ended up being
really good at it,” said freshman exercise science student Anton Conto. Conto and the cross country team placed third at the Herkimer Invitational on Sept. 30. Conto himself finished in sixth place with a time of 24:25.
Conto began his running career with a sense of uncertainty. After encouragement from others, Conto started running cross country in high school. He was unsure at first, but was surprised to learn just how well he performed as a competitive runner. “I’ve been good at running ever since I was in high school. Everyone used to tell me, ‘You should do cross country, you’re really good at running.’ I used to tell them, ‘No, I would not. I’m a terrible runner and I can barely run for a mile.’ I ended up being one of our top runners, so I continued with it at Hudson Valley,” said Conto. His athletic interests include more than running, too, so in his free time he likes to try his hand at other sports. “I ran in high school, but I’ve tried other sports. Not competitively, but during my free time.
I’ve done crew, fencing, hockey and soccer for a year in middle school. Running was my favorite and hockey was a close second,” said Conto. When he’s not running, Conto is a student worker for the Athletics department. As part of his work, he captures and uploads photos for Hudson Valley’s athletics website. “Being a student worker keeps me busy. I hate sitting around and doing nothing,” said Conto. “Doing all of this stuff teaches me discipline. It teaches me not to slack off. I can’t run if I don’t have the grades, so it encourages me to keep my grades up,” continued Conto. The team’s season has seen its ups and down. Conto is confident in the team and each runner’s abilities. “We’re doing pretty well. We have a balance of runners. We
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have people who are fast, in-between, in the back. People [being] in the back is always going to happen. Overall, we’re pretty fast and we all have our talents. It’s our job to entertain those talents.” Conto is certainly an asset to the team of seven students. However, he still finds that he has areas that need work for next year’s season. “I think my performance has been a little less than what I would like. Probably because of a bunch of different factors. I’m not used to running a 5K for a race. It’s just something that I have to improve on, and I can’t wait to improve on that once the season ends.” Conto would like to continue running wherever he continues studying in the future. “My plans for the future are to finish my degree at Hudson Valley, transfer to Cortland and become a physical therapist or a trainer.”
October 24, 2017
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Viking alumni inducted into Hall of Fame
COUTESY OF VINCENT GIORDANO
By: Skylar Blankenship Sports Editor The accomplishments of former students, coaches and contributors were recognized and celebrated at the Hall of Fame induction for the Class of 2017 on Oct. 7. The first ceremony in a decade was held in the McDonough Sports Complex, and included a reception and an induction ceremony. Family, friends, coaches, alumni, administration, the athletic department and many others were in attendance. Together, they created an atmosphere of pride, gratitude and accomplishment that embodied the overall spirit of Hudson Valley. “We have five former student athletes, a former vice president, the all-time winning head football coach and the national championship hockey team being inducted today,” said Justin Hoyt, Hudson Valley’s athletic director, beginning the ceremony. Before the inductees were acknowledged, Hudson Valley President Drew Matonak, who is retiring after this year, was honored for his contributions and support with the creation of The Dr. Andrew J. Matonak Character award. This honor will be bestowed annually at the end-of-year banquet. He was also presented with his own jersey as a parting gift. Chris Onorato, a sports photojournalist from NewsChannel 13 and former news reporter for WWNY, acted as master of ceremonies for the event. Lindsey Bradt, a 2002 graduate, was inducted for accomplishments in basketball and softball. Bradt received numerous awards and recognitions during her career at Hudson Valley, including the Lester Higbee Memorial Award as the Most Outstanding Athlete, on two separate occasions.
“When she was younger, I tried to go to all of her games,” said Mary Dreis of her grand-daughter, Bradt. Tracey Chesebrough (Sears), a 2007 graduate, was inducted for her accomplishments in softball. While at the Valley, Chesebrough earned the Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year, twice, as well as created pitching records for the NJCAA Division III. Kristina Jenkins, a 2007 graduate, was inducted for her accomplishments in bowling. Honors received by Jenkins as a student at the Valley include a two-time All-American, the Kerm Helmer Award and the Betty Jo Graber Award. “Kristina Jenkins was an outstanding bowler. I’m very proud and glad that she is being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Mark Ray, Jenkins’ former Hudson Valley bowling coach. Emmanuel Marc, a 2005 graduate, was inducted for his accomplishments in football. While a student, Marc received the Offensive Most Valuable Player for the JC Football Network and was the 2003 NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year. Darnell Stapleton, a 2005 graduate, was inducted for his accomplishments in football. After Hudson Valley, Stapleton went on to Rutgers University as a scholarship student-athlete and then signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stapleton’s family, like most attendees, expressed their excitement to be at the event and pride for those who were honored. Robert JoJo, Hudson Valley’s football coach from 1997 to 2004, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his contributions to the football program. He guided the team to four Region Three Championships. He also received the 2004 Paul Bishop Award. Willie Hammett, a 1966
Amongst many other athletes and coaches, Kristina Jenkins was inducted into the McDonough Sports Complex athletic hall of fame. COUTESY OF VINCENT GIORDANO
Darnell Stapleton, a 2005 graduate, was introduced to the athletic hall of fame for his outstanding performance in men’s football.
graduate and former Dean of Students and Vice President of Academic Affairs, was inducted for his contributions as an athlete and administrator. As a student, Hammett was on the basketball and cross country teams. Hammett was unable to attend. Former head coach Ron Kuhl accepted the award on behalf of the 2001 men’s ice hockey team. The team had a 16-game winning
streak and went on to to win Nationals, a first for HVCC’s Program. “We had a tremendous group of players. [They] all worked super hard. The team they became is the reason we won the championship,” said Kuhl. Each speech given by the recipients shared a lot of common themes, like recounted memories, gratitude, the importance of hard COUTESY OF VINCENT GIORDANO
Athletes, coaches and contributors all gathered together on Oct. 7th to praise one another for their phenomenal athletic performances.
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work and a sense of home they found at Hudson Valley. The nomination committee consisted of hall of famer Phil Brown, Director of Athletics Justin Hoyt, head football coach Mike Muehling, head cross country coach Sarah Popovics and Ron Mulson, a professor. Members of the selection committee included Louis Coplin, Alycia Courter, Annette Crawford-Harris, Colleen Ferris, Justin Hoyt, Christina Kelly, Regina LaGatta, Dr. Drew Matonak, Jay Pokines, Dr. Alexander Popovics, Denise Potenza, Joseph Prest, Thomas Rogan, Thomas Rogan, Jayquan Rouse, Nathanael Savasta, Don Schmidt, Adam Sopris and Sandra Wimmer. Several members of these committees were in attendance, as well as others who worked behind the scenes to make the event possible. Other notable attendees include Donald Schmidt, the first full time Athletic director, and his wife Nancy, who assisted the advancement of Hudson Valley. . The event was also taped by Viking Video Technologies, the full-service video and communications production house that is affiliated with the college. This recording can be found on the athletic department’s website. The class of 2017 was also recognized at the Homecoming game that evening during half time.
October 24, 2017
Vikings Sports Schedule Sat. Oct 28
Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Regionals (Away) Finger Lakes T.B.A.
Men’s Football (Away) Erie @ 12:00 p.m.
Sat. Nov 4 Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Nationals (Away) Holyoke T.B.A.
Men’s Football (Away) Naval Academy Prep. @ 12:00 p.m.
Vikings Scoreboard Men’s Soccer Tue. Oct 17
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Wrap up of the week: Oct. 14-20 COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.HVCC.EDU
By: Brian Dengler Staff Writer Women’s Volleyball
Women’s volleyball collected a win this week in their final home game of the season against Ulster County Community College. Their first set was the closest of the evening, as Hudson Valley claimed the first point with a 2517 victory. Unfortunately for Ulster, they couldn’t turn things around on their second try and the Vikings took the set 25-13. In the final set, Hudson Valley solidified a proud W, scoring 25-12. Sophomore individual studies major Alayna Fredenburg led the Vikings that evening with 10 kills on a total of 19 attempts. That following Thursday, they played their last match of the year against Orange County Community College in a valiant battle that was back and forth until the very end. Hudson Valley took the first set in a close matchup that finished with a score of 25-19. The second set was less of a success for the Vikings, and Orange County ultimately took it 25-14. The third set made it very clear that neither team were going down with a fight. With a three score difference, they Vikings took the lead back, 25-22. The fourth set was deja vu with another 25-22 score, but this time Orange County came out on top. Hudson Valley lost valiantly
Women’s soccer led a decisive victory against Bergen College on Tuesday Oct. 17.
in the fifth and sixth sets, closing out a tough series in favor of Orange County. Sophomore mechanical engineering technology major Danielle Pardo had a career-game that evening, setting a season high in assists with an insane 52.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team went head-to-head with Onondaga and Bergen Community Colleges this week. Both games ended in defeat with scores of 6-1 and 3-2, respectively. Onondaga scored only once against Hudson Valley in the first half, but erupted in the second, scoring an additional five goals. Sophomore liberal arts major Ryan Euell claimed the lone Vikings goal, his tenth this season, in the second half. The Vikings found them-
selves at amother loss as they took on the Bergen Bulldogs a few days later. Coming out of the first half, the two teams came to a stalemate of 1-1. Hudson Valley’s only point came from freshman business major Garrett Axtmann, who was assisted by freshman architecture technology major Carl Kernochan. In the second half, the standoff was broken with Bergen putting two more points on the scoreboard while keeping the Vikings at bay. The Bulldogs took the game, 3-1.
Women’s Soccer
The women’s soccer team prevailed over Bergen Community College in a tight defensive battle on Tuesday. The first half went nearly
scoreless, and it seemed like both teams would likely enter halftime tied at 0-0. To wake up the crowd, freshman individual studies major Paige Bailey broke off a kick and sent the ball into the net, putting Hudson Valley on the board and snagging the lead. The second half was just as exhilarating as the first. Neither team was able to score another goal that half until a penalty was called against Bergen. With only a minute to spare, freshman radiology major Madison Pinzer took full advantage of her penalty kick. She scored again, bringing Hudson Valley up 2-0 and closing out the game. The women’s team now boasts an impressive six-game winning streak, making their record this season 10-4. COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.HVCC.EDU
HVCC v. Bergen
1-3
Women’s Soccer Tue. Oct 17 HVCC v. Bergen
2-0
Women’s Volleyball Mon. Oct 16 HVCC v. Ulster
3-0
Men’s Football Sat. Oct 21 HVCC v. Monroe
0-24 For more information, visit athletics.hvcc.edu
Women’s volleyball saw an unfortunate one point loss against Orange College on Thursday Oct. 19.
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October 24, 2017
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Vikings athletics set to return for winter season PHOTO BY MIKEY BRYANT | HUDSONIAN
By: Skylar Blankenship Sports Editor A new season of athletics is set to begin at the Valley as the last leaves fall to the ground. Cross country, soccer, volleyball and football are ushered out and basketball and bowling are ushered in. The men’s basketball team finished the 2016-2017 season with an 18-11 overall record, with an average of 83.1 points and 38.1 rebounds per game. They also had a 38 percent free throw average. “Our goal is always to win 20 games and get in the regional championships,” said head coach Mike Long, regarding the upcoming season. The men’s at-home season opener will be on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. against Rockland Community College. Long will be at the helm with assistant coaches Ed Pierce, Phil Sellers and Maxwell Weaver. “We lost quite a bit of our group from last year and trying to replace them is going to be difficult,” said Long. Long has over 40 years of coaching experience and has been inducted into the Saint Rose Hall of Fame in 1992, Bishop Maginn Hall of Fame in 2006 and the New York State Capital District Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. Women’s basketball had an overall record of 4-20 at the end of last season. The team had an average of 53.1 points per game, with almost 27 rebounds and a 58.8 free throw percentage. “We are really looking forward to this year’s season. We
With a previous record of 4-20, Women’s basketball is set to have their first home game on Nov 1.
scheduled a lot of games against out-of-region opponents, going all the way to the city [and] Massachusetts,” said head coach Robert Coleman. This year, the women also have their first home game on Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. against Rockland Community College. Coleman will coach alongside assistant coaches Sheena Harrington and Jacquelin Hotaling.
“We really recruited well over the year locally, as well as added a few players outside of the area from New York City [and] as far upstate as Saranac Lake,” continues Coleman. Before becoming the women’s head coach at HVCC, Coleman was the school’s assistant men’s basketball coach and a coach at SUNY Cobleskill. He also helped build an AAU/CYO program at
the Troy Boys and Girls Club. The men’s bowling team finished their season ranked fifth in Region Three championships with a team score of 8,021 pins. Garrett Bartlett, a then-freshman, was named to the 2017 All-Region Team. On the other hand, women’s bowling team finished their season in second place with a team score of 7,591 pins. Then-fresh-
man Kyla Day was named to the 2017 All-Region Team. Both teams will be coached by Joe Prest with the assistance of Catherine Bell. Prest has been coaching the men’s and women’s teams since 1987 and 1988, respectively. He was inducted into the NJCAA Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Troy Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame in 2002. COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.HVCC.EDU
Men’s basketball ended their 2016-17 season with 18 wins and 11 losses.
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